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THE
LAST EAELS OF BAEEYMOEE.
THE
LAST EARLS OF BAERYMOEE
1769—1824
l:V
JOHN KOBEET EOBINSON
AUTHOR OF "THE PKINCELY CHANDOS," ETC.
" Restless, unfixed in iiriuciplcs or place,
Iu power displeased, impatient of disgrace."
Dryden.
LONDON
SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY
Limited
gt. pnnstan'B Bona?
Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C.
1894
[-IN rights resert
Df\
INTRODUCTION.
In the numerous works that deal with the times of
George III. and IV., many references are made to
more intimate companions of the latter in his
younger days, when Prince of Wales.
Among those alluded to briefly by biographers
stand conspicuously the " Barrymores," who at
one time shared the favour of the Prince of Wales'
patronage, together with the Hangers, Lades, and
Legers of those days.
To search, then, in the spirit of the Spanish
maxim, " Tell me who you go with, and I'll tell
you what you are," has been my aim in producing
the following work.
I record the doings of this curious family in no
sympathetic spirit, nor would I have undertaken
what has proved a most laborious task did I
not think some good might be effected by this
disastrous example of folly and extravagance.
On the other hand, there is much in the
vi Introduction.
character of Kichard, the 7th Earl of Barrymore,
which stamps him as one of those freaks of nature
that now and again appear among us. He was
endowed with genius, learning, and wit, yet he
sacrificed them all to pursuits which compassed
his ruin.
The Thespian productions by the Earl at his
handsome theatre at Wargrave are historic, but
no special account of them in detail has hitherto
been published.
The records of the Earl's doings on the race-
course, the field, and in other athletic pursuits,
bring many well-known characters iuto promi-
nence, while the dramatic and other anecdotes
will afford amusement and instruction to the
general, as well as to Sporting and Dramatic
readers.
In a work wherein I strive to depict the life of
" smart " Society of that day, without too deeply
wounding the feelings of this, I hope to be held
guiltless of any sinister motives, should it be con-
sidered that I have offended against good taste.
J. XV. XV.
London, X.W., Nov. 1, 1893.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
A brief account of the family of Barry — The fourth, fifth,
and sixth Earls of Barrymore — Birth of Caroline,
Richard, Henry, and Augustus Barry — Death of the
sixth Earl of Barrymore — Early days of Richard, the
seventh earl ........ 1
CHAPTER II.
Death of the Countess of Barrymore — The earl goes to
Eton — Death of the Countess of Harrington — The
earl's first visit to a racecourse, result thereof — His
early diversions ....... 8
CHAPTER III.
The earl learns the various ways of raising money — His
entry into fashionable life — His character and appear-
ance at this time — He makes AVargrave a place of
residence — Description of the earl's hunting pageant
it Louis Quatorze . . . . . . .13
CHAPTER IV.
The Earl of Barry more's entry on the turf — Intuitive
faculty for that sport — His connection with the Royal
Circus, St. George's Fields — Purchases made by the
earl for his stud, 1788 — The sister and brothers of
the earl 19
viii Contents.
CHAPTER V.
PAGE
stag hunt near Wargrave by the earl's hounds — The
Earl of Barrymore's record at the First Spring Meet-
ing, Newmarket, 1788 — A whimsical bet — The earl
bestows his patronage on the " prize ring " — Further
account of the earl's racing successes — A match made
by Earl Barrymore for which he had to pay forfeit . 26
CHAPTER VI.
The Earl of Barrymore appears in the saddle at Ascot — Al
fresco entertainments at Wargrave — The earl as a
" whip " and postillion — The Honourable Henry
Barry's character as a rider — The earl's hackney
coach freak — His turf record for 1788 continued —
Racing at Lewes and Brighton — He plays the role of
" crier " — Buys a horse with only two faults . . 32
CHAPTER VII.
Conclusion of the Earl of Barrymore's racing record for
1788 — Some account of Sir John Lade — Dr. Johnson's
verses on Sir John's coming of age — The Earl of
Barrymore's fancy for founding convivial clubs — An
example of these : the Bothering Club . . .41
CHAPTER VIII.
The Earl of Barrymore erects a theatre at Wargrave — The
building — The first performances held therein— The
earl and his team of " greys " — Makes further addi-
tions to his stud — Some account of its performances
during 1789 — The earl acts as his own check-taker
on a " theatre evening " — His kindness to distressed
friends 47
CHAPTER IX.
Pugilism at Wargrave — Hooper " the Tinman's " adven-
ture at Vauxhall Gardens — Marriage of Sir John Lade
— Who the " lady " was — The Earl of Barrymore's
Wargrave residence and its accommodation — The
earl's peculiarities — Dining and diners at Wargrave . 5G
Contents. ix
CHAPTER X.
f\<. ■<■
Preparations at Wargrave to celebrate the Earl of Barry-
more's majority — Names of the principal amateur ami
professional actors at the earl's theatre — Visit of the
Prince of Wales to Wargrave — The prologue ami
epilogue spoken before H.R.H. — Names of the plays,
farces, and pantomimes produced by the Earl at his
theatre — Some account of the meeting between Big
Ben and Johnson, and the latter with Perrins . . G6
CHAPTER XI.
The Earl of Barrymore astonishes the natives — His friend-
ship with the son of a Berkshire yeoman — Strange
diversion for a summer's day — Account of the Warble
Club— J.: M. Williams, LL.D. (" Anthony Pasquin ")
— The mock Court of Justice held at Wargrave — J.
M.Williams assists the Earl in the formulation of
" Waggery," etc. . . . . . . .71
CHAPTER XII.
All other matters deferred for the theatre by the Earl —
Account of one of the prompters at Wargrave — That
worthy's linen — The Earl of Barrymore's skill as a
"■ whip " — An amusement of the Earl's when on the
box-»The Je-ne-sais-quoi Club — Lord Barrymore
engages Delphini the pierrot for his theatre — A
curious tale narrated — The Earl made the subject of
censorious press comment . . . . .83
CHAPTER XIII.
Hunting and theatricals at Wargrave in the winter of 1789
— The Earl of Barrymore increases his racing stud —
Sir John Lade and Charles James Fox — Encounter
between Hooper and Watson — The Earl's turf suc-
cesses in the early part of 1790 — The Earl runs against
a horseman in Kensington Gardens — His strange way
of recovering his stolen watch — The Earl'e character
as portrayedin a newspaper of that period — Th
of the " Brogue-makers " . . . • • .92
Contents.
CHAPTER XIV.
PAGE
An encounter at Brighton — The Earl of Barrymore's
wager there with the Duke of York — A singular
prank played on an inhabitant of the Steine — The
Earl adds to his extravagance in the cause of Thespis
— His pedestrian contest at Brighton — Racing record
there ......... 100
CHAPTER XV.
The Earl of Barrymore's expenses — Curious result of an
arrest for debt — John Edwin, the younger — His
benefit at the theatre, Richmond — The Earl's racing
record at Reading — Encounter between Big Ben and
Hooper — The Earl of Barrymore's fete at Wargrave . 109
CHAPTER XVI.
The Earl of Barrymore talks of contesting the city of
Oxford for a seat in Parliament — Description of the
Earl's late seat in Ireland — The Earl as a chef — The
Humbug Club — How members were installed — The
Earl " sees life " under all conditions — Joins in the
convivialities at Jacob's Well — His racing record at
the First and Second October Meetings, Newmarket,
1790 118
CHAPTER XVII.
" Joe the Conjurer " at Wargrave — Fatal accident outside
the Earl's theatre at Wargrave — "Anthony Pasquin's"
poems — Anecdote of David Garrick — The Earl of
Barrymore's racing successes at the Houghton Meeting
in 1790 \ 128
CHAPTER XVIII.
Theatrical season at Wargrave, 1790-1791 — Wargrave
Theatrical Club Ball — The Earl of Barrymore in the
ball-room — Fight between Johnson and Big Ben —
The Earl's freak while receiving a fencing lesson —
The Earl compared with man's " Three Evils " —
Additions made by the Earl to his racing stud — Notes
— The Earl of Barrymore's turf career compared
with " Old " Dick Vernon's 140
Contents. xi
CHAPTER XIX.
HOI
Mr. Bullock aptly named — The Comtesse Ju Barri and
the Barrymores — The Earl's pleasure mentioned as
business — Parody on the " Deserted Village " by
"Anthony Pasquin " . . . . . .145
CHAPTER XX.
An anecdote related by the Earl of Barry more — Produc-
tion of the pantomime Bluebeard at Wargrave — The
flat racing season begins — The Earl enters the House
of Commons — How an amateur actor was brought
from London — The Earl's dislike to being driven in a
post-chaise — Captain Wathen, the theatrical amateur
— Newmarket Second Spring Meeting, 1791 — The
Earl in love — Mrs. Good all, the actress, at Wargrave 157
CHAPTER XXI.
The Earl of Barrymore contests the Borough of Reading —
One of the Earl's clubs — Anecdote of Dennis O'Flynn
— Racing at Newmarket — Preparations to resume
theatrical performances — Captain Wathen purchases
the lease of the Richmond Theatre — The Earl's new
carriage — Anecdote of George II. and Brentford —
" A new way to pay old debts " . . . .105
CHAPTER XXII.
Tin- Earl of Barrymore's racing record at Brighton and
Lewes, 1791 — Dispute between the Honourable
Augustus Barry and a French officer — The Earl drives
six greys-in-hand — The Earl thrashes a butcher for
cruelty — Anecdotes of the Prince of Wales and the
Barrymores at Brighton — The Earl's kindness to actors
— Les trois magots — Cricket at Brighton, 1791— Tin'
Earl of Barrymore reduces his racing engagements . 17i!
CHAPTER XXIII.
A dispute between Earl Barrymore and Mr. Donadieu at
Brighton — The Duchess de la Pienna and the Bams
— The Earl serenades Mrs. Fitzherbert — The Earl
and Edwin, Junior . . . . . . .181
xii Contents.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PiGK
Racing at First October Meeting, 1791— The Earl of
Barryrnore's luck at cards — Anecdote — Racing at
Second October Meeting, 1791 — The race of "Escape"
notoriety — Hunting and theatricals at "Wargrave —
Another print caricatures the Earl of Barry more —
Names of a few of the principal convivial clubs then
in London 187
CHAPTER XXV.
The Earl treats for the Brighton Theatre — Strange treat-
ment accorded to Mr. Fox, Junior, at Wargrave —
Action by Mr. Donadieu against the Earl — A good
" Bill of Fare " for his lordship's theatrical guests at
Wargrave — Action by Mr. Cox, builder of the theatre,
Wargrave — Lord Kenyon's remarks at Mr. Donadieu's
action — The Earl of Barryrnore's winning record at
the Craven and First Spring Meeting, Newmarket,
1792 19G
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Earl of Barrymore and his table beer — Lines on Mr.
Day, who ran away — Racing at Newmarket — The
Earl's fortune on the wane — Sale of the Piccadilly
mansion and stables at Christie's — Grand cricket
match at Lord's — The masquerade ball at Vauxhall —
Marriage of the Earl of Barrymore with Miss Gould-
ing, Gretna Green fashion 201
CHAPTER XXVII.
Did the Earl and his bride go to Gretna Green 1 — Gossip —
A new masquerade " ballad " read at Wargrave —
Seizure by the Sheriff of the theatre at Wargrave — A
humorous inventory — The Earl's new diversion — He
accepts a commission in the Berkshire Militia — The
Earl of Barryrnore's parliamentary career . . . 20G
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Earl of Barrymore as a student — His favourite prose
writers — Anecdote of Delphini — Cricket at Wargrave
Contents. xiii
PAGE
— Sale of the materials of the theatre, Wargrave — Dis-
persion of the Earl's racing stud — Purchase of
Chanticleer by the Duke of York— The Earl still
appears in the " pigskin " — Sale of the Duke of
York's stud — Disbandment of the Earl's dramatic
company — Some further allusions to " Anthony
Pasquin " — The Earl of Barrymore's oratorical powers 214
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Earl forms the Bacchanalian Society — Prepares a
supper for a friend at a village inn — Drills Boniface
and the servants — His lordship departs with his regi-
ment for Rye — Commands an escort with sixteen
prisoners to Dover — Halts near Folkestone for
refreshment — Accidental discharge of his fowling-
piece and death of the Earl — Inquest and burial at
"Wargrave — Some mention of a posthumous heir —
Denial by the Countess — Remarks on the career of
the late Earl 220
CHAPTER XXX.
Financial affairs of the late Earl— Henry, Eighth and last
Earl of Barrymore — Establishes the fashion of the
" tiger " — The Earl and the battle of the whips — His
lordship's love for mystifying persons — His duel with
Humphrey Howarth, M.P., at Brighton . . . 227
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Earl of Barrymore and the Chip Chow Indians — His
lordship's racing and charioteering display but the
shadow of his late brother's — The Earl's ready wit
with the law's minions — The Honourable Augustus
Barry — His death — Prints, etc., concerning the late
Earl — The eighth Earl's caricature — His passion for
the Drama and Music ...... 234
CHAPTER XXXII.
Anthony Pasquin's " means of livelihood after his patron's
death — His later works — "William Cifford retaliates
on " Pasquin " — Action by " Pasquin" against Robert
xiv Contents.
PAGE
Faulder — The plaintiff's flight to America — Employed
by the " Federal " paper to attack Corbett — Discomfi-
ture, and return to England — Compromises with his
creditors here — Reappearance as a theatrical and art
critic — His quarrels and strange conduct . . .240
CHAPTER XXXIII.
John Taylor suggests that Dr. Wolcot and "Pasquin"
should unite. their Muses — How John Taylor became
deprived of "Pasquin's" friendship— " Pasquin's"
claim as an art critic — Goes to Paris — Return again
to London — Writes critiques for the Morning Herald
— Procures some favour by a work on criticism —
Some further particulars concerning the late Earl
Barrymore's affairs — Sale of the estates of Castle
Lyons and Buttevant — Death of Henry, eighth and
last Earl of Barrymore. ...... 245
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Anecdote of, and death of Hooper — Death of Lady Lade
— Decease of Anna, Countess of Barrymore — Death
of Sir John Lade — Claim to the viscountcy of Butte-
vant — Conclusion 250
Appendices . 253
Index .......... 267
LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.
" Interior of the Earl of Barryni ore's Theatre,
"Wargrave " Frontispiece
"Lord Barrymore and Captain Wathen &s Archer
and Aimicell in the Beaux' s Stratagem" . 'To face p. 162
"The Levee, or the Mcecenats of Scrubs and'
Scaramouches" ..... ,, 191
" Death of Richard, 7th Earl of Barrymore " . „ 224
"Richard, 7th Earl of Barrymore, as Cupid" „ 238
THE LAST
EARLS OP BAEEYMOEE
CHAPTER I.
A brief account of the family of Barry — The fourth, fifth, and
sixth Earls of Barrymore — Birth of Caroline, Eichard,
Henry, and Augustus Barry — Death of the sixth Earl of
Barrymore — Early days of Richard, the seventh earl.
The noble family of Barn' came to this country
in the train of William the Conqueror, and was
most probably of Norman origin. Many histo-
rians assert, however, that the family descended
from the powerful counts of Paris, who, through
Hugh Capet, the last holder of that dignity,
became kings of France. The name Barry, was
in former times spelt in various ways ; those who
could write, used any form of spelling their fancy
dictated, or the tongue, or dialect of the various
districts suggested. Many instances of this are
recorded, but, for the present purpose, the fol-
lowing will suffice. From the original, Paris, the
name is found by Norman-French changed to
Barre, Barri, the last with, and without, the de
or du ; then again distorted by the various
B
2 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
dialects of Great Britain, into Barry, Diparry,
Pers, Parr, Parrish, Dunbar, Parry, &c, &c.
The ancestor, and founder of the family of
Barry here, was William de Barre, who was
followed soon after the battle of Hastings, by
other relatives from Normandy. These included
one, Robert de Barre, sent by William the Con-
queror, as an ambassador to the Pope in 1069.
To give an account of the services rendered by
the members of this family, over some seven or
eight centuries, would be beyond the province of
the present work ; suffice it to say that, though
they came of a race of warriors, the Barrys have
shone in all branches of learning and art.
Gerald Barry — Giraldns Gambrensis — the first
historian of Ireland, and afterwards Bishop of St.
David's, was tutor to King John, and a direct
descendant of the William de Barre who came to
England in the train of the Conqueror.
Gerald's immediate ancestors settled in Wales,
and later near Cork, in the south of Ireland, where
they obtained a grant of an extensive tract of
land, as a reward for their services in the conquest
of that country. It is said they soon reduced to
" civility," the natives on their property, who
called their conquerors the Burrach-Mohr —
(Barrymore), in English, " the Great Barrys," on
account of their power and wealth. But this was
not all the Celtic tongue did for their name. A
David de Barry cheered his men on, in a fight
with the McCarthy's, with his war-cry of " Boutez
en avant " — push forward — and the war-cry was
Arrest of the Earl of Barrymore.
transformed into "Buttcvant," given later as a
name to one of the manors owned by this family.
In the reign of Richard II., the dignity of Viscount
was bestowed on the Barry who was then in pos-
session of the estates, as Viscount Buttcvant, the
first title of that rank created in Ireland. Henry
VII. also further ennobled the family, as did
Charles I., by their best known title at the
'present day : Earls of Barrymore.
James Barry, the fourth Earl, sat for maii3 r
years in the English House of Commons, being
only an Irish peer, first for Stockb ridge, 1710-
1713; and from 1714-1747 for Wigan. On the
29th February, 1744, King George II. notified
the Commons, that he had caused the Earl of
Barrymore, one of their body, to be arrested for
assumed treasonable practices. To this, the
House returned an address to his Majesty, thanked
him, and desired that every suspected person
might be so secured. So much for the incident :
it is the cause of this proceeding that interests
us.
James Barry, Viscount Biittevant, son and heir
to the above Earl of Barrymore, was intrusted by
his father with a letter addressed either to Lord
Lovat or Lord Balmerino, both adherents of the
Pretender, whom his father, the Earl, was sus-
pected to favour, although at one time he was an
officer in the army of King William III. Instead
of obeying his father's commands, Buttcvant gave
up the missive to the government by the hand of
the then Secretary of State. The letter was
B 2
4 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
opened and read at a privy council, and a warrant
for the writer's arrest was issued. At the same
time messengers were dispatched to the earl's
seat in Cheshire, to seize his papers, as the inter-
cepted letter was thought insufficient to secure a
conviction, and a frigate was sent to convey the
noble prisoner from Ireland, for his appearance
before the privy council. The result of the
investigation of the papers seized at the earl's
Cheshire seat, failed to prove him guilty of sedi-
tion, and after an examination before the council,
he was discharged.
Before his departure from the council chamber,
certain lords present desired to prove how far
Earl Barrymore's sympathy extended to the
Jacobite cause. One of their number asked him
several pointed questions to test his fealty towards
the reigning house. The earl's answer is remark-
able, and left his questioner little wiser than he
was before : — " I have, my lords, a very good
estate in Ireland, and, on that,' I believe, fifteen
hundred acres of very bad land ; now, by G — d, I
would not risk the loss of the poorest acre of
them to defend the title of any king in Europe,
provided — it was not to my interest."
The example of filial affection and patriotism
afforded by Viscount Buttevant is unique in the
history of the troubled times of the eighteenth
century.
In due course, the viscount succeeded his
father as fifth Earl of Barrymore, but only lived
to enjoy that dignity four years. Upon his deatli
How to Prepare "a Wager." 5
in 1751, his son, Richard Barry, became sixth earl
at six years of age. While he was still but a child,
he was brought to London, and placed at West-
minster School, whence he proceeded to Eton,
and thence to Oxford. He left the University in
his eighteenth year, and came to London, where
he was speedily initiated into the various fashion-
able pursuits of the period. For cards, and other
games of chance, he showed a strong inclination,
with the usual result to the inexperienced, heavy
loss. As he had bought his experience, so he
proposed to profit by it, if possible. He there-
fore became a noted and skilful gambler, and
won money apace. He was largely addicted to
wagers and bets. Going circa 1 770, into a tavern
near Charing Cross, he ordered dinner to be
served to him in a small private room. On the
guest's being left alone after the cloth was re-
moved, the waiter heard a noise as of furniture
being dragged out, and went upstairs to find the
various articles outside the room, he then peeped
through the keyhole, and espied the noble earl on
his knees, busily covering the floor with packs of
cards he had brought in with him. The waiter,
who knew better than to call attention to what he
had seen, waited till he was summoned by the
earl, who, when he had finished his singular task,
paid his bill, and departed.
A few days after the earl again visited the
tavern, in the company of two friends, and re-
quested that dinner might be served to theui in
the same room in which he had dined on the first
6 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
occasion. After dinner was finished, Lord Barry-
more offered to bet 500/. " that he wonld guess,
more nearly than either of his guests, how
many cards would cover the floor of the room
they were in." A wager that appeared founded so
much on chance was at once accepted. It is un-
necessary to record the name of the winner.
A second similar trait of this " nobleman ' is :
the earl would sit at a window of his own
house with friends, and bet that he could name
the number, or near it, of a hackney coach, to be
singled out by him from others passing. If the
bet was accepted, the coach would be one occu-
pied by a friend, instructed to drive by at a
certain time, in a coach hired by his lordship.
As may be supposed the earl was much given to
practical jokes, but space will not permit an
enumeration of them.
The sixth earl married Lady Emilia, or Amelia
Stanhope, third daughter of William, Earl of
Harrington ; she bore him four children in the
order named : (1) Caroline, born May 17th,
17G8 ; (2) Richard, Viscount Buttevant, born
August 14th, 17G9 ; (3) Henry, born August
16th, 1770 ; (4) Augustus, born July 16th, 1773.
Their father followed the profession of arms, one
by which his ancestors had obtained both wealth
and dignity, and at this period he held a captain's
commission in the 9th regiment of Dragoons.
His military career was, however, brief, for he
died of fever, after only seven days' illness, in his
twenty-eighth year, at Dromana, Lady Grandi-
Accession of the Seventh Earl. 7
son's seat on the Black water, on August 1st,
1773.
Richard Barry, Viscount Buttevant, his heir,
was but five years old, one year younger than his
father had been left in a similar position. The
sixth earl is said to have been an excellent
officer, and a great admirer of horses. In fact,
he owned, and raced, a small but select stud of
horses a year previous to his demise. The reader
should bear in mind the peculiar traits in this
nobleman's character, to which allusion has been
made, as they will elucidate and account for
much that happened in the after life of his sons.
The child-earl soon gave proof of remarkable
precocity. His mother, therefore, was anxious
her son's natural talents should be fostered, and
to this end he was placed, as soon as his tender
age allowed, under the care and tuition of the
Reverend Mr. Tickell, at the village of Wargrave,
Berkshire. This gentleman's erudition, com-
bined with an almost parental affection for his
charge, left little to be desired. The young earl
remained under the able guidance of his tutor
till his fourteenth year, when his friends thought
he should enter one of the public schools, pre-
paratory to a university career, should that be
determined on later.
CHAPTER II.
Death of the Countess of Barrymore — The earl goes to Eton —
Death of the Countess of Harrington — The earl's first visit
to a racecourse, result thereof — His early diversions.
The young Earl of Barrymore, when he attained
his fourteenth year, had the misfortune to lose
his mother. This occurred in 1782. She left the
care of her young family to her relatives. They
thought that Richard, the earl, should proceed
to Eton. But it was the earl's maternal grand-
mother, the Countess of Harrington, who took the
initiative in this step, and who appears to have
been most indulgent to the earl and his brothers.
In fact they were all much attached to her, but
death again robbed them of one who no doubt
would have taken maternal care of her daughter's
orphaned children, and whope advice they may
have been influenced by.
The Countess of Harrington was zealous her
grandson should, though a boy, uphold his rank.
With this view, and that he should feel independ-
ent, she took, what would now be looked upon as
a far too extravagant course — a sum of one thou-
sand pounds for pocket money, on his going to
Death of the Countess oj Harrington. o
Eton. With this princely amount, for a lad of
fourteen, he soon found that money could procure
the gratification of most, if not all his whims.
It was this power to gratify each fancy as it was
formed, that led the earl into those paths of
extravagance, which in the end marred his
fortune.
Soon after the earl's advent at Eton, the head-
master was informed of the death of his young
pupil's grandmother, the Countess of Harrington.
He was asked, on account of the susceptibility of
his charge, to break the news gently to him, which
he assented to do, though he took a strange
means to accomplish it. Calling his lordship to
him in the class-room, with an air of austere
authority, he asked many questions on the matter
of his studies, and commanded him to at once
construe some lines from " Virgil." The task
being accomplished, he then informed his pupil in a
somewhat harsh manner, " Your grandmother is
ill, my lord," but, in the same breath, bade his
pupil commence a fresh lesson from the Latin
poet, to stop him after he had construed a few
lines, with, " She is very ill, my lord." At this sad
news the earl expressed his grief, but was again
commanded to proceed witli his task. The boy
obeyed, but was interrupted at the next moni« 111
by the doctor exclaiming : " She's dying, my
lord." "What! dying," cried the bewildered
youth. "Come! come! my lord," replied the
learned pedagogue, " she is dead, now you know
the worst. Go to your seat, and make the best
of an irretrievable misfortune."
io The Last Earls of Barrymore.
With the demise of this lady, all semblance of
parental authority over the youth appears to have
come to an end. Whether the male relations of
the earl did not feel disposed to interest them-
selves on his behalf, or whether their advice, if
tendered, was spurned, cannot now be positively
said. It is certain, however, that the earl and
his brothers were left to do as they pleased ; this
they did by forthwith entering upon men's
pursuits with the eagerness of most lads of
sixteen to appear as men in their own eyes. The
earl was scarcely beyond that age, when being at
home for the Easter recess, he thought fit to
visit Newmarket with his brother Henry and
some friends, during the second Spring meeting,
1785. On that occasion he witnessed the follow-
ing match : Mr. Wentworth's Rockingham,
(late Camden), by Highflyer, eight stone four
pounds, (1), Mr. O'Kelly's Serjeant, eight stone
four pounds, (2), Beacon course. Mr. O'Kelly
staked 500 to 400 guineas, odds seven to four on
Rockingham, and was justified by his winning
easily.
Lord Barrymore found many in the ring only
too glad to bet with him, and made quite a coup
for a novice : he laid the odds, to win a thousand
guineas. On the settlement, the acceptor of the
bet handed his lordship notes for a thousand
pounds, which he counted, and then asked for the
other " fifty." The bookmaker found he had a
man to deal with, not as he had thought, a boy,
and apologized for the " error " by handing him
the amount demanded.
Village Sports ! 1 1
This day's pleasure exercised a serious influence
on the earl's career. He determined to own a stud
of race-horses, so soon as he should attain his
majority, or sooner if he could raise the funds for
their purchase. But this was not his only ex-
pensive pursuit, nor the one in which he acquired
the most notoriety, or in which his versatile and
volatile nature displayed its fullest scope.
While at home for the summer holidays, he
often went on a visit, with his brothers, to his old
tutor at Wargrave, a spot that always had the
utmost charm for him ; in fact he made it a place
of residence afterwards. On these occasions he
displayed the taste for practical joking, that sub-
sequently made him notorious. The earl, accom-
panied by his brothers, and a few " choice spirits,"
would set out from Wargrave soon after mid-
night, armed with hammers, saws, hatchets, ladders,
ropes, etc., to make a tour of the surrounding
villages, and on their way they would change the
sign-boards of the various village hostelries.
We can imagine the surprise of boniface when he
took down his shutters, to find his sign changed
to the " Rose and Crown," which he knew to be
the name of an inn in a hamlet five miles oft",
while the landlord of that house would be
thunderstruck to find his sign metamorphosed
into the " King's Head."
By these and kindred pursuits, the "Barry
brothers" soon acquired a far-and- wide reputa-
tion for mischief and frolic. But their natural
gaiety of disposition, humour, and wit, saved
them from getting into trouble.
12 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
As a sort of peace-offering for their delin-
quencies, the earl and his brothers and friends,
would institute games of cricket, quoits, &c,
among the villagers, and give a hat to be grinned
for through a horse collar, a pair of boots to the
best cudgeller, and a bunch of ribbons to the
fleetest Atalanta. In these and similar amuse-
ments, including recitations, and dramatic per-
formances, given in an old barn turned into a
temporary theatre, they passed their time at
Wargrave. The drama was the earl's especial
hobby, one for which he had natural ability ;
this was destined to become a most expensive
pleasure. Garrick's " Miss in her 'teens " was the
favourite farce, given at these extemporaneous
performances. The earl played Flash, his brother
Henry, Pvff, and a Mr. Nassau, Miss Biddy.
These histrionic attempts are said to have been
creditable ; considering the eldest of the actors,
— the earl — was not seventeen years of age !
But the restraint upon the earl, imposed by
nonage, chafed sorely his enterprising spirit ;
and to attain the ends in view, he determined to
take steps early the next year to anticipate his
majority.
CHAPTER III.
The earl learns the various ways of raising money — His entry
into fashionable life — His character and appearance at
this time — He makes Wargrave a place of residence —
Description of the earl's hunting pageant a Louis Quatorze.
The impetuous character of Lord Barrymore
would not permit him to wait the short space of
four years, to attain his majority; he therefore
did what many had done before, and, as many
will do again, in spite of legal enactments ; he
resourced to Israelitish and other money lenders,
who looked upon him as lawful prize. One of
these gentry, who had acquired in his early
career the sobriquet of " Black Dick," ingratiated
himself with the youth, so far, indeed, as to
become treasurer to him, for a time. Under the
tuition of this person, the earl acquired a pro-
found knowledge of the legal mysteries of
mortgage, annuity, post obits, bills, interest, &c,
created for the purpose of raising money. The
ease with which he mastered the intricacies of
these instruments, almost gained for him a legal
reputation.
His monetary arrangements concluded, the
earl, in his eighteenth year, began to live in
great splendour, setting up an establishment
which for extent, variety, and taste, almost baffles
i4 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
faithful description. The display included a
number of handsome equipages, with relays of
carriage horses, all carefully selected, at great
cost, and a crowd of hunters and hacks. The
coachmen, footmen and grooms, were attired in
sumptuous liveries, and proved a source of attrac-
tion to the populace.
The Earl of Barrymore at eighteen, was tall
for his years, and before he attained his twenty-
first year, was over six feet in height. He was
slenderly built, and agile ; he frequently aston-
ished the crowd on Newmarket Heath, by placing
one hand on the saddle of bis horse, and vaulting
over him. His social gifts were many and various,
and their diversity enabled bim to enter any
society at a moment's notice. This boyish Proteus
could discourse one minute in the choicest French
with a duchess in her boudoir; the next upon
some debateable point as to the exact translation
of a classic author, astonishing a learned pro-
fessor by his knowledge. In almost the same
breath he could speak the slang of the stable, the
prize ring, and thieves' kitchen with as much
volubility as if he had been born and bred in
their midst. No situation came amiss to him, his
wit and humour were boundless, and their magic
dissipated gloom and drove dull care away from
all with whom he came in contact.
Many termed hirn the modern Duke of Bucking-
ham ; " Everything by turns, and nothing long : '
and with respect to his volatile disposition, this
saying had a certain amount of truth. Others
Principal Featurks of Richard, 7T11 Earl. 15
said lie was a "revised edition ' of the Earl of
Rochester, of King Charles the Second's time ; or
that later eccentric Philip, Duke of Wharton,
whom in many ways he resembled ; but he never
offended by using blasphemous utterances like
the former, and he did not possess the bad
characteristics of the latter. He was gay, but not
absurd, he was witty without being uncharitable,
and to these natural gifts may be added those
of a poet, painter, and musician ; though he did
not foster any of those arts. In fact, whatever role
he undertook, he excelled in, by intuitive genius.
He was a proficient in athletic exercises; he could
fence, box, or ride, against any man in the king-
dom. Of course a person of these diversified parts,
and also of his rank, could not escape observation,
and remark. The purveyors of news and gossip
in those times, took special care to animadvert on
the earl, and his doings ; but he cared little what
others said, or wrote of him. His chief aim was
to live merrily, if not wisely, and to do all things
" in style," which he emphasized with the oft-
expressed : " D — n the expense." No individual
ever acquired greater notoriety in a brief career,
or lived up more resolutely to the lines : —
" Happy's the man, and happy lie alone,
He, who can call to-day his own.
He, who, secure within himself, can say,
To-morrow, do thy worst, for I have lived to-day.
lie fair, or foul, or rain, or shine,
The joys I have possessed, in spite of Fate are mine.
Not Heaven, itself, upon the past has power.
But, what haa been, has been, and I have lived my hour."
The Earl of Barrymore, after the toils of
16 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
starting an establishment, turned his mind to
the scenes of his boyhood. Wargrave, near
Twyford, Berks, was then, as it is now, a village,
and then of even less importance than at present.
Many of the earl's friends were at a loss to con-
ceive what he could see in the spot, even for an
occasional stay. In old times Wargrave was the
burial place of some Saxon warriors, and at one
time it possessed the ruins of a royal residence ;
but beyond these historical associations, there is
little worthy of note in the place. The prox-
imity of the river Thames gives it a little charac-
ter ; without, this village would scarce be known.
But the earl's predilection for the place must be
attributed to boyhood's memories combined with
the fatherly care of an old and respected tutor. It
was near this esteemed friend that the earl
rented a small residence ; there being at the
time, no house large enough to accommodate the
whole of his retinue. However, the residence had
sufficient ground attached, to permit of addi-
tions being made from time to time.
The stable accommodation at Wargrave being
limited, the earl was obliged to rent some stabling
at Twyford, an adjoining village. So soon as his
horses, carriage and hacks, were installed, he
began to cherish the idea of forming a hunting
establishment. He had heard that a gentleman
at Shiplake wished to dispose of his pack of
hounds ; negotiations took place forthwith, which
resulted in their purchase; and subsequently a
kennel was erected at Wargrave.
A Hunting Pageant. 17
The Earl now being prepared to take the " field,"
he startled the nobility and gentry of the neigh-
bourhood, at the next meet, with the magnificence
of his equipment, which was in the style of
the "chasse" of Louis XfV. at Fontainbleau,
rather than in that of a peer in his minority.
Besides huntsmen, whippers-in, etc., all attired
in the handsomest manner, and faultlessly
horsed, there were four mounted negroes, in
liveries of scarlet and silver, who ' wound ' the
french horn. In fact the pageant eclipsed that
of Colonel Thornton, who had previously been
unequalled.
The Earl had determined, that no game less
than red deer should be hunted by his majestic
train ; but how to procure the desired animals
was the question. Messrs. Brookes and Gough,
with others, the best known dealers, were applied
to, but without much success. Nor was it until
after many journeys combined with the most
diligent inquiries, that four deer were procured at
great cost, and placed in the diminutive paddock
his lordship had had formed for their reception.
One was lean and old ; the second was a bald-
faced hind, almost blind ; the third an all but
tame stag, 'picked up ' upon the skirts of Windsor
Forest, and brought up by a gentleman at Warfield,
whilst the fourth a handsome young deer, killed
during the first hunt by the hounds, before the
huntsmen could get up. The tame deer all but
shared a similar fate, through not getting
away when unboxed, but sidling up to the horses
1 8 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
of the party whom he greeted, in his way, as old
friends, having been formerly pastured with
horses. The first and second deers were almost
beyond sport, through their disabilities. There-
fore Earl Barrymore, the following season, had
to modify his ideas for the hunt.
CHAPTER IV.
The Earl of Barryniore's entry on the turf — Intuitive faculty
for that sport — His connection with the Royal Circus,
St. George's Fields — Purchases made hy the earl for his
stud, 1788 — The sister and brothers of the earl.
TriE Earl of Barrymore made his entree on the
turf in 1787, at Newmarket, where he was
introduced to the principal supporters of the
"sport of kings" by the Duchess of Bolton, a
lady who not only took great interest in the
young man, but was also a devotee of the sport.
Soon after he determined to form a stud, but
did not purchase every " screw " or " cast off'
offered. His first purchase was a filly named
TaricOf bought from Colonel. O'Kelly of Eel 7 pse
fame, who then owned some of the best horses in
the country. With this animal Lord Barrymore
made his first match, against a horse named
Copernicus, owned by a Mr. Davis, an event
his lordship's representative won ; and his success
appears to have intensified his desire for the
sport, which he now entered upon with spirit,
and a determination to become one of its promi-
nent supporters.
For the pursuit the Earl possessed mucli
ability ; the ease with which he mastered its
c 2
20 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
minor details was a matter for surprise, years
of often bitter experience being required
before a stud of race-horses can be managed so
as even to pay their way.
The Earl of Barrymore also showed remarkable
judgment in handicapping horses, and was a keen
observer of ' form,' both in his own and other's
horses ; in fact, after a few meetings, he became
almost as great an authority on these matters as
Charles James Fox, the then master of the art,
being called upon almost as often to place, or
weight, horses for matches.
Almost any other than this erratic young man
would have fostered his natural abilities for so
favourite a sport, but this versatile being could
not let " well " alone. What he acquired by the
turf was dissipated other ways, notably, at
cards, a failing that is said to have been taken
much advantage of by unprincipled persons.
About this period his love of novelty and
adventure induced the Earl to become a supporter,
or part owner of the " Royal Circus " in St.
George's Fields, now known as St. George's
Circus. A portion of the site originally occupied
by the " Royal Circus " is now that of the Surrey
Theatre. The Royal Circus was opened circa
1782, in opposition to "Astley's," whose eques-
trian performances then claimed a large share of
public attention. The promoters of the new
enterprise, therefore, thought they might share
in the popularity accorded to Astley's. In this
they were deceived, as it was found that, without
The Earl and the "Royal Circus." 21
a constant succession of novel entertainments, the
older establishment was still able to hold its own
for the ordinary equestrian performances. Thus,
when the Earl of Barrymore embarked upon this
undertaking it became necessary that some
entirely new attraction should be produced.
With the consent of the other proprietors
(amongst whom was the then Duke of Bedford)
a " comic pantomime" so called, was written and
produced by the pierrot Delphini. But the
description of this piece does not coincide with
the term " comic pantomime." It was named
11 The Four Quarters of the World," and appears
to have been a sort of pageant. A procession
emblematical of the divisions of the globe was
put on the arena and stage. A sloping platform
led from one to the other, which gave opportunity
for tigers, lions, camels, leopards, etc., to
be brought on. The entertainment concluded
with a " real " stag hunt, a performance that
many have witnessed of late years, but which
was at that period new and startling.
The Earl followed this new occupation with
zeal for a time, and tried to stem the torrent —
failure. His exertions, with those of the manager
and performers, met with but feeble support from
the public ; one by one the proprietors withdrew,
and finally his lordship was compelled, for self-
preservation, to do the same. Ultimately the
"show " fell into the hands of a few adventurers,
and went from " bad to worse," . until it was
destroyed by fire.
22 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
During 1788, the Earl of Barrymore added
several horses to his racing stud, which now in-
cluded many well-known animals : Elm, Alarm,
Jerico, Grey Pumpkin, Sir Christopher, Rockingham,
and others. These were purchased from the
notorious Mr. Bullock, at high prices. For
Rockingham, the earl gave 2500 guineas, but
many thought him cheap at that figure ; others,
the best bred horse in the kingdom, though he
had all but completed his racing career. How
far the performances of Rockingham warranted
these assertions, the reader may judge for him-
self. 1 The ' events ' recorded, are prior to Lord
Barrymore's ownership. To the above mentioned
were added Nimble, bought from Mr. Vernon.
Feenoiv, Breioer, and Columbine, purchased from
that master of the " Whip," and " Pigskin," Sir
John Lade. Also Tipsey, Ventilator, Tinker, and
Tiffany. This selection showed a considerable
amount of judgment in horseflesh for one not yet
out of " teens."
The sister and brothers of the earl showed
marked idiosyncrasies, and had various sobriquets
bestowed upon them by, it is said, the Prince of
Wales. To Lady Caroline Barry, " Billingsgate '
was accorded, because of her occasional indul-
gence in epithets other than choice. To Richard,
seventh Earl of Barrymore, " Hellgate." To
Henry " Cripplegate," he, like Lord Byron, having
a clubfoot. And to Augustus " Newgate," a
strange cognomen for one in holy orders,
1 Appendix A.
Some "Queer" Sobriquets. 23
acquired, it is said, by the fact, that the only
prison lie was not personally acquainted with
was that one. The authority for the statement,
however, omits to say whether in his professiona
capacity, or that of a 'resident,' but no doubt the
reader might supply that omission after his
perusal of this work. To these was added
" Profligate " for their tutor, but this must have
been for the tutor of Henry and Augustus, for
it has been recorded, that the Revd. John
Tickell of Wargrave was not deserving of that
appellation.
Lady Caroline Barry, when on a visit to France
this year, 1788, married, at St. Germains, the
Comte de Melfort, who had a fortune of 500,000
livres, 1 great grandson of John Drummond, Earl
of Melfort, once Secretary of State for Scotland,
who followed James IT. into exile, and for this
allegiance was created by him Duke of Melfort.
This title was confirmed after by the French
King, Louis XIV. After his marriage, the
Comte de Melfort came to England, where he
stayed for some time, and entered with zeal into
the sports and pastimes of his brothers-in-law.
But, at last, for some reason, their sister's
marriage was annulled.
The Honourable Henry Barry was not gifted
with the better traits of character and disposition
which his elder brother possessed. 2 A gentleman
who knew them all states in his memoirs thai
Henry and Augustus were ten times more mis-
1 About :>0,0O0Z. sterling. Henry Angelo.
24 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
chievous and profligate than their brother the
earl, and utterly destitute of one of his many re-
deeming qualities. It is thought that to these
1 honourable ' gentlemen is due much of the earl's
bad reputation gained by yielding through good
nature and brotherly love to the wiles of the
graceless pair. In fact, even at this period when
neither had left school, they showed a precocity
that augured ill for their future careers. Harry
or Henry Angelo, a celebrated fencing master,
instructed the earl in the use of arms, and became
his friend, often accompanied Lady Caroline's
playing on the harpsichord with his flute, a
valuable instrument with silver keys. One day
the flute was missing from its accustomed place,
and all efforts to find it were fruitless. Some
months after, Angelo was told by a person who
styled himself " Joe the Conjuror," an exponent
of all games of cards, " fourberie," that " New-
gate " had "left" the flute at an avuncular
relative's in Jermyn Street, as one of the means
of providing for a trip to Newmarket. Another
expedient adopted by them, Angelo affirms, for
a similar purpose, was to put up to auction at a
dinner party given by the earl, after the cloth
was removed, any and every thing of value
obtained on credit.
The individual who bore the cognomen " Joe
the Conjuror," a German by birth, is said to have
instructed the younger Barrys in some of his
rascalities. But whether this were so or not,
they showed scant respect for their alleged in-
"Joe," tiik Conjuror. 25
structor. "Joe" had allowed his hair to grow so
long that he was able to sport a queue, of which
he was very proud. This offended Henry and
Augustus Barry, who one afternoon plied
" Joe " with brandy until he was drunk, then cut
off his " tail " and threw it out of window.
When " Joe " recovered, he swore to be revenged,
and threatened legal and other proceedings. A
douceur, however, prevented these threats from
being put into effect, but this precious pair were
never afterwards " at home " to " Joe " when he
called.
CHAPTER V.
A stag hunt near Wargrave by the earl's hounds — The Earl of
Barrymore's record at the First Spring Meeting, New-
market, 1788 — A whimsical bet — The earl bestows his
patronage on the "prize ring" — Further account of the
earl's racing successes — A match made by Earl Barrymoro
for which he had to pay forfeit.
Pending the commencement of the racing season
at Newmarket, Earl Barry more pursued his
hunting and other sports at Wargrave. The
following incident occurred on February 27th,
1788. The earl had "turned out" one of his
best deer at Maidenhead Tbicket ; the animal
gave the hounds a good run for an hour and a
half, and at length jumped through the open
window of the dining-room at Mr. Neville's
house, Lowbrook, greatly to the alarm of a servant
who was occupied in the room, but who, fortun-
ately, had sufficient presence of mind to close the
door leading to the inner portions of the house.
Upon the deer finding his progress stopped, he
returned by the way he had entered. Soon after
the hounds came up " full cry," rushed into the
room, where they made a terrible havoc in scent-
ing their prey, but not finding the quarry they
likewise departed by the way they had come.
The Earl Marks a Curious Wager 27
The deer ran to Walton before he was re-
taken, and gave the earl and friends another good
run a few weeks after.
The Racing Calendar for 1788, is the first that
contains the Earl of Barrymore's name as one of
its subscribers, and also records the racing
colours of the earl : broad blue and yellow stripes,
similar to those of two well-known supporters of
the turf of our own time, the late Baron Roths-
child, and Mr. F. Gretton, albeit, the latter gentle-
man styled his " purple and orange." '
The Earl of Barrymore was anxious the sup-
porters and frequenters of the turf should witness
the " form " of his stable, then under the care of
the well-known Perren. He therefore made his
first racing appearance this year, 1788, on the
12th March, during the First Spring Meeting. 2 In
one event his lordship's representative upset the
favourite, who started with seven to four on. 2
Lord Barrymore also won other races. The
' odds' against his horses winning was no doubt
taken advantage of by him.
During the above mentioned meeting, the earl
made a bet with the Duke of Bedford for a large
sum, that he would produce a man who should
eat a 'live cat.' A curious wager, discreditable
to both parties concerned, thai attracted much
notice at the time, some members of the " pre-- "
being active in their researches for previous
1 The racing colours of Homy, eighth ami lasl Earl of Harry-
more, in 1805, are registered as " purple and orange."
- See Appendix B.
28 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
specimens of brutality. One chronicler related
that for a wager of 50/., a fellow who resided
near Kildare, devoured five live fox cubs. But
it is only fair for ' humanity's sake,' to state that
this person was little better than an idiot, being
deaf and dumb, and without a palate. Another
journalist recites, that a tall raw-boned shepherd,
(' gentle ' he could not have been) of some forty
summers, a resident of Beverley, Yorks, did
devour a live cat for a wager of 5/., a few years
anterior to Lord Barrymore's bet. It was pro-
bably this person whom the earl had in mind
to employ to accomplish the feat for him. I am
pleased to state that no authentic record can be
found of the performance of this revolting
wager.
Many disciples of Nimrod of the present day,
would consider what has been already narrated
of the Earl of Barrymore's sporting proclivities,
sufficient, but he did not (though his attention
had at this period begun to be diverted to the
drama) ; he therefore added the patronage of the
prize ring, just beginning to be fostered by
sporting members of the nobility and gentry. A
few of the principal supporters of the ' ring '
were the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of York
and Clarence, the Duke of Hamilton, General
Fitzpatrick, Mr. Wyndham, Alderman Coombe,
and the Earl of Barrymore.
The event of importance ' within the ropes ' this
year was the meeting of Humphries and Mendoza,
for four hundred guineas, at Odiham, Hampshire.
The Karl Patronizes tiik "Fancy." 29
The encounter took place on a twenty-four foot
stage, raised to permit of their patrons viewing
the contest to advantage. It is not proposed to
give a detailed account of the fight, which i-nded
in Humphries' favour, and occasioned much com-
ment at the time, for it was deemed a scientific
contest, and lent impetus to the pursuit, not onl y
by the notice given it by the 'press' of thai
period, but by the establishment of ' academies '
to teach the ' art.' These were conducted by
various candidates for pugilistic 'honours,' with
results no doubt, in a pecuniary sense, beneficial
to themselves.
At the Second Spring fleeting, Newmarket, the
same year, the Earl of Barrymore was credited
with some matches and races. 1 The events lost
by his lordship's stable were principally confined
to open handicaps, in which the earl had no
scope to show his special gift for handicapping,
as he could in a match.
A race which took place at Newmarket, on the
23rd of April, 1788, is conspicuous for two facts.
First, the opening race for the Macaroni Stakes
of one hundred guineas each, h.t*., (then for)
horses that had never won a plate or match of
twenty pounds. Six years old and aged hor>
to carry twelve stone. All others, List.
71bs., D.C. For this there were ven
subscribers; and was won by the Prince of
Wales's chestnut colt, Pegcbsus, by Eclipse, four
years, ridden by a Mr. Braddyll. Second, for the
1 See Appendix C.
30 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
first public appearance in the " pigskin," of the
Earl of Barrymore, who rode his horse Sweet-
william, although in this essay, he did not catch
the judge's eye.
On the following days, April 24th, and 25th,
the Earl's stable " pulled off " two events. 1 But
Saturday, April 26th, was a real "red letter" day
for the Earl of Barrymore's stud, 2 for every match
or other event entered for, was won, and as the
first consisted of four matches made by him, it is
clear that his ability for handicapping has not
been over-estimated. On this memorable occasion,
his lordship's first success in the " pigskin ' was
in a match against Sir George Armytage's Star-
gazer, ridden by the jockey Jewison, 8st. 4lb.,
the Earl riding his own horse Rockingham, 8st.
121b. It is mentioned in connection with this
match, that three mounted jockeys were placed
at various parts of the course, to show the Earl
the way. But the old horse Rockingham^ scorned
their united assistance ; as the competitors had no
sooner been sent on their " mission," than Rock-
ingham bolted with the Earl, and when across the
flat, was leading Stargazer by a quarter of a mile.
To prevent injury to his lordship, the doors of
the "rubbing house" stable were closed, and
precautions taken. These fortunately proved un-
necessary, for the sagacious Rockingham stopped
of his own accord at the winning post. Betting
four to one on Rockingham.
The Earl of Barrymore's zeal in making matches,
1 See Appendix D. " See Appendix E.
A Ret Redeemed by " Sonc." 31
often led him to undertake more than he was able
to perform ; the following will suffice as an
example. Lord Barrymore laid the Duke of Bed-
ford a large sum, that he would " weight" a horse
belonging to another member of the turf, who
should run against, and beat a horse in his
Grace's stable, carrying a specified weight. But,
the Earl had " betted," (not " reckoned ") with-
out first consulting the horse's owner ; and the
latter, when his lordship acquainted him with
the match he had made, refused to permit his
horse to run, saying, " he could make and manage
his own engagements." As this was a "play " or
" pay " match, the Earl was upon the " horns of
a dilemma," and at once sought the Duke at the
Jockey Club, Newmarket, and explained his
difficulty, concluding by saying he was prepared
to pay forfeit for his over zealousness. The
Duke of Bedford then suggested as a compromise,
that he had heard mention of the Earl's epi-
grammatical powers, and, if he would exercise
them there to his Grace's satisfaction, he would
forego the bet. He was to write a song, on his
churlish sporting associate, the first letter of each
line to be one contained in the name of that
person, with the term "Esquire' 1 annexed, to-
gether with his place of abode in town. To this
task the Earl of Barrymore agreed, wrote the
words required in the form of a song, and sang
it, with applause, before the members of the
Jockey Club. Whereon his Grace put his pencil
through the entry in his betting book.
CHAPTER VI.
The Earl of Barrymore appears in the saddle at Ascot — Al fresco
entertainments at Wargrave — The earl as a " whip " and
postilion — The Honourable Henry Barry's character as a
rider— The earl's hackney coach freak — His turf record
for 1788 continued — Rachi" at Lewes and Brighton — He
plays the role of " crier " — Buys a horse with only two
faults.
The Earl of Barrymore, after the events narrated,
gave his stud at Newmarket a rest ; though he
put in an appearance at " Black " Ascot where, on
May 27th, 1788, he rode his mare Columbine, in
a sweepstake race of one hundred guineas each,
but could only get second. At the close of this
meeting, he went down to his favourite country
resort, Wargrave, where he made merry with
his friends, and gave al-fresco dinners, and
other entertainments. Some of these were held
upon one of the numerous islets with which the
Thames abounds, others in Blake's Wood near
Wargrave. On several occasions, the Earl
and his friends would prepare the repast them-
selves, and dig from the earth as required, wines
of the choicest brands, previously buried there
by the servants, who would mark the spot in
some pre-arranged way.
The Earl A la " Colonel Ouagg." 33
At other times his lordship's guests would be
preceded by a small hand waggon, drawn by two
or three servants, who would, on arriving at a
selected sylvan spot, pitch a tent, and therein
spread a sumptuous cold collation. The Earl
would then ask his guests to imagine themselves in
the " Forest of Arden," and drive away care by
song and revelry.
The power of fascination possessed by this
eccentric person was so great, that men of most
demure and discreet natures, were induced to fall
in with his whims and humours, frequently in
spite of the resolutions they had formed to resist
his wiles. In fact it was often said, that the
starched gravity of a quaker would have yielded
to Barrymore's seductions. Therefore it may be
imagined, that many were laid low at his convivial
gatherings by potations other than wise. Yet
the host himself, for the custom of that riotous
ao-e. was as a rule, but a moderate drinker and
eater.
These entertainments were diversified by
driving, riding, cricket, and other pursuits. The
earl became one of the best ' whips ' in the king-
dom. Sometimes when he was driving along the
Bath road, waggoners would stay his progress by
monopolizing the ' crown ' of the road, or by not
keeping to the * near ' side. If upon remon-
strance, one used bad or uncivil language, the
earl would stop, jump down, and thrash the
ill-mannered churl ; and if, like " Colonel Quagg,"
he took it ' quietly,' or ' laying down,' the earl
P
34 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
would give the fellow a guinea as a solace to his
bruises. If the offender on the contrary took it
* fighting,' sometimes his lordship would get
worsted, when he would shake hands with his
antagonist, and wish him better manners for the
future.
A favourite freak of the earl's was to take some
of his guests back to London, without announcing
to them his intention to act as 'Jehu' or ' post-boy,'
but simply that he and his brother Henry would
accompany them. On the chaise being drawn up
at the door, the returning guests -would be re-
quested to take their seats, but not to ' monopolize
all the room,' as he and his brother would presently
join them. But, as soon as they were seated, the
cloor would be shut with a bang, and off the chaise
would go helter-skelter. The affrighted occupants,
thinking the horses had bolted, would put their
heads out of the windows, and beseech passers-by
to stop the supposed runaway animals. As every
request of this kind did but lend additional impetus
to the speed of the vehicle, it was soon dis-
covered that the post-boys had started off with a
determination ' to break the record ' or their
necks. The bumped and bruised occupants
would now offer bribes for the post-boys to stay
their wild career. These would be followed by
entreaties, and threats of vengeance ; these one
and all were useless. At last, the occupants
would take refuge in the straw, to save themselves
from being jolted out of window. Upon the first
stage being reached, the door on each side would
Post-Ciiaise Vagaries. 35
be flung open, and tbe affrighted passengers
asked how they had enjoyed their ride, so far,
'if the pace was to their liking,' &c, &c, and
before these sentences were finished, the jolted
travellers would discover in the truculent post-
boys, the earl and his brother Henry.
The latter, although not equal to his brother,
the earl, as a jockey on the flat, or so good a
judge of ' pace ' and ' form,' excelled him as a
rider in other respects, notably in the field, where
he was bold to desperation. The earl, on the
contrary, would one day plunge with his horse
into the Thames, and swim him across to the
opposite bank ; and, the next day he would
hesitate to take a fence, hedge, or bush, that a
boy on a pony would 'negotiate.' His brother
Henry was utterly devoid of fear when in the
saddle, a matter for surprise when his infirmity is
remembered. 1
On going to or from London in a post chaise,
the earl and his brother when a few miles on the
road, would stop the vehicle, and chauge jackets
and places with the post-boys, whom they would
rattle along in a more than ' professional ' style,
till they wished themselves the drivers, instead
of the driven.
Another freak of the earl's about this period,
was to hire a hackney coach, when accompanied
by others as ' harum scarum ' as himself, he would
drive along Oxford ' Road ' as then called.
1 Referring to his ' club foot,' he often said, he ought to wear
the spur on the toe instead of the heel !
P 2
36 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
During their progress, the earl would mimic the
cries of a woman in distress ; these sounds
always attracted some Briton, St. George-like
ever ready to do battle for the fair, who would
stop the coach, whereupon his lordship and
friends would alight, and belabour the interposer
for his impertinence.
However, these and other vagaries of this noble
roysterer, were mere interludes in his sporting
and dramatic pastimes. For the latter, the earl
was forming grandiose plans, in fact, he desired,
like every devotee ' of the boards,' to have a
theatre of his own, though he did not yet put his
wishes into effect.
Towards the end of July, 1788, the Earl of
Barrymore resumed racing 1 at Chelmsford and
Lewes. The latter meeting witnessed a match
between horses owned by the earl and Sir John
Lade, ridden by their respective owners. Sir
John might as regards age and experience on the
turf, have been looked upon as a ' master,' and the
Earl of Barrymore, a pupil in the school of racing.
But in the result the pupil beat the master.
The Earl of Barrymore while at Brighton in
October of this year, 1788, rode in some horse
matches, made while breakfasting with the
Prince of Wales at the pavilion. These took
place on the 13th. The Prince of Wales drove
Lady Archer in his curricle, drawn by a pair of
fine greys to the starting post, which was opposite
Mrs. Fitzherbert's windows, on the Steine. As
1 See Appendix F,
Charles James Fox. 37
these matches do not appear in the Racing
Calendar, I give them here. The first match was
between the Earl of Barrymore, and his brother
Henry, both mounted on ponies, this Henry
Barry won easily ; the second between the Comte
de Melfort and a Mr. Lee, this the Comte won ;
the third included the Earl, his brother, and Mr.
Lee, which the Earl won ; the fourth was con-
tested by his lordship, and Mr. Lee, who rode a
horse belonging to the Prince, and won. The
fifth, and last match, was between the Earl and his
brother Henry, the latter again beat his lordship,
and thus won the stakes. The Prince of Wales
was much pleased at the jockeyship all round.
The so-termed "back end" of the racing
season this year, 1788, served to add to the
Earl's racing laurels ; and towards the end of
September, his lordship, though still under age,
is found measuring himself with Charles James
Fox, the recognized master of the art of handi-
capping at that time, 1 whose representative started
with the odds on him, but was beaten by the
Earl's less fancied filly.
Another judicious match, 2 run on September
30th, made by the Earl against another turf
veteran's 3 representative, fell to his lord-
ship. The following month at the second
October meeting, on the 1-lth, the Earl of
Barrymore's representative won another match
against a colt owned by Charles James Fox ; in
fact, the same animal his lordship's filly had
1 Appendix G. : Appendix II. 3 Lord Clermont.
38 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
defeated the previous meeting, though the Earl's
representative was changed. It is possible Mr.
Fox may have been dissatisfied with his colt's
running, and matched him this time against a
colt of Lord Barrymore's to show his true
form; however, the ultimate result was the
same.
But the most important antagonist the Earl
pitted his stable against, this meeting, was the
Duke of Queensberry, the ever-green " Old Q "
whose racing career will be remembered, and
spoken of, and referred to, as long as horse racing
flourishes at Newmarket. For some forty years,
had his Grace, first as Earl of March and Ruglen,
owned, bred, and raced horses ; in fact, was
looked upon as the shrewdest of owners. The
Earl of Barrymore did not let that reputation
stop him against matching a favourite performer 1
of his own against one of his Grace's for 500
guineas, his lordship's horse conceding 2 lb. to
the Duke's. The ring quickly followed "his
Grace," as their successors in after years did
" the Baron," and made his horse favourite with
odds of 6 and 7 to 4 on. This must have been
a fine opportunity for the Earl to make good any
previous losses, as his representative won.
On the last day of this meeting, the Earl's
representative won another 1 match against a
horse owned by Lord Clermont. His lordship
could hardly have had better proof of the quality
and form of his stable, than the results shown by
1 Appendix H.
Buys a Horse with "Two Faults."
them at this time, the racing studs of the Duke
of Queensberry, Lord Clermont, and Charles James
Fox, being high class, and efficient in all respects
at this period.
Lord Barrymore's wit and humour was shown
at Newmarket, as much as at other places better
adapted for its display. Coming from his stables
there, one day along the High Street, he stopped
of a sudden, and began to call out lustily, Oh,
yesl Oh, yes ! Oh, yes ! after the manner of
the orthodox criers. So soon as a sufficient
crowd had collected, the earl submitted this offer.
" Who wants to buy a horse, that can walk five
miles an hour, trot eighteen and gallop thirty."
" I do," said several of the bystanders in the
same breath.
"Then depend upon it," said the earl, " if I
hear of any such prodigy for sale, I will let you all
know." He then turned on his heel and walked
quietly down the street, followed by the laughter
of his audience, who, now saw they had been
1 sold.'
Nor did the earl fail to improve his knowledge
of hippology, at any, and every opportunity.
Being once at Henley fair, a horse " coping "
joskin approached him, and after pulling his fore-
lock, scratching his head, twisting the straw in
his mouth, and otherwise following the fashion
of his kind, asked the earl in the true confi-
dential style of a horse dealer, " If he vanted to
buy a noice galding."
" Is he o-ood for anything ? " asked the earl.
40 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
" Very, my lud, lie 'as but two foolts."
" What's the figure ? "
" Twanty guineas."
" I'll take him ; and now, the deal concluded,
tell me his brace of faults ? "
" The fust, my lud, is, if he's lat loose in a
padduck, ye can't val cotch 'im agin."
" That can soon be remedied by not putting
him out to grass ; but what of his other fail-
ing
P"
"Vy, that my lud, to tel' the rale trowth is
muir dastrassin', fur ven yu cotched 'im, he
be'ant wurth the trooble."
The earl laughed heartily at being taken in by
the horse-coper, and afterwards acknowledged it
was a case of the " engineer being hoisted by his
own petard."
CHAPTER VII.
Conclusion of the Earl of Barrymore's racing record for 1788 —
Some account of Sir John Lade — Dr. Johnson's verses on
Sir John's coming of age — The Earl of Barrymore's fancy
for founding convivial clubs — An example of these : the
Bothering Club.
At the Houghton meeting, Newmarket, October,
1788, the Earl of Barrymore's racing stud fully
maintained its character. 1 The number of racing
engagements that he entered into this year was
one hundred and four. This, for a beginner,
cannot be said to err on the side of prudence,
particularly as experience has to be purchased on
the turf, as in most other sporting pursuits.
The volatile earl heeded this but little ; if he
had taken to racing seriously — could an individual
of his temperament do so — he might have carried
on his other extravagancies almost with im-
punity.
Sir John Lade, who has already been alluded
to as a great supporter of the turf at this time,
played from time to time an important part in
the career of the Earl of Barrymore. Therefore,
some particulars of this "last of the Lades''
will not now be out of place.
1 See Appendix I.
42 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Sir John's ancestors were long settled at
"Warbleton, Sussex, and a member of the family
was made a baronet, 1730, but the title became
extinct in 1746-47, through failure of male
issue. Thus Sir John Lade left most of his
property to his cousin, John Inskipp, who
assumed the name of Lade, and was made a
baronet in 1758 ; he died some years later, leaving
a posthumous heir, the Sir John of this notice,
in ward to his uncle, Mr. Thrale of Southwark
and Streatham. This gentleman was the friend
of Dr. Samuel Johnson, with whom the young
baronet was frequently brought in contact.
It is said the learned doctor found ample food
for philosophy in the wild and reckless character
of Sir John. In fact the ' wilclness' of his friend's
ward led the doctor to indite the following verses
upon Sir John's majority: —
" Long-expected one-and-twenty,
Ling'ring year at length is flown ;
Pride and pleasure, pomp and plenty,
Great Sir John, are now thine own.
Loosened from the minor's tether,
Free to mortgage or to sell ;
Wild as wind, and light as feather,
Bid the Sons of Thrift farewell.
Call the Betsy's, Kates, and Jennies,
All the names that banish care ;
Lavish of your grand sire's guineas,
Show the spirit of the heir.
All that prey on Vice and Folly
Joy to see their quarry fly ;
There's the gamester light and jolly,
There's the lender grave and sly.
Sir John Lade, Bart. 43
Wealth, my lad, was made to wander,
Let it wander as it will ;
Call the jockey, call the pander,
Bid them come and take their fill.
When the bonny blade carouses,
Pockets full and spirits high,
What are acres ? What are houses !
Only dirt, wet or dry !
Should the guardian friend or mother,
Tell the woes of wilful waste,
Scorn their counsels, scorn their pother,
You can hang or drown at last."
Of course the sage did not frame these verses
to present to the baronet, or for any purpose
connected with Sir John's coming of age. In
fact, after writing, he kept them by him for some
time; but at last presented them to Mrs. Thrale
with a request that they should not be shown to
anyone. However, some years later that lady
included them in a book she wrote. She also
relates in a later work, " Johnsoniana," how the
doctor levelled another shaft at Sir John Lade
(then of age). This occurred at her house at
Streatham. The house party being assembled
one evening round the fire in the drawing-room,
Sir John asked the doctor in a somewhat dis-
respectful manner, —
" Mr. Johnson, would you advise me to
marry ? "
The doctor answered, —
" I would advise no man to marry, sir, who is
not likely to propagate understanding," and,
rising from his chair, left the room.
Sir John appeared dumbfounded, but, before
44 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
he recovered his wonted demeanour, the doctor
returned and, taking his accustomed seat, joined
in the conversation, which he gradually led to
the married state, expressing some learned
opinions on that blissful condition. It is possible
the doctor was thinking what might happen were
his hostess to become a widow. Mr. Thrale died
shortly after this, having made Dr. Johnson one
of his executors.
In due time, it is said, Dr. Johnson made Mrs.
Thrale an offer, which the lady declined.
Mrs. Thrale afterwards married Mr. Piozzi, by
whose name she is better known to the reading
public, than by that of Thrale. Her first marriage
gave her wealth, Mr. Thrale being a brewer in
Southwark, in fact he owned the brewery now
known as Barclay, Perkins & Co.
Dr. Johnson's verses were prophetic of the
career of Sir John Lade. It was probably their
similarity — recklessness — that made the Earl of
Barrymore tend towards Sir John, but it is only
fair to admit, that the earl possessed abilities of
which the other was destitute.
During his ephemeral existence, the Earl of
Barrymore founded many social and convivial (so-
called) clubs, some of which had his own places
of residence for headquarters, others were housed
at hostelries in town, Wargrave, and its neigh-
bourhood.
One of the first of these was the " Bothering,"
whose principal meetings were held at his lord-
ship's residence, Wargrave, for the purpose of
The "Bothering" Cur. 45
playing jokes, by confederates, on new guests or
visitors. Some minister of the earl's ' Court of
Folly ' would say during dinner to the selected
victim : —
'* Allow me the pleasure of taking wine with
you, Mr. Shufflebottom."
" With great pleasure, sir ! but my name is not
Shufflebottom, it is Bonsor."
" You joke, sir ! Come ! let us toast one
another, but upon my word, you are the image of
Mr. Shufflebottom, my neighbour in Elbow Lane,
that I could have sworn to it."
" I assure you, sir, I know no gentleman who
bears that name."
The next moment a confederate enters, first
apologizing to his lordship for being late, turns
and exclaims, —
" Oh ! who do I see ? why, my old friend
Shufflebottom. Dear me ! this is a pleasure."
"You err, sir," the perplexed guest would
asseverate. " I am not Mr. Shufflebottom, but
Charles Ezekiel Bonsor."
At which the table, learned in the art of
mystifying, would break into a roar.
The bewildered visitor w r ould then glance
around for the friend who had brought, and intro-
duced him. But that individual had discreetly
left the room. On not finding his friend, the
visitor would then appeal to his lordship; his
answer was, as a rule, —
" He did not know what to think, but thought
appearances against his guest," who still said
46 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
lie was Charles Ezekiel Bonsor, and no other
person. Whereon someone would say, —
" Hang it, Shufflebottom, you're ' smoked.' "
" What do you mean, sirrah ? "
" Why, my good sir ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha !
Ho ! ho ! ho ! ho ! that you are simply Jacob
Shufflebottom, mousetrap and nutmeg-grater
maker of Elbow Lane, and the greatest wag in
Christendom."
Others would supplement this pleasantry (?) by
divers assertions, while some would artfully
contrive to ply the astonished guest with wine,
until, what with his perplexities, and the fumes of
the wine, he forgot whether he was really Bonsor
or Shufflebottom.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Earl of Barrymore erects a theatre at Wargrave — The
building — The first performances held therein — The earl
and his team of "greys " — Makes further additions to his
stud — Some account of its performances during 1789 —
The earl acts as his own check-taker on a " theatre
evening " — His kindness to distressed friends.
As an interlude in his racing and sporting pas-
times, the Earl of Barrymore, during the year
1788, built opposite his cottage at Wargrave, 1 a
theatre modelled after the then late Opera House,
which was erected by Mr. Cox, formerly of the
Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. This little
theatre was considered the most handsome and
luxurious in the kingdom. Stage machinery was
a special feature, as the earl purposed to produce
pantomimes. The scenery was painted by Messrs.
Young and Emmanuel. The wardrobe, which
cost two thousand pounds, was supplied by the
best costumiers of the day. In fact from first to
last the earl expended something like sixty thou-
sand pounds on this theatre alone. It was com-
puted that the histrionic displays given in it, had
1 A spot that is now walled and laid out as a garden, and
an appurtenance to his lordship's cottage, now dignified hy the
title of " Barrymore House."
48 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
been the means of many thousands of pounds
being disbursed in Wargrave and its neighbour-
hood by the numerous visitors, who came from
all parts to attend the performances. These
visitors were of all ranks, from the Prince of
Wales to the yokel ; for the earl generously gave
the villagers an opportunity ' to see the play ' on
certain nights during his theatrical season.
Adjoining the theatre was a sumptuous salon,
for the reception of visitors. Between the acts
refreshments were served here from a recess, by
six stalwart footmen in liveries of scarlet and
gold. The illumination of this salon and theatre,
was effected by twenty-eight handsome cut glass
chandeliers ; and over the niche alluded to, was
displayed the armorial bearings of the Barrymores
fully emblazoned.
The ' professional ' managers of the Earl's
theatre were John Edwin the younger, and
4 Anthony Pasquin ;' the latter was the nom-de-
plume of J. W. Williams, a person who afterwards
obtained unenviable notoriety ; Mr. Williams also
filled two other posts in the earl's service, those
of poet laureate and secretary.
Soon after the inauguratiou of the theatre, a
special performance was given on the 25th
January, 1789, to which all the surrounding
gentry, together with some bon vivants from
London, were invited. On this evening the Earl of
Barrymore played Brass, in the Confederacy and
Sebastian in the Midnight Hour, but did not
appear to advantage in the latter character,
Ball at Henley. 49
although his Brass, coupled with the Dick of
Harry Angelo, caused much amusement, and won
applause. This was a marked improvement on
the Earl's appearance at Brighton the previous
September, 1788, as Captain Bobadil in Every
Man in his Humour, before H.R.H. the Prince
of Wales, &c, &c, when his lordship was
ridiculed.
To celebrate the opening of bis theatre, the Earl
gave, early in February, 1789, a supper followed
by a ball at March's Rooms, Henley, where a
well-designed transparency was exhibited in
honour of the event. On the Saturday preceding
this, the last performance for the winter months
at his lordship's theatre took place ; the Earl on
this occasion supplemented his own amateur com-
pany with Mr. Thornton's, lessee of the Reading
Theatre; this additional force improved the
representation of the pieces selected for perform-
ance. After the play, visitors, guests, and actors,
were entertained with lavish hospitality, which
was particularly appreciated by the actors.
The Earl of Barrymore at this period still
wanted a few months of his majority, but months,
days, or hours, were equally unimportant in this
respect to this vivacious and precocious youth.
He allowed nothing in the shape of money as
long as he was able, to stand in the way of his
desires. Therefore, seeing one day Lord Sefton
" tooling " a team of handsome greys, he immedi-
ately wanted to emulate, or outdo him, and for
this purpose every horse-dealer in London was
1:
50 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
visited ; cost in this, as in all other gratifica-
tions, being of little or no importance. The
animals desired were found, after much trouble,
and purchased with admitted judgment, as to
their points and matching. This team excited both
admiration and envy when driven by the Earl in
the street, the park, or on the course at New-
market. They figured at the latter place at the
First Spring Meeting of 1789, yoked to a particu-
larly smart phaeton.
It was at this time that the Earl of Barrymore
thought of going into the army, a project which
furnished small talk to the Earl's numerous
friends and acquaintances. One of these, in-
forming a Major Ramsay of this intention, the
son of Mars replied : " That to the French service,
he might carry strong recommendation, he having
made the Scotch (Scots) Grey's fly before him."
His lordship this year, 1789, made further
additions to his racing stud, although his ex-
penses must have been — like the " great majority ' :
— always on the increase, what with the addition
of his theatricals, balls, and other entertainments ;
but of this no heed was taken by the " madcap "
Earl. He bought from Sir John Lade the then
well-known horse Snowball, also Highflyer, Skiff,
Tom Thumb, Smoke the Captain, Pallafox, and
Toss from others, which with those already
acquired made a long and expensive " string " of
animals in training. To follow the performances
of the Earl's racing stud, would be, not only
beyond the scope of the present work, but tedious
Racing at Ascot and Newmarket. 51
for any but a professed racing authority to
"wade" through. I therefore transfer some of
its principal winning records to an appendix, 1
where the Earl will be found pursuing his match-
making against Mr. Charles James Fox, Sir
Charles Bunbury, and others.
A race, which took place at Ascot 1 this year
(1780), is singular by three out of the six com-
peting owners, viz., Comte de Melfort, Lord Barry-
more, and the Hon. Henry Barry, all relatives,
only going to the post, who finished in the order
named, but the Earl claimed the race on the score
of being crossed by the Comte de Melfort, and the
stewards allowed it.
It is an old axiom with racing men, to a certain
degree true, "that it is not the weight, but
blood will tell." This appears to have been
the Earl of Barrymore's justification for a match l
he made at an October Meeting at Newmarket
against a horse owned by the Duke of Queens-
berry, who carried four stone less, and received
a beating, though the ring thought he could not
lose, only taking the odds of 5 to 2 in his favour ;
but it should be said the Earl's representative wai
five years old, and his Grace's two.
The number of races in which the Earl's horses
competed in 1789 was ninety-four, of which only
twenty were awarded "winning brackets," leaving
seventy-four to the debit side of the racing ledovr,
a circumstance to be regretted, when it has been
shown how the Earl might have obtained more
1 Appendix J.
E 2
52 The Last Earls of Barry more.
favourable results. Therefore, it is not matter
for surprise, to find the following allusion to the
Earl of Barrymore's affairs in a chronicle of those
days : " Lord Barrymore is beginning to profit
from his experience on the turf, at an age when
few young men of fashion, have entered on its
follies. He has full time to retrieve his fortune
and fame from such predominant follies."
The Earl, with a view to making his racing
colours popular, attired his coachman and foot-
man in dark blue livery coats, with large yellow
capes. But this was more than " Coachee," and
" Jeames and Chawles," could stand ; they finally
gave his lordship notice to quit his service, when
they said : the " lower ordurs " took them for in-
famous characters, clad in a penitential garb,
which affected their " locus standi " so much, that
even credit was denied them by " pussons," who
before were only too anxious to " sarve 'em."
This expostulation determined the Earl to form
some less obnoxious way to parade his racing
colours.
During the Earl of Barrymore's theatrical
season at Wargrave, the tickets, or cards of
admission and invitation, would be issued en bloc,
for various nights in the week. One evening his
lordship took it into his head to stand at the en-
trance to the theatre, and act as his own check-
taker, when a sturdy farmer entered and handed
him an order for admission, dated for the previous
evening. " This won't do," said the Earl, " you
should have got one dated for this evening."
The Earl as his own Chkcktaker. 53
" Vy noa ! that's be's mur' than Fs bargined
fur. An' I needs must tel' thee a bit of my moind.
Fs got that thar ordur frum 'oon of my lud's
sarvants, fur to see this 'ere show ; an' if it be's
ya' doan't let I in, I'll tal' Tummas, my lud's
foitmun, an' he'll git thee turned away."
" That's a most grievous piece of news,
indeed," said the earl ; " but sure now, you won't
be so cruel."
" Com' ! com' ! " answered the relenting yeo-
man. " Yoi be's a gude dacant koind of chap,
an' I'll tel' 'ee what I'll do. Vy ! if you'l be
agrable, vy, I'll be agrable, joost to obleege."
"To oblige, then," said the Earl, "I will be
agreeable for once in a way."
" Then th' short of the matter be, I'll giv' thee
a shalling to pas' me in, an' we'll say no mur'
aboot it."
The noble amateur accepted the proposal, and
the farmer entered the theatre.
On the Earl's going into the green room, soon
after, he recited his adventure with glee ;
though he believed himself liable to be brought
before Mr. Justice Chase, at Reading, for taking
money for admission to an unlicensed play-
house.
When the jovial farmer was told it was Lord
Barrymore with whom he had negotiated his
entrance, he exclaimed, with the true indcpenden
feeling of a British yeoman, " Veil, an' if he be's
a Lud, what cares I. I's Mr. Xeville's tenant,
an' pay's my rent ven due, and cares nothin' for
54 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
nobody, not I. Odd's rabbit ! if he vanted to
be's treated as a gintlemon, vy did lie not tal'
me he vas a gintlemon."
Another diversion of the earl's, on a theatre
evening, was to slip out after the performance, in
a yokel's habiliments from the theatrical ward-
robe, and then mix with the visitors coming out
of the theatre. If he heard any criticism passed
depreciatory of a performer, or upon others, they
always heard of it from the Earl at supper, ex-
aggerated with all his powers of wit and raillery.
As it is " a poor heart that never rejoices,"
so it is a more than bad one that does not contain,
metaphorically, a little of the milk of human kind-
ness for others, if only shown at remote intervals.
The Earl of Barrymore, with all his foibles,
and means, as well as opportunities to indulge
them, could, and did feel for, and assist a friend,
or even an acquaintance in distress, especially so
if the unfortunate person had in any way rendered
him a service or kindness at any time. One
example will substantiate this. His lordship,
while a youth at Wargrave, had received many
favours from a retired officer, Captain Josias
Taylor ; whatever these were it is sufficient to
know the Earl remembered them, and having
heard, after he had left the Rev. John Tickell's
tuition, that his old warrior friend had been
arrested for debt, and thrown into jail, he went
to the place where the old soldier was incarcerated,
and proffered the contents of his pocket-book to
discharge the debt and costs. This Captain
The Milk of Human Kindness." 55
Taylor gratefully declined, as his arrest had been
effected unjustly. The captain interrogated his
would-be benefactor as to why he had sought him.
His lordship declined to answer, but again
urged the acceptance of his pocket-book, the
captain remaining firm in his refusal. The Earl
of Barrymore, finding he was foiled in his en-
deavours to return the veteran to the bosom of
his family, contrived with consummate tact and
delicacy, to make such arrangements with his
custodian as would render the stout-hearted old
officer's detention as comfortable as possible.
CHAPTER IX.
Pugilism at Wargrave — Hooper " the Tinman's' - ' adventure at
Yauxhall Gardens — Marriage of Sir John Lade — Who the
" lady " was — The Earl of Barrymore's Wargrave residence,
and its accommodation — The Earl's peculiarities — Dining
and diners at Wargrave.
The theatrical representations and hunting were
not the only entertainments this erratic Earl
afforded his guests. He would diversify these by
boxing, or pugilistic matches, for which he
would engage some of the most noted members
of the ring, who would " be put up " at the
" George," not as some affirm at his cottage. 1
Here at one time were located Johnson, Big-Ben,
Hooper 'the Tinman,' The Brothers Ward, and
Jackson. With these professors of the art of self-
defence, the Earl amused his guests, who
would be asked to take a " bout," only to find
themselves "knocked out of time," much to the
amusement of his lordship, and those who had
had previous experience of these encounters. An
outcome of this form of entertainment (?) was the
retention of Tom Hooper as pugilistic tutor ;
although the pupil had already acquired as much
1 Next door but one to that hostelry.
Hooper, ' the Tinman.' 57
knowledge of the art as a pugilist, therefore,
Hooper's post became all but a sinecure.
Hooper was also known as " Bully Hooper.
This man was a native of Bristol, a city that has
been the birthplace of many noted pugilists ; but
it is doubtful whether it ever produced a more
spirited and determined boxer than Hooper.
Fear he knew not, and, in all his pugilistic en-
counters, entered the ring confident of victory.
Nor did the superior stature, or greater strength
of an opponent depress his courage. In fact
Hooper was a true " lion-hearted " pugilist, a
fact further proved by his small size, compared
with many first-rate pugilists of those days, whom
he often encountered. Combined with this in-
domitable courage and bottom, that outlasted his
bodily strength, was thorough knowledge of the
pugilistic art, which he showed in most of his
encounters. He was a scientific boxer. Before
adopting the " ring " as a means of livelihood,
Hooper followed the trade of a " Tinman," in the
Tottenham Court Road, hence his sobriquet. In
his original calling he earned the reputation of a
" well-mannered, civil young man ; ' but his
prowess in boxing being found out by his com-
panions, he was matched against Clarke, whom
he easily defeated. This victory brought him into
notice, and by it he acquired the patronage of the
Earl of Barrymore.
The sudden elevation from mending pots and
pans, to association with his superiors, proved too
much for the equilibrium of Hooper, who, like
58 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
most uneducated persons, thought the favour
shown him by the Earl and other noblemen and
gentlemen proceeded from motives of pure
personal friendship, instead of being a tribute to
his skill as a pugilist, an error of judgment
which uot only caused much annoyance, but
ultimately lost him the Earl's favour.
It is said, that Hooper fought more battles
than any pugilist of his time, with success, in
most cases.
At last Lord Barrymore had to turn Hooper into
his lackey, to keep him out of mischief, while not
engaged in training for some pugilistic match for
which his employer had backed him.
An incident occurred while Hooper held this
strange position in Earl Barrymore's service,
which shows how ardently his lordship sought for
novelty, even from a prize-fighter. After a dinner
given by the Earl one summer, he suggested a
visit to Yauxhall Gardens, then at the height of
their fame. His guests being agreeable,
carriages were ordered, and off the party went.
The Earl had prearranged the visit in one par-
ticular. Some of his lordship's guests where
hardly so grave as the Sphinx, as they were
driven through the streets. But this perhaps,
should pass unnoticed, after a dinner in the
last century. The party, however, were put
down safely at the gardens, and had not been
long in the grounds, before the Earl walked up to
a clergyman attired in the most orthodox fashion,
and asked: "If he had had any supper."
Hooper takes ' Holy Orders ! ' 59
" Vy, no, my lud, I've not as yet 'ad any."
His lordship's guests could not reconcile the
clerical garb of the speaker, with his manner of
speech.
The Earl then hailed a waiter who passed, and
bade him supply the clergyman with what he
wanted, at his (the Earl's) charge, and then turn-
ing to the " divine " told him to eat well ; and to
drink as much " arrack " punch, as he pleased.
" Thank ye, my lud, I begins to be a bit
hungry, an' I don't care 'ow soon I pecks a
bit."
This " pillar of the church," was no other than
Hooper "the Tinman." The facetious Earl had
had him disguised as a parson, and ordered to be
" in waiting " at Vauxhall, in case any of his
guests, or himself for that matter, should make or
get into a row. All, however, went well till three
o'clock in the morning ; at this hour the Earl of
Barrymore and his party, amongst whom were
Lord Falkland, Sir Henry Molyneux, Harry
Angelo, the Honourable Henry Barry, etc., were at
supper. All of a sudden a tumult arose, accom-
panied by a rush towards the orchestra. To be
in the fray, whatever it was, the Earl and his
friends were as anxious as any present, so they
hurried out of their box, upsetting in their haste
plates, dishes and glasses. On reaching the
scene of disorder, Hooper was discovered giving
fight to all who interrupted him, as well as
offering to box with any present. This outbreak
was a natural result of unlimited, " arrack " punch.
6o The Last Earls of Barrymore.
It need not be suggested to the reader that the
display of " muscular Christianity " by Hooper on
this occasion was not announced in the pro-
gramme of the evening's entertainment. Matters
might have assumed a serious complexion had
not a stalwart military officer present, who knew
Hooper by sight, seen through the prizefighter's
disguise, and exclaimed, —
" You scoundrel, I know you in spite of your
disguise ; you are Hooper the boxer. Be off ! '
Hooper, who had enough sense left to see he
might further betray his character, as well as
possibly get roughly handled by the crowd,
picked up his hat and beat a hasty retreat out of
the gardens. He was found at five o'clock hiding
behind the Earl of Barrymore's carriage muffled
in the coachman's box coat.
Sir John Lade did not accept Dr. Johnson's
advice, for he entered into the bonds of matri-
mony ; but he did not seek a wife from among
the daughters or sisters of his peers. He married
a woman named Smith, who had been a servant
at a house in Broad Street, St. Giles', whose in-
habitants were not endowed with every virtue ;
others assert that she had at one time been con-
nected with the notorious Rami, alias " Sixteen
String Jack," with whom she was last seen when
he met with his death at Tyburn. However,
Lady Lade's "past" is not a theme for these
pages. Suffice it that she was a smart, bold
woman, and became, under her husband's tuition,
as deft a "whip" as Sir John himself. Lady
Lady Lade. 61
Lade also became a skilled horsewoman, and
regularly attended the Windsor hunt. It was at
one of these meetings that she attracted the
attention of the Prince of Wales by her bold
riding.
Confident of her skill in handling the
" ribbons," Lady Lade once challenged a rival
lady " whip" to drive a four in hand eight miles
across Newmarket Heath for 500 guineas " play
or pay." The match, however, did not come off,
her rival not liking the conditions. Lady Lade's
skill on the coach box inspired the following
lines : —
" More than one steed Lactitia's empire feels,
Who sits triumphant o'er the flying wheels.
And, as she guides them thro' the admiring throng,
With what an air she smacks the silken thong.
Graceful as ' John ' she moderates the reins,
And .... strains.
Se$ostris-like, such charioteers as these,
May ! drive six harnessed princes — if they please."
It was further alleged that Sir John's epicurean
tastes led to the marriage, his bride having been
a cook. But this and similar statements must
be looked upon as being " made to order." The
facts were as recorded above.
Sir John Lade and his lady were both skilled
in " stable " and other slang. Beyond which
their ideas seldom, if ever, travelled, as the
following testifies : —
In an invitation to dine, given by Sir John
Lade, upon a racecourse in the neighbourhood of
his residence, Cant's Hill, he promised his guest
62 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
"A trout spotted like a coach dog, a fillet of veal
as white as alabaster, a ' pantaloon ' cutlet, and
heaps of pancakes as big as coach wheels.
So . . . ! "
Though Lady Lade was received or tolerated
by her husband's more intimate friends, and
honoured by the notice of the heir apparent, there
were many families of " Ton " who would have
nothing whatever to do with her. She, however,
endeavoured to overcome this repugnance by
every means in her power. Being at Brighton
in 1789 she was made to feel by the then circum-
scribed society of that place the antipathy her
presence inspired in noble dames of irreproachable
record, and she prevailed on the Prince of
Wales to dance with her at an assembly one
evening, thinking that, after so distinguished an
honour, few of her sex would debar her from
their friendship. But in this point her judgment
was at fault, for the Duchess of Rutland, Lady
Elizabeth Luttrell, Lady Charlotte Bertie, and
Mrs. Fitzgerald rose from their seats and left
the room. The Duchess of Rutland, Lady
Charlotte Bertie, with the Duchess of Ancaster
left Brighton next day for Eastbourne, as a
further protest against Lady Lade.
The Earl of Barrymore's residence at Wargrave
was, and is, little more than a picturesque
cottage. To make matters as comfortable as
possible for his numerous guests, sometimes
mustering twenty or twenty-five, he erected
additional accommodation in the form of a long
Sleeping Under Difficultii>. 63
two storied buildiDg facetiously called the
" upper " and " lower ' barracks. Here were
arranged rows of beds for those who could
snatch a few hours' repose to recuperate for the
next day's pursuit of "folly" or "pleasure."
This was often a difficult task to accomplish, as
many guests when they retired to these apart-
ments, would either sing or want to play cards,
while those who would sleep if they could were
frequently kept wakeful by the " jumps." Five
o'clock a.m. was the usual hour for retiring, but
woe betide the untutored visitor who essayed
to slink off before the appointed hour of breaking
up. So soon as he was missed search would be
made, and, if in bed, he would be made the sub-
ject of some practical joke that often deprived
him of further rest for that night or morning.
The Earl's own sleeping apartmentwas arranged
after a peculiar manner, whether at home or
abroad. His valet's first duty was to sew the
sheets to the blankets, so that no portion of the
latter could come in contact with his lordship's
skin. The next was to cover every window, fan
or sky-light with blankets, three or four thick ;
these were tacked to the window-panes, so as to
exclude every ray of light, real or artificial, which
had likewise to be shut out from any crack or
crevice in the door ; and should the season of the
year necessitate a fire, every spark would have to
be extinguished before the Earl retired. To sleep
in a room under these conditions would be, to an
ordinary person, like sleeping in a vault.
64 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
The breakfast Hour at Wargrave was twelve
o'clock, for which the Earl's guests were supposed
to be ready, and to assist their host in planning
entertainment for the day ; although his lordship
required little, if any prompting in this.
The dining-room was scarcely large enough to
comfortably accommodate the number of guests
often staying at Wargrave at one time ; therefore,
some twelve or fourteen would dine with his lord-
ship, while the rest would be accommodated in
another room. To add to his guests' comfort, as
well as obviate, as much as possible, the necessity
for the servants' entering and departing from a
room of circumscribed dimensions, his lordship
had a recess made in a wall, which had a com-
munication with the offices ; this much reduced
the exits and entrances.
The reader will doubtless be able to form an
idea of what a dinner at Wargrave in those days
was like, presided over by a host possessing the
wit, humour, and oddities of so singular a person-
age as Lord Barrymore was.
Anthony Pasquin, the Earl's "domestic " poet,
amanuensis, or what you will, was not noted
either for cleanliness of person or habits, a fault
peculiar to many of the genus. One evening,
when dining with his patron, he called a footman
to bring pen and ink, so that he might note a bon
mot of his host's. The Earl of Barrymore sugges-
ted that : " If he would wash his hands, he would
obtain a quart of that fluid ! "
Another time a guest of jocund renown, though
'Roland for an Oliver.' 65
not a paraxon of neatness in attire, came in from
hunting after dinner had been served, entered
the room, and took his seat in a state of m<>re
than ordinary dishevelment, as well as being spat-
tered with mud from head to foot. The guests
present covertly proposed to "roast" this person
for his ill manners, and one of them remarked to
the too ardent sportsman that, " he had heard he
was the boldest hunter in the country."
" You're ' ironing' me, " returned the hunter.
" That, indeed, would be d d hard," inter-
posed the Earl, "to iron before they washed
you."
"Ah, well," said the butt, "if you don't
mangle me, I will be content."
At this display of wit, an explosion of laughter
ensued, and the negligent guest was left alone.
CHAPTER X.
Preparations at Wargrave to celebrate the Earl of Barrymore's
majority — Names of the principal amateur and professional
actors at the Earl's theatre — Visit of the Prince of Wales
to Wargrave — The prologue and epilogue spoken before
H.R.H. — Names of the plays, farces, and pantomimes pro-
duced by the Earl at his theatre — Some account of the
meeting between Big Ben and Johnson, and the latter with
Perrins.
As the Earl of Barrymore attained his majority in
August of this year (1789), arrangements were
made at Wargrave, to celebrate the event by
balls, masquerades and theatrical performances.
Allusion being now made to the theatre, it will
not be outof place to record thenames of the amateur
and professional performers 'who appeared "on
the boards " at Wargrave. Among the amateurs
were the Earl of Barrymore, and his brothers,
the Honourable Lucius Cary, Mr. Blackstone,
Mr. Ximenes, Mr. Nassau, Mr. Impey, Captain
Davies, Captain Taylor, Captain Wathen, Captain
Middleton, Captain Dives, Mr. Wade, Mr. Pollard,
Mr. H. Angelo and Anthony Pasquin. The pro-
fessionals were Mr. Palmer, Mr. Bannister, Mr.
Johnson, Mr. Incledon, Mr. Munden, Mr. M.
Williames, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Whitfield, Mr.
The Earl's Coming of Age. 67
Moses Kean ; while the list of actresses included
Mrs. Goodall, Mrs. Rivers, Mrs. Weston, Madame
Delphini, Miss Richards, Miss Chapman, Mrs.
Hall and Mrs. Maddox. The professional
dancers were, Mr. Vestris and Mdlle. Hilsbersr,
composer, Mr. Thomas Carter, prompters Messrs.
Hamond and Le Brun, carpenter Mr. Reuben
Cox, and six assistants; the printer was Mr.
Hopwood.
The following and others were the plays pro-
duced. The Constant Couple, Every Man in his
Humour, The Follies of a Day, The Beaux' s
Stratagem, The Battle of Hexham. Farces: Hob
in the Well, Miss in her Teens, The Padlock,
Guardian and Apprentice, The Mayor of Garratt
— Poor Soldier, The Midnight Hour, and Try
Again. Pantomimes, under the management of
Delphini : Robinson Crusoe, Bon Juan and Blue
Beard.
Upon the 21st of August, 1789, the Earl of
Barrymore gave in honour of the event just
recorded a grand dinner at Wargave, to be
followed by a special theatrical performance at
his lordship's theatre. The Prince of Wales
honoured the Earl with his presence, on this
auspicious occasion. The prince came from
Brighton, the same day, to be present, and rode
post for the major part of the journey, which he
and his suite accomplished in good time, but for
the last two stages recourse was had to post-
chaises, by which means Wargrave was reached
at 4 p.m.
f 2
6S The Last Earls of Barrymore.
The accommodation afforded by the Earl of
Barrym ore's cottage, or small villa, was inade-
quate for the comfort and entertainment of H.R.H.,
to say nothing of other guests. The Earl's friend
Mr. Hill, who resided in a spacious mansion
half-a-mile out of Wargrave, generously came to
his assistance, by placing the house at his dis-
posal, for the use of the Prince of Wales and
his suite. The Earl therefore sent a small army
of servants, chefs, etc., as well as every luxury
money could purchase — to prepare a banquet
fit for his royal and noble guests, some days before
their arrival. When the Prince arrived every-
thing was in readiness. The company sat down
early, as the fashion went, and rose about nine
o'clock, so as to enable H.R.H. to attend the
" Theatre Royal" Wargrave, as it might thence-
forth be styled. On the Prince of Wales entering
the box prepared for his use, Mr. Henry Angelo,
stepped forward and spoke the following prologue,
specially composed for the occasion :
" Of all the schemes the weak or wicked use,
'Tis sure the meanest talent to abuse.
In tracing charms the best are apt to halt,
While every ass can find, or make, a fault.
The wise alone in other arts succeed ;
In this the blockheads only take the lead.
How much the world to Cant its homage pays,
How hang the fate of Empires on a phrase !
The modish critic, void of force or fire,
No common fool, a lord, at least a squire,
Wrapped in the vastness of unsocial pride,
And high contempt for all the world beside,
Cold, careless, vacant, vain, serene and sad,
Thus ekes his wondrous judgment, ' 'Tis too bad.'
' 'Tis monstrous bad,' cries chattering Lady Bridget,
A Prologue. 69
Her tongue a mill clack, and her frame in fidget.
She, who can twelve stout beaux at once engage,
And gaze at all things but the Btage,
'Twixt mirth and malice, ever pert or mad,
-lust spares from scorn and scandal, ' 'Tie too bad.'
' 'Tis very bad,' the Comhill critic cries.
' D n me, too bad ! ' the Wapping sage replies.
In some ' spruce ' term, that suits in every place,
(Whether immortal Shakespeare penned the play,)
Or some dull driveller of the present day)
These useful words on all occasions sit,
Thus save the toil of learning, sense and wit !
And man's own bias lets the arrow fly,
Prone to each other's hurt, we know not why.
But stings like these let London wights annoy,
Here, no black rancour blights the budding joy.
Avaunt ! vile phrase, it is, it must be good
With harmless mirth to cheer one's neighbourhood.
To spread the generous bliss, is always right,
Which fills the social circle with delight.
Power, thus employed, the fairest ends pursues,
And proves e'en ' luxury ' of modern use ;
For sure no f railer' can with truth deride
The genuine joys of wealth when well applied.
Our zealous leader has no scheme in view,
Save this : the heartfelt pride of pleasing you.
They who taste most delight : the most regard him.
Be all content, and then you'll best reward him.
And sure to-night no vulgar fame we boast,
A splendid tribute to our generous host !
Superior lustre gilds our humble scene,
When princely ' Brunswick ' shows his manly mien.
Not that the Muse a servile flattery pays
To him, the first to scorn a fulsome praise.
Oh ! where'er he moves, may all just honour greet him,
And nothing but the fame he merits meets him.
Then must his worth, the coldest breast convince,
And all applaud the patriot in the prince."
Upon the termination of the comedy, the
following epilogue, written by Mr. Blackstone,
was spoken by him. This gentleman was a clever,
but erratic son of the judge, who was the author
of the celebrated " Commentaries on the Laws of
70 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
England." Mr. Blackstone had promised his
friend, the Earl of Barrymore, to write an epilogue,
but had put off doing so till the preceding day,
when, having partaken too freely of the " good
things" provided by his noble host, he was found on
the morning of the eventful day, sitting up in bed
in the " upper dormitory," his head encompassed
with a wet towel, when he threw, or "reeled
off," to be poetically correct, the lines which
follow : —
EPILOGUE.
"Close at the end of every scenic treat,
Follows the ' epilogue,' ' grace ' after meat,
Indulgences to ask, for misbehaviour,
T extenuate faults, and sue for future favour.
But tho', all anxious, every nerve we strain,
How can we hope your plaudits to obtain 1
Here the spectator, no dark Bastile perceives,
Pasteboard Versailles, or canvas Tuileries.
No keen remarks concerning French affairs,
No dancing Turks, alas no drumming hares.
Nor,— as most fit, in a gymnastic age —
Does ' Ben ' with ' Johnson ' fist to fist engage.
Nor ' Humphey's ' here, Antceus-like renew
His stubborn contest with the rival Jew.
But then, in lieu of these you've got
Priscilla's, ' Tom Boy,' boxing little Watt !
Then be content, whoe'er dares to frown,
' Gibbet,' the curtain dropped, shall knock him down.
And if the lovelier sex shall look reproaches,
Hounslow and Bagshot shall attack their coaches,
. And rifle from the tender, trembling things,
Their trinkets, jewels, necklaces and rings ;
Tear e'en the circling bracelet from their arms,
And leave them glowing in their native charms.
But, lest our threats should fail, I'll e'en try prayer,
And trust our sentence to the generous fair.
Halting, like veteran on a broken leg,
Our noble host thus sends me out to beg.
And let not all his pleasing hopes be wrecked,
That ' good intention ' may supply defect.
An Epilogue. 71
Though fearing much, yet hoping more he sends,
For, in the gay parterre ' all ' are his friends.
Camlid he found you ; hopes you'll be so still,
And measure, not ability, but will.
This boon the critic's spleen alone denies,
But milder judgments beam from Beauties' eyes
What tho' untaught in the theatric air.
We want the measured step, the practised stare.
Fearful to offend, solicitous to please,
We fail to attain an unembarrassing ease.
Their gentle bosoms never will condemn
Those whose first object is the pleasing them ;
And if our mimic efforts can beguile
Their blooming features of one happy smile,
Or chase one moment hence ' loathed melancholy.'
Come ! clap your hands, approve us with a volley.
But hold ! whilst trifling thus can we forget,
— In every Briton's heart it's recent yet —
U'hen, darkly gathering o'er the land of late,
The lowering tempest menaced Britannia's State.
His virtues then, her first best hope unveiled,
Resentment spurned, his private ease withstood,
And gave up comforts for his country's good ;
And if to-night, this prince, by all approved,
By strangers honour'd, but by Britons loved,
Deigns to accept our faint attempt to please,
Shall not our grateful breasts the moment seize,
By honest truth, the noblest trophy raise,
For here the voice of truth, the voice of ( praise.' "
The whole performance, with the prologue and
epilogue, was duly appreciated by the prince, who
expressed himself to that effect to the Earl. The
ball then commenced. H.R.H. stayed till 5 a.m.,
when he departed for York.
The reference made by Mr. Blackstone to the
meeting between ' Bi:? Ben ' and Johnson, was one
in which the Earl of Barrymore was interested,
being one of 'Big Ben's' supporter^. The en-
counter took place at Banbury, upon a raised
stage, on which Big Ben's patron and other
72 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
persons stood during the contest. It was evident,
from the continued "shifty" tactics of Big Ben,
that he would get beaten ; at last the crowd
testified their disapprobation by hissing, etc.
Lord Barrymore thought " Ben's " conduct arose
from want of courage, and accused him of this,
his lordship haviug a large amount of money at
stake ; he reproached " Ben " for his conduct,
whereupon that fistic worthy looked in the Earl's
face with serene delight, and spluttered, —
" Vy, my lud, yu' be' ant up to my gossup, I ken
lick 'im ven I loikes, do'ant moind I, plaise ; I's
only coddin'ye ! "
A match had previously been held at Banbury,
between Perrins 1 the Birmingham or Manchester
giant and Johnson for which the Earl of Barry-
more had backed Johnson. But his lordship was
prevented from attending through illness, and
being anxious to know the result, he got two
trusty friends, staying at Wargrave, to attend and
post back with the name of the victor. Perrins'
appearance in the " buff " brought forth admira-
tion from those assembled. Perrins had originally
been a whitesmith, some say a machinist, and
used at his work tools double the weight of those
used by an ordinary workman, in fact he looked a
modern Hercules, being over six feet high and
stalwart in proportion. Johnson, though a tall,
well-proportioned man, was not the " giant ' ; his
adversary was. The weather on this day was not
good for either combatants — interspersed with
1 Sometimes spelt Perrings.
Johnson versus Perrins. 73
bright bursts of sunshine, which Johnson availed
himself of by manceuvringtoget the sun inPerrins'
eyes. Nor was this Johnson's only tactic. He
was afraid to close with his antagonist as he knew
that, by Perrins' superior strength, a blow might
put him hors-de-combat ; in order to prevent this
Johnson fell or slipped down each time Perrins
got within range. Sometimes Perrins' impetus
was so great that he fell over Johnson as he lay
" self " stretched on the stage. These tactics
continued for some time, and occasioned much
consternation to Perrins' supporters, who observed,
also that their favourite was getting exhausted by
his ineffectual efforts. Johnson on the other hand
was comparatively fresh having acted on the
defensive, and now made a desperate onslaught
at Perrins, and succeeded in getting home some
effective body blows. Johnson, when retaliated
on, pursued his falling. down tactics. At last
Perrins was ' floored ' by a terrific blow from
Johnson, and failed . to come " to time," where-
upon Johnson was awarded the fight.
Two well-known patrons of the ring, in those
days, were upon the 'stage' — Colonels Tar-
leton and Hanger ; who were both " interested "
in the success of Johnson. The Earl of Barry -
more's emissaries posted back to Wargrave,
to inform their host of the success of his " man."
CHAPTER XL
The Earl of Barryruore astonishes the natives — His friendship
with the son of a Berkshire yeoman — Strange diversion for
a summer's day — Account of the Warble Club — J. M.
Williams, LL.D. (Anthony Pasquin) — The mock Court
of Justice held at Wargrave — J. M. Williams assists the
Earl in the formulation of " Waggery," etc.
The Earl of Barryrnore's volatile and eccentric
temperament never flagged. If he were out for a
walk with friends, while at Wargrave, he would
create amusement. His tact in '''bamboozling"
was so fine, that common folk never thought
they were being made fun of. One of these
favourite pursuits the Earl termed " circumnavi-
gating, or taking measure of the understand-
ing," accomplished thus: Approaching a
garrulous countrywoman his lordship would
say,—
" I am informed, madam, that Mr. iEsculapius,
the apothecary of your village is dead, and Mr.
Boreas has married the widoAV."
" Lor, sir ! I niver 'eard of sich fulks ; but bide
a bit, there vas sum sich houtlandish surt of a
pusson, who travel'd th' country a toime back,
with sum sich crump name as Bowerass, but I'm
tuld him's sattled in the North."
The Earl and ' Farmer ' Stone. 75
•* He was wise, madam. I am sure lie could
not find any point of the compass more con-
genial to his purposes. But permit me to inquire,
if you ever see any of his children in these parts,
Master Zephyrusor Favonius or the little Breezes /"
li I did hear say, sur ! that he'd only vun son,
an' he liv'd in Lunnon, sumwhur about Hoonds-
datch."
" That is as much as to say, madam, that the
gentleman has gone to the dogs ! "
Among the Earl's rustic acquaintance, was the
son of a Berkshire farmer, named Stone, who
lived near Reading ; he was a man of means, and
repute. Young Stone and the Earl became
friends ; with this no doubt the native simpleness
of the youth had something to do.
The earl took him to London, where he
u showed the yokel round," as he termed it. The
visit made so much impression on young Stone's
mind, that he was always requesting his lordship
to take him again, and this, either the Earl or his
brother did. On these occasions, Stone noticed the
diffidence shown to the Earl of Barrymore and his
brother, by the proprietors of the various post-
ing-houses at which they stopped, and thought
he could not do better than emulate them ; so he
proceeded to dash about in a chaise and four, —
hired on credit. The persons who supplied him
with that expensive luxury, imagined it was all
right. From seeing ' young hopeful ' so often in
the company of the Barrys, they regarded him as
a person of means at least. lie lived in this
76 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
style for a time, till lie was found to be the son of
a farmer. Those who had trusted him, then sent
him their bills, and clamoured for payment.
One day, shortly after, it happened that young
Stone had to go to London on business matters,
but told a friend before his departure, that he
would have to cross the country via "Windsor and
Kingston. The reason why he chose that route,
was then asked. When Stone replied : " I 'av
too mauy bills on the £ roight road,' an' as I
be'ant the mon they once tuk I's fur, I may git
in troubl'."
Once, this " agricultural " friend of the Earl's
was asked on a visit to Wargrave for a few
days, but he contrived to extend his stay to as
many months ! The Earl of Barrymore having
pressing affairs in town, desired to be rid of his
then ' unwelcome ' guest, who would or could,
not take the most simple hint that he was not
wanted. At last his lordship petulantly said to
"farmer' 1 Stone! "Be off Stone, go to the
devil ! "
" Nae, daint be cross, my lud, let I stay an'thur
few days."
" Well," said the Earl, " if you will say a smart
thing for once, you shall stay a week longer."
" Then 'ere goes, my lud ! I vish's as how I
vas th' bnither next to ye, an' that ye vas lying
double fatter'd in Newgit, an' going to be hang'd
to-morrer."
" D — d good ! " exclaimed his lordship.
"That's the best thing I ever heard you say;
A Singular Procession. 77
to-morrow I return to towo, and you shall go
with me and stay a month."
The Earl of Barry more' s vagaries and eccentrici-
ties were perhaps given more scope at Wargrave
than in London, more particularly as regarded
practical jokes. His lordship being almost the
only person of rank dwelling in or near Wargrave,
the tradespeople and other residents allowed
the Earl's oddities more latitude than is the wont
of the usual village inhabitants. In this they
erred on the side of the " loaves and fishes," for
they all benefited by the large number of visitors
who attended the Earl's theatrical performances
and balls ; besides being amused and enter-
tained themselves on certain nights throughout
the season at the Earl's theatre. Therefore, no
resident of Wargrave was ever surprised at any-
thing the Earl did, or by what occurred at his
revels.
So they were not surprised, or rather shocked,
to see the Earl followed by a file of brother
roysterers walk through the village in the full
sunlight of a summer's day clad in their shirts
only. This freak originated in one of his lord-
ship's friends having answered a remark he had
made, " That it was frightfully hot ! " with " had
not he better divest himself of his clothes."
The opportunity was too good for the Earl to let
pass by, he therefore retorted by challenging all
present to strip to their shirts and follow him
through the village. The unfortunate suggester
of the divesting operation with his friends, had to
78 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
comply, in order to prevent retaliatory
measures being taken by the Earl for their
cowardice and prudery.
One of the many clubs founded or presided
over by the Earl of Barrymore was the " Warble,"
whose members frequently met at the " World's
End," Leatherhead. The rules of this convivial
association were as follows : —
I. That there be no more members admitted
into the room than it will hold.
II. Resolved, that this amicable society shall
have two anniversary dinners each year.
III. Resolved, that if any member has more
sense than another, he be kicked out of the
club.
IV. Resolved, that any man who cannot tell
his right hand from his left after being asked
three times, shall be denied the privileges of the
society.
Y. Resolved, that no member of this society
shall presume to eat garlic unless it be proved
that he likes it better than any other vegetable.
VI. That no member of this society shall
marry until he comes to years of discretion, and
as that is a most desperate hope, it is recom-
mended for all to live bachelors.
VII. Resolved, if any curate, being a member
of this club, builds a church out of his pay, he is
to be branded as an outcast from policy, and
sent handcuffed to his diocesan.
VIII. Resolved, that every man who is more
ugly than his neighbour, shall pay a fine of three-
The "Warble" Club. 79
pence to be expended in tobacco, unless his
wife, if he has one, swears he is a better man
than he appears to be.
IX. Resolved, that every member who has two
ideas, shall be obliged to give one to his neighbour.
The above rules are neither voluminous nor
difficult to commit to memory, but they are hard
to adhere to. The society, however, for which
they were framed being of a jovial character,
some show of wit in its code had to be made.
The Earl of Barrymore's poet, amanuensis,
and playwright, was J. M. Williams, LL.D.,
already mentioned, better known then and now
by his pseudonym, " Anthony Pasquin." The
surname of this appellation was borrowed from
the Roman cobbler -epigrammatist of that name.
Williams upheld his prototype's reputation by
his satirical writings and sayings. However,
Pasquin or Williams had real talent, although
he often misapplied it. In fact, he may be said
to have been a man of " parts," as he could
engrave, an art he is said to have studied under
Bartollozzi, 1 paint, dramatize, and act as a
newspaper critic, or even conduct a paper. As
Williams did not care for engraving, he turned
his attention to the pen and pencil as a means
of obtaining a livelihood.
How this person and the Earl of Barry more
were brought together, it is difficult to say. It
may have been his dramatic ability that attracted
the Earl's attention. At any rate, Williams
1 Very doubtful ; Matthew Darby more likely.
80 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
served his lordship well, his wit and raillery being
invaluable to his lordship at various festive and
other meetings at Warsrave. But Williams's
abilities were much discounted by his slovenly
and untidy habits of dress. However much
Earl Barrymore may have respected Williams for
his talents, nothing but the great eccentricity of
his own character could account for his perambu-
lation of Bond Street with the unkempt Anthony
Pasquin on his arm.
To keep his varied guests within bounds at
Wargrave, a mock court of justice was created ;
before which any who had been indiscreet
or troublesome were arraigned. These trials
were usually held at two o'clock a.m., and the
punishments awarded, on conviction, were sum-
mary and ludicrous. Anthony Pasquin presided,
as judge, a part he enacted to the life ; a
certain Captain Taylor was generally counsel
for the prisoners, while the eccentric Earl
pleaded on behalf of the prosecutor, assumed to
be his Majesty of Decency. That able but dis-
solute actor, John Edwin, the younger, officiated
as mace-bearer. Crier to the court was enacted
by Mr. Charles Delphini ; constable by W. C.
Richards, another actor ; ordinary to the cul-
prit by any clerical friend present ; and jury,
by the Honourable Henry and Augustus Barry,
Captain Middleton, Mr. Stone, Mr. Wade, and
Mr. Blackstone. These mock trials tended to
keep the noisy element of his lordship's guests
within bounds.
A Fallacious Charge. 8i
*
When nothing of importance transpired during
the day's revels to warrant a " court " being
held, the Earl would start after dinner some
pastime more waggish than usual, for which he
would enlist Pasquin's aid. The latter, in making
a fallacious charge, had certainly no equal at
Wargrave. The procedure would be the making
of a false allegation against some guest, privately
named by the Earl, which would be as prepos-
terous as it was untrue ; and would rouse the
anger of the accused, who would refer his calum-
niator to his name and reputation. Neither would
appease the instigator of these proceedings, who
would then turn and appeal to Pasquin, thus
giving the latter his cue. Pasquin would ex-
claim, —
" Sir ! I can believe anything against the
gentleman."
" What do you mean, sirrah ? " replied the
incensed guest.
" Nay, my good sir, do not put yourself in a
flurry," Pasquin would reply, with judicial calm,
" I will appeal to the company," to whom he
. would propound : "What is that gentleman not
capable of, who shaves himself with the razor
with which his wife cut her throat," an asser-
tion that would drive to all but frenzy the
indignant visitor, who, more often than not,
got up and left the room. When this happened,
the door was locked, and a cry raised, " Put it to
the ballot." The box and balls were then brought
in, and the vote taken, which would be, the black
G
82 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
balls in a majority of two or three, to one white.
The Earl would then deem the charge proved, when
the following resolution would be framed and
passed : " That a man capable of such an offence
against good taste, must be sent to Coventry."
The unfortunate delinquent was then sought,
and willy nilly dragged into the room to hear the
resolution read. When, if it had not dawned on
him to recollect where he was, that he was being
made a fool, there was nothing left for him but
to pack up and be off, which would also mean
walking the village all night. On the other hand
if his mother wit permitted him to see he had
been "smoked," his best tactics were to laugh
the loudest and longest at the joke, and enrol
himself one of the confederacy, to play similar
tricks on some other guest on a future occasion.
CHAPTER XII.
All other matters deferred for the theatre by the Earl — Account
of one of the prompters at Wargrave — That worthy's
linen — The Earl of Barrymore's skill as a "whip" — An
amusement of the Earl's when on the box — The Je-ne-
sais-quoi Club — Lord Barrymore engages Delphini the
pitrrot for his theatre — A curious tale narrated — The Earl
made the subject of censorious press .comment.
The festivities at "Wargrave this year occupied a
great portion of the Earl of Barrymore's time,
who was now riding his new hobby hard. There-
fore, all field and other sports and pastimes were
deferred for the Temple of Thespis. Thus, the
Earl's fine stud of hunters and racers at Twyford
and Newmarket were literally " eating their heads
off; " but his lordship cared little for that, as he
did not, at this period, purpose giving up the
pleasures of the chase or field, although the glare*
and tinsel of his new hobby had eclipsed them.
The Earl's humour was accentuated by another
"dry" rogue; one of the prompters, a person,
if anything, more regardless of his personal
appearance than even " Pasquin." The Earl
must, however, be acquitted of leaning to sloven-
liness, for he dressed well and showed much
taste in the choice of his habiliments. But for all
G 2
84 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
this his love of wit led him to disregard how a
person was clad, provided he had the natural
humour and ability; that constituted a short
road to his favour. The prompter just men-
tioned had not been long enough in his lordship's
employment to replenish his stock of linen or
renovate his wardrobe, which a lengthy spell of
1 no work to do ' had brought so low that it was
difficult to discover when last his linen had had
acquaintance with the wash-tub. However, the
piquancy of the prompter's conversation found
favour with the Earl, who did not care to wound
the feelings of the man, circumstances being
considered. Nevertheless, his lordship, prior to
a performance at his theatre, to witness which
many fashionable members of society had been
invited, requested his ' company ' to appear
at their best.
The poor prompter felt himself in a predica-
ment ; besides, his personal proportions were so
large as to prevent his being able to procure a
ready-made shirt. So nothing was left him but
to send the only one he possessed to the wash,
that he might appear with a " bosom of snow " in
the evening. The prompter then went about his
duties in the theatre buttoned up to the chin to
hide the absence of linen. While he was engaged
during the rehearsal of a piece which was to be
performed that evening, a child appeared at the
scenes, and blurted out she had been sent by
her "mammy" to say: "She had brought the
shirt."
How to wash a Shirt. 85
" What ! " exclaimed the enchanted prompter,
" has she ' dressed ' it already, my darling, in two
hours ! d — n me, if that is not expeditious ! '
" No, sir ! she has not washed it."
" What ! not washed it ! " cried the now vexed
prompter. " What's the meaning of her not
doing so ? "
" Well, sir, my mammy says as how your shirt
is so old and worn that she is afraid it will rub
to pieces in the tub."
" Nonsense ! nonsense ! " cried the prompter,
with a face the colour of a turkey cock, as every-
one on the stage could hear the discussion. " I
think, my dear, you must have made a mistake,
and misunderstood your mother, who appears to
be a very silly woman. Take it back to your
' soap and soda ' dam, and say, if she is ignorant
of the way to wash a shirt, I will teach her. If
the shirt is so fine ! that she is afraid to place it
amongst coarser articles, bid her pin it to the
wall and throw hot soap and water on it until
clean."
Whether these instructions were carried out
cannot be vouched. Nevertheless, the prompter
appeared at his post in the evening in clean
linen.
One of the pugilistic encounters the Earl of
Barrvmore's fistic tutor and lackey engaged in
was with a west country " bargee," whom Hooper,
to use his own parlance, " did over " in less than
twenty minutes. Both competitors were near the
same age and of equal spirit. But the difference
86 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
in their respective weight was so great as to
make the backers of the bargee anticipate an
easy victory. Hooper scaled scarce eleven stone,
while his antagonist turned the scale at sixteen,
really a " weighty " difference. The result caused
a great deal of comment in boxing circles at the
time, being regarded as one of the greatest
triumphs of skill v. strength that had occurred
since the " ring " was inaugurated. A large sum
of money is also said to have changed hands on
the issue.
The Earl of Barrymore's skill with the
" ribbons " was proverbial. In spite of his
frolicsome nature, his friends would sit behind
him any hour of the day or night without fear.
A coachful of guests would frequently start from
Wargrave for Newmarket in the middle of the
night, with his lordship on the box, who would
" land his load," Jehu fashion, safely in good
time, at their destination.
A favourite freak of the Earl's, when driving
from London late at night, as he passed
through a narrow, ill-paved road in Colnbrook,
facetiously called " Feather Bed Lane," was to
whip right and left as he went along, thereby
cracking or breaking the windows of the houses.
This he called " fanning the daylights." By the
time the luckless occupiers could jump out of
bed, unfasten the sashes and peer out, his lord-
ship would be out of sight.
A west end convivial club, which numbered the
Earl among its members, was presided over by
The Je-ne-sais-quoi Club. 87
the Prince of Wales, who held the post of per-
petual chairman, this was ' The Je-ne-sais-quoi
Club,' by some called the ' Star and Garter Club,'
because its meetings were held at the tavern of
that name situated in Pall Mall. Meetings were
held on the second Monday in each month ; on
these occasions, glees, catches, duets, and solos
were sung. The musical department was under
the charge of Dr. Parsons, the glees were sung,
as a rule, by four professionals retained for the
purpose ; some of the solos were rendered by
well-known vocal performers of that time, as Mr.
Bannister, Mr. Johnson, &c. The solos, however,
were mere interludes in the efforts of the
club members. The Prince of Wales often
" obliged," and a song he is said to have sung
with great effect was " By the Gaily Circling
Glass ! "
A peculiar custom belonged to this club : there
was no specific qualification for membership; no
member could bring forward a friend for admit-
tance, nor was there any committee to elect, or
ballot for admission. All members were elected
at the will of the president, who proposed whom-
soever he thought fit, a selection approved nem
con by his fellow members, who, at this time
numbered amongst others, the Dukes of York
and Clarence, the Dukes of Norfolk, Bedford and
Dorset, the Due d'Orleans, Earls Craven, Barry-
more, and Kawdon, Sir Charles Asgill, Cols. St.
Leger and Hulks, Captains Morris and Sutton,
being joint secretaries. During this year the
88 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
royal president gave his brother members a grand
ball at Festino's Rooms, in Hanover Square,
which was numerously attended, and considered
one of the chief events of the season.
The Earl of Barrymore at the end of this year
(1789), expended more time and money than ever
on his theatre. To enable him to outvie his
previous performances, he specially engaged
Delphini, a celebrated 'Pierrot,' with whom his
lordship had become acquainted when connected
with the Royal Circus. Delphini, who had
attracted the notice of the Prince of Wales, was
an "oddity," his manner of speaking the "king's
English'' was enough to provoke mirth alone,
without his posturing antics. His engagement
by the Earl, involved that of his wife, a homely
woman, as housekeeper at his lordship's
Wargrave residence. She fulfilled her duties
well, and did all she could to stop the dreadful
waste in the establishment. Delphini used to
relate a story, for which he vouched as a fact, in
his broken English, as follows : —
" In the neighbourhood of St. Mark's, Venice,
lived a pastrycook, who became wealthy by selling
a dainty meat pie, the piquancy of which was so
pleasing to the palate, that they were eagerly
bought, far and wide, so that the demand always
exceeded the supply. Many conjectures were
formed as to their contents, some asserted it was
veal, others ortolans, and others an admixture of
both. The fellow tradesmen of the maker of
these dainty patties, endeavoured to emulate
A Venetian Tale. 89
them, but in vain. Now, as this pastrycook's
culinary fame increased, it was noticed that the
number of lost or missing children progressed in
the same ratio. To such a pitch did this rise,
that it became a source of great concern and
comment in the Republic. The guardians of the
city were ordered to increase their efforts to
regain the lost children, which they did without
success ; only to add to the grief of their sorrow-
ing relatives and citizens. At last, chance re-
vealed what diligent search denied. A dish of
the aforesaid patties being placed on the table of
a senator, one was found to contain the joint of a
child's little finger. The conclusion was, that
the pastrycook was the fiend who waylaid, stole,
and murdered the lost children. Official notice
being given of the discovery, a troop of soldiers
were dispatched to make rigorous search on the
pastrycook's premises. This was effected at
night; at first nothing could be found to warrant
the cook's arrest. A soldier who had been told
off to search a portion of the ground floor, how-
ever, did not return to report his investigation-.
The officer in charge, knowing his subordinate to
be an able and tried man, feared some evil had
befallen him, and as he did not answer to liis
name when called through the premises by his
comrades, his commander, concluded he had mel
with some mishap. He therefore gave orders for
the pastrycook to be seized and brought before
him. The man was threatened with instant death,
did he not divulge what had become of the missing
90 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
member of the troop. The villain, seeing that he
had a determined man to deal with, and his
escape hopeless, showed the officer a skilfully con-
structed trap, in one of the rooms on the ground
floor, which covered a deep vault ; through this
the missing soldier had fallen after stepping on
it, when the trap resumed its position by a cleverly
contrived spring. This might have entrapped
others of the search party, had not the officer
acted with promptitude. A soldier then had a
rope tied round him, and was lowered into the
vault, where he found, with the aid of a lantern,
his lost comrade more frightened than hurt, his
fall being broken by the dead bodies of several
little children recently slaughtered. Here was
damning evidence of the pastrycook's guilt. He
and his family were arraigned before the senate,
and found guilty. The sentence on these mis-
creants was singular. They were ordered to be
conveyed to their house, round which a circle of
troops was drawn, the doors and windows of the
premises were then barred, so as to prevent all
egress, inflammable materials were then piled
round the building and ignited, when the mur-
derer and his family with the contents of the
edifice were consumed. A little while after the
walls were razed, the rubbish carted away, and a
handsome obelisk erected on the spot, to the
memory of the unfortunate children.
The Earl of Barrymore, when he heard this
story narrated, asked if Delphini thought he
could put some of its most important situations
The Earl's remedy for Libel. 91
and features into a pantomime ! This the Earl
put in a "quizzing" way.
" Yes," Delphini answered. But, it is needless
to record that the burlesquing of such a horrible
crime, was not put into effect.
About this period, some of the Earl's escapades
were noticed by the daily press, and brought to
his lordship's notice. He gave, as a rule, one in-
variable reply : " If such writings can get these
scribblers a dinner, let them write and be d — d."
Perhaps this was a wiser way of treating libellous
attacks, than the method of the present day,
" Throwing away good money after bad," as a
verdict in vindication of one's character, is too
often a barren honour ; and if of any effect at
all, only hastens the defendant's journey to the
Bankruptcy Court, a bourn he would probably
reach sooner or later of himself.
CHAPTER XIII.
Hunting and theatricals at Waigrave in the winter of 1789—
The Earl of Barrymore increases his racing stud — Sir John
Lade and Charles James Fox — Encounter between Hooper
and Watson — The Earl's turf successes in the early part
of 1790 — The Earl runs against a horseman in Kensington
Gardens — His strange way of recovering his stolen watch
— The Earl's character as portrayed in a newspaper of
that period— The song of the " Brogue-makers."
Hunting was the favourite sport of the Earl and
his friends at Wargrave, during the winter of
1789. The evenings were devoted to theatricals,
conviviality, mock trials, and other hilarious pro-
ceedings.
The Honourable Henry Barry became pos-
sessed this year of a pack of harriers, which he
ran alternately with his brother's staghounds.
Meets were held on Mondays at Warren House,
near Billingham. The sports of the field appear
to have reminded his lordship that he had a stud
of racehorses at Newmarket, and he purposed to
be "keen' 1 for that sport, so soon as the season
opened. With this purpose in view, his lordship,
early in 1790, made further additions to his stud,
which then numbered thirty, and purchased, with
a view to increase his success on the turf, Sir
Charles James Fox and Sir John "Jehu." 93
Charles, Tully, Kiss my Lad;/, Mosquito, and
Impudenrr, from Sir John Lade, "Pilgrim, from
Mr. Bullock, as well as the famous Chanticleer
and Seagull (for which he paid, with their en o a <rc-
ments, 4000 guineas), from Charles James Fox.
An anecdote of both these gentlemen may be
related in this place.
Sir John Lade, better known as Sir John
" Jehu," had an outstanding gaming or racing
debt due, or owing, by Mr. Fox, who, one morning
after a lucky night at the faro table, at the
Jockey Club, Newmarket, found himself in a
position to discharge it. Mr. Fox accordingly
sent a note to Sir John, in which he asked for an
appointment, to hand him his obligation. When
they met, Mr. Fox produced the sum he owed,
which he placed on the table. Sir John Lade
then called to a servant for pen, ink and paper,
and began to compute the interest.
" What are you up to ? " demanded Mr. Fox.
" Only calculating the interest ! "
" Are you, though," replied Mr. Fox coolly, at
the same time returning the notes to his pocket.
" Why ! I thought, Sir John, that my debt was
a debt of honour, but as you seem to look at it in
another light, and intend making a trading debt
of it, I beg to inform you, I make it an invariable
rule to pay my Jew creditors last; you must
therefore wait a little longer for your money, Sir
John, and when I next come across my moin-y-
lending Israelites, I shall most certainly think of
Sir John Jeh u, and expect to have the honour of
94 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
seeing him in the company of my worthy friends
from Duke's Place."
Sir John long recollected this rebuke from the
brilliant debater and politician, and at the moment
showed more good sense than he was wont to
display, by not attempting a reply.
It is a matter of history, that Fox was deeply
in debt to Jewish and other money-lenders, at
thisperiod; these gentry were for a 'consideration,'
most obliging to him, when heir presumptive to
the barony of Holland. His prospects were
destroyed by the birth of an heir, but the event
instead of perturbing Mr. Fox, gave him an
opportunity for making it the subject of profane
jest against his creditors, that " the birth of an
heir, was another Messiah sent to plague the
Jews ! "
On February 19th, 1790, the Earl of Barrymore
brought off a coup he had had for some time in
preparation, this was an encounter between
Hooper " the Tinman " and Watson alias " Will
of the Wisp." This match was shifted about as
to time and place, till many doubted it coming off
at all. These tactics were used, no doubt, to gain
" points " in the betting, which, since the first
mention of the match was in Watson's favour.
At last the day was finally arranged, and the
ring was pitched at Langley Broom, near Coin-
brook. For the first quarter of an hour, no
change occurred, after that the odds veered
round in Hooper's favour, eleven to fiVe being
laid. The cause of this, was a squabble as to
Hooper versus Watson. 95
the repeated falling of Watson to gain time in
recovering from a blow. He was beaten after the
first hour. The odds from this, steadily increased
in Hooper's favour ; Watson only continued by
the advice of his umpire and bottleholder, who
refused to let him give in. At last he had to be
borne off the stage from which the " Tinman,"
in ring parlance, " stalked off full strong." A
singular circumstance occurred in this encounter,
two face blows only were delivered, though they
marked the combatants.
After the battle being awarded to Hooper, the
Earl of Barrymore, who was present with a
party of friends, conveyed the victor to town in
triumph on his coach. The ' Wards ' " showed
up " Watson ; and, Messrs. Johnson and Butcher,
Hooper. The umpires were J. Warton, Esquire,
and Major Churchill. The Earl of Barrymore it
is said, much intimidated the ring by the tactics
displayed over this match, by which he won
twenty-five thousand pounds.
At the Craven Meeting, Newmarket, the Earl
commenced his racing record for the year 1790,
which his lordship seemed to think would be
incomplete without some prowess of his own in the
* Atalantain ' sport. Therefore on April 16th he ran
a match in Kensington Gardens against a Captain
Parkhurst, the Earl on foot, the captain mounted
on a horse. It was thought the distance would
be in favour of the pedestrian, being only thirty
yards straight, thence round a tree, and return;
the best of four heats. • However, in the result
96 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
both competitors were credited with two heats,
thus neither won. A large company of notabili-
ties were present to witness this singular match,
amongst them, the Prince of Wales and the Duke
of Clarence,who were much amused byits novelty.
This affair increased the Earl's taste for
pedestrianic performances, and he offered to run
against the Bath Coach, from Hyde Park Corner
to Hammersmith. But the project was abandoned
on the grounds that " odds " were not obtainable,
the source from which these generally emanate,
the betting ring, having been " dried up " for a
time by the Earl's " Watson- Hooper " triumph.
With the Second Spring Meeting, Newmarket,
May 3rd, 1790, the Duke of Bedford's horse
Cardock lost 1 two matches to the Earl of Barry-
more's Pellegrini and Highlander; while the
Earl's winning list was increased by his horses
Vixen, Pallafox and Toss. But at the next meet-
ing, in June, his lordship was extremely un-
fortunate, as he won but one match. 1 Nor did
the A-cot meeting increase his winning record.
One day during the latter meeting, the Earl's
watch was stolen. So soon as he missed it he
resolved on a singular expedient for its recovery.
Looking around he noticed a man hurrying away;
this person he concluded, had stolen the watch.
He followed and kept him in sight, until perceiving
a well-known member of the prize ring, to whom
the Earl stopped and spoke, at the same time
" relieving " the pugilist of his watch. Upon the
1 Appendix K.
Recovering a Stolen Watch. 97
owner expressing surprise at the Earl's conduct,
his lordship jocularly replied, " Your friend ! '
pointing to the receding person he suspected,
" I have every reason to believe has stolen my
watch ; you shall have yours when you bring me
mine." The pugilist knew the Earl well enough
to agree to the terms, and soon after returned
with the Earl's repeater, when he at once received
his own, no doubt with a douceur.
At the July meeting, Newmarket, his lord-
ship's horses fulfilled numerous engagements,
though the results were not as anticipated ; how-
ever, 1 two matches were won by them agaiust
Mr. Fox's crack Seagull ; which horse passed, as
already recorded, into the Earl's possession during
this year. On the 15th, the Earl again appeared
in the pigskin, riding his own horse in a match 1
which he won.
Among other allusions and criticisms con-
cerning the Earl's peculiarities and extravagances
which appeared from time to time in the press of
that period, one was as follows : —
" The present age, we are told, has to boast of
a young nobleman whose splendid abilities far
exceed the late Earl of March ; 2 this young lord
can drive four or six horses in hand from morn to
eve. For contriving, destroying, purchasing, and
1 Appendix K.
2 The Earl of March is hetter known by the title of Duke
of Queensberry, to which dignity he had succeeded his uncle
in 177S : though he is, perhaps, still better known to readers
of the present day by his sobriquet " Old Q," — of evergreen
racing memory.
98 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
disposing, none can equal him. He is the coach-
man, the player, the spendthrift, and indeed every-
thing but what his fortune entitles him to be. If
none excel him, it is hoped none will attempt to
equal him. Beware, ye youth, how you are
entrapped into ruin Dy bad example."
A strange homily for a newspaper to publish ;
for what heed the earl took it might have never
been printed.
Another jest played by the earl upon a guest,
previously selected, after a dinner at Wargrave,
was the " Brogue Makers." A guest, who knew
the joke, would be requested by the earl to oblige
the company with the song so entitled ; at the
same time it would be intimated to the person
who had been marked out for the evening's
waggery that he might anticipate a treat of song
and humour. The " obliger " of the song would
commence in a somewhat loud tone, " There
were three jolly Brogue Makers," only to be
interrupted by one of the confederacy, by being
told that he was not in " tune." This the singer
would resent ; the expectant guest would invari-
ably join issue with the singer, and appeal to his
noble host on the impropriety of the interruption.
The earl would acquiesce and ask the singer to
proceed, if only to oblige Mr. " JNewcome," only
to be again interrupted. Thereupon the disap-
pointed guest would remonstrate directly with the
disturber of the harmony, who would return an
answer calculated to further raise the indignant
guest's ire ; this would lead to a further heated
The Song of the " Brogue Makers." 99
discussion, which frequently ended by the two
disputants jumping up with the avowed purpose
of thrashing one another. But before they could
reach each other they would find their progress
stayed by those present, who would keep them
apart till the earl had explained that the cele-
brated song of the " Brogue Makers " began and
concluded in one line, and that the whole affair
was "humbug."
ir 2
CHAPTER XIV.
An enccmnter at Brighton — The Earl of Barrymore's wager
there with the Duke of York — A singular prank played
on an inhabitant of the Steine — The Earl adds to his
extravagance in the cause of Thespis — His pedestrian
contest at Brighton — Racing record there.
To the earl's rule in respect to newspaper or other
articles against his mode of living and doings, the
following must be recorded as an exception (it is
the only instance of personal interference I have
met with). The earl, unfortunately, was wrong,
both as regards the person accused and in his own
conduct on the occasion. The deplorable incident
occurred at Brighton, July 27th, 1790. As the
earl, accompanied by his brothers, was walking on
the Steine, Mr. Fox, junior (son of the lessee of the
Theatre Eoyal, Brighton), passed. This person
was said to be the author of a pamphlet animadvert-
ing on the earl. Thereupon the Barrys thought the
opportunity propitious for redressing the wrong.
They jostled Mr. Fox several times as they
paraded the walk, making remarks on his alleged
conduct. Their observations became too per-
sonal ; Mr. Fox w r isely prepared to leave the
Steine. But the Earl of Barrymore, having
An Encounter at Brighton. ioi
noticed the Prince of Wales with the Duke of
York, accompanied by Colonel Tarleton, coming
up, thought his royal friends, seeing Mr . Fox's
sudden departure, would be sure to comment on
the explanations given of the publication of the
obnoxious tract. Therefore, to get up a scene,
the earl pulled Mr. Fox's hat off, threw it on the
ground, and began " to introduce his shoemaker to
Mr. Fox's tailor." Satisfaction for the assault
was at once demanded, and a ring formed, where-
upon peer and commoner stripped to their shirts,
and set to, Mendoza-fashion. After a few rounds
Mr. Fox was advised to give in, as much rough
play was beginning, though it is said the Prince
of Wales behaved in a most "honourable"
manner, doing his utmost to prevent any unfair
practices. This appears to allude to the conduct
of his lordship, who quite lost his usual self-
command when en^ao-ed in a fistic encounter,
which caused the prince to exclaim, "D — n me,
Barrymore, behave like a man ! ' The fight
terminated soon after, when the earl was found
to have received a blow which disfigured him for
a time ; while his adversary was much bruised
about the body.
Other tactics, however, were, it was said, likely
to be brought to bear upon the above controversy,
viz., the refusal of Mr. Fox, senior's, theatrical
license at the next assizes. But if such a measure
were really proposed, wiser counsels prevailed ere
the time arrived for its execution. For, even had
Mr. Fox, junior, been the writer of the incriminating
102 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
pamphlet, that could scarcely be judged sufficient
grounds for depriving the father of his livelihood.
To prevent any repetition of unpleasantness with
the " pavilion set," Mr. Fox, junior, wisely left
the town during their sojourn, when the matter
dropped.
The Earl of Barrymore at this period had a
house in Pavilion Row, afterwards at No. 5,
the Steine. One of his many exploits here was a
bet with the Duke of York, made during a con-
versation at the Pavilion as to who would or
could wade farthest into the sea as then attired.
The preliminaries concluded, down the pair
walked to the beach, accompanied by numerous
friends, to decide their curious wager. The
contest soon attracted a crowd. But the " hero "
of the Flanders campaign, not being as tall as his
opponent, was troubled by the incoming tide,
so much so, at last, as to beat a hasty retreat for
fear of being carried off his feet, thereby leaving
the earl victor.
An adventure of the madcap earl's at this
period might have been attended with serious
consequences. He caused a footman named
Frank to be placed in a coffin, in which he was
strapped, the foot-board was then removed, and
the supposed corpse carried with much solemnity
by his lordship and other " choice spirits " and
placed upon the doorstep of a Mr. P in the
Steine. The bell and knocker were then
vigorously applied by one of the amateur under-
takers, and the whole party made off to " cover,"
Amateur Undertakers. 103
from whence they could witness the " fun," as
they were pleased to term it. On the maid-
servant's answering the noisy summons, she
started, and seeing, as she concluded, a dead body
on the doorstep in a coffin, uttered an appalling
shriek and fell down in a faint.
The family, dismayed at the uproar, thought
the premises were being attacked by robbers :
rushed out armed with the usual household
weapons of defence. Paterfamilias, of course,
with his blunderbuss, or horse pistol, which he
discharged at the " corpse " in the coffin ; whether
intentional or accidental is not known. As if the
wearer of the " wooden overcoat " was what he
no doubt suspected him to be, a corpse, there
was surely no need to " kill him," to use an
" Irishism." However, the sound of firearms
was quite sufficient to disturb the equanimity of
footman Frank, who at once unbuckled the
straps, uncoffined himself, and bolted. The
coffin, on being recovered for the Earl and his
companions, who thought it discreet not to
appear on the scene, was subjected to an exami-
nation, when it was found the bullet had entered
the coffin, going through the bottom board,
scarcely an inch above the footman's head. The
man had had a narrow escape of being a corpse
in earnest. So the force all but concluded with a
tragedy.
A less erratic and prodigal bring than the Karl
of Barrymore would have been content with one
theatre, as that which he possessed at \Vargrave
104 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
could comfortably accommodate 400 * visitors.
Not so liis lordsliip, whose furore was now at its
height, and who, like all provincial actors,
professional or amateur, sighed for London.
Other reasons than mere self-exhibition deter-
mined the Earl. One was the inability to
accommodate his visitors with comfort, especially
those of the fair sex, to his theatre at Wargrave,
nor did the village contain hotel accommodation
fit for persons of rank ; therefore his lordship
thought if he could transfer some of his dramatic
entertainments to town, he would be able to
provide his friends with the pleasures his theatre
at Wargrave afforded without a disagreeable or
perhaps inclement journey.
To a person of the Earl of Barrymore's tem-
perament, action was all but equal with thought,
so to acquire a theatre in Savile Row, W., known
as " Frantiocini's Marionette Theatre," was the
negotiation of a few moments. This accom-
plished, a new stage was erected, fresh scenery
was painted, and the auditorium altered, re-
furnished, and embellished ; result, a well-
arranged, handsome bijou theatre. All being
ready, the Earl determined to open his " London
Theatre," on July 22nd, 1790, for which purpose
a select circle of friends were invited. The
prologue on this occasion was written and spoken
by Thomas Fitzgerald, Esq. : —
The bell rings violently several times, when
enters Manager in a passion meeting prompter.
1 Some say 700 !
Earl of Barrymore's " London Theatre." 105
Manager. Why in the name of fortune this delay 1 ?
Prompter. Where is the prologue to the play ?
The gentleman is ready, but I fear
Ile will not speak a word while you stay here.
Manager. If ready, why the devil don't he come]
Here am 1 roaring like a kettledrum.
Prompter. Oh ! here he comes, sir !
Clear the stage, make way.
[Enter prologue speaker '.]
Speaker. What ! must I speak a prologue to your play 1
Sir ! I am no puppet to he moved at will,
Nor skin on wires to show my master's skill.
Yet, if you'll go and leave the stage to me,
I'll pi ad your cause without a bribe or fee.
[Exit manager and prompter. ~\
This stage, winch late a charming scene displayed,
Of many a wooden head in masquerade,
Our manager, a Thespian, Quixote grown,
Saw, and, like Sancho's master, knocked it down.
In dread confusion, dolls on dolls were tossed,
Some heads were broken, and some limbs were lost.
No more their mimic action shall delight
Of Fashion's full-grown babes, the fickle sight.
Yet, let not malice satirize the plan ;
Each day displays the tricks of puppet man,
A mere automaton, by interest led.
His passions governed by the slightest thread,
He bows subservient to his patron's sway,
Weeps if he weeps, and if he smiles is gay.
Yet some there are, who nobly dare to be
At once in action and in judgment free ;
Who scorn the acts by which the servile rise,
1 tetcst their flattery, and their success despise ;
Who noblest ends by noblest means pursue :
That such there are, methinks I see in you.
But shall the ladies grieve for pleasure past,
And mourn the " Frantiocini's " — could not last,
We'll share each weeping fair one's grief, and then,
Instead of puppets, we will give them men !
Who feel the iniluence their smiles impart,
Glow on the cheek, and vibrate in the heart ;
Who knows no power like beauty to improve
The mind's best feelings, in the School of Love !
The curtain now rose on the Beauts Stratagem ;
io6 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
after which a song in character was given by Cap-
tain Watlien — The Greenwich Pensioner, followed
by the play called The Citizen. The evening's
entertainment concluded with a pas de russe,
danced by the Earl of Barrymore and Delphini ;
in which, it is said, they were inimitable. At the
intervals between the acts, the visitors were liber-
ally supplied with ices and other refreshments, in
true " Wargravian" profusion. The perform-
ance did not conclude until 2 a.m., when the night
was terminated, or morning was begun, with a
splendid supper.
An encounter took place this year, 1790,
between the Earl of Barrymore's " pet," Hooper,
and " Tom Tight," alias Howard, a Reading
bargee. This match was made by Lord Falk-
land x (a constant visitor at Wargrave), who
backed " Tom Tight " against the Earl's repre-
sentative, Hooper, for fifty guineas. An im-
portant stipulation was made, that the first com-
petitor who fell, without being knocked down,
should be disqualified. Many bets were made,
each partisan's friend being sure of victory. To
witness this match, many well-known pugilists
were asked and attended ; amongst them were
Johnson, Ward, and Ryan. " Ropes " were
pitched on a ten-foot stage, erected in a field
near his lordship's residence at Wargrave.
" Tom Tight," when " buffed," appeared a most
muscular fellow, near six feet in height ; the
Tinman," a spare, compact man, five feet five
1 Afterwards killed in a duel.
■a
Pedestrianism at Brighton. 107
inches. The encounter had scarcely lasted ten
minutes when Hooper got his opponent in a
corner, and, in ring parlance, " glutted him,"
scoring an easy victory. The outcome of this
was a match between the winner and "Big Ben."
During the " season " at Brighton this year,
1790, the Earl of Barrymore engaged in another
trial of pedestrianism. The subject being
mentioned at dinner there one day, Mr. Bullock,
a well-known " turfite," and a large, corpulent
man, offered to run the Earl 100 yards, provided
he was allowed thirty-five yards' start, together
with choice of ground. To these conditions the
Earl agreed, anticipating an easy victory, and he
next day was named for the race. Meanwhile the
Prince of Wales was told of the match, and ex-
pressed a desire to witness it. He sent his
equerry to inquire the hour and place of meeting ;
but the first rendezvous could only be given, as
Mr. Bullock refused to divulge the ground he
intended to select. However, H.R.H. and a
numerous party attended the specified meeting -
place. Mr. Bullock then led them to one of those
narrow alleys (of which some remain in the old
part of the town) with scarcely room for two to
walk comfortably, to say nothing of competitors
in a race, one of whom weighed eighteen stone, and
the other eleven. His lordship was equally sur-
prised and angry at being thus outwitted, but
there was no help but to run it off as well as he
could. A start was made, the Earl quickly run-
ning up to Mr. Bullock, but could not pass, for
ioS The Last Earls of Barrymore.
his opponent rolled from side to side, using his
arms like the sails of a windmill, thus effectually
preventing himself beiug overtaken. Mr.
Bullock must have won a considerable amount in
bets, as everyone anticipated an easy victory for
his lordship, who was freely backed, Mr. Bullock
accepting the bets at every opportunity.
At the race meetings at Brighton and Lewes,
August, this year (1790), the Earl of Barrymore's
horses ran and gained winning brackets in a match,
and a couple of handicaps of no great import-
ance.
CHAPTER XV.
The Earl of Barrymore's expenses— Curious result of an arrest
for debt— John Edwin the younger — His benefit at the
theatre, Richmond — The Earl's racing record at Heading —
Encounter between Big Ben and Hooper — The Earl of
Barrymore's fete at Wargrave.
With the addition of a London Theatre to the
Earl's other expensive luxuries, the "bow' : of
cost was bent indeed. But this did not prevent
his lordship from still further straining it. He
considered a fine town residence, with stabling,
etc., in Piccadilly, 1 necessary to enable him " to
do the host in style " to the theatrical visitors at
his "Town" theatre, in particular, who almost
always concluded their evening's entertainment
by supper at the Earl's house.
Although large sums of money had been
expended or squandered by the Earl of Barry-
more, all claims had so far been fairly well met.
Balances remained due on certain accounts, but
with this exception the statement is correct. His
lordship now found that the purchase of a racing
stud, hunters, hounds, theatres, and residences.
1 Not the residence quoted as being his — 105. Its real posi-
tion can only be premised by after results, its purchase by the
Duke of Queensbury (who is known to have lived farther west),
about 1790.
no The Last Earls of Barrymore.
were not the only cost these things implied, as the
expense of maintaining them was more severely
felt and increased by the addition of his new man-
sion. The Earl's racing engagements were always
promptly met; and it is said no one, except perhaps
Mr. Fulke Greville, met losses with greater non-
chalance. On the other hand, no person at that
time had won larger bets, than his lordship.
Previous to the Earl of Barrymore acquiring a
town residence, he invariably stayed when in
London at Wood's Hotel, Covent Garden, and
would sometimes visit the Bow Street Coffee
House, for whose proprietor he had a liking.
The inevitable consequences of the Earl of
Barrymore's extravagances began to make them-
selves evident soon after the house in Piccadilly
was occupied by the Earl (although his affairs
were then comparatively in " order "). One day, as
he was on the point of proceeding to the Prince
of Wales's levee, elaborately dressed, he was
arrested by two sheriff officers (who had obtained
admittance disguised as Jockeys), at the suit of
a fashionable tailor, for a small bill of seven
hundred and fifty pounds. This the Earl at once
paid, to the great consternation of the tailor, who
thought he had lost a good customer by his hasty
conduct, the result of some rumour concerning-
his lordship's affairs. But the tailor's surprise
was great when he received an order to attend
the Earl, with his measure and latest patterns,
which his lordship examined, and then ordered
several suits. On the tailor's taking his noble
John Edwin, the Younger. hi
patron's measure, he was requested tofurnisli his
account for the clothes there and then ; and his
lordship at once paid the amount, thus becoming
or enacting the proverbial " bad " paymaster who
pays beforehand. However, this did not trouble
the Earl, who told the tailor he was not in the
least offended by his enforcing payment of the
debt ; it was, perhaps, necessary to save his credit
even for the very existence of himself and family."
Great was the surprise of the tailor at the termina-
tion of an unpleasant business.
Anthony Pasquin, one of the earl's theatrical
managers, has already been alluded to : some
notice should now be taken of his other minister,
John Edwin, the younger son of the well-known
comedian of that period. "John," Jun., showed
dramatic ability at the early age of eight ; his
schoolmaster, the Rev. John Dicks, of Hart Street,
Covent Garden, noticed the lad's precocity, which
he fostered by making him recite on every suit-
able occasion. Thus Edwin the younger appeared
a most promising youth, and great things were
expected from him as he approached manhood.
But unfortunately, before he had arrived at years
of so-termed discretion, Henry Angelo introduced
Edwin to the Earl of Barrymore, and he soon
acquired the tastes and notions of the Wargrave
triumvirate, and developed some of his own. In
fact, like Hooper, he all but forgot his position
in his patron's establishment. He had constant
bickerings with his brother professionals, and
with the servants, because many of the latter
ii2 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
declined to obey his behests, as one of the family !
That his conduct was tolerated was due to the
Earl's easy goodnature; but the sobriquet be-
stowed on Edwin shows what the outside world
thought of the " Fourth shaven brother ' Bottle-
orum ' of the Wargrave fraternity." The Earl
testified his approbation of Edwin's dramatic
ability with a lavish hand. One time he pre-
sented him with a racehorse, no doubt on an
implied wish of Edwin's ; the animal was sold
before it had time or opportunity to run in its
new owner's colours, and the proceeds were
squandered.
At the Richmond Theatre, on the 11th August,
1790, the Earl of Barrymore further assisted
Edwin by appearing at his benefit. The per-
formance that evening comprised " The Minor,"
" The Poor Soldier" and an extravaganza called
"Don Juan," in which the Earl played Scara-
mouch, the cunning, foolish clown, to the life.
Edwin appeared as the hero, Bon Juan ; though
the scenic effects and properties placed at the
disposal of the performers were not " War-
gravian " in character. Had not the Earl's name
been associated with the undertaking, it is doubt-
ful if the performance would have attained the
end in view. However, many of the good people
of Richmond, determined to see his lordship on
the boards, waited in force at the entrance to the
cheaper parts of the theatre, and as soon as the
doors were opened, forced their way through,
past pay-boxes and check-takers, and filled the
"Bet or be Silent." 113
cheaper seats. By his lordship's appearance,
I'M win obtained the honour of the pr (sence of the
Prince of Wales and the Dukes of York and
Clarence, with their suites — no small distinction
for one who could not then be classed one of the
first actors of the day. The evening's repre-
sentations were concluded with a " shower of
fire," although the theatre is said to have been
quite " warm " enough without it.
A newspaper of those times, alluding to the
performance on this evening, makes it a vehicle
for comparison with the revolutionary troubles
then existing in France, as folbws : " Thus we
see there is no reason to land the instruction of
the levelling principles of France into this
country ; our peers have good nature enough to
level themselves."
The Earl of Barrymore being as well known at
Reading as at Wargrave, it was only natural
that the annual race meeting of the county town
of Berks should receive his support. On the 24th
and 25th August of this year, 1790, the Earl's
stable is credited with winning three events at
these meetings.
Betting and wagering at this period were far
more rife among the upper classes than many
would suppose. The evil, as this is now admitted
to be, is regarded as a concomitant of horse-
racing ; then it was brought to bear on almost
every matter, even to an expressed opinion. If
the assertor would not back his words, he was
met with the cant phrase of the times, " Bet or
be silent."
1
ii4 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
The election of an M.P. for Bedford during
1790 gave the Earl of Barrymore an opportunity
to wao-er with the Duke of Bedford on its result.
jSTo doubt, the duke thought he ought to know
who was likely to be returned for a town where
his influence was supposed to be all powerful,
aud he laid the Earl £5000 his man would be
returned ; the Earl accepted, and won the bet.
The match made between Hooper aud " Big
Ben " took place on the 30th of August, 1790, at
Chaselrowsevel (in England), near Newbury. The
meeting was timed for a late hour in the after-
noon. Hooper's antagonist was a different sort
of man from many he had met before, and his
superior in weight and strength, as well as his
equal in science. Hooper knew this, therefore
exercised the shifty tactics known to this day —
falling down to escape a blow, dodging about all
over the stage, squirting water in Ben's face,
calling him opprobrious names, etc., etc., for the
purpose of taking Ben off his guard. Big Ben,
however, was much too wary for these tricks to
have the desired effect. In this fashion, 180
rounds were fought, to the utter disgust of those
patrons of the ring who were present. At last,
as it was getting dusk, the battle had to be
declared a draw, after having lasted three hours
and a half. Neither combatant was much hurt,
as the reader may have already assumed. Hooper
was not wanting in pluck, and having plaved his
part, he turned to the Earl, who with some friends
was present, and said, —
Birthday Rejoicings. 115
'•' My hid, ven yu bets on I, if ye dusn't vin, I'll
take care as 'ow yu shouldn't lose ! "
This month, August, 1790, the Earl of Barry-
more purposed to celebrate his birthday by giving
a grand fete at Wargrave. This, however, had
to be deferred, owing to the incomplete condition
of some temporary buildings he was having put
up ; it was not until the 20th of September that
he could inaugurate the festivities, which were
arranged to last a week. The programme was,
for the first three nights, consecutive perfor-
mances of " The Follies of a Bay " and a panto-
mime, " Robinson Crusoe or Harlequin Friday " ;
in the first of these the Earl sustained the parts
of a drunken gardener, and that of a clown in
the second. These performances were necessary
to entertain his lordship's numerous friends, as
well as to afford gratification to the villagers,
whom, with all bis faults, the Earl did not forget.
On the fourth night a grand dinner was given
to a numerous company, followed by a ball at
Reading on the fifth night. The fete concluded
with a bal masque at Wargrave on the 27th,
which is said to have been one of the most
brilliant spectacles ever seen in this country.
Amongst the five hundred persons of rank and
fashion who attended from all parts were the
Duchess of Bolton, Lady Aylesbury, Earl Craven
and his daughters, Lord and Lady Kinnaird, and
many others. In this entertainment the Earl of
Barrymore endeavoured to outdo himself in the
costliness of every detail. No consideration was
1 2
n6 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
allowed to interfere with his plans for self-grati-
fication and the comfort and pleasure of his
guests. But the Earl overlooked the fact of
Wargrave being unequal to the task of accommo-
dating a moiety of the guests invited ; every
room that could be had was allotted days before
to visitors from a distance, while those who could
not procure accommodation in the house were
compelled to don their costumes in post-chaises
or coaches. Among dresses representing almost
every subject, profession, or country, were two
" masks," one personating a barber, the second a
hairdresser (this savours of Henry and Augustus
Barry), who shaved and powdered all who came
in their way. A third mask was a quack doctor,
who distributed, in an empirical way, the following
handbill : —
"Newly Arrived."
Dr. Kaptantrobus van gaten Hippocrates, M.D., F.R.
and A.S.S.; A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H., etc., etc., etc.
Physician, Surgeon, and Apothecary. He cures all sorts of
diseases. But for Hypochondriac complaints in particular,
such as vapours, glooms, melancholy, and dumps, is superior
to the great Katterfelto, ' with his black cat into the bar-
gain.
" Ye swains and nymphs who are devoured with ennui,
Thro' ill-luck at small whist and through sipping of tea,
All you, for the spleen, who for physic have need,
Come away with your doctor to Wargrave full speed.
Tho' a quack I appear, yet I there keep a shop,
Which the country all knows has been well fitted up ;
There for pills and decoctions you've jellies and fruits,
And for pestle and mortars gay fiddles and flutes.
There, on labels inscribed, fit for each person's cure,
Is everything ready, except aquce pure,
1 A charlatan of the period.
Bal Masque at Wargrave. 117
And of all such a plenty, I'm sure there's enough
The whole country to physic with choice doctors' stuff.
There other than Vitus' dancers resort,
And those who seem dropsied have skinfulls of port.
And if many light-headed by chance you should see,
Such are just in the crisis of humour and glee ;
Far other than that of hysterics their laugh,
Far other than nauseous the phials that they quail'.
For the draughts that those phials yon bottles contain
Are Burgundy, claret, old hock, and champagne.
Then take of your doses and swallow your pills,
And away with all fear about paying my bills,
With the help of my lord I dispense without fee ;
Come, here's his good health, then, with a three times three."
Between one and two o'clock a.m., supper,
supplied by Daubigny, the celebrated restau-
rateur of those days, at thirty shillings a head,
was served in a temporarily-erected structure.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Earl of Barry more talks of contesting the city of Oxford
for a seat in Parliament — Description of the Earl's late
seat in Ireland — The Earl as a chef — The Humbug
Club — How members were installed — The Earl " sees
life " under all conditions — Joins in the convivialities at
Jacob's Well — His racing record at the First and Second
October Meetings, Newmarket, 1790.
In September, 1790, the Earl of Barryrnore pro-
posed to contest the city of Oxford at the next
election for a seat in Parliament (as an Irish
peer, he had no seat in the English House of
Lords), but the matter went no farther than his
name being put forward as a possible candi-
date, as, on inquiry being instituted, his lordship
thought his opponent, a Mr. Annesley, too strong
for him, or any other political adversary, to
dislodge, and wisely withdrew. However, then,
as now, there were not wanting those ' : who rush
in where angels fear to tread." A Mr. Ogilvie,
whose name twangs of the " border," which is as
much as to say he should have known better,
opposed Mr. Annesley, and received a sound
beating for his pains in the form of a 500
minority. Disappointed in his ambition to woo the
suffrages of the University city, the Earl of Barry-
A Pro Bono Publico Dinner. 119
more thought he might faro better where he was
known, and therefore determined to contest the
borough of Reading at the next bye or general
election. To ingratiate himself with the free and
independent electors of that borough, he gave a
dinner at the Crown Hotel pro bono publico. In
order that the partakers of his liberality should
feel like " Aldermen " for once in their lives, the
Earl sent a turtle, weighing 150 lbs., from
London, for the soup. The dinner took place
on Thursday, September 30th, 1790, and wa
numerously attended.
The Earl of Barryinore's residence at Wargrave
has already been described, so that an account of
his once noble residence and estates in the sister
kingdom ought now to be given.
The ancestral house of the Barrymores was at
Castle Ly r ons, five miles to the east of Fermov,
in the East Riding of County Cork, about 145
miles from Dublin. Here one of the lords of
Barry erected a noble edifice on the site of a
former castle of the l O'Lehans. This is described
as having been a strong and stately quadrangular
building. On one side was a spacious hall, bung
with implements of war and the chase, in various
devices ; the domestic offices, to which water was
brought by an aqueduct from the river Bride,
were on the other side. On the north side was a
handsome gallery, ninety feet long, and two
stories high, barely finished in 1750. In this
portion of the building were several good apart-
1 Corrupted into Castle Lyons.
120 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
rnents, hung with family portraits. The gardens
lay to the west, and contained a large basin, or
canal, which led to a charming deer park, through
which flowed the river Bride. This residence,
said to have had as many windows as there are
days in the year (365), was unfortunately destroyed
by fire about 1771, through the negligence of
plumbers while repairing the roof.
The estates which appertained to the earl-
dom of Barrymore, in 1750, contained thirty
parishes : — Clonmult, Dungorry, Inchenbacky,
Ballyspillane, Ballynawnia, Garran, Kinseaky,
Agbaddy, Titeskin, Ballycorney, Temple-
nicarigy, Lisgoold, Mogesby, Carigrobil, Temple
Ribbon, Clonmell, Kilgowane, Temple Usque,
Little Island, Cahirlag, Kilquane, Killervane,
Dunbullogue, Anlngsly, Kilshanoghan, Ruthcor-
muck, Gostroe, Templehodune, Castle Lyons, and
Britway, which, at this period numbered 204
plough-lands, containing some 79,159 Irish 1
plantation acres.
The earldom of Barrymore (conferred in the
third year of the reign of Charles I.) was followed
by Letters Patent, dated December 12th, 16fJ,
of the manors of Barryscourt, Buttevant, and
Castle Lyons, Timoleague, Rathbury, Shandcn,
and divers other lands. In the next reign, of
Charles II., the then Earl of Barrymore petitioned
the king : That the manors mentioned should
carry with them other lands, known by "distinct
1 Equal, roughly, to some 139,000 English acres — a nice
estate,
Tiik "Humbug's Club." 121
appellations," and prayed letters might be granted
to pass them. This was granted on the petition
being referred to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
for confirmation.
The island in Cork Harbour, now called the
"Great" Island, bore at one time the name of
Barry, or Barrymore, Island, and was an ap-
panage of that family.
Among the Earl of Barrymore's "good, bad,
and indifferent" accomplishments was that of a
skilled chef ! When, how, or where he learned
the culinary art, I have not been able to discover.
However, when a cooking " freak " entered his
head, his lordship would array himself in the
white cap and garments of a chef, and prepare a
supper for some chosen roysterers, previously
invited, with almost as much skill as a Daubigny
of those, or a Soyer of later, times.
The "Blue Bottle " club was another favourite
resort of the Earl of Barrymore's when in town,
though later it became known as the "Humbugs."
Amongst other select convivialists of the period
who were members, Colonel Hanger and Captain
Morris's names appear. The meetings of the
Club were held at a tavern under the piazza,
Covent Garden; their second title originated
from the mode in which members were elected.
This was to put up two candidates, who were
usually present at the time, when some expedient
would be found to set them quarrelling, the
members present enlisting themselves on the
side of each disputant, to fan the flame. Some-
122 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
times a quarrel of this character terminated in a
challenge to fight, but before either party resorted
to blows, the noble chairman would interfere ;
taking each novitiate by the hand, he would
assure both that they were excellent members of
the " Humbug " Club, and that they had just
been Humbugged, as no real cause for quarrel
existed.
The Earl of Barrymore had often met Incledon
the actor (after the following circumstance he
acted frequently at Wargrave), and he suggested
that he should become a member of the " Hum-
bugs," adding that, upon so auspicious an occasion,
he should be proposed alone. Incledon conse-
quently expected that some deference would be
shown, when he attended the Club the first time.
Upon that evening, a member present asked
Incledon to oblige himself and fellow members
with his favourite song, " Black Eyed Susan,"
one in which he excelled. Incledon readily con-
sented, but had scarcely sung the first line, ere
he was interrupted with " Why, Incledon, it is
too bad to ' Humbug ' like this." So strange an
interruption disconcerted one who " brought
down the house " every time he sang this song
in public, and he stared with amazement around.
At almost the same time as the interrupter,
others begged him not to notice their " dined '
friend ; whereupon Incledon began again, — " All
in the Downs the Fleet was moored" —
" Incledon ! " " Incledon ! ' shouted a score of
voices. " Recollect you are not singing to the
Charles Incledon. 123
gallery at Covent Garden Theatre." Incledon
stopped, then peered into the faces of those
nearest him, to discover whether they were play-
ing off a joke on him or not. But all were so well
versed in the art of " Humbugging," that no one
was betrayed by a smile. It was now time for
the " Humbugs " taking the opposite side to
deploy ; this they did by asserting, " It was a
d d shame — a most unjustified interruption —
ungentlemanly behaviour," interspersed with cries
of " chair, chair," " order, order." Incledon, at
last, was again prevailed upon to proceed, but
was again interrupted by a turbulent " Humbug ' :
shouting " stuff, stuff " (hiss), but this one was
outdone by another, who asserted, " Incledon, by
Jove ! you're drunk." " Who says I am drunk ?"
roared Incledon, like a lion roused. Whereupon,
a number of the members again expressed their
sympathy with Incledon ; but such loud cries of
" chair, chair," " order, order," were raised, that
the room was in confusion. At last a lull ensued,
when Incledon challenged the room with "I'll
give any man twenty pounds who says I am
drunk, or who will give me the lie." This was
like putting a match to a keg of powder. An
explosion followed in either case, and the words
"you're drunk," " you lie," which came from all
parts of the room, staggered Incledon, who
thereupon jumped up, pulled off his coat, and
offered to fight any one present, "For the value
of his benefit." It was now time for the Earl's
interference, and he rose and said that he hoped
124 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
" Incledon would not proceed with his blood-
thirsty intentions, as lie had only been hum-
bugged." The meeting, which till now had been
disaffected, now burst into a roar of laughter, each
member coming forward to shake Incledon by
the hand. His lordship again addressed him,
" Why 3 you know, Incledon, we are called the
'Humbugs.'" "Yes," he replied, "D d
Humbugs." So terminated Incledon's installa-
tion.
It sometimes happened that an amicable result
of such pranks was not easily attained, or even
not attained at all. Colonel Hanger brought two
Irish friends to be inducted one evening, who
appeared to have been indulging somewhat freely.
They were soon set at variance by the members
present, and on being told " They had been
' Humbugged,' " their indignation knew no
bounds, and they required the Club, by those
present, to apologize. This was not done, and a
riot ensued ; the table was upset, bottles, glasses,
and plates flew about like hail, and in a few
minutes the room was all but empty. The
waiters, hearing an uproar, rushed in, to find his
lordship and one of the Irishmen trying their
respective pugilistic powers, and the room strewn
with wreckage of furniture, china, and glass. In
a corner, strongly entrenched behind a barricade
of chairs and tables, was the well-known actor,
Dicky Suett, uttering his favourite exclamations,
"Oh, dear! Oh, la ! Oh, la ! Oh, la ! " Some
members then returned and separated his lord-
John Bannister. 125
ship and the Hibernian, who was got away some-
how with his companion by their introducer. The
club-room could not b3 made habitable again that
evening".
The Earl of Barry more was determined " to see
life " in all phases, from the palace to the hovel.
To visit the latter he assumed a disguise, but his
device could not deceive any who had seen him
once. In this manner, his lordship, accompanied
by two or three friends, would go the " rounds '
of innumerable cellars, kitchens, dens, etc.,
etc., in the purlieus of " Old " Drury or St. Giles.
At other times the Earl would order his carriage
after dinner and go to Jacob's "Well. On one
occasion, attended by some jovial companions, he
alighted a short distance from the " Wells," so as
not to attract attention, entered the room devoted
to dancing, singing, took part in those enter-
tainments, and charmed the company, who were
ignorant to whom they were indebted, with his
humour. Shortly after a person entered and
asked the Chairman if lie knew " what noble
Lord was honouring them with his company."
All eyes were turned on the Earl, who shortly
after left the place.
On September 18th, 1790, Frederick, Duke of
Cumberland, died. The theatres being closed in
consequence, 1 Bannister, the actor, was enabled
to accept the Earl of Barry more' s invitation to
Wargave, which was couched in the following
terms : —
1 Adolphus's " Life of Bannister."
126 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
"Dear Bannister, — The Duke of Cumberland
is dead," -in the original H.R.H. is called by a
designation not necessary to repeat, — " and your
theatre closed on that account. You will make
me very happy if you will come down for a day
or two this week. Our plays are Tuesday, Thurs-
day, and Saturday, — 21st, 23rd, 25th. You can
have no excuse, my good boy, so pray let us see
you. Y r ou shall have the great bed and every
other necessary commodity. I daresay you are
in high spirits at the National misfortune ; for
now it's all holiday with you. Ah, friend ! ' All
work and no play makes " Jack " a dull boy.'
" Ever Yours Sincerely,
" Barrymore.
" Turn over, for God's sake. P.S. — I assure
you our theatre is really elegant. We play ' Try
Again,'' the last night of our performance. You
would oblige me exceedingly if you would pro-
cure me the dress you wore, and also the
"Walloon uniform, which I will take great care of,
from Colman."
This letter is curious, for two reasons : firstly,
it gives the Earl's own opinion of his Wargrave
theatre ; secondly, it affords a characteristic speci-
men of his lordship's epistolatory style, specimens
of which are rare. Bannister, however, was not
a stranger to Wargrave, being much esteemed
by his lordship, and treated by him and his
fellow roysterers with what was not extended
to many, sincere respect.
At the first and second October meetings, the
Serpent versus Chanticleer. 127
Earl of Barrymoro's racing stud continued its
record for this year. Apropos of the death of
H.R.H. the Duke of Cumberland, that event, it
appears, did not greatly curtail his nephew's
amusements : —
The Prince of "Wales's horse Serpent was beaten
by the Earl of Barrymore's Chanticleer at the first l
meeting.
1 Appendix K.
CHAPTER XVII.
"Joe the Conjuror" at Wargrave — Fatal accident outside the
Earl's theatre at Wargrave — Anthony PasquMs poems —
Anecdote of David Grarrick — The Earl of Barrymore's
racing successes at the Houghton Meeting in 1790.
Allusion has been made to an individual nick-
named " Joe the Conjuror." This worthy took
to travel about the country, accompanied by
his wife, performing various feats of dexterity
for a livelihood.
During his peregrinations, " Joe " found him-
self, and partner, in the neighbourhood of
Wargrave, while the theatrical season was in
" full swing."
And he thought this a propitious moment for
visiting that village.
The arrival of so cunning a prestigiator as
" Joe " was soon known, and reached the ears of
the Barrys, who, with their sportive friends,
resolved to " serve ' Joe ' out," did opportunity
serve.
Previous to a performance at the Earl's theatre,
the driver of a hackney coach, who had brought
some visitors from Reading, came into collision, in
turning his coach round, with the Rev. J. TickelPs
garden wall, was thrown from his box, fell on
his head, and was picked up dead !
"Joe" Accused of Murder. 123
It is said t lie unfortunate man ought not to
have driven the hackney coach, as he was not
sober.
The serious accident quickly brought assistance
from his lordship's attendants, who, when they
found the case beyond the aid of medical skill,
carried the corpse to Guy's beer-house, where it
remained till a more suitable place could be found
for it.
. On the conclusion of the performance, Henry
and Augustus Barry heard that "Joe" was
staying at Guy's, and forthwith devised a plan of
action.
The pair " interviewed " the landlord of
" Guy's," who consented to become their con-
federate. Soon after this, the Barrys, joined by
other wags, proceeded softly to the room where
the body .of the unfortunate driver lay, and quietly
carried ib to the bed-chamber of "Joe" and his
wife, who were sleeping soundly, and placed the
" uncanny " thing between the sleeping couple.
They then stealthily left the room and premises.
When " Joe " and his wife awoke in the mornino-
they were almost demented with terror at behold-
ing a corpse by their side, and rushed, shrieking
from the room. They had not gone far along
the passage before they met their landlord coming
up, as he said, " To see what the hulla-ba-loo was
about." When he was told what he already knew,
that a dead body had been placed in their bed, he
coolly replied that " He presumed they knew well
enough how it had got there, as they had, no
K
iso The Last Earls of Barrymore.
doubt, lured the man to their room, killed, and
robbed him."
Joe and his wife stoutly denied the landlord's
statement; but the circumstance (as few knew
the real facts) soon got wind, and Joe and his
wife, for the time, looked upon as murderers.
After breakfast the unfortunate couple were sub-
jected to a rigid examination by the village
constable, whose services had likewise been
enlisted by the Barry s. At last the pair were
allowed to depart, on some one — no doubt an
emissary of the Wargrave fraternity — coming in
to ask about the body of the driver, who had
been killed by an accident. Joe did not wait
to be told a second time he might go ; but
departed with his wife, instantly, muttering all
sorts of imprecations against "Wargrave and its
inhabitants.
The Earl of Barrymore' s dramatist and amanu-
ensis, Anthony Pasquin, had, a short time before
he entered his lordship's service, written a volume
of verse entitled " Pasquin's Poems," which were
published by J. Strahan, and dedicated to the
Right Honourable "William Pitt and Sir Joshua
Reynolds. The list of subscribers numbered
some five hundred, including members of the
aristocracy and gentry. The Earl of Barrymore's
name appears for two copies ; his brother Henry's
for five. Anthony could relate an anecdote well,
and is responsible for the following : David Gar-
rick wished to enlarge the stage of " Old " Drury,
for which purpose he required certain premises in
David Garrick. 131
Drury Lane. To arrange the matter, Garrick
waited on the Duke of Bedford's steward, a Mr.
Palmer. This gentleman, who knew the acquisi-
tion was all but indispensable, as well as Garrick' s
character for " nearness," asked one thousand
pounds for the property.
"No ! no ! Mr. Palmer," testily ejaculated the
English Iioscitis, "I will never give any such
enormous price — depend on it — the old stage,
with all its inconveniences, shall remain as it is ;
therefore, I wish you a very good-day ! " Then he
took up his hat and cane and left the room with a
tragic air. A short time after Garrick returned,
and said, " He had a consultation with Lacy, his
co-patentee, who suggested he should give the
sum demanded."
But, unfortunately for Garrick, Mr. Palmer
was as astute as himself, and when he found
Garrick was in such haste to close the transaction,
he replied that he also "had considered the matter,
and should now require fifteen hundred pounds
for the same property."
" What ! " exclaimed Garrick, with amazement.
" "What ! " he repeated, — " fifteen — hundred —
pounds — for a few houses, as rotten as the linch-
pin of the world ! No, may I for ever be branded
as an ass if I give my money away in that manner !
No ! no ! Master Palmer, you have got the wrong
pig by the ear this time; I wish you good-day,
sirrah ! "
Garrick again sought advice and consolation
from his friend Lacy, who discussed at length
K 2
U2 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
o
on the many advantages to be gained by the pro-
posed addition, whereon it was determined to
acquire the property at the increased price.
Garrick, who was frightened lest another visit to
the dnke's agent, on that day, might increase that
shrewd person's cupidity, thought it expedient
to ask his company at dinner. At the same
time, he cherished the hope expressed by the
proverb in a modified form, viz. the absence of wit
with wine ! But again Garrick's conclusions
were at fault. For on broaching the subject of
the property, Mr. Palmer almost froze the blood
in Messrs. Garrick and Lacy's veins by saying,
" The proposed negotiations had caused him much
concern, and could not consistently with his duty
to his Grace, take less than two thousand pounds
for the property desired."
" What ! ' shrieked Garrick, " two thousand
pounds ? Why, it is not six hours since you
would have sold me the property for half the sum.
For goodness' sake, take the price you now
demand, as, if I delay another five minutes,
you will probably demand half my fortune for
the fee-simple of a huckster's chateau ! ! ! "
This fully illustrates the adage, " Delays are
dangerous." About this time the Earl of Barry-
more became prone to delays with respect to his
monetary affairs, which led, as it always does, to
complications. More so with this volatile lord,
who, by the celerity with which he put his ideas
of pleasure into action, was allied to Napoleon the
Great — who is often mentioned as a man without
"Sam" Chifney. 133
an arm, his hand being, as it were, attached to
his head, so that to form a plan and put it into
execution was the matter of one and the same
moment. But this promptness benefitted
ultimately neither the emperor nor the peer.
The Earl, after spending the season at
Brighton, returned to town ; but soon afterwards
went to Newmarket to attend the Houghton
Meeting, held on November 2nd, 1790. It was
at this meeting that certain matches and races
were run, which made a great stir in racing circles
of that time, and the first steps that resulted
in the Prince of Wales's giving up his stud.
In some of these events the Earl of Barrymore
was concerned — a fact that does not seem to have
been much commented upon by latter-day writers
of racing history. On the day just mentioned,
the commencement of the sequence of events
took place as follows : —
" Lord Barrymore' s Seagull, Sst. 81b., beat the
Prince of Wales's Magpie, 8st. D.I. 200 guineas,
5 to 4 on Magpie. A result that confirmed his
lordship's, as well as Mr. C. J. Fox's opinion of
Seagull's capabilities; as well as further proof
of the Earl's racing perspicuity. Chifney, the
jockey who rode Magpie, says in his " Genius
Genuine," ! that he suggested this match to
ll.li.H. after the defeat of Seagull in a handicap
a few days previously, and urged, as a condition,
that both animals should carry 9st. 3 the match to
1 Published in 1795 at 5/. a copy, as a means to assi>t the
writer, then in indigent circumstances.
134 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
take place on the day following Seagull's defeat.
Though, in the race just narrated, Seagull gave
Magpie 81b. ! Chifney further states he had
reasons why the match should have been run as
suggested, and goes so far as to assert that he
expressed a wish to H.R.H. the match should be
for 200 guineas, and further assured him that he
would have the best of the market odds, which
were certain to be in Seagull's favour, while he
ventured to express an opinion that H.R.H.
might with safety lay out five or six hundred
pounds on the result. To prove his belief in the
capabilities of the Prince's horse, Magpie, Chifney
offered, with H.R.H.'s permission, to lay him
fifty pounds that Magpie won. The day after
this conversation, H.R.H. sent for Chifney, and
told him, in the presence of Mr. Lake (the
Prince's racing factotum), that that gentleman
had been to the Jockey Club the previous even-
ing, but could not arrange a match with Seagull's
owner. H.R.H. further said, —
" You know, Sam Chifney, one cannot always
match as we wish, but Mr. Lake shall try and
arrange a match with Lord Barrymore this even-
ing."
Chifney thanked H.R.H. a and replied, —
" That if the horses were not matched that
night to run the next day, he would decline to
have anything to do with the matching."
In the evening Mr. Lake made the match
related, but upon totally different conditions to
those requested by Chifney. On the morning of
Prince ok Wales's Racing Establishment. [35
the match, H.R.H. sent for Chifney, and asked
him " If he thought Magpie would win ? '
Chifney said " He did not."
"Why?" asked the Prince, " it is your own
match, Chifney ! "
" Yes, your Royal Highness, it is my match, 1
and I am very thankful to your Royal Highness
for indulging me; but I do not think Magpie will
wm.
To this his patron replied, —
" That Frank Neale [H.R.H. training groom]
had just left the room, having asssured him
Magpie was as fit as any horse could be."
But the only reply Chifney vouchsafed was, —
"If Magpie was fit and well, he was as sure of
winning as any horse could be ; but in spite of
Neale's assertion, he wished, with all clue respect,
H.R.H. not to lose more than the match
55
money.
When Magpie was stripped to be saddled,
Chifney asserts, " He knew him to be exceedingly
unfit to run " (but whether from ignorance or
rascality on Neale's part, he would not say).
On the match being run, Magpie was beater
with extraordinary ease, Chifney being unable to
get him out at any part of the race. AVhen
Chifney returned to scale, he passed Mr. Lake
near the betting ring; the latter observed how
1 Chifney, in the body of his pamphlet, denies the match was
made on the conditions desired, but acknowledges that he gave
the answer quoted. Why did he not then complain of the
departure from his original stipulations ! .
136 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
easily Magpie had been beaten. The Jockey
answered, " He would have been glad had he
tried him, as the horse ran 150 to 200 yards
better at one time than another."
Mr. Lake rejoined, " That Frank "Neale had
told him Magpie had bad legs, and he dared not
gallop him " ! ! ! l
This was the last race that Magpie appeared
in, as shortly after he was turned out of training,
though Chifney states that he never exactly
"knew why!' The render, therefore, must
draw his own conclusions ; not a difficult
matter.
The same day as the Seagull-Magpie match
was run, the Earl of Barrymore again appeared
in the pigskin, riding in a match 2 against a horse
that had previously been in his stable, then owned
and ridden by another aspirant to racing fame —
none other than " Farmer " Stone, whose acquain-
tance the reader has already made.
At this meeting, on the 6th, another match, dis-
cussed by Chifney, took place, —
TheEarlof Barrymore's horse, Highlander, aged,
7st. 61b., beat the Prince of Wales's horse Traveller,
5 years 8st., 71b. B.C. 500 guineas, 15 to 8 011
Highlander.
Chifney asserts, previous to this match being
run, that the Prince's representative was tried
against other horses in his stable — Phalanx,
Bubble, and Arcliibald. Chifney rode Traveller.
1 Compare this statement with Neale's to H.E.H.
2 Appendix L.
Racing Divulgencies. 137
When about half-a-mile from liome the four com-
petitors were so much distanced by Phalanx thai
Chifney called out to Messrs. Lake and Neale (who
were on rising ground watching the trial) to
know if he might not " rein in," as it was only
distressing his mount, for no good ; at this time
Babble was many lengths ahead of Traveller,
who was about a length in front of Archibald.
On the morning of the match H.R.H. sent
for Messrs. Lake and Chifney, when he asked
Chifney if he thought Traveller would win?
"No, your royal highness," replied the
jockey.
" Why ? " asked Mr. Lake. " You know he ran
a good horse in his trial, for you rode him."
" Yes, sir ! I rode him, but I don't know he
ran a 2;ood horse."
This reply incensed Mr. Lake, who remarked
with warmth, " Yes, you do know that he ran as
a good horse, for he was not beaten more than
half a length — he was not beaten a length !
Whereupon Chifney exclaimed with astonish-
ment, —
" Not a length, sir!"
" No," said Mr. Lake,'' he was not beaten but
very little more than a length, certainly not a
length and a half."
This prevarication proved to Chifney that Mr.
Lake wished to disiniise the facts of the trial,
and as Mr. Lake's warmth appeared to disturb
the Prince of Wales, Chifney thought it prudent
to retire, but determined to tell H.R.H. the facts
13S The Last Earls of Barrymore.
of Travellers trial at the first opportunity. He
found one on the course, before Traveller s
match was run, and approaching the prince, he
said, —
"With your Royal Highness's permission,
I shall be glad to describe how Traveller per-
formed in his trial."
" You may name," replied the prince.
Thereupon Chifney told H.R.H. the facts of
the trial.
The time having arrived for the match, Chifney
departed to inspect the saddling of his mount.
Highlander defeated Traveller with ease. In fact,
the former ran a worse horse than in the trial,
Chifney being unable to get him out at any point
of the race. 1
These incidents alone, in the racing career of
the Prince of Wales, show, to say the least, he had
some very " peculiar " persons among his racing
retinue ; " but more remains behind," for a
later chapter.
The Earl of Barrymore' s racing engagements
this year (1790) numbered 140, of which fifty
obtained winning brackets, not at all a bad
record. This raises the question, How came a
person of the Earl's insight to lose money ? Be-
cause he would " Wot let well alone." As no
one sport or fancy ever claimed his undivided
attention long, it was thus, when his mind was
1 To show what the Earl of Barrymore thought of High-
lander's effort in this race, he ran him in another match the
same day. Appendix L.
Both Theatres in "Full Swing." 139
occupied with matters foreign to racing, that
owners who knew his foible got the Earl to com-
mit himself to matches (which were accompanied
or managed by underrating of one of his favourite-
racers) which with his " racing cap " on he would
have scorned. By these and other artful tactics,
jealous and unscrupulous owners contrived to
obtain advantages over his lordship, who in his
calmer mood was equal to the best judge of form
then on the turf.
With the advent of winter, the Earl's theatrical
ardour revived, as both his " Town " and
*' Country " theatres were kept in full working-
order. The first w r as often crammed to repletion.
This is mentioned by a chronicler of those days,
Lady Theresa Lew r is, who edited the correspon-
dence of Miss Berry. " I went to fetch my niece,
Sophia Walpole, home last night from her
mother's," writes Miss Berry, " and found Little
Burlington Street blocked up with carriages.
Lord Barrymore, his sister, Lady Melfort, and
Mrs. Goodall, the actress, were performing the
Beaux* s Stratagem, at his lordship's theatre."
Many of these entertainments, with the suppers
by wmich they were usually terminated, were
very expensive, the cost frequently amounting to
1500/. a night.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Theatrical season at Wargrave, 1790 - 1791 — Wargrave
Theatrical Club Ball— The Earl of Barrymore in the ball-
room — Fight between Johnson and Big Ben — The Earl's
freak while receiving a fencing lesson— The Earl compared
with man's "Three Evils "— Additions made by the Earl
to his racing stud— Xotes — The Earl of Barrymore's turf
career compared with "Old" Dick Vernon's.
Theatkicals, Balls, and Fetes, in London and at
"Wargrave, were continued well into the year
1791, and were diversified by sporting arid hunt-
ing, in fact, anything to beguile the time and
squander money !
One of the entertainments was the Wargrave
Theatrical Club Ball, at Maidenhead, to which
a large number of people were invited, and
among those present were some of the best county
families. The ball-room was handsomely deco-
rated with artificial flowers and transparencies.
One of the latter represented "Comedy' on a
pedestal supported by Harlequin and Fierrot, life-
size, and inscribed " Wargrave Theatrical Club
Ball." Another bore the Frince of Wales's plume,
the British flag, and an Anchor, with the motto
"Vive Harmon in ; " the allusion was to the
harmony existing between the royal brothers,
"Shepherd, I have Lost my Love." 141
the Prince of AV ales and the Dukes of York and
Clarence. Three cut-glass chandeliers, holding a
profusion of wax candles, threw- a mellow light
on all assembled — a method of lighting; on which
modern art has not 3-et improved. The ball
opened with country dances, which were danced
until supper was announced at 2 o'clock a.m.
After supper, catches and glees were sung by the
Earl of Barrymore, his brothers, Captain TTathen,
and John Edwin, junior, until dawn, when the
guests dispersed. At another ball, the following
incident happened: — A handsome .young lady
was dancing with a short, stout, podgy gentleman,
who was not skilled in the terpsichorean art, and
his fair partner slipped andfell, spraining her ankle.
The dancers stopped, and the musicians likewise,
when the lady was borne from the room. Lord
Barrymore, who had witnessed the accident, could
not resist the temptation to raise a laugh; so he
bade the conductor of the band strike up, " Shep-
herd, I have lost my Love." The strain was re-
ceived with roars of laughter from all except the
fat and ugly Corijdon, who was sitting in a corner,
instead of administering to the needs of hisPhyllis;
this nonchalant attitude he retained, in spite of the
glances of those present, and no doubt took the
melody for "part and parcel" of the entertainment.
On January 17th, 1791, Johnson, the hero of
the ring, fought his last battle. Johnson is said
to have been one of the best men that ever held
the Championship, for which his match with
Brain, alias " Big Ben," was fought, with 500
142 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
guineas added money. The incident is alluded to
here only because the vanquisher of Johnson,
Brain, was a former antagonist of the Earl of
Barrymore's "professor" in the "noble art," and
because the Earl backed Johnson. This battle
cooled the Earl's enthusiasm for the " public '
ring, though he still retained Hooper in his ser-
vice.
But on the curtailment of his patronage of the
" Fancy," the Earl gave increased support to a
far better " field " sport — Cricket ; in fact, some
of the most notable matches were played at this
period, either under his patronage or by elevens
elected by him.
In those days, tuition in small sword exercise
was indispensable to the education of a gentle-
man, unless a " man of fashion" desired to be
"spitted" by the first draper's assistant posing as
a gentleman by picking quarrels at Ranelagh and
Vauxhall, perhaps Marylebone, with persons of
rank, whose " ways " resembled those of the
Earl of Barrymore and his companions.
In the days when Richard, Earl of Barry-
more flourished, he, as well as every man of
fashion, carried his life, in a sense, in his hands.
Therefore his lordship was quite wise in taking
lessons in carte and tierce from that expert, Pro-
fessor Henry Augelo, who not only enjoyed a
lucrative practice, but by his talent as an amateur
actor, reciter, and vocalist, secured the Earl's
personal friendship, and also that of several other
members of the aristocracy.
A Fencing Lesson. 143
Angelo, in his old age, compiled two or three
amusing volumes of "Smalltalk" on the society of
an earlier period, and testifies to his pupils'
eccentricities. He relates how, on one occasion,
his volatile pupil managed to extract fun and
frolic from so matter of fact a thing as a fencing
lesson at his house in Piccadilly. On Angelo's
appearance, the Earl produced two new white
kerseymere jackets, gave one to Angelo to put on,
and donned the other himself. He then rang the
bell, and on the entrance of his valet, Trebby,
ordered him to fetch the "blacking pot." This
was brought, and placed on the floor, when the
Earl dipped the point of his foil into it, and
desired Angelo to do likewise, remarking that
" fair play is a jewel " (a favourite maxim of his).
The pair then set to thrusting vigorously at each
other, witli the result that both master and pupil
were soon spotted like leopards.
Angelo protested against so extravagant a freak,
which, if continued, meant several new jackets.
But the Earl only laughed and said, " He pur-
posed to continue his novel manner of recording
a ' hit ' until lie had made Harry Angelo as black
as the devil/"
MVn's lives are said to be beset by those three
great evils, " wine, women, and money." Now, as
regards the first of these, the Earl of Barryinore
was not a sot, or intemperate, if judged by the
low and lamentable standard of his day, though
at one time the best of all vintages could bo had
as freely as water at his lordship's Wargrave resi-
144 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
dence, where tlie very " bargees " might obtain,
for the asking, as much Burgundy or malt liquor
as they could swallow. As regards the second,
it is not going to be urged that the Earl was a
paragon of virtue, but these pages shall not record
the escapades that have not escaped research.
While for the third, money, no one ever re-
garded the circulating medium in its character of
" dross ' more practically than did this spend-
thrift Earl. To him money meant only the thing
that could bivy so much pleasure, but the coffers
of a Croesus would not have sufficed for the
demands his whims would have made upon them.
With the beginning of the flat-racing season,
the Earl of Barrymore, in spite of clouds on the
horizon of his finances, still added to his stud.
He purchased the following horses from Mr.
Bullock: Moses, Putt, Old Gold, and Halbert ;
Treecreejier from Mr. Paxton, and others. These
horses were all selected with a judgment, as stud
book-lore can confirm, which, had any other than
the erratic Earl possessed, might have guided him
into the path of " Old " Dick Vernon, of that day's
racing fame. Vernon commenced his career as
an ensign in the Guards, but soon developed a
taste for gaming of all kinds, and was initiated
later into the " mysteries of the turf," a pursuit
which he followed with caution and success. Bv
these means alone, without one tithe of the natural
ability for the sport as the Earl of Barrymore
possessed, he managed to convert a slender
patrimony of £3000 into a fortune of £100,000
before he quitted the turf as an owner.
CHAPTER XIX.
Mr. Bullock aptly named — The Comtesse du Barri and tho
Barrymores — The Earl's pleasure mentioned as business
— Parody on the "Deserted Village" by Anthony
Pasquin.
Me. Bullock, whose name has often occurred in
these pages in connection with the Earl of Barry-
more's sporting adventures, appears to have been
an extraordinary man ; in fact, to have borne a
strono* resemblance to the beast whose name he
bore. Of an inactive and unwieldy form, his
mind was active and fertile with a number of
lucrative pursuits; for he was connected simul-
taneously with a brewery and a gambling-house,
and carried on under his more immediate super-
vision the trade of an usurer, charging interest a
trifle (?) above " bank rate." These constituted
the business of his life ; its relaxation was found
in owning and running a small but carefully
selected stud of racehorses. Many of these he
sold to great advantage, particularly after a race.
This person had numerous transactions with the
Earl during his turf career; it would have been
to his lordship's advantage had he never made his
acquaintance.
L
146 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
In the month of January, 1791, the Chateau de
Luciennes, the residence of the famous, and in-
famous, Oomtesse du Barry, was robbed in her
absence, and jewels stolen to a considerable
amount ; among these were some valuable dia-
mouds, purchased for her at a great cost by
Louis XV. The robbery necessitated a journey
to London on the part of la Comtesse — several,
in the long run — to give details respecting the
articles stolen, the thieves being traced to Lon-
don. With the foregoing, or even the eventual re-
covery of the missing jewels, this memoir has
little to do ; though an incident that arose
from " Madame' s " visit has. This was that the
Comtesse's de jure husband, Oomte Guillaume du
Barri Ceres, had been acknowledged by the late
Earl of Barrymore as a scion or offshoot of his
noble house, in which he erred. For it is now
admitted by French genealogists that the father
of this Comte du Barri was a man of obscure
origin. On the other hand, it is equally certain
that there was and still is a descendant of the
Earls of Barrymore among the French nobility,
who is known as Comte Barry de Mervel (Chateau
de Mervel, Seine Inferieure), whose ancestor
accompanied James II. Inferieure into exile, 1690.
This nobleman's arms are similar, and the motto
the same as the older branch (the Irish) of the
Barrymores. Therefore, the sixth Earl of Barry-
more was correct in saying he had collateral
relatives in France, but wrong in the family he
selected for the honour, for Barri was a common
appellation in many parts of France.
Madame du Barry. 147
There is, or was, in the Galerie, or Salon Carre,
at the Louvre, a picture for which Madame
du Barry paid 4000 livres in 1771 ; it represents
King Charles flying from his pursuers, accom-
panied by a page, said to be a Barrymore;
authentication is, however, wanting, also for the
picture's having been painted by Vandyke.
Madame du Barry had this picture hung in her
boudoir, her royal paramour's customary seat,
and she would point to it and tell him that if he
permitted his parliament to have too much
liberty they might possibly behead him, as they
had beheaded King Charles, a prophecy which
was fulfilled in the person of his grandson,
Louis XVI. , whose fate the prophetess shared.
The Earl of Barrymore' s passion for notoriety
made him acknowledge the Comtesse du Barry
as his relative, by marriage, of course ; in this he
only perpetuated his father's error ; though had
he known the facts, he might possibly have
persisted in the fiction.
On the other hand, many doubted whether the
" Comtesse" would recognize the head of her
husband's family, or regard him as a " strolling
player." The Comtesse appears to have been
well received by many notabilities of that period,
of course including the Prince of Wales.
The following curious paragraph appeared in
a newspaper on March 10th, 1791, stating that
" it was the intention of the Earl of Barrymore
to have a public night once a week (referring to
the Earl's London theatre), the only difficulty
l 2
148 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
being to find one not already overcharged with
business; for it may be ranked amongst the
elegant improvements of the age that we have
contrived to make pleasure happily go hand in
hand with business." In this the Earl's intention
appears to have been laudable, but the papers
would not let him have credit for even that good
intention.
A work edited by Anthony Pasquin some
years before he entered his lordship's service, was
the " Devil," a weekly, later a " weakly," journal,
embellished at top with a small woodcut of his
dark majesty. This brochure was supposed to
be conducted by a society of literary gentlemen
and published at the singular price of 2\d. The
information, essays, letters, etc., it contains are
of little, if any, interest to the present generation,
though an excellent parody of a portion of Gold-
smith's " Deserted Village " must be excepted.
This is termed " Innovation," and treats the
"stage" as Goldsmith did the village, lamenting
departed glories. Nor is its point much dulled
by time; there is something applicable in its
censures now. It is characteristic of Pasquin.
"INNOVATION."
u Sweet playhouse ! best amusement of the town,
Where oft, at half-price, for half-a-crown,
I've with such glee thy opening visit paid,
When oysters first are sold, and farces played.
Dear boxes ! where I scarce my nose could squeeze ;
Where play, and dance, and song were sure to please,
How, often happier than king or queen,
While loud applause has marked the well-played scene,
How often have I paused on every charm —
"Innovation." 149
The speaking silence, the expression warm,
The never- failing start — the gashing tear,
The broken accents trembling on the ear ;
The moon that vainly tried to pierce the shade,
Impervious scene, for love or murder made.
How often have I bless'd the parting day,
"When, tea removed, I hurried to the play,
And both the galleries, from labour free,
Wept at the actor's woe, or shared his glee.
"While many a first appearance has been made,
The young contending, as the old surveyed,
And many a gentleman walk'd o'er the ground,
While hisses, cat-calls, off ! and groans went round.
And still, as each repeated effort tired,
The stage-struck wight became still more inspir'd.
The rival Romeo's, that sought renown,
By holding out to tire each other down.
The Scrub, right conscious of his well-chalked face,
While bursts of laughter echoed round the place.
The timid Juliet's sidelong looks of love,
The critic's glance who would those looks reprove.
These were the charms, sweet playhouse, joys like these,
With quick succession, taught e'en ' Rich ' to please.
There round the theatre, alternately shed,
Laughter and tears — but all these charms are fled.
Joy-giving playhouse ! best delight in town,
Thy merit's fled, and any stuff goes down.
"Midst thy bays the pruning knife is seen,
And critic' fury tear away the green ;
Monopoly now grasps the whole domain,
And authors, actors, starve, nor dare complain.
Xo wit, or humour, marks the lively play,
But puns and ([nibbles make their saucy way.
Along thy tragedies, a sleepy guest, —
Pull Declamation snores herself to rest.
The place of elegance a stare supplies,
And affectation that ne'er laughs or cries.
Ease, nature, grace, are now neglected all,
l'or he acts best who can the loudest bawl ;
Or by a squint, or grin, or squeak engage,
To fright astonished Reason from the stage.
Ill fares the town, to various tastes a prey,
Where Opera's multiply and Plays decay.
Pageants and shuws may flourish or may fade,
A puff can make them, as a puff has mail' ;
But well-writ plays, the stage's noblest pride.
150 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
When once destroyed, can never be supply 'd.
Time has been, ere monopoly began,
An Author has been treated like a man.
For him attentive Managers could feel,
And public wounds by private kindness heal.
His consolation (failing of success),
That rudeness would not aggravate distress.
But times are altered, Taste shall curse the ev'nt.
Managers, Members of Parliament !
Behind the scenes, no studying actor goes,
But 'gainst some lounging lord he runs his nose ;
And actresses, close watched from side to side,
Their parts resign to vanity and pride.
Those sallies which were wont to shake the place,
rilling between each scene the lingering space ;
Those jests that set the green room in a roar,
Ah ! they that made them are, alas ! no more.
Of polite gravity, the green room's full,
And actors are almost — as patriots dull.
Poor Stage ! — best parent of the moral hour,
Thy scenes confess the Innovator's power.
Here, if perchance a modest woman goes,
'Midst ranks of Jezebels and lobby beau's,
If hap'ly the unpilfered 'scape to view,
That stage to fame which under Garrick grew ;
While as from box to box the puppies range,
She hears the veteran renter curse the change.
Remembrance waking, with her busy train,
He thus laments his pleasure turned to pain :
" In all my counter-marching here and there,
In all I've seen, — and I have had my share ; —
In all the riots, when the offended town
Have broke the sconces and pulled benches down
When plays have been hissed off before the close,
The authors robbed of profit and repose —
I still had hopes — for men are foolish still,
This patriot manager, with cunning skill,
If not in parliament, might here in peace
Display his vacant system of police.
And as those squires, who the sly fox pursue,
Snore off their bumpers in the parish pew ;
I too might sleep — all care left in the lurch,
As safely here as in a country church.
Oh ! peaceful corner, friend to life's decline,
Retreat from riots, that can ne'er be mine !
How blest is he, employment growing scarce,
"Innovation." iu
Who cries the play, and laughs throughout the farce ;
Who sees, unmoved, the flirl her oglea try,
And calmly can the wanton danger fly ;
For him no wretch her want of virtue weeps,
He all his stock of love for Betty keeps.
No surly husband — madame's honour gone —
Breaks on his peace with actions of crim. con. ;
But on he jogs — to meet his latter end,
Wisely content with his domestic friend,
Sinks into second childhood's kind decay,
Ami, babbling still old stories, the old way.
His fleeting intellects impair so fast,
Tis hard to say what moment was his last.
Sweet was the sound, when at the music's close,
Obedient to the bell — the curtain rose ;
There Garrick, as he sadly stepp'd, and slow,
In Hamlet — look'd unutterable woe !
There, torn with jealous hate 'gainst her he lov'd,
Barry grew agonized, " in not much moved."
There noisy Bach anal s from Cumus court,
Milton and A me taught how to laugh and sport.
There Boyce and Dryden wak'd with hound the morn,
Or vocal Johnny Beard, with early horn.
There the apt tune in timely moment played,
To fill each pause the exeunt had made ;
But now Simplicity's soft accents fail,
And Irish jigs th' assaulted ear assail.
No friends to nature on the boards now tread,
But all truths faithful portraiture is fled !
All but yon hearty iron muscled thing,
Who feels in advanced age life's second spring ;
He, healthy veteran, who his boyish tricks
Can play, at th' Shakespeare, turn'd eighty-six, 1
Can roaring patriots' meetings well adorn,
Sing all the night, and burn his wig at morn.
He only left, sense strengthing with his age,
The faithful Mentor of the sinking stage.
Near yonder church, where once the garden smil'd,
And still where many a garden flower goes wild,
There, where the opening shops the place disclose,
The little Manager's snug mansion rose. 2
A man he was to all the playhouse dear,
And passing rich — for he was close and near.
Envy and wonder of the strolling race,
1 Macklin. " Garrick's.
152 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
At Hampton, he'd a very pretty place.
Disdainful lie to fawn — so great his pow'r,
He must himself be flattered by the hour ;
And still his heart indulged the worthy whim,
Raising their salaries who stooped to him.
His house was known to all the vagrant train ;
He chid their freaks, but n'er relieved their pain.
The Romeos and the Hamlets, not his guests,
But on the garden— heav'd and thump'd their breasts,
The ruined spendthrift, now no longer proud,
A trial claimed, and had his claim allowed.
The country Roscius civilly ask in,
For all work fit — could anywhere begin,
Call up a look, grin — start or force a tear
At will, be drunk in Brute, or mad in Lear.
Pleas'd with the terms, the little man would glow,
And yield — like drops of blood — ten pounds or so.
But, careful every prospect still to scan,
The engagement made ere charity began.
Thus, to relieve the wretch was his delight,
Could his own interest be advantag'd by't 1 1
To fill the house, still prompt at every call,
To cry, and laugh, and start, he taught them all.
And as an aged horse tries every pace
To lure the colts and fillies of the race,
He tried each art, reprov'd each dull delay,
Pointed to Roscius 1 chair, and led the way.
Beside the tomb, entranc'd where Juliet laid —
Mute sorrow, frantic love, by turns displayed.
The wondrous actor stood, at his control,
Despair and anguish chill'd the harrow'd soul ;
While, as a contrast to each whisper'd pause,
The thund'ring house re-echoed with applause.
Upon the stage, blest with each native grace,
His looks did what he pleas'd throughout the place.
Truth from his lips the enraptured hearers aw'd,
And those who came to scoff — stayed to applaud.
The curtain dropt — around the little man,
The actors all with honest pleasure ran.
E'en scene men followed with quaint vulgar wile,
And praise him up — to share the good man's smile ;
The smile a master's consequence express'd,
The flattery pleas'd, but not the sly request ;
He'd laugh — but, 'gainst their wants as firm as rocks
His serious thoughts had rest in his strong box ;
As some rich Nabob with pagodas stor'd,
" Innovation." 153
Massacres nations, and comes home a lord,
Tho' scorned and branded with the public curse,
Sniiles at the thousands glittering in his purse.
Besides Charles Street, where hackney coaches meet,
AVhere two 'Blue Posts,' adorn famed Russell Street,
There in an alehouse, taught to play the fool,
(Jood master Shuter first was put to school.
Nature's adopted son, tho' mean and low,
Alas! " I knew him well, Hora-tio."
Well did the tittering audience love to trace
The miser's thrift, depicted in his face.
Well would the busy whisper circle round,
When, in Corhaecio, at Volpone he frown'd ;
Yet he was kind — and if absurd in aught,
The love he bore to blackguards was in fault.
The chimney sweeper swore how much he knew,
'Twas certain he could act and mimic too ;
Could tip the London cries — nay, it was said,
He — for his benefit — ' King Richard ' play'd.
In guzzling too, the landlord own'd his skill,
For tho' as drunk as muck — he'd guzzle still.
"While Quaker's sermons, given in drawling sound,
Amazed the ' prigs ' and ' kiddies ' rang'd around.
And still they gap'd, and still the wonder grew,
That one droll head could carry all he knew.
But past is all, his fame, the Rose and Grown,
"Where he so oft got tips}- — is burnt down.
Near to the wardrobe stairs one storey high,
Where ermined robes and jewels caught the eye.
Dull is that dressing room — by Quin inspired,
Where, once, choice wits after the play retir'd ;
When playhouse statesmen talked with looks profound,
And apt quotations — meant for wit — went round.
Imagination fondly stoops to trace
The tinsell'd splendours of the motley place ;
The warlike truncheon, prone upon the floor,
The herald's coat, that hung behind the door;
The clothes — their different duties made to pay,
To deck the stage by night — the street by day.
The pictures slyly drawn on Hogarth's plan,
Garrick i' th' lantern, Quin in the sedan.
The toilet stock'd, to decorate the play,
Paint, Indian ink, burnt cork, and whiting gay.
While on the clothes, pins ranged in gaudy show,
Robes decked with foilstonea — glittered in a row.
Vain, transitory splendours, could not all
i54 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Reprieve the mimic monarch from his fall.
Obscure, he sinks — forget his worth and name,
For S forbids the smallest fame.
To paltry player — no more shall he impart
An hour's delight to the convivial heart.
Thither, no more shall witty Lords repair,
To sweet oblivion of the senate's care.
No more the anecdote — the luscious tale,
The mirth-inspiring good thing shall prevail.
Kb more the " Fop " his cobwebbed sconce shall cheer,
Padlock his flippant tongue, and learn — to hear.
Fat Quin himself no longer shall be found,
Careful to see the chuckling sun go round.
Nor the young actress — anxious to be tried,
Shall blush to speak some pointed speech aside. .
Yes ! let the ranter scoff at — in his rage,
The simple beauties of the ancient stage ;
To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
One native charm, than all the gloss of art.
Spontaneous gifts, where nature has its play,
Een hypocrites, to be just, shall sway,
Boldly they speaking conviction to the mind,
Nor are to trammels of the scene confined,
But the vain pomp, the pageantry, parade,
To joy the eye, and not the heart display'd.
In viewing these, tho' fools their wish obtain ;
With men of sense, they sicken into pain.
For vainly, Fashion, sanctions the decoy,
If common Sense, disdains to call it Joy.
Ye friends to Truth, ye critics who survey,
False Tastes increase, and Merit's fast decay,
'Tis yours to judge, as censors of the age,
Between a brilliant and a moral stage.
Proud swells the tide, with loads of capering heel?,
And vacant Folly shouts applause in peals ;
Hoards, even beyond the miser's wish, are thrown,
To deck some sham farago for the town.
Yet count the gains, 'tis but an empty name,
A puff to lift this nonsense into Fame.
Not so the loss — the sums that feed this pride,
The salaries of many have supplied ;
Money for dresses, money for new scenes,
New music, decorations, and machines ;
The cost of these, including every freak,
Would pay ten decent actors four pounds a week
But to afford engagements so enlarged,
The Children of Thespis.
}y
Such useful members must be all discharged :
In some poor barn the needy actors fly,
Starved, the gull'd town with mummery to supply.
Ami, thus the stage, first meant for Reason — all,
In Folly's splendid trappings waits its fall,
As some plain youth, from College issuing forth,
Depends for introduction on his worth,
Slights all the glare that tinsell'd "Wit supplies,
And having sense — expects to pass for wise ;
But when deserted — for he knows not how
To simper — or to make a modish bow,
"Wisdom he shuns, for Folly's mad excess,
Reasoning profoundly still — but it's on dress !
Thus fares the stage, by pageantry disgrac'd,
Where Nature's beauties are no longer traced ;
But verging to decline — its turrets rise,
Its vista's strike — its palaces surprise.
"While scourged by Famine from the royal place,
The mournful actor joins the strolling race,
Reduced to double parts, to laugh and rave,
To play the ghost, and after dig the grave.
"Where then, ah ! where, shall Nature's sons reside,
To 'scape the pressure of theatric pride 1
If, taking some poor town, they bribe the Mayor,
Sinking the vagabond, to spare the player ;
The pittance poor and scanty which they get,
Obliges them to run away in debt."
This is all that appears to have been published
of this clever parody. Although it bears " To be
concluded in our next," the following numbers
do not contain any further reference to it.
Another work on the stage by the writer of the
foregoing was the " Children of Thespis ' : (pub-
lished in book form), which acquired some noto-
riety. A writer in a magazine some 30 years
after relates a ton mot, made by " Anthony
Pasquin," who, in describing the steeple of the
obstacle church in the Strand (St. Mary-le-
Strand) as a milestone run to seed — a really witty
comparison — declared this to have been one of the
156 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
few good things given forth by his brick-dust
brain, in one of the few happy moments vouch-
safed to it. Probably posterity may judge
differently after reading this parody.
CHAPTER XX.
An anecdote related by the Earl of Barrymore — Production of
the pantomime Bluebeard at Wargrave — The flat racing
season begins — The Earl enters the House of Common? —
How an amateur actor was brought from London — The
Earl's dislike to being driven in a post-chaise — Captain
Wathen, the theatrical amateur — Xewmarket Second
Spring Meeting, 1791 — The Earl in love — Mrs. Goodall,
the actress, at Wargrave.
The following anecdote was related by the
Earl of Barrymore. He was dining with a
gentleman at Great Marlow, his amanuensis
Pasquin being of the company. His host, who
had just lost and buried his wife, was asked by a
footman if he might speak with him, and was
answered, " Speak out, John ; we have no stran-
gers here." The man informed his master that
a ° pusson " wished to speak with him on urgent
business. " Then show him in," said the gentle-
man. " I have nothing to hide from my guests."
The caller's urgent " business " proved to be
the undertaker who had conducted the funeral
obsequies of their host's late wife. He asked if
he might mention his business before company.
" Proceed, Sir ! "
Whereupon he began the usual stock drawl : —
" Bills to meet," " Scarceuess of money," " bad
158 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
trade ! ' and then placed in the widower's hand
his " leetle " bill.
" What ! " cried he, glancing at the sum total
of the account. " What ! Sixty-seven pounds
for burying a man's wife ! it is an enormous
amount for laying a silent female horizontally !
You must have made a mistake."
" Not in the least article," replied the under-
taker. " Handsome hearse, three coaches, six
decent well-dressed mutes, and the best pall in
the county ! No one could do it honestly for less,
your honour."
" But it is a large item," urged the widower.
" But stay, Mr. Undertaker. I now recollect the
poor woman would have paid twice as much with
cheerfulness to have buried me." He turned to
the Earl and said, " So, my Lord, I must not be
behind in doing an act of kindness ! There,
undertaker, is a draft for your bill ; receipt it,
and be off."
With the opening of the racing season, theatri-
cals and other entertainments were brought to a
close. On April 15th, 1791, a new pantomime,
" Bluebeard" was produced, after many rehearsals
had been held. One of these was a " full dress "
one, to which his lordship admitted gratis as
many of the villagers as the theatre would hold — a
motley crowd, who afforded as much amusement
by the amazement their stolid countenances de-
picted to the Earl and his friends as the perform-
ance. Some expressed their thought and delight
in the loudest of "stage" whispers. One chat-
The Pantomime— Blue Beard. 159
terer remarked to his village " beauty," while
Blue Beard was about to murder Zrticia, —
" I'll be domned, Margery, if that ban't Dal-
pheni."
"Lawks, is it?" said the red-cheeked wench.
" Wot a willan to be sur ! "
This pantomime was written by " Pasquin," who
did not strictly adhere to the story of the murder-
ous Turk. One character acted by him was his
Satanic Majesty. His costume was of the usual
symbolic character, heightened by a liberal dis-
play of red fire, as he ascended by the trap to
the stage, and this caused the bumpkins to shriek
with terror. Pasquin, who desired to learn the
effects of his representation, as soon as possible
disrobed and went amongst the audience in the
boxes, where a whispered discussion was going on
between one of the theatrical amateurs and a
countryman as to the mission of " Old 'Arry "
in the piece, on which Pasquin explained it was
the genius of the country where the scene was
laid, who had appeared to protect Zelloia.
Whereon another yokel interposed.
" He be wundarf ul queerly drassed, Mister, an'
my I's nevar go to Sonning ag'in if he hadn't got
no shoes on."
You need not wonder at that, }'ou egregious
blockhead," remarked a gentleman standing by, —
" to find a genius without a shoe to his foot."
The dialogue, jokes, and songs of this panto-
mime are said to have been excellent. One of the
latter, sung by Delphini, ran, —
160 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
" My Zelicia ! now your black eyes may behold
My coffers, my jewels, my plate, and my gold.
With wonders on wonders, this key will unfold,
And all shall be thine when we're married.
ft This key ope's the casket where emeralds lie,
And this, where my costly array meets the eye,
With silks, far more bright than the Tyrean dye,
And all shall be thine when we're married.
" But I charge you, by all that is sacred and great,
JS"ot to open ' that ' door and embitter your fate.
If you do, you'll be cursed by the Furies' fell hate,
And you and I will never be married."
At one of the rehearsals, and before the actors
thoroughly knew their parts, Delphini, while
singing the above song, substituted " Admirals "
for " Emeralds " in the second verse ; the promp-
ter called his attention to the error, when he re-
plied, —
" It be yure raeestake, Mistar promptar, it is !
de ' admiral ' dat Blue Beard did murdar and
buried dere ! " It was only by the most patient
and persistent explanation that Delphini could be
made to understand he was in error. The com-
poser of the music for this piece, as well as
general composer and chef d'orcliestre to Lord
Barrymore, was Carter, who has immortalized
himself by his " Oh, Nanny, wilt thou gang with
me?"
At the Craven Meeting, Newmarket, April 25th,
1791, the Earl of Barrymore began the racing
season fairly well, winning several matches and
races. 1
The Earl of Barrymore attained this year a
1 Appendix M.
The Earl enters the House of Commons. iOi
" privilege " lie had long wished for — a seat in the
House of Commons. This was acquired through
a well-known channel. The borough that
honoured the Earl with its inaptly termed " vote
and suffrage " was that of Heytesbury, Wilts, one
of those " pocket " boroughs which so long dis-
graced the elective rights of the People before
the passing of the Reform Bill. One important
privilege of a member of parliament in those days
was freedom from arrest. The state at which the
Earl's finances were slowly but surely arriving
showed he would require to avail himself of this
immunity. Heytesbury was not the borough he
wished to represent, as he still cherished the
desire to sit for Reading, and ultimately con-
tested that borough. However, he prudently
accepted the smaller borough in the meanwhile,
and gave a sumptuous dinner to a numerous com-
pany at his mansion in Piccadilly to celebrate
his return.
That Lord Barry more never permitted money
to interfere with his whims or pleasures this
further testifies. Almost on the eve of a theatrical
performance at Wargrave, an amateur comedian
who was to play an important part wrote to say
he could not attend. The Earl was annoyed, but
on surmising that the state of the roads, with the
thereon expense of posting, might have some-
thing to do with his friend's proposed absence, he
despatched a footman with a letter to the defaulter
which contained a fifty-pound note, coupled with
the request to " repair " to Wargrave " in style "
M
1 62 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
on "pressing business." Which of these com-
mands influenced the amateur comedian I will
not decide, but it is certain the Earl's dramatic
companion posted to Wargrave in a chaise and
four, and returned by the same means after the
Mentioning oost-chaises reminds me of the
o j-
dislike the Earl had to using those vehicles.
This was remarkable, when it is remembered how
he would outdo " Hellfire Dick," of Newmarket
fame, as a postillion to this class of conveyance.
But to sit inside and be carried along at any pace
above the ordinary, he never would, if he could
avoid it.
Captain Wathen, one of the Earl of Barrymore' s
most able coadjutors in the dramatic entertain-
ments produced at his London and Wargrave
theatres, was a clever actor as well as a tried
soldier. He had distinguished himself in his
martial capacity at the siege of Gibraltar, under
Lord Heathfield. In one of the volumes of
" Bell's British Theatre " there is a frontispiece
engraving depicting Lord Barrymore and
Captain Wathen in the characters of Archer and
Aimwell, parts in which they respectively
excelled. 1
1 Characters in Farquhar's comedy — The Beaux's Stratagem
— representing two gentlemen of broken fortunes, enacting the
part of servant and master. This character the Earl appears to
have changed, afterwards, for that of Scrub, a witty servant " of
all work ' to Squire Sullen, who thus expresses his multifarious
duties : — " . . . . Of a Monday I drive the coach, of a Tuesday
I drive the plough, on Wednesday I follow the hounds, r
LORD BARRYMORE ANTD CAPTAIN WATHEN A< 4RCHBR A\l>
UMIIUI. IN THE "BKJVX'S STRMTMKM."
l'n.-e It;.'.
350 Guineas a Head ! 163
Racing still occupied the Earl's attention. At
the Second Spring Meeting, May 25th, 1791, he
rode his own horse, and won the first of the
renewed Macaroni Stakes of 100 guineas each,
betting, 5 to 4 on the Earl's mount, Sister to
. istonishment.
At this period some unpleasantness occurred
between the Prince of Wales and the Earl of
Barrymore, which his lordship attempted to
remove at the Ascot meeting: the following; month.
To this end, he invited H.R.H. to two sumptuous
luncheons he had ordered to be prepared in a
marquee on the course, for which he gave a
carte blanche as to cost, provided everything was
there, " in or out of season, and of the best." On
neither occasion did the Prince appear ; the Earl
with one friend sat down to one meal ; Lord
Falkland, his lordship, and Pasquin to the second.
These luncheons cost Earl Barrymore 1700
guineas, or about 350 guineas a head.
The year 1791 is memorable in the life of this
evanescent peer as being the one in which Cv.j>i<i
smote the Earl with an arrow from his bow. The
lady whose charms attracted him was a Miss
Ponsonb}', to whom he paid the most polite atten-
tions, not lost, it is affirmed, on the object of his
veneration; but the "course of true love was
promptly interrupted," the affair being broken
off by the lady's father, who had investigated the
pecuniary condition of the suitor. So ended his
Thursday I dun the tenants, on Friday I go to market, on
Saturday I draw warrants; and a Sunday I draw beer " !
M 2
1 64 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
lordship's first attempt to enter the holy estate of
matrimony.
But even this revelation of the fast approach-
ing crisis in his money matters did not check the
Earl in his gratification of every desire that could
be attained by the expenditure of money.
He wished to give a representation of the
" Constant Couple " at Wargrave ; but where was
he to get an appropriate " Sir Harry Wildair " P
No actress in Mr. Thornton's company at Reading
could sustain the character ; only one course was
open to him, an appeal to the inimitable Mrs.
G-oodall, an actress too well known to fame to
need any further reference. A friend was at
once despatched by his lordship to obtain her
consent to impersonate the character. This she
accorded, with the permission of the Drury Lane
management. The Earl of Barrymore' s ambas-
sador was also instructed to request that Mrs.
Goodall would visit some leading costumier and
order the best and most appropriate costume
she could invent, regardless of cost, as his gift.
After the performance, Mrs. Goodall received
the highest encomiums for her rendering of the
character from his lordship, accompanied by a
handsome present.
CHAPTER XXT.
The Earl of Barrymore contests the Borough of Reading — One
of the Earl's clubs — Anecdote of Dennis O'Flynn — Racing
at Newmarket — Preparations to resume theatrical per-
formances — Captain Wathen purchases the lease of the
Richmond Theatre — The Earl's new carriage — Anecdote
of George II. and Brentford — " A new way to pay old
debts."
In June, 1791, the Earl of Barrymore contested
the borough of Reading, but with his usual pro-
crastination about matters which concerned his
own benefit, he put oif his nomination until two
or three days before the day of election. The con-
test was occasioned by a General Election. The
two late members, Messrs. Neville and Annesley,
again sought the suffrages of the electors. His
lordship, according to the custom of the times,
treated the latter " most liberally," in order to
arrive at a forecast of the votes he might obtain.
This expedient did not avail him greatly. It was
one thing to drink his health, another to cast
votes in his favour.
The Earl was ill-advised not to have made a
personal canvas of the borough, especially as his
manners and language were so insinuating that
they would have procured him more votes than
all the beer drawn on his behalf. One important
166 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
factor seems never to have entered his lordship's
head — that one of the members he was trying to
oust was a tried representative, and both were
men of influence and property, as great a power
as bribery then to lesser favourites of Fortune.
It is not a matter of surprise to find the result of
the voting against the Earl, as recorded in the
following account, according to the manner then
in vosaie : —
o
1 For Mr. Annesley, alone . . . . 16.
For Mr. Neville, alone 17
For Lord Barrymore, alone . ... 44
For Messrs. Neville and Annesley, together . 2:33
For Mr. Annesley and Lord Barrymore,
together . . . . . .145
Mr. Neville and Lord Barrymore, together . G6
Did not vote, 41. The number of the voters on
the register was 562. Upon the votes being
dissected, the result was as follows : —
For Mr. Annesley 394
For Mr. Neville 366
For Lord Barrymore ..... 255
Although beaten, the Earl did not consider the
result (taking all matters into consideration) un-
favourable, but he regretted that he had not
commenced his candidature earlier, and by per-
sonal solicitation. He therefore, perhaps, acted
wisely in accepting his position — at the bottom of
the poll with grace, as well as showing his appre-
ciation of the efforts of his supporters, by issuing
a general invitation to the electors to dinner,
which he concluded with these words : —
1 This, I think, must allude to a show of hands at a
nomination meeting.
"The 2 o'clock" Club. 167
" That the larger the number that came in
response to his invitation, the more he would feel
favoured."
The Earl of Barrymore, no doubt, purposed to
contest the borough again at the first opportunity,
for all expenses incurred during the election, as
well as the cost of the public dinner, were
promptly discharged, as though to keep himself
in good odour with the people of Reading.
Among the numerous clubs of which Lord
Barrymore was a member — some of these hardly
deserved this designation — was " The 2 o'clock
Club," a society whose members, more numerous
than select, met at that hour. Although the
Earl only attended these meetings of the unem-
ployed "Knights of Error" when "going his
rounds," as he termed it, in pursuit of fun,
frolic, and folly. The club claimed the " dregs of
society " for its supporters. Its rules were not
onerous, nor was the subscription burdensome ;
the first being the unwritten code expressed
by the maxim, " Honour among Thieves," which
meant that members' property, when the owners
were present, was to be considered " sacred ; "
the second amounting to "Sixpence" on ad-
mission to membership.
The "Finish," where the "Bloods" and
"Bucks" of those days ended their nightly
revels, was a coffee-house near Covent Garden,
kept by " Mother Butler." Here, nightly, could
be seen as motley a crew as over Hogarth's or
(Yuickshank's pencil portrayed, from the dissi-
1 68 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
pated " Blood " to Eve's frailest daughter in taw-
dry and bedrabbed finery. But all were welcome
to " Mother Butler's " den, provided they could
"pay their way." With these and similar in-
stitutions the Earl and his brothers were far
too well acquainted, nor did anything please this
graceless trio more than to get a " greenhorn ' :
from amongst their aristocratic friends and
take him nolens volens to see the sights of the
town in all their " glory " and — hideousness.
The adage, " Like master, like man," was well
exemplified by the Earl of Barrymore's servants,
who were reckless and extravagant ; but withal it
was his lordship's lot to be well served. He did not
confine himself to retainers of his own nationality.
At one time he had in his employ a German,
a Frenchman (an excellent valet de chambre),
an Englishman, and an Irishman ; the latter
was one, Dennis 0' Flynn, " A broith of a boy,"
equal at table to half a dozen of the "plate
snatchers," called waiters, who beset Vauxhall and
Eanelagh at that time. This Irish prodigy was
possessed of a keen sense of humour, and con-
ceived (as our American cousins say) a " great
notion " for waiting on guests " of quality."
0' Flynn had, however, a too pronounced taste for
the drinkables so temptingly arrayed on his
master's sideboard during dinner or supper, and
thus fortified, the "Dutch courage" they generated
made him feel equal to some of " lesser " quality
who frequently ' graced ' the Earl's table, and
would, after partaking too freely of wine, overstep
Dennis O'Flynn. 169
the mark of what little good breeding they
possessed by ordering and demanding things from
the footmen in a tone and manner their noble
host would not dream of usin^. These commands
were always received with dudgeon by the
" Jeames " and " Chawles " of the Earl's establish-
ment, and in particular by Dennis O'Flynn, who
on one occasion, being more badgered than usual
by a curiously mixed group of visitors, at last
bounced from the dining-room, slammed the door,
and exclaimed loudly enough for the Earl and
guests to hear, " Och, what would the foithur
of Dennis O'Flynn say culd he but look out frum
the graave an' see his son of an Oirish gontlemin
waiting on the loikes of them swaapin's of
H— 11 ! ! ! "
At the July meeting at Newmarket, 1791,
Earl Barrymore's stable added to their winning
record. 1
Preparations were made during the month
(July) for the resumption of theatricals at War-
grave and in London. For the first the Earl
secured the professional services of Miss Richards,
who had been a member of the York company, to
play the leading lady characters in the pieces he
purposed to produce. Miss Richards was not a
stranger to the Wargrave "boards" ; she, and also
her mother and father, had often appeared there.
It was about this period that Captain Wathen
acquired the lease of the Richmond (Surrey)
Theatre, and he offered the management fifty
1 Appendix M.
i/O The Last Earls of Barrymore.
pounds to go out. This offer was declined,
and Captain AVathen had to wait until their
time expired, when he obtained possession, and
engaged Mr. "Williams, late of Drury Lane
Theatre, for his manager. The latter produced
some good pieces on his patron's behalf.
The Earl of Barrymore about this time added
to his already long list of vehicles a new vis-a-vis,
considered a marvel of the coach-builder's art.
The body was of light blue, the undercarriage of
the same, picked out with buff and red ; the
lining was buff colour, trimmed with blue, red,
and white lace ; these, with handsome plated
lamps and minor decorations, made up a sump-
tuous vehicle, envied by all brother whips.
But a carriage of this description was only suit-
able for park work, and would have fared badly
on the road to Wargrave, particularly in wet
weather by road through Brentford, a village
(although then the recognized county town of
Middlesex) of which his Majesty George II.
used to say, when passing through its ditch-like
streets, "I do love dis place ; dis so mooch like
Gar many ! "
That " ill news travels fast " was exemplified
by the rapidity with which the rumours of the
derangements in the Earl's finances reached
Wargrave, with the result that his lordship's
tradespeople began to clamour for their money.
Nevertheless, the Earl's affairs were not yet in
extremis, but this did not prevent the tradesmen's
persisting in demanding a settlement of their
"A New Way to Pay Old Debts." 171
claims. To gain time, as well as to teach them a
lesson, the Earl of Barrymore had a circular sent
to his country creditors, in which he asked their
presence in the green-room of his theatre upon a
specified clay, to meet his accountant, who would
investigate and pass their accounts, with an order
for amount, etc. On the day appointed the Earl
received his various creditors with great polite-
ness — it will be needless to say, assumed.
Upon the last one appearing, the Earl asked if
they were all present. On being answered, he
checked the names off by a list, and found the
number complete ; then asked in his most winsome
manner, " If they would permit him to leave
them for a while, adding that his man of ' figures '
would soon join them." The Earl then leisurely
sauntered across the road to his cottage, met a
friend, got into a curricle he had ordered to be
held in readiness, and sped to Henley, where the
pair made a " day " of it, his lordship laughing at
the trick he had played his clamorous creditors,
and added, " they would know how to wait civilly
now !
CHAPTER XXII.
The Earl of Barrymore's racing record at Brighton and Lewes,
1791 — Dispute between the Honourable Augustus Barry
and a French officer — The Earl drives six greys-in-hand —
The Earl thrashes a butcher for cruelty — Anecdotes of the
Prince of Wales and the Barrymores at Brighton — The
Earl's kindness to actors — Les trois magots — Cricket at
Brighton, 1791 — The Earl of Barrymore reduces his racing
engagements.
According to their usual custom, the Earl of
Barrymore and his brothers paid their annual
visit to Brighton in 1791, in time to commence
the " Sussex fortnight," as the period which in-
cludes the priucipal race fixtures is now called.
The Earl's stable at the Brighton meeting, August
3rd, 1791, was credited with a handicap, 1 and
on the 4th, at Lewes, 1 two sweepstakes.
The races over, the usual founts of amusement
were opened by the Earl and his friends. One of
their exploits might have had a serious ending
for Augustus Barry.
The Earl had sent his French valet Trebby
to bring his brother clandestinely away from a
military college in France, where he was pur-
suing his studies. Discipline and tuition were just
1 Appendix N.
Augustus Barry. 173
beginning to have a favourable effect on this wild
youth, but whatever benefit he had derived from
them was soon lost when he got to Brighton.
In fact, he got into mischief. As the three
brothers Barry were walking on the Steine one
afternoon, Augustus accidentally or purposely
elbowed a French officer, and afterwards stepped
behind mimicingly, and laughed aloud at him.
The officer turned and said that his conduct
was rude. This merely incited Augustus Barry to
additional methods of annoyance. At last the
Frenchman seized the aggressor by the arm,
which he twisted, whereupon the youth became
even more insulting than before, on which the
French officer challenged him to fight a duel.
At this moment the Prince of Wales and his
suite appeared on the scene, and, taking in the
position of affairs at a glance, bade the dispu-
tants repair with him to the " Castle Hotel," where
they could place the matter before Col. St. Leger. 1
The Colonel, on being told both sides of the affair,
turned to the French officer and said, " You can-
not be in earnest ; Mr. Barry is but a youth ; in
fact, has just been brought away from a French
school."
The Frenchman met this objection by saying
" He would meet Mr. Barry with pistols at six
paces, and give him the privilege of firing first."
Neither H.R.H. nor Col. St. Leger liked this
alternative, and, being fully acquainted with the
mischievous ways of Master Barry, suggested he
1 <
Handsome ' Jack Leger.
174 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
should apologize for his ungentlemanly conduct,
then and there, to the holder of King Louis'
commission.
This decision was accepted ; so ended an affair
that might have ended disastrously to one or
both of the disputants.
The Earl of Barrymore, before coming to
Brighton, had acquired Sir John Lade's team of
greys, for which he paid a high price. These,
with his own pair, enabled his lordship to delight
his friends and the natives by driving a coach
and six round the Steine, a more difficult feat
than it would be nowaday. The Earl's perform-
ance was acknowledged to be a perfect specimen
of the " tooling " art ; in fact, he is said to have
been the best whip in the town at that time.
Lord Barrymore, at this period, had a " little
affair " with a butcher at Brighton, who was
provoking two dogs to fight. His lordship re-
monstrated, and, rebuked the fellow, who made
an impertinent reply. An altercation ensued,
followed by blows. The butcher, though the
stronger of the two, soon found his skill in the
" Art of Self-defence" very inferior to that of his
adversary, who soundly thrashed him, so that he
adopted the better part of valour and ran away,
leaving his lordship master of the street, which
was becoming filled with passers stopping to wit-
ness an encounter between one of the best known
habitues of the Pavilion and a blue-smocked
butcher.
An aquatic incident is related by Erridge, in
The 'Prance' of Wales. 175
which William Miles, better known as " Old
Smoaker," plays the hero.
One morning, when the Prince of Wales was
taking his " dip," Old Smoaker, who had charge
of the prince's bathing arrangements, thought his
Royal patron had ventured out as far as was
prudent ; whereupon he called out, " Mistar
Prance, Mistar Prance, come back ! " H.R.H.
either did not hear him or did not care to regard
his advice, but struck further out.
This exasperated ' Mr. William ' Miles so much
that, to enforce obedience to his commands, he
dashed into the sea, swam to the prince, whom he
seized by the ear and forced to swim back with
him to shore. On the Prince's remonstrating
with the " gentle " Smoaker for his conduct, that
blunt old " sea-salt " roared out " a good round
oath or two," which he supplemented with, —
" I ar'n't gorn to let the King hang me fur
lettin' the Prance of Wales droon himself, not I,
to plase nobody, I can tell yer ; ' a reply that
so tickled H.R.H. that he extended his patronage
to " Old Smoaker " by establishing the " Smoaker "
Stakes of 20 guineas each at the Brighton Races.
■ Mr. William ' Miles was also " a bit of a wag,"
and would often turn a joke against its per-
petrator. One day, as this "old dipper" was
walking "the front," on the look-out for
customers, two 'exquisites' from London
approached and asked his assistance towards
a supply of asses' milk, which they had been
ordered to recruit their health. " Old Smoaker "
176 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
thought the appeal was put too offhand to be
genuine. He therefore suggested, " They could,
no doubt, supply each other with the desired
lacteal fluid." At least, this is the gist of his
answer, which was scarcely expressed as politely.
Allusion was made to this old dipper and " Old
Martha Gunn," who acted a similar part for the
ladies, in a song which was often sung on the
beach, and began thus, —
" There's plenty of clippers and jokers,
And salt-water rigs, for your fun.
The king of them all is f Old Smoaker,'
The queen of 'em ' Old Martha Gunn.' "
Etc.
A few years since, an old inhabitant of Brighton,
who well remembered the days of the Pavilion
and its coterie, confided many of his reminis-
cences to a Mrs. Merrifield, who included them in
a work on Brighton which she compiled. One
or two anecdotes illustrate the eccentricities of
the Barrymores, Lades, and Hangers, and others.
On the occasion of a party given to some friends
of H.R.H., who had come from town and had
been requested to stay, one of these guests
yelled out, upon retiring, that the " devil had
come for him," whereon some of his friends ran
to his assistance, to find the cause of his woe in
an ass, tied by its forelegs to the bedstead ; on
its head was fastened a large pair of bulls' horns,
and several lighted crackers were tied to his
body ; these so terrified the poor animal as they
went off, that it was difficult to say which was
Lord Thurlow. 177
the more frightened, the guest or the ass. The
proceedings at the Pavilion at this period were
so notorious as to cause Lord Thurlow, who
cannot be called a Saint, to avoid calling on
H.R.H., who met the occupier of the " woolsack ' ;
on the Steine one morning, when he (the Prince)
was promenading with the Barrys, Sir John
Lade, and other eccentric persons. The Prince
of Wales said, " Why, Thurlow, how is it you
have not yet called upon me?" Lord Thurlow
(glancing round at the Prince's companions)
replied, " I cannot do so until your Royal High-
ness keeps better company ! "
On another occasion, Lord Thurlow, in the
absence of some of the Prince's wild associates,
had accepted an invitation to dine with H.R.H.
at the Pavilion, but on the day appointed Sir
John Lade arrived suddenly from London and
was asked to join the dinner party. Upon the
Prince going into an ante-room to receive Lord
Thurlow, he took the opportunity to apologize
for his party being larger than anticipated, at the
same time alluded to Sir John's arrival, saying
that he could not help extending his hospitality
to him, as he was an old friend. On this, Lord
Thurlow growled out, " I have no objection to
Sir John Lade in his proper place, which I take
to be your Royal Highness's coach-box, not your
table ! "
This old Chancellor was equally severe with
friends or dependents. Leaving London for
Brighton once, he desired his valel to be sure
N
178 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
and pack his favourite walking-stick. On
arriving, lie asked for the stick ; it was not forth-
coming. " Then, sirrah," he said to the valet,
"you will just walk back at once and fetch
it. Mind ! I say, walk back and fetch my
stick, and if you are not back in 24 hours, you
are my servant no longer."
Foote, the comedian, was a frequenter of
" London-super-Mare " at this period, when he
sometimes exercised those mimictic powers which
rendered him so famous, although he was not
always happy in the selection of his subjects.
One respected inhabitant, the Ravel. H. Michell,
he ruthlessly caricatured. This reverend gentle-
man suffered from palsy, and some of his friends
met Foote on the Steine one day, when they
threatened to horsewhip him. Upon this, Foote
stumbled out some sort of an apology, and, with-
out losing his presence of mincl, said, " Why, I
take myself off sometimes," then made for an
opening he had noticed in the rails, and thus
" took himself off."
Young Fox, son of the lessee of the Brighton
Theatre (with whom Lord Barrymore had had a
disagreement), now became reconciled with his
lordship, who often patronized the theatre with
his friends.
A satirical print directed against the Barrys
appeared at this time. It was by the celebrated
caricaturist Gilray, and named " The Three
Scamps," though it bore the French appellation
" Les Trois Magots," and is now a scarce work
" Les Trois Magots." 179
of that humourist. The Earl is depicted as a tall,
meagre person, in a boxing attitude ; the words
round the support on which he stands are, " A
Hellgate Blackguard." The left of the picture is
occupied by the Honourable Augustus Barry, in a
sitting posture ; the inscription on his pedestal is,
"A Newgate Scrub." While the figure to the
right represents the Honourable Henry Barry, in
a lurching position, booted and spurred, labelled,
"A Cripplegate Monster." The lines appended
are: —
'• To whip a top, to knuckle down at taw,
To swing upon a gate, to ride a straw,
To play at push-pin with dull brother peers,
To belch out catches in a porter's ears,
To reign the monarch of a miflnight cell,
To be the gaping chairman's Oracle !
Whilst a most blessed union Kogue and W ,
Clap hands, hufta, and hiccup out encore,
With midnight howl, to bay the affrighted moon,
To walk with torches through the streets at noon,
To force plain Nature from her usual way,
Each night a vigil, and a blank each day ;
To match for speed one feather against another,
To make one leg run races with his brother,
To coin new-fangled wagers ami to lay them,
Laying to lose, and losing nol 1" pay 'em,
The Magots, in that stock which Nature gives,
Without a rival stand ! ! ! "
This scathing production did not ruffle the
Barrys or check their exploits; in fact, they
looked upon it as a good advertisement of their
roystering feats !
Cricket formed one of the principal morning
amusements of the Earl aud his friends while at
Brighton this year. So soon as his lordship had
N 2
i8o The Last Earls of Barry more.
improved himself and friends by practice, lie
made a match with a Mr. Bean to produce an
eleven against one he might select, and play them
for 100 guineas. This was accepted. The Earl
of Barrymore supplemented his private friends,
players, by members of the Brighton Cricket
Club, while Mr. Bean secured four professional
players, supplemented by amateurs. The match
took place on September 11th, 1701, and attracted
a large number of spectators. The elevens
appeared at first evenly matched, but in the end
his lordship's team won by a good many runs.
While at Brighton, the Earl's stable was doing
their best to add to their racing record, though
without much success, as only one race fell to it,
at Bedford, 1 at this time.
The Earl, who had begun the year by increas-
ing his racing stud and engagements, at the
end of it began to diminish both. This pro-
ceeding was the outcome of necessity rather than
prudence.
1 Appendix X.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Dispute between Earl Barrymore and Mr. Donadieu at
Brighton — The Duchess de la Pienna and the Barrys —
The Earl serenades Mrs. Fitzherbert — The Earl and Edwin,
Junior.
The Earl of Barrymore's visit to Brighton this
year was more than usual occasion for remark,
as his lordship and brothers outdid themselves
in vagaries. An incident took place at the cricket
match recorded in the last chapter which went
far towards the Earl " breaking his record " as
a peaceful citizen ! The circumstance occurred
thus : — Mr. Donadieu, perfumer, of Charles Street,
Solio, on his return from Lewes, drove his
" shay " across the cricket ground, as the match
was being finished. In his passage he collided
with the Earl of Barrymore's phaeton, which
his lordship had just mounted to drive home.
It is not supposed that the collision was pur-
posely brought about, but that it was due to
want of judgment or skill on the perfumer's part.
However, the accident " nettled " the Earl, who
struck Mr. Donadieu's cob across the haunches
with Ins whip, a most unwarrantable proceeding.
Mr. Donadieu at once expostulated with the
1 82 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Earl, but this only caused a further display of
" whip practice," and high words between Earl
and tradesman ensued. At last the pair went
their way, each holding himself to be the aggrieved
party. Soon after the Earl reached home, a
footman announced that a person, who insisted
on seeing his lordship, was at the street door.
Lord Barrymore surmised who his importunate
caller was, told his footman " He would see what
the person wanted himself," went to the door,
taking from a rack as he passed a heavy riding-
whip, which he held behind him. His surmise
was right, for the persistent demander of an
immediate interview was no other than the dis-
putant of the cricket ground. The Earl at once
strode up to Mr. Donadieu and asked " If he
wished to fight," an invitation the perfumer
declined, though he began to " rate ' : the Earl
for the insults offered him through his horse,
concluding by saying, " He wished another sort
of satisfaction, viz. ' El duello.' " This was
enough to set the Earl ablaze, and he angrily
answered, " He would thrash him, Mr. Don-
adieu, worse than his horse," a threat he forth-
with put into execution, by soundly beating the
unfortunate perfumer across the back with his
riding whip, when it broke, whereon peer and
tradesman set to a la Mendoza.
The bout had scarce begun ere Tom Hooper,
who, like the war-horse, had " sniffed the battle
from afar," appeared on the scene. He took the
" situation in at a glance," turned to his lordship,
Hoopkr Exercises his— Profession. 183
and said he desired " that thur pusson shuld be
laft fur 'im to deal vith, as he vas sure 'e vas
not fit to put 'is dooks up with sich a gem'man
as 'is ludsliip vas."
The earl, though no coward, thought there was
" logic " in Tom's illiterate remarks, and left the
matter for the " tinman " to settle, who there-
upon began his pas du guerre round the unfor-
tunate perfumer, putting in, during his gyrations,
blows on the most vital parts of his adversary's
body, until the latter, fearful for the consequences,
ran away while able. A draper who passed,
and had stopped to witness Tom's exhibition
of pugilistic skill, now interposed, unmindful
of the " old saw," "They who in quarrels inter-
pose," began to remonstrate with Hooper, where-
on that worthy said, " He'd battar moind 'is
own bizanuss, an' be orf, ilse he'd sarve 'im
th' saim." The flourisher of the yardstick
could not have known Tom's pugilistic capabili-
ties, or he would have been wise enough to
take Hooper's advice ; but he unwisely regarded
Tom's caution as " bounce," and continued his
homily. This enraged the tinman, who began to
serve the draper as he had served the perfumer,
with the result that the vendor of calico had good
cause to remember the couplet referred to, and
left the field, not covered witli glory, but
bruises !
This affair was preceded by one in which his
lordship's brothers played the chief parts. The
Duchess de la Pienna invited the Prince of Wales,
1 84 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
and a select number of persons of rank to meet
him, to supper on one Sunday evening. Among
those invited was the Earl of Barrymore. As
his lordship's brothers were on visiting terms
with the duchess, they concluded the omission of
the words, " and brothers," from the earl's card,
was an oversight on the part of the person
writing the invitations; they therefore accom-
panied Mrs. Fitzherbert in her landau to the
house of the duchess, who, on seeing the two
Barrys in her drawing-room, pretended to be
indisposed — in fact, kept getting up and leaving
the room, for which she only assigned the most
trivial causes. This conduct she kept up till
supper was announced. After supper the com-
pany returned to the drawing-room, when the
Honourable Henry Barry began to sing and make
merry, as was his wont. This made the duchess
very bad ! She left the room, followed by some
ladies, who begged to know the cause for her
frequent indispositions. Her answer was, "That
her ' condition ' compelled her to request
Mr. Henry and Mr. Augustus Barry to leave ! '
This intimation caused embarrassment to all
present. However, the two Barrys withdrew.
It then transpired, or was whispered among the
fair sex present, " that the club foot of Henry,
with the facial features of Augustus Barry, might
impair the duchess's health." Unfortunately, this
explanation reached the ears of the dismissed
pair of wags, and they resolved to retaliate. To
this end, the brothers established themselves
Ma Ch£re Amie." 185
every morning opposite the duchess's windows,
and there made the most hideous grimaces of
which their features were capable. They were
not going to be pronounced ugly for nothing.
The Earl, soon after this event, gave a supper
to a few bon vivants at his residence on the
Steine. The Prince of Wales was not present.
At 3 o'clock in the morning this select party was
about " screwed up to concert pitch." At last
the conversation turned on musical accomplish-
ments. Angelo, who was present, was desired to
show his skill on the guitar, and acquitted himself
to the satisfaction of the guests. His lordship
then suggested, " That, as he was so proficient,
they would go serenading together." Agreed,
the Earl thought a disguise necessary for the
purpose in his mind, and sent to borrow a skirt
and gown of his housekeeper, in which he attired
himself. Off the pair sallied, his lordship leaning
on Harry Angelo' s arm with one hand and
holding: the skirts of his dress in the other. So
they proceeded up the Steine, until Mrs. Fitz-
herbert's house was reached, when the Earl sang,
to Angelo's accompaniment, " Ma Ohere Amie."
After this, he returned to his own residence.
The next day the Prince of Wales taxed the
Earl with this nocturnal exploit, and, as he had by
some means found out his lordship's parr iter in
the affair, added, " I don't object, Barrvmore, to
your making yourself a fool as much as you please,
but if I had known Angelo was with you, / would
have come and horsewhipped him into the sea ! "
1 86 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Edwin the younger, the Earl's theatrical
manager, married Miss Richards, 1 the actress, but
she did not reclaim Edwin from his drunken
habits. He lost his lordship's favour, but
obtained an engagement at the Haymarket
Theatre, from whence he went to Dublin and
other places, only to succumb to his infirmity a
few years later in the Irish capital.
1 Mrs. Edwin enjoyed a high reputation as an actress for
some years into the present century.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Racing at First October Meeting, 1791 — The Earl of Barry-
more's luck at cards — Anecdote — Racing at Second October
Meeting, 1791 — The race of "Escape" notoriety — Hunt ing
and theatricals at Wargrave — Another print caricatures
the Earl of Barrymore — Sanies of a few of the principal
convivial clubs then in London.
With the revival of the racing season, i.e. the
principal meetings after Goodwood, Brighton,
etc., the Earl of Barrymore went to Newmarket,
where he rode his horse Ventilator 1 at the First
October meeting, and won a sweepstake. On the
5th and following days other events fell to his
lordship's stable. 1
The Earl was unfortunate at cards as a rule,
although now and again he had a " lucky ' : even-
ing. This was so far as concerns games purely
of chance ; at whist, or any game requiring re-
flection and close attention, he was invariably a
loser, so that he was not much sought for as a
partner. But in spite of Fortune's warning, his
lordship would now and again enter into games
of skill and chance at cards against the most
finished and inveterate gamesters of the day. and
Appendix 0.
i88 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
stake large sums of money, with the inevitable
result, loss. He much favoured the game called
Quinze, although scarcely ever a winner at it,
as he at one sitting lost 2800 guineas.
During the progress of the first October
Meeting, the Duke of York and the Earl of
Barrymore played a game of "All Fours" for a
large sum of money. At one time in the game
the score stood 5 to the Duke and 8 for the Earl.
Therefore, the Duke of York wanted 5, and the
Earl 2 points to win. It was now Earl Barry-
more' s deal, and there fell to the Duke, ace,
deuce, and Jack of trumps ; to himself, the trois
and king. The Duke laid his deuce, which the
Earl took with the trois. His lordship then
played his king, which the Duke took with his
ace, thereby getting "All Fours," the game,
though the odds against this event, as the score
stood previous to the deal, were very long
indeed.
Another story is recorded of a game the Earl
of Barrymore played with Charles James Fox at
Newmarket. Fox wore a coat trimmed with cut
steel buttons, whose facets reflected his cards in a
way to give his opponent some advantage. As
exact details are wanting, too much importance
must not be attached to this circumstance,
especially as Mr. Fox was far too experienced a
player to give an opponent a gratuitous advan-
tage.
On Monday, the 17th October, 1791, the
Second October Meeting opened; during this
The Earl Reduces his Racing Stud. 1S9
the Earl's stable was credited with several
events. 1 The analysis of his lordship's racing
engagements shows that, with an increased stud
at the beginning of this year, he only incurred
89 engagements, of which some 22 obtained
winning brackets. But with troubles looming on
the financial horizon, the Earl began to curtail
his stud, and disposed of several animals at the
close of the racing season, as well as further
reduced his racing engagements.
It was at the second October meeting this year
(1791) that the " in and out " running of the
Prince of Wales's horse Escape took place. The
story will bear repetition, as in one of the races
connected with this affair the Earl of Barrvmore's
horse Chanticleer ran. The first was an event
for sixty guineas, held on the 20th of October,
for which four competed, who finished as
follows : — -
Mr. Dawson's Coriander .... 1
Lord Grosvenor's Ski/lark .... 2
Lord Clermont's Pi/mfor .... 3
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales's Escctj/e . . 4
Betting 2 to 1 on Ksr.upe, 4 to 1 against
Coriander, and 5 to 1 against Skylark. 1I.R.H.
did not back Escape, but told Chifney before
starting to make strong running with his mount,
a command Mr. Lake, the Prince's stud master,
thought fit to reverse, and told Chifney he would
hold him harmless for disobeying the Prince.
Chifney was upon the " horns of a dilemma," but
1 Appendix P.
190 The Last. Earls of Barrymore.
obeyed Mr. Lake, whom H.R.H. had previously-
told Chifney "to obey in all racing matters."
This resulted in Escape coming in last.
Here matters might have stayed, but, unfor-
tunately for all concerned, Escape had been
entered to run the next day in a race, when he
would again meet some of the same animals
who had defeated him the day before, as well as
better horses. This event was a subscription
race of five guineas each, 12 subscribers, but only
6 horses started. The odds were 4 and 5 to 1
against Ecsape, 7 to 4 against Lord Barrymore's
Chanticleer, 6 to 1 against Grey Diomed, and 11
to 5 against Skylark. Before starting, H.R.H.
told Chifney to make the running, but not to do
so if another competitor did. At starting Skylark
made play, and Chifney won by waiting with
Escape, a direct contradiction to his previous
day's form. A facb so flagrant could not pass
unnoticed, therefore a committee of the Jockey
Club took the matter up, headed by Sir Charles
Banbury, who informed H.R.H., " That, if he
permitted Chifney to ride again, no gentleman
would start their horses against him." To
this ultimatum the Prince declined to submit, as
he felt himself bound to uphold the jockey
who had carried out his instructions. In fact,
he preferred to dispose of his stud rather
than submit to the dictate of the Jockey Club ;
a determination which, when put into effect,
called forth this remark from " Old " Dick
Vernon, " That the Prince, having the best
The "Escape" Affair. 191
horses and the best jockey, was best off the
turf."
Enough has already been recorded to enable
the render to form his own opinion about the
Prince of Wales's racing staff.
Later, the Prince of Wales severely interrogated
Chifney as to any bets he had on Escape, as it
was reported he had won six or seven hundred
pounds by Escape losing on the 20th of October,
and a similar sum when he won the next day.
Both these statements Chifney stoutly denied.
The Prince then asked if Chifney would swear an
affidavit to that effect, and received an affirmative
reply. 1 Although this shows Chifney to have
1 The following copy of an affidavit made by Chifney in
1801 is frequently mentioned by Sporting works, though
seldom, if ever, given in detail ; this was brought about by the
affair, winch, tending much to Chifney'e disadvantage,
he was advised to adopt some means of making a public
vindication.
Middl sex.
" Samuel Chifney, of Xewmarket, in the county of Catnbri
rider, maketh oath, and saith, that he, this deponent, did ride a
horse called Escape, belonging to the Prince of Wales, in a
rare, in which he was beaten, on the twentieth day of October,
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, at Xewmarket ;
and that he did also at Xewmarket ride the same horse in another
race on the next day, viz. the twenty-first of October, one thou-
sand seven hundred and ninety-one, in which he won. And
this deponent further saith that he made do bel whatsoever
against Escape for the twentieth day of October, one thousand
seven hundred and ninety-one, when he was beaten, but this
deponent had one bet of twenty guineas upon Escape, and no
more, for the twenty-firs! of October, one thousand seven hun-
dred and ninety-one, when he won, which was betted for the
deponent by Mr. Vauxhall Clark. And this deponent further
saith that he was not interested or concerned, directly or in-
directly, in any other whatever, against 01 for .Escape, for either
of the before mentioned days. And this deponent further maketh
192 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
had money on his mount, it was not in the sense
stated. Chifney was also examined before a
committee of the Jockey Club, but throughout
the Prince of Wales's confidence in Chifney re-
mained unshaken, also his determination to quit
the turf. On another occasion, Chifney was
summoned to attend the Prince of Wales at Sir
John Lade's residence in Piccadilly, when
H.R.H., in Sir John's presence, said, " He believed
Sam Chifney had been very honest to him," and
added, that the 200 guineas he had granted
him as an annuity was for his, the Prince's, life ;
and further said, " He should always be glad to
see him ; and if he ever kept horses again, he,
Chifney, should train and manage them."
Chifney for many years after this rode for
various patrons. Among them was Lord Sack-
ville. But at last his good fortune deserted
him ; he became involved in debt, and died at last
in Kiug's Bench prison.
oath, and saith, that previous to, and on the said twentieth
day of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one,
he neither did, nor caused, or procured to be done, anything to
check, hinder, or prevent the said horse called Escape from
winning, but, on the contrary, that this deponent did every-
thing which his judgment suggested to him, and his powers
enabled him, to make Escape win the race he ran on the said
twentieth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and
ninety-one. And this deponent further inaketh oath, and
saith, that in no place that he has had the honour of living in,
for these last sixteen years and upwards, that he has not won a
guinea against any horse, that he was beat, where that he
either trained or rode him. And that he further maketh oath,
and saith, that that which is asserted in the foregoing narrative
or statement is true, with his thoughts on the same.
" Samuel Chifney.
"Sworn before me, this 31st day of March, 1801.
" John Collick."
"I'll Stand the Lot— I won't Hedge." 193
An anecdote is related of Chifney while in
durance, a short time previous to his death, by a
gentleman whom he had known in his better days,
who called upon him. " Sam," said Chifney's
visitor, " you should think a little of your future
state. If you wish, I will get a clergyman to
pray with you and give you some religious con-
solation." Chifney thanked his compassionate
friend, but requested a little time to consider his
suggestion. " All right, Sam ; I am going a little
farther, and will call again." On his return he
said, " Well, Sam, I have spoken to the clergy-
man of this parish ; he will come and see you
whenever you please. What do you say ? "
" Why, Sir," replied Chifney, " I am obliged
to you all the same ; I have thought it over, and
made up my mind I'll stand the lot, I won't
hedge ! "
The flat-racing season finished, the Earl of
Barrymore turned to other sports. His pack of
foxhounds at this time mustered 15 couple, with
which he and his friends scoured the neighbour-
hood of War grave, while their nights were
occupied by theatricals and other amusements.
The engraving, " The Three Scamps," was not
the only polite attention Earl Barrymore received
from the styles of the engravers. But the one
I. am about to describe is not so coarse a lampoon
as Gilray's. That now mentioned appeared in a
magazine published circa 1789, named " The
1 Attic ' Miscellany." The illustration referred
to is a two-page engraving described as " The
194 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Levee," or the " Maecenas of Scrubs and
Scaramouches." No explanation is afforded, so
that, unless a reader is conversant with the
features of Lord Barrymore, the plate might pass
unnoticed. It depicts the Earl of Barrymore
holdiug a levee ; he stands in the centre of a
room hung with pictures. One portrays the
character of " Scrub" in which his lordship
excelled ; another, a harlequin ; and others,
horse-racing, cock-fighting, 1 etc. With one hand
the Earl receives a jockey, and with the other a
person who presents a game-cock to him. On
the left is Hooper, gloved, his face adorned with
a black eye. By him, an individual " caped and
whipped," probably Sir John Jehu, and others
whose lineaments are difficult to ascribe to any
one in particular. The portrait of the Earl is not
at all bad, but the others are over or badly
drawn.
A few of the Convivial Clubs which then
existed in London were the following : —
Pewter Platteronians, Albions, Arts and
Sciences, Royal Hanoverians, Babylonians,
Euphontonians, Assyrians, Arabians, Agricul-
turians, Royal Mecklenburgs, Macedonians,
Europeans, Brunswickers, British Romans,
Eathonians, Union, Corsican, Bombayans,
Anacreontic Society, Johns, Falconers, Knights
of the Moon, Knights of the Brush, Knights
1 This sport the Barrys are said to have much indulged in
at one time. But, as this once fashionable pastime has not
descended to the present day, it is omitted.
=
-
i.
n
v.
u
Some Convivial Clubs. 195
of Malta, Alfredans, Dr. Butler's Lodge, Sols,
Druids, Mahometans, Learned Brothers, Lumber
Troops, Loyal Britons, United Britons, Beef-
eating Britons, New Codgers, Old Codger-,
Independents, Fandangoes, Sampsons, Jockey's
Club, D'Aubigny's Club, Kiddies, Judges, Trade
Society, Fumblers, Nose Club, Humpbacks or
Society of Lords, Starcaps, Friends under the
Eose, Friends round St. Dunstan's, Friends
round the Cauliflower, Courts of Equity, Wheat-
sheaf Society, Botherums, Black Friars, Blues,
Caledonians, The Society for the detection of
Swindlers, and many others, of which only two
or three remain. Most or all of these clubs were
held at Taverns.
2
CHAPTER XXV.
The Earl treats for the Brighton Theatre — Strange treatment
accorded to Mr. Fox, Junior, at Wargrave— Action by
Mr. Donadieu against the Earl — A good " Bill of Fare "
for his lordship's theatrical guests at Wargrave — Action
by Mr. Cox, builder of the theatre, Wargrave — Lord
Kenyon's remarks at Mr. Donadieu's action — The Earl
of Barry more's winning record at the Craven and First
Spring Meeting, Newmarket, 1792.
The year 1792 found his lordship anxious to
increase his Thespian fame, and this in spite of
his monetary difficulties, which now began to
make themselves felt. Many theatrical lessees of
that period would have been content with a
London and country theatre. Not so his lord-
ship, who had both the above, but wanted a
" seaside " playhouse, to which ends negotiations
were entered into between Mr. Fox, the lessee of
the Brighton Theatre, and the Earl. To further
these, Mr. Fox, junior, journeyed to Wargrave,
January 11th, 1792. On his arrival, he was
treated with every apparent courtesy, and shown
into the green room, where refreshments were
brought to him by Delphini. Soon after, the
Earl of Barrymore entered, and showed great
cordiality to his visitor, took him over the
A Singular Assault. 197
theatre, &c. This being a " theatre evening," the
performance was just about to begin. On the
conclusion of the pantomime, which brought
the evening's entertainment to a close, the Ear]
asked Mr. Fox to pass an opinion on the per-
formance in general. What his exact reply was
I cannot say, although what took place subse-
quently may suggest its nature. The Earl now
left the green room, but sent Delphini to tell
Mr. Fox he would return " in two minutes."
Delphini then retired. About half a minute after
Delphini's departure, Mr. Fox received a blow on
the right cheek from some one who had entered
the room by a door at the back of Mr. Fox. The
blow " floored " Mr. Fox, and knocked out one of
his teeth. On rising from the floor, who should
Mr. Fox see standing over him, in a boxing
attitude, but young Edwin, who again " floored '
Fox, and administered further chastisement to
him when down, so as to leave him senseless in
the theatre, where he was found next morning by
the caretaker of that place. Mr. Fox then made
the best of his way to Henley, without having
come to terms with the Earl for the Brighton
Theatre. This is so strange an affair, and there
is so little evidence to prove the Earl's connivance
at the assault, that it is best to leave it without
comment.
The affair of the Earl of Barrymore and Mr.
Donadieu, which occurred, as the reader will
recollect, at Brighton, in the autumn of the
preceding year, at last found its way into a court
198
The Last Earls of Barrymore.
of justice, the Court of King's Bench, where it
was tried before Lord Kenyon, who left the
matter at issue entirely in the hands of the
jury, with the result that the plaintiff obtained
£50 damages, whereon Lord Kenyon said, " He
considered the conduct of some people a little
disgraceful, and suspected there was some defect
in their education when they were brought into
a court of justice to finish it ! " — bitter sarcasm
from that able lawyer !
As the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, was to
be closed for the night of January 30th, 1792,
Earl Barrymore embraced this opportunity to
reinforce his company by securing the services
of J. S. Munden and — Johnstone ; these
talented actors were joined by Barrymore, the
actor, of the Haymarket and Drury Lane
Theatres. The Earl issued invitations to a
large number of friends to witness The Rivals
and the Poor Soldier, for which the casts were : —
The Rivals.
Sir Anthony Absolute .... Mr. J. S. Munden,
of the Theatre Royal,
Covent Garden.
. Mr. Wade.
. Mr. Johnstone,
of the Theatre Royal,
Covent Garden.
. Mr. Williams.
Captain Absolute
Sir Lucius O'Tngger
Davy
Falkland
Fag .
Bob Acres .
Mrs. Malaprop
Lydia Languish
Julia .
Lucy .
Mr. Barrymore,
of the Theatre Royal,
Drury Lane.
Captain Wathen.
Lord Barrymore.
Mrs, Delpnini.
Edwin.
Ward.
Rork.
Law Trouki.ks !
199
The Poor Soldier.
Patrick
. Mr. Johnstone.
Dermot
. Mr. Incledon.
Fitzroy
Mr. Barry more.
Father Luke
. Mr. Williams.
Darby
Captain Wathen.
Nor ah
. Mrs. Edwin.
Cafhlane .
. Mrs. Ward.
Both these plays were excellently acted. His
lordship, as Bob Acres, appeared in his happiest
vein of humour. The Sir Anthony of Mr. J.
S. Munden, though it showed him in a new
role, exhibited his sterling qualities as quite
equal to the occasion ; nor must the Sir Lucius
O'Trigger of Mr. Johnstone be forgotten ; this
was said to be one of the best representations
of that character he had rendered. The " petite ' :
Theatre was filled to overflowing by a critical
audience, who were delighted with this enter-
tainment provided for them by his lordship.
Law troubles, like others, seldom come singly,
as Lord Barrymore found now, to his cost.
Mr. Cox, the builder of the Wargrave Theatre,
brought an action to recover the balance due,
449 Z., probably some disputed items, as the
vexatious plea of nonage testifies. The plea of
nonage was not admissible, as the Earl had
ratified the contract on coming of ao - e : otherwise
it could scarcely have been advanced that a
theatre, modelled after the opera house, was a
necessity for an " infant." Unfortunately, in a
sense, this case was heard before Lord Kenyon,
who, no doubt, remembered the Donadieu affair,
200 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
as lie said, in summing up, " He lamented this
young nobleman had, during his minority, been
surrounded by designing men, who, instead of
storing his mind with useful literature, had, he
was afraid, depraved his taste and perverted
his disposition. With respect to the tendency
of private theatricals, he doubted extremely
whether they ever inculcated one virtuous senti-
ment ; he had known instances when they had
had a contrary effect, as they usually vitiated
and debauched the morals of both sexes, the
performers seldom retiring from the entertain-
ment but every Romeo knew the estimate of his
Juliet's virtue ! ! ! ' So forcible an exordium
from the plain-speaking Kenyon could have but
one result — a verdict for the plaintiff.
The effect of these Actions was most detri-
mental to the Earl of Barrymore's credit, as they
were adverted to by the press, and this tended,
with other circumstances, to bring about a crisis
of affairs. His lordship, however, would not
accept even this warning ; he still rode all his ex-
pensive hobbies as though he were the possessor
of the purse of Fortunatus. In fact, he went
racing, unruffled, at Newmarket, where his horses
won several events. 1
1 Appendix Q.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Earl of Barrymore and his table beer — Lines on Mr. Day,
who ran away — Racing at Newmarket — The Earl's fortune
on the wane — Sale of the Piccadilly mansion and stables
at Christie's — Grand cricket match at Lord's — The mas-
querade ball at Yauxhall — Marriage of the Earl of Barry-
more with Miss Goulding, Gretna Green fashion.
At one of the Theatrical performances at War-
grave, when the company was more numerous
than usual, the cellars of his lordship's establish-
ment failed to supply the demand for beer. The
Earl himself rarely drank beer, but he was most
particular as to the quality of that supplied to his
household. However, his beer cellar was empty;
recourse was had to his neighbours to replenish
it. But none of the beer contributed pleased
his palate. This facetious person thereupon
gave orders for three post-chaises to be brought
round, and dispatched three of his footmen (on
whose taste he could rely) to scour the surround-
ing villages, with orders that they were not to
return without a barrel of John Barleycorn's
best. They accomplished their mission to their
master's and their own satisfaction.
" Farmer " Stone, whose witty remark as to
the " Earl lying double fettered in Newgate '
202 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
has been recorded, had a tenant named Day,
who ran away without paying his rent ; this feat
being related to some of the Earl's visitors at
Wargrave, so " Pasquin " asserts, it was proposed
that each person present should write an epigram
on the fact, ten minutes being allowed for its
execution. But his lordship excelled them all
with the following effusion. (I doubt, however,
if it be an original composition.)
" Here ' Day and Night ' conspired on sudden flight,
For Day, they say, is run away by Night.
'Day's ' past and gone. Why, landlord, where's your rent 1
Did you not say that Day was almost spent 1
Day pawned and sold, and put off what he might,
Tho' it be e'er so dark, ' Day ' will be ' Light.'
You had one Day, a tenant, and would fain
Your eyes could see that Day but once again.
No, landlord, no, you may truly say
(And to your cost, too), you have lost the Day.
Day is departed in a mist, I fear,
For Day is broke, and yet does not appear.
From time to time he promised still to pay ;
You should have rose before the break of Day.
But if you had, you'd have got nothing by it,
For Day was cunning and broke overnight.
Day, like a candle, is gone out, but where 1
None knows, unless to the other hemisphere.
Then, to the tavern let us haste away,
Come, cheer up, hang it ! it is but a broken Day,
And he that trusted Day for any sum
Will have his money, if that Day will come.
But, how now, landlord, what's tho matter, pray 1 ?
What ! can't you sleep, you long so much for Day 1
Had you a mind, Sir, to arrest a Day,
There's no such bailiffs now as Joshua.
Cheer up, then, man ! What, though you've lost a sum,
Do you not know that ' pay-day ' yet will come 1
I will engage, do you but leave your sorrow,
My life for yours, ' Day ' comes again to-morrow.
And, for your rent, never torment your soul,
You'll quickly see ' Day ' peeping thro' a hole."
Sale of the Earl's Mansion in Piccadii.lv. 203
On Saturday, May 5th, 1702, the Earl of
Barrymore was at Newmarket, when his horse
Treecreeper won a match against Mr. Vernon's
Florizza of 200 guineas. Two days after, the
death-knell of the Earl's fortune sounded.
Pressure on all sides by importunate creditors at
last forced him to review his affairs, a proceeding
which soon showed him that all extraneous ex-
penses must be curtailed at once. To this end
his fine mansion in Piccadilly was dismantled,
and the furniture and lease sold by auction, also
the stables, with accommodation for twenty-one
horses, and two coach-houses. The residence and
stabling Mr. Christie knocked down to the repre-
sentative of the Duke of Queensberry for 3050
and 1300 guineas respectively. This, however,
was but an interlude in the process of retrench-
ment.
Although his fortune was on the wane, the
Earl's stable still fulfilled its engagements. At
the second Spring Meeting they are credited with
two events, 1 though these all but closed the
Earl's racing career as an owner. In fact, the
total number of engagements entered into by
him this year was only 41. Of these he won
12.
On May 2Sth, 1792, a cricket match w
played at Lord's for one ■ thousand guineas.
This was arranged by the Earl of Barrymore on
account of the Prince of Wales's Club, Brighton,
and Harvey Aston, Esqre., on behalf of the
1 Appendix Q.
204 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
M.C.O. A match of this character naturally
attracted a large number of spectators. After
some good play by both elevens, the Earl of
Barrymore' s team won.
The Earl, debarred from playing the more
prominent part as an owner of horses, took to
the lower pursuit of attending races to back
horses. Thus, it is recorded, he attended the
Epsom meeting, May, 1792, where he brought
off a coup by backing Lord Grosvenor's John Bull
for sufficient to win 1000 guineas. But he found
scant solace in this, compared with the more
aristocratic pursuit of racing his own horses.
In spite of the serious attention demanded by
his financial affairs, the Earl was at the grand
Masquerade Ball, Vauxhall, 31st May, 1792,
when 4000 were present, and 3000 guineas were
taken at the gates.
On June 6th, 1792, in spite of his monetary
troubles, he made an eventful departure — an
elopement to Gretna Green with Miss Goulding,
the niece of Lady Lade (the latter, by-the-bye,
was the Prince of Wales's comparison for bad
language. When he remarked that pernicious
accomplishment in another, he would say, " he
swears like Letitia Lade"). Miss Goulding was
the daughter of a " knight of the pole," other-
wise a sedan chairman. But why a trip to
Gretna Green ? It could not be on account of
the objections of the bride's father; it can only
have been a whim of the Earl's. On the other
hand, it is said, the bridegroom's friends wished
Marriage A la Gretna Green. 205
to prevent the match. However, his lordship
planned the affair as if he was running away with
the richest heiress in England, and took the
following measures to avoid surprise. First, he
sent a footman to order dinner for a supposi-
titious party at an hotel on Shooter's Hill, and
soon after despatched his valet to overtake the
messenger and direct him to proceed to Barnet,
where he was to keep a post-chaise and four in
readiness. On this day, Sir John Lade accom-
panied a young lady, elegantly attired, to an hotel
in Piccadilly, whom he afterwards accompanied
to Barnet, and there handed her over to the
Earl of Barrymore. Off the pair went to Gretna
Green as fast as the horses could gallop. But
whether the pair ever journeyed so far as the
abode of the obliging blacksmith was, at the time,
a matter of conjecture. The pair, however, were
legally married somewhere, as we shall see
hereafter.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Did the Earl and his bride go to Gretna Green 1 — Gossip — A
new masquerade "ballad" read at "Wargrave — Seizure by
the Sheriff of the theatre at Wargrave — A humorous in-
ventory — The Earl's new diversion — He accepts a com-
mission in the Berkshire Militia — The Earl of Barrymore's
parliamentary career.
Scandal and gossipmongers in the last century
were as busy, if not as numerous, as in this more
prosaic age. No sooner had the happy pair
departed for the North than it was surmised
their excursion would stop far short of the
Blacksmith's "Anvil" Altar. And, as a cause
is generally given for all scandal, it was alleged
that, as the lady's " Honourable " Uncle, Sir
John Lade, had secured an annuity for the future
Countess, all opposition on the part of her friends
had been withdrawn. But here again the adage,
seldom quoted now-a-days, " That only children
and fools speak the Truth," was verified. The
reader will not require reminding that the
" Honourable ' Uncle of the lady himself placed
her in the Earl's charge. If any reason can be
assigned for the trip being shortened, it is to be
found in the Earl's change of mind; he had
acquired celebrity, or rather notoriety, by making
Scandal and Gossip. 207
a runaway match, and perhaps thought it waste
of time to accomplish that for which he had
already obtained credit. It is a fact that he
was seen not 100 miles from London a few days
after the elopement — a fact which was commented
upon in a contemporary print as follows : " The
Earl's flight to the North must have been an
aerial one, for at the time he would have been
due at the Altar-anvil of the smith's he was
seen on Lady Lade's lawn at Taplow, playing at
bo-peep with the Honourable Miss Sedan, his
intended or de facto bride."
At almost one of the last masquerade balls
held at Wargrave, the following composition was
spoken by a ladj r (in her domino) who was said
to have written it. The lady is reported to have
been the Margravine of Anspach, but authentic
confirmation is wanted on this point. Whoever
composed it was familiar with the chief cha-
racteristics of many members of the Govern-
ment. This gave it zest to those members of
the Opposition who were present. I, myself,
think it closely resembles the style of " Anthony
Pasquin," whose facile pen was often used with
great sarcastic effect. But why a piece of this
description was spoken at a masquerade ball,
except to cast aspersion on the Ministry, and
thereby please high personages present, it is
difficult to say.
2oS The Last Earls of Barrymore.
" A NEW MASQUERADE BALLAD."
" Come, jolly mortals, join the crowd,
Be gay, ridiculous, or loud,
Be anything but dumb,
Let dominoes be banished hence,
But Fun and Fancy, wit and sense, in any Figure come.
" Sweepers who know not how to sweep,
And Harlequins who cannot leap,
Old women scarcely Twenty,
Miss in her 'teens, near 6 feet high,
Law, physic, and divinity,
And nosegay girls in plenty.
" Let such as these, this festive night.
To form the motley group unite,
And each with glee endeavour
(As o'er them rays of fancy gleam)
To be the character they seem,
And if they can — be clever.
" Beauties in vain their forms disguise,
Now to attract their lovers' eyes,
Now wishing to be seen,
And while soft things the lover says,
The listening fair no blush betrays
Behind the pasteboard screen.
" In search of new adventure here,
Some tonish husbands too appear,
With eager palpitation ;
Here contradict their usual lives,
And very kindly, with their wives,
May make an assignation.
" Love in such tricks as these delights,
Thus archly plagues poor married wights,
Or tortures love-sick swains ;
His amplest field — a Masquerade,
Here are his various gambols play'd,
His pleasures and his pains.
" Let serious mortals, seeming wise,
The humours of this night despise,
And jollity upbraid.
What harm one night a mask to wear ?
Most wear a mask throughout the year —
The world's a masquerade.
A Masquerade Ballad. 209
" Could one but see the little great,
And e'en the rulers of the state,
Without a mask before them,
Deluded crowds no more would bow,
With open'd eyes, they wonder how
They could so long adore them.
" At White's masked Ball let this famed set
Political chicane forget,
And leave their masks behind em ;
Each be himself, but Lest they err,
Let me point out each character,
As nature iirst assigned them.
" First, then, let a juggler be,
With servile as deputy,
To aid his master's cheat ;
Let him, as usual, then display,
His cap and bells in full array,
The engines of deceit.
" Then let him on the table place
A surplus million, to your face,
To prove his wonder's done.
But whilst you look with longing ''yes,
The traps all vanish from your eyes,
The fancied million's gone.
" What shall we give to £ ifs lot
Since Tommy T d's name's forgot,
Nor Commons now confute him ?
He's changed his coat and broke his oaths,
Then let him come in Clincher's clothes,
' Tom Errand ' sure will suit him.
" Let active W d be here ;
An harlequin will suit the peer,
He'll caper at discretion ;
From Holyhead to Dublin now
A leap he takes, and you'll allow
That's leaping to perfection.
" Since D t's Duke can vainly hope
With youth and beauty still to cope,
Nor Bingle, longer tarry,
' Sir Peter Teazle' be his due ;
Consider, he is fifty-two,
And that's too old to marry.
210 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
" Let B e as an usher speak,
Quote common, hackneyed scraps of Greek,
To show his wond'rous learning.
Demosthenes he's studied o'er,
This dubbed him such an orator,
This made him so discerniug.
" Some have by time their natures changed,
Their former politics deranged,
Nor is the fact uncommon,
The name of Whig and Tory end.
Time has made Wilkes a monarch's friend,
And C n an old woman !
" But my tired Muse can ne'er describe
The whole of P tt's submissive tribe,
Nor will I call for aid.
Oh ! may they keep their proper sphere.
Ne'er may the servile crew appear
At Wargrave's masquerade."
The persons herein satirized were members of
the "Pitt" administration, and appear, from an
historical point of view, ably drawn. The Prince
of Wales's presence made these allusions the
more appreciated by those present.
The Earl's attempts at retrenchment savoured
of the old adage, " Locking the stable ' door '
after the departure of the steed," to wit his " gold,"
as without that " dross " peer no more than
peasant can make "the mare go." Some readers
may question if the taking of a wife was an
earnest to reduce all outgoings to a minimum ;
though that step may even have had its merits,
as the lady appears to have been as careful as
her lord and master had hitherto been prodigal.
She not having been brought up in the style that
her sisters of nobler birth are, found her
husband's establishment, even in its reduced
The Earl's Wargrave Theatre— eized. 211
character, regal compared to her early home
surroundings. But now cruel " Fate" in the
form of an execution (following a judgment)
against the Earl (obtained by one of his many
pressing creditors), decreed the departure of his
Thespian glories, from "Wargrave, as well as the
London theatre, as during the latter part of
June sheriffs' officers seized the theatre and its
effects. These " gentlemen," however, not being
versed in the " mysteries of the Sock and
Buskin," made many ludicrous errors in drawing
up the inventory of the wardrobe, etc., which the
following shows : —
Theatrical Properties. Sheriffs' Officers' Entry.
Thunder .... A sel of 1m. wis.
LdgMning .... Powdered resin.
A shower of hail . . . A sieve of dried peas.
A scene of Inferno . . Ad d hot looking picture.
The Ely sian fields . . " The dog and duck."
A general's truncheon . . A rolling-pin.
A conjurer's gown . . .A clergyman's cassock.
A highwayman's black scratch A crop.
A FooVs cap ami hells . . Lord Barry more's nightcap.
etc. etc. etc. etc.
The properties and scenery of the Theatre were
sold by auction, but no bidder or purchaser could
be obtained for the theatre as it stood ; it was
then dismantled, pulled down, and sold piece-
meal, in lots.
This, with other matters, destroyed the Earl's
credit, but the fact did not, to outward appear-
ances, destroy his spirits.
Deprived of his expensive amusements, the
Earl of Barrymore, in order to allay his unsatiable
p 2
212 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
appetite for notoriety, turned to pursuits less
costly. Some of these may be traced in the many
eccentric clubs to which lie belonged. A few
of these held their meetings within measurable
distance of War grave ; among other hostelries
the Earl favoured with his patronage as chairman
of some one of his numerous convivial societies
was the " Crown," Reading ; the " Stag and
Hounds," Binfield; and the " Rose," Wokingham.
Another pursuit his lordship now entered on
was " debate," which he followed with zeal, as a
member of a society for " Free Debate," where,
accompanied by Captain Wathen or some other
Thespian satellite, he would take a frugal " Welsh
rarebit," supplemented by a tankard of XXX.,
followed by a pipe of " Virginia," he was then
ready to discuss the question propounded from
the Chair, to which he would record his " pro " or
" con " by a clever argument. But active mem-
bership of a " sixpenny " Debating Society can
scarce be deemed the " right thing " for a peer of
the realm or a member of the British Senate to
take part in, though it must be admitted that
many of the Earl's eccentricities led him into
far worse company than those who mainly com-
posed these gatherings.
The most noteworthy departure the Earl made
this year from the paths of folly was the accept-
ance of a commission in the Berkshire Militia;
here his capabilities for military service found full
scope, and were soon perceived by Lieut.-Col.
Powney, who informed his " Majesty King George
The Earl as a Debater. 213
III." that he had not a better or more zealous
officer under his command ; "which so pleased
the king, that he intimated his intention to pro-
mote his lordship at the first opportunity.
Although the Earl of Barrymore was a ready
and brilliant speaker, it is not recorded that he
ever addressed the House from his seat in
Parliament. Probably, had he lived, he would
have spoken on the impeachment of Warren
Hastings whom he regarded as a much ill-used
man ; in fact he said he should record both his
voice and vote in his favour when the proper
time arrived.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Earl of Barrymore as a student — His favourite prose writers
— Anecdote of Delphini — Cricket at Wargrave — Sale of
the materials of the theatre, Wargrave — Dispersion of the
Earl's racing stud — Purchase of Chanticleer hy the Duke
of York — The Earl still appears in the " pigskin "—Sale of
the Duke of York's stud— Disbandment of the Earl's
dramatic company — Some further allusions to " Anthony
Pasquin " — The Earl of Barrymore's oratorical powers.
It will come as a surprise to many who have
followed these pages thus far to learn that
the Earl of Barrymore, in his early days, had
read and studied the works of Machieval, Locke,
Montesquieu, Sydney Smith, and others, though it
cannot be said he imported much, if any, of the
wisdom contained in the works of these authors
into either his character or his actions. Indeed,
many of his vagaries partook more of characters
portrayed in his favourite works of fiction.
Amongst these were the " Arabian Nights ,! and
Boccacio. In fact, the amusement he derived
from these and similar works often made him
assert, " That had his religious convictions been
in accord with those of the See of St. Peter's, he
would gladly have paid for masses being said to
Deli'iiini's "King's English." 215
tranquilize the souls of those deceased authors
whose writings made the living happy."
Delphini, who has been alluded to as one of
the professional luminaries of the " Theatre
Royal," Wargrave, was not always politic or
politein displaying his "King's English." At one
time, when the Prince of Wales and the Earl
of Barrymore were engaged in conversation with
other friends at Wargrave, Delphini, who had
made arrangements for a benefit at Drury Lane
Theatre, considered the opportunity suitable
to secure the Prince's patronage. He thereupon
walked up to the Prince and blurted out :
" Mistar Prance, you come to my benifeet, by
Gar, I goto your papaw's bancket ! " At this
speech the Prince and his companions laughed
heartily, and the ill-mannered buffo was hustled
out of the room.
The Earl of Barrymore still maintained his
liking for cricket, and played in a match at War-
grave, October 11th, 1792, for 100 guineas, viz.
the gentlemen of Wargrave and Twyford, with
his lordship, against the gentlemen of Woking-
ham. Wickets were pitched at 11 o'clock, but
particulars are wanting of the result, which, it is
safe to assume, was in favour of the Earl's
eleven.
At this period his lordship was a most en-
thusiastic cricketer. At one time he played for
hours in a drizzling rain, and then only gave up
because he and his fellow- players were too wet
to run !
216 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
On October 15th, 1792, at 11 o'clock a.m.,
Mr. Christie sold by auction, on the premises,
Wargrave, the materials of Earl Barrymore's
late costly Temple of Thespis — machinery, bricks,
lead, Portland stone, flooring, doors, slates, and
other materials. It appears, by the announcement
of this sale, that part of the wardrobe and the in-
terior fittings of the theatre were as yet unsold, as a
notice is appended that twenty-eight cut-glass
chandeliers and other appropriate articles and
costumes might be purchased on application to
the auctioneer. Sir Charles Marsh, of Reading,
bought the stage machinery and scenery. The
other lots were disposed of to the dealers in
building materials, and such like. Thus departed
the dramatic glory of Wargrave.
The next thing to be sold was the Earl's
racing stud. Some of the best known animals
soon found private purchasers. Among these
was the Duke of York, who gave 2700 guineas
for Chanticleer with his engagements. But the
amount realized by this and public sales did not
go far to satisfy the Earl's creditors.
Earl Barrymore's name, after this year, 1792,
ceased to appear in the Racing Calendar as an
owner, although he now and again appeared in
the " pigskin ' : at Newmarket and elsewhere.
About this time the Duke of York was compelled
to dispose of his stud, and a transaction just
recorded proves "buying is one thing — selling
another," as Chanticleer, with all Mr. Tattersall's
blandishments, could not get a higher bid than
The Earl's Force de Theatre — disbanded. 217
500 guineas, for which amount lie was "knocked
down."
The " Amateur Dramatic Club," so termed, of
his lordship of Barrymore, was now disbanded ;
the paid members had to seek " pastures new."
The Earl, however, retained the services of
"Anthony Pasquin," who, no doubt, had plenty of
scope to display the scribe's art in his master's
affairs at this period. This extrao-rdinaiy in-
dividual has been handed down to posterity by
the painter and the graver ; by the first in a
half-length picture by M. A. Shee, R.A., which
was afterwards engraved by J. Wright, the
miniaturist. But the special value that apper-
tains to this, a very rare print, is that it is one
of the two engravings only executed by Wright.
There is also another engraving of " Pasquin "
extant, though almost as scarce as the first.
At one of the discussions raised at the Society
for " Free Debate," Reading, it was submitted,
11 Whether a continuance of the Slave Trade was
consistent with the principles of a Free Nation's
sound policy or the dictates of Humanity." In
this his lordship took part. He first solicited the
indulgence of those present for a cold he had,
after which he addressed the chairman in a
lengthy speech, rendered with grace and energy.
The points submitted were briefly : —
" He felt in a somewhat awkward predicament,
as he had no intention to address the meeting
when he arrived; in fact, was quite unprepared.
But he felt it was impossible for him, who had a
2i8 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
seat in Parliament, to hear the wisdom and justice
urged by the various speakers at this meeting in
silence. Therefore he felt called upon to support
the purity of their intentions, the indefatigable
labours of their research, and the equity of any
decision they might arrive at. He, however,
regretted it had become habitual for the masses
to be dissatisfied with the labours of their
chosen representatives. ... It was, therefore,
his duty to save from misconstruction the labours
of the present senate, who were fully entitled to
the approval and acclamation of the whole body
of constituents. ... He would submit, for the
reflection of every voter or careful observer,
whether it was not more probable that the British
Senate, who reviewed, as it did, the whole volume
of evidence brought before it on debate, which
embraced almost all facts and information that
could be formulated on any subject — whether it
was not more safe to assume that the delibera-
tions which followed were not more calculated to
be correct and just than those of the multitude,
who often commenced their arguments without
any data at all ? '
These opening remarks the Earl enlarged upon
by going minutely into the question propounded,
which he discussed from all points, concluding
by pointing with courage to its degrading effects,
and the cruelty of its continuance, illustrating
his points by flights of rhetoric, combined with
close and sound argument in so easy a flow of
language, as to charm his audience, as well as
A Society for Free Debate. 219
to make the most reflective of them deplore that
so great a gift of logical and eloquent oratory
should hitherto have been sacrificed at the shrine
of " Folly" instead of in the service of the
Nation. On his lordship sitting down, some
local " Demosthenes " moved the original question,
which was, " That the continuance of the traffic
in human flesh and blood was not consistent with
the sound policy of a ' Free ' Nation." The pro-
ceedings then terminated.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Earl forms the Bacchanalian Society — Prepares a supper
for a friend at a village inn — Drills Boniface and the
servants — His lordship departs with his regiment for Rye
— Commands an escort, with sixteen prisoners, to Dover —
Halts near Folkestone for refreshment — Accidental dis-
charge of his fowling-piece and death of the Earl — Inquest
and burial at Wargrave — Some mention of a posthumous
heir — Denial by the Countess — Remarks on the career of
the late Earl.
The Earl of Barrymore, when deprived of his
expensive amusements, did not set himself down
and ask "if life was worth living." His nature
was too vivacious and volatile to put so Budd-
histic an interrogatory to himself. One of that
sect's tenets is, I believe, " That the only hap-
piness is that of never having existed." But his
lordship's natural gaiety of temper, combined
with certain Hibernic traits, made him happy
under all circumstances. Therefore, if he could
no longer cheer himself and friends with balls,
and fetes, and histrionic displays, he could found
convivial clubs. One of these he formed the
commencement of 1793 was the "Bacchanalian
Society," whose meetings were held at the "Rose,"
Wokingham, on a Friday, every month. At one
Tin-: Earl acts as— Chef. 221
of these the Earl promised to bring down a choice
selection of musical and dramatic gentlemen, just
to initiate the members into the ways of song and
recitation, also, that he purposed to give a dinner
to the members of the club at the commence-
ment of March, but doubted if his military duties
would permit him to be present. However, the
dinner was given, three post-chaises of the Earl's
choicest bon rivants came from London to aug-
ment their number, and to make the affair pass
off with eclat.
A little time before the above recorded events,
the following took place. Going into the billiard
room of an inn in the vicinity of Wargrave, where
two persons were engaged in a billiard match,
which appeared to excite some interest among
the occupants of the room ; his lordship desired
to participate, so began to offer odds on one of
the players, but not finding anyone willing or
able to accept the sum he wished to lay, deter-
mined to amuse himself, therefore turned to a
friend, who accompanied him, and asked if he
should cook him a supper, to which his com-
panion assented. Boniface was then summoned,
and ordered to procure a couple of fowls and
have the fire in the room made up for roasting.
These commands given, the jocular Earl suggest ed
that, as he bore his Majesty's commission, he
would put "mine host" and waiters through
their " facings," which he forthwith did, ordering
them to "fall in," which done, and their toes
squared, the command "attention" was given.
The Last Earls of Barrymori..
" Now then, you sir, bold up your head ; d — n
you, it's no laughing matter ! Eyes to the
left. Very well, by Gr — d ; dismiss," followed
each other simultaneously. These proceedings,
combined with the order for a couple of fowls,
naturally diverted both the attention of the
players and bystanders, who found their play so
interrupted that they adjourned the match.
While the fowls were " on order," his lordship
prepared to display his culinary skill ; first he
took his coat and vest off, and put on one of the
landlady's bib aprons ; thus attired, he got to-
gether the necessary cooking utensils, and made
an extempore "Jack" with pack thread. The
fowls were now brought in ; these he proceeded
to singe in the orthodox manner, as well as
remedy other little matters overlooked by the
purveyor; these he now put " down," and then
prepared to make the bread sauce and gravy,
cook the vegetables, etc. All this was accom-
panied by as much pantomimic gesture as he
could exert. All " the pots a boiling," his lord-
ship proceeded to lay the cloth for the repast, to
which he asked the attendance of some of those
who had been the most attentive to his move-
ments. Everything being ready, supper was
served, clone justice to, and praised by all present,
who wondered how his lordship became possessed
of his culinary knowledge.
The military duties foreshadowed in a preceding
paragraph consisted in the departure of the Earl's
regiment for Rye, whither it was ordered to
En Route to Dover with French Prisoners. 223
strengthen the forces on the south coast, con-
sequent upon the state of affairs with France
On its arrival, a sergeant and twelve men were
ordered on the 6th March, 1793, to escort sixteen
French prisoners to Dover. The Earl thought
this a duty which would not only enable him to
view the country, but to amuse himself by
shooting wild fowl, rabbits, etc., on the way.
Therefore, he asked permission of his Colonel,
Earl Craven, to command the escort, which was,
in deference to his lordship's rank, increased to
twenty rank and file. All went well till
Folkestone was reached, where the Earl com-
manded a halt, to refresh himself and men.
As this necessary entertainment was in progress,
Admiral McBride and General Smith passed by,
and chatted with his lordship, when an arrange-
ment to dine together was made. Till the halt
was ordered, the Earl had marched at the head
of his men on foot ; his gig, driven by his valet,
brought up the rear.
While the landlady was busy attending to the
wants of her guests, his lordship, with his usual
frolic, insisted on marking the "score" on the
slate in the usual stenographic characters of an
innkeeper, which gave him an opportunity to
bring into play the style and language of a
favourite dramatic character " Hob." This caused
much fun and merriment. The repast concluded,
the Earl "totted" up the score, which was cheeked,
then discharged it. He then took a glass of
brandy with the landlady, whom he embraced in
224 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
a jocular way, and leaped into his gig. He took
the reins from the servant, and gave him the gun,
which the man placed somewhat carelessly
between himself and his master, with the barrel
pointing upwards. Soon after, the Earl, who was
smoking, took his pipe from his mouth and
pointed with it to the coast of France, in the dis-
tance, to call his servant's attention to its proximity.
The gun, loaded with swan shot procured from a
turnpike keeper on the way, by the jolting of the
gig, now fell to the bottom, and struck the hammer
in its descent ; this lodged the charge in the Earl's
right cheek, displaced his eye, and entered his brain,
whereupon he sank over the left side of the gig.
To turn round and dash up to the door his master
had left but a minute before, in the prime of
health, was the work of a moment for his servant.
The unfortunate Earl was removed into a room,
and Col. St. John, who was in the vicinity, was
sought. He at once procured a surgeon, but all
that his skill and attention could do was of no
avail. The Earl expired forty minutes after the
disastrous occurrence. So ended Richard Barry,
seventh Earl of Barrymore, Viscount Buttevant,
Baron Barry of Olethan, Ibaune, and Barryscourt,
descended from a noble line of ancestors, whose
name and fortunes he had dimmed and marred.
On the 8th of March, 1793, an inquest was
held, when the late Earl's valet gave his evidence,
on which a verdict of accidental death was re-
turned. After this, preparations were made to
convey the body to Wargrave for interment.
ITH OF RIcUVRH, SEVENTH EAKT. OF BARRYMORK.
Page 221
Our Boasted Civilization. 225
rp
This had to be accomplished covertly, as fears
were entertained of a seizure, a then (and for
many years after) disgraceful perversion of the
law of burial, which was a stigma upon our
boasted civilization that a South Sea islander
would have considered a reproach — the seizure
of a dead body for debt in hope that the friends
of the deceased would pay to give their relative
decent interment. However, this obstacle was
overcome by vigilance, and the body of the un-
fortunate Earl received the last tokens of respect.
These were bestowed on a Sunday (the " debtors' "
day of rest from seizure), the I7th of March,
1793,' when his remains were interred in the
chancel of the Parish Church, Wargrave, near
the resting-place of Mr. Day, of " Sandford and
Merton " fame.
With the sensation caused by Lord Barrymore's
sad and untimely death, malevolence was not
long in circulating the most fallacious rumours.
However, the facts are as recorded. The next
question that troubled the " busybodies ' : was
whether there was any probability of an heir.
These rumours became so annoying to the widowed
countess that she contradicted them, and her
statement enabled Henry Banw to succeed as
8 th Earl of Barry more.
If a cause can be charitably assigned for the
erratic career of the witty but eccentric Earl,
might it not be found in the early age at which
1 Not February 17th, as I believe the register shows, which
was indirl'erently kept at this period.
Q
226 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
lie found himself his own master, with ample
means for self-indulgence, especially when we
remember the times he lived in ? What he might
have "sobered down" to, it is difficult to say,
but some considered that, had he been spared to
enter upon a political career, his success would
have been assured. Others held that his predi-
lection for the army argued his becoming a
brilliant commander. To sum up, the following
lines, in palliation of his excesses, do not appear
devoid of truth : —
"Nature, "who formed the varied scene
Of Rage, of colour, frost and fire,
Unerring guide, could only mean
That Age should reason, Youth desire.
Shall rebel casuists then presume,
Inverting Nature's laws, to seize
The dues of age in youth's high blooom,
And join Impossibilities 1 "
CHAPTER XXX.
Financial affairs of the late Earl — Henry, Eighth and last Earl
of Barrymore — Establishes the fashion of the "tiger" —
The Earl and the hattle of the whips — His lordship's love
for mystifying persons — His duel with Humphrey
Howarth, M.P., at Brighton.
On the death of Richard, 7th Earl of Barrymore,
many comments on his affairs appeared in the
prints of that period. Some suggested that
heavy insurances had been effected on his life ;
in fact, so numerous at one time were the applica-
tion for policies, that no office could be found
willing to increase their risk. This statement
"Pasquin," his amanuensis, denies. He acknow-
ledges, however, that' a few, for trifling amounts,
may have been in existence at the Earl's death.
On the other hand, the late Earl had, in the
last few years of his life, raised some large
sums by way of annuity or rent-charges on his
estate ; at one time these amounted to 2000/.
per annum. For the due payment of a tenth
of this sum, Viscount Fielding and Mr. Hugh
White were guarantors, but this was redeemed
by the Earl a few months prior to his death. A
Mr. Davis advanced 6000/. to the Earl to pay off
228 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
an annuity of 1000/. per annum ; Mr. Bullock
also discharged one of 250/., and Messrs. Watts
and Oollinson cleared off one for a similar amount
in favour of a Mrs. Roffey ; which are said to
have been the only annuities granted by the
deceased Earl.
On the advice of his friends and lawyer, Lord
Barrymore, a short time previous to his death,
had placed his estates in the hands of Mr. Thomas
Hammersley, banker, of Pall Mall (well-known
at that period in connection with the monetary
affairs of the Prince of Wales), who allowed the
Earl 2500/. per annum. The remainder of their
revenues were reserved to meet interest on mort-
gages and to form a redemption fund. His
lordship also raised by mortgage 130,000/., to
pay off his most pressing creditors. The re-
mainder were offered the equity of redemption
and 5 per cent, on their debts as security, which
were to be discharged in ten years. To this
arrangement the majority of the unsecured
creditors assented. Therefore, had the Earl
lived to carry out these arrangements, he might,
after many years of retrenchment, have regained
some portion of his fallen " greatness."
The sum the Earl of Barrymore had squandered
during his brief career was estimated at about
£300,000, but this does not include large sums
won by racing and betting, which constantly
passed through his hands without any record
being made. Fortunes of a similar, smaller, and
larger magnitude, have in our times been " got
Succession of the Eighth and Last Earl. 229
through " by youths and others of the Barrymore
type, but I cannot find any of these " latter day "
prodigals who got and gave as much for their
money as the Earl of Barrymore. For it must
be admitted that he had value in his stud pur-
chases, though, perhaps, his natural judgment of
horseflesh aided him here ; which remarks should,
no doubt, apply to his hunting and driving esta-
blishments. \Vhile as to his Theatres, Balls,
Fetes and Dinners, did they not give entertain-
ment to thousands, and of all ranks, prince to
boor ? But, unfortunately, his lordship never
thought of cost where his desires were concerned.
The personal estate of the late Earl was sworn
under £5000, and was said to have been sufficient
to discharge claims after the arrangement
alluded to had been effected ; but of this later.
Deprived of a kind and too indulgent master,
the late Earl's dependents had to seek fresh
employments. Delphini obtained an engagement
as ballet master at the Opera House, where he
caused John Kemble much trouble by his en-
deavours to get him to speak a few words of
intelligible English, so that he might become
eligible for a membership of the Theatrical Fund.
Delphini also found employment, now and again,
in the Royal kitchen, for the preparation of
macaroni, in which he was skilled. The " reign "
of Henry, 8th (and last) Eari of Barrymore, as
has been shown, began under less favourable
auspices than that of his late brother, who practi-
cally entered upon unencumbered possessions. His
230 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
successor, Henry, had all the former's extravagant
tastes as well as habits, without a tithe of the
means to indulge or gratify them. But as he
had been a* participator in, if not the instigator
of the excesses of his brother, he cannot be pitied.
Had Henry accepted the situation as he found it,
things might have become better for him as time
progressed ; but no, he must be the Earl of Barry-
more ; therefore, a town residence in Sackville
Street was started, together with a " villa " at
Palmer's Green, soon after his accession to the
title. Another connection of the Earl's did not
tend to retrenchment — that was the Prince of
Wales, with whom he was on terms of great in-
timacy, far closer than his deceased brother had
attained. Henry Barry, with all his faults, and
they were legion, is said to have possessed a certain
aristocratic bearing, in spite of his physical disabi-
lity ; to this was added a keen knowledge of the
world, particularly of its lowest, or ' submerged'
strata. But he was wanting in what better charac-
teristics his unfortunate brother possessed.
The eighth Earl of Barrymore did not improve
or add to his means by marriage. He was
united to Anna, daughter of Jeremiah Coghlan,
Esq., of Cardo, Co. Waterford, Januaiy, 1795.
The Earl, like his deceased brother, was a noted
" whip," and used to drive a tall cabriolet, or
curricle ; by the side of the Earl sat a diminutive
attendant, inaptly called a " Tiger," a fashion he
initiated ; a few years later this attendant was
moved to the back of the vehicle. The first
A New Whip Club! 231
holder of this newly-coined appellation was a lad,
Alexander Lee, son of the then late Henry Lee,
landlord of the Anti-Gallican tavern.
An encounter, facetiously termed the battle of
the whips, is related of the Earl. One evening,
while driving up St. James's Street, he noticed the
windows of the house of a noble countess lit, as
if a dinner or party, was proceeding. To turn
his horse and dash up the street was the work of
a moment. But his progress was stopped by a
line of carriages, which had just set down their
owners. Thereupon the Earl told some of the
" Jarveys " to "mizzle" out of his way. One,
however, refused to obey so peremptory a com-
mand, when the Earl exclaimed, "G — d d n,
don't you know me ? I am the Earl of Barry-
more." To this self-assertion of rank, his obsti-
nate brother " whip " said, " You may be Old
Nick for what I care ! I shan't stir." This
led to further unparliamentary language ; the
other " Jarveys " added " fuel to the fire " by
ironical assertions of " let my Lord drive up,"
" The Noble Earl's carriage is stopped in its
way," etc., etc., which so exasperated his lord-
ship that he jumped or hopped from his curricle,
whip in hand, and began to belabour the dis-
obliging " Jarvey," who was not behind in re-
taliation ; his brother whips shouted, " Lay it
on ! ' "Lay it on!" "D me, my lad, if your
whip breaks, I'll give you half-a-dozen." The
Earl, not liking the mode of initiation into this
" New Whip Club," beat a retreat into the house,
232 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
followed by the jeers and yells of the assembled
Jehus.
The Earl, like his brother, delighted in mystify-
ing persons. Though the late Earl in general
confined this "sport" to country people, not so
Henry, who considered anyone " fish for his net."
Mr. Raikes, of diary celebrity, relates an affair
which occurred at a dinner party at Windsor.
When the conversation turned on the practica-
bility of taking the Castle by assault, a quiet, in-
offensive officer, one Col. Cowper, was gradually
drawn by the Earl into conversation as to the
best mode to effect this. To illustrate his plan,
they both began to draw lines of attack and
defence with wine on the table-cloth. But tactics
of this nature were not much in the Earl's way.
At last Col. Cowper placed his assumed forces
with so much skill as to impress the company with
the possible success of his attack. The Earl,
when he found his plan of defence useless, became
imbued with a mischievous spirit, and, after a
pretended reflection, exclaimed, " Your plan is
full of faults, you have forgotten the Thames,"
took up a tumbler of water, and, instead of
deluging the supposed works of his antagonist,
threw it in the Colonel's face. The room was
at once in an uproar, but a plea of " indulgence '
being put in and accepted, the hubbub ceased.
The Earl, during a race meeting at Brighton,
once fought a duel with the eccentric Humphrey
Howarth, M.P. for Evesham, in the presence of
a numerous company, who were much surprised
A Duel. 233
to see Mr. Howarth strip himself to the "buff "
of all garments except a pair of drawers. This
he did from technical knowledge acquired as a
surgeon in the service of " John Company," where
he had seen the injury caused by bullets leaving
portions of clothing in wounds. Happily, his
precaution was not necessary, as no harm was
done by either party's " fire," whereupon honour
was deemed satisfied. Lucky honour ! !
CHAPTER XXXI.
The Earl of Barrymore and the Chip Chow Indians — His lord-
ship's racing and charioteering display bnt the shadow of
his late brother's — The Earl's ready wit with the law's
minions — The Honourable Augustus Barry — His death —
Prints, etc., concerning the late Earl — The eighth Earl's
caricature — His passion for the Drama and Music.
Another affair of mystification, in some respect
similar to the last, is on record concerning Henry,
the 8th Earl of Barrymore. His lordship conld
sing well, nor did he require much pressing " to
oblige." A favourite ditty of his was one that
had this remarkable chorus, " Chip Chow Cherry
Chow-fol-lol-di-riddle-how," was well known to
many of his friends. At a friend's one day, the
Earl made one of a dinner party. Among the
guests was Sir James Alured Clarke, an old
soldier, who did not know the Earl's famous song.
Sir James was a veteran of the American War,
in which campaign he considered his achieve-
ments of no small consequence, and he was
always glad to " trot ' : them out. Another
matter he prided himself on, was the knowledge
he had gained with respect to the various tribes
of 'redskins.' This was too good an opportunity
for the mischievous Earl to despise ; he therefore
The "Chip Chow" Indians. 235
pretended a deep interest in the habits and pur-
suits of the various tribes of Indians scattered
over the North American continent, and at last
desired information as to the " Chip Chows."
The " Son of Mars," misled, no doubt, by the
sound of the words, mistook them for analogous
names, replied, with the utmost candour, they
were a tribe who confined their wanderings to
one particular portion of that continent, but
were warlike and cruel in their habits. His
lordship now saw he had the grim old warrior at
his mercy, followed his inquiry by asking the
General if, in the course of his travels, he had
come across the " Cherry Chows," on which Sir
James began to descant on their peculiarities,
asserting they were really worse than the
" Chip Chows," as they invariably devoured their
prisoners. This was too much for the gravity of
the facetious Earl, who burst into a roar of
laughter, aud asked the now astonished General
what his opinion was of the " Fol-lol-de-riddle-
hows." On which the majority of the company
chimed in with the Earl's chorus. The truth now
dawned on Sir James he had been made a fool of,
and rising, he said, in a "freezing" tone, " M y
Lord, I have travelled much, but during all my
wanderings amongst various savage hordes, I
have seen few savages more barbarous than your-
self," and, bowing with mock politeness, he left
the room.
This Earl's racing and charioteering tastes
w r ere as well developed as the late Earl's, but
236 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
fortune, or rather the need of it, prevented their
complete gratification. In fact, his doings in
these departments of Sport are but the " mackless
fabric of a vision " in comparison to his brother's.
He had, indeed, at one time a few horses in train-
ing, but for a period as brief as their record,
and also he sported a four-in-hand for a few
seasons, during which he was one of the founders
of the " Whip Club." Allied to his hippologic
tendencies was a passion for card-playing. In
fact, it is difficult to take up the Morning
Chronicle or Herald for the end of last and the
first few years of this century without finding an
announcement of a card party at his residence ;
but I fear his success at the "board of green
cloth " was little, if at all, superior to his brother's.
His house was beset by sheriffs' officers, which
was very unpleasant, particularly if the visit of
these uninvited guests clashed with the advent of
a party to dinner or cards. To discharge these
unwelcome visitors by the orthodox means, gold
was often inconvenient, therefore the Earl showed
resource by making a virtue of necessity, and for
the time increasing his retinue. This was accom-
plished for a trifling consideration by attiring the
"minions of the law " in some cast-off liveries, which
transferred their allegiance, to outward appear-
ance, from the House of Hanover to that of Barry-
more. By this the Earl out-hero ded Mr. Honey-
wood in " The Good-natured Man," who intro-
duced the sheriffs' officers to Miss Richland as
his friends. But this was far too infra dig. for
Bal Masque at the Earl's Town Residence. 237
an Earl of Barrymore, who made them his —
dependents.
One season, however, before the final cra.-h
came, the Earl created some excitement in the
fashionable world by an entertainment at his
residence in Sackville Street. This was a
masquerade ball, that revived, on a diminished
scale, the departed glory of Wargrave, and was
held on the 21st Jnne, 1805. The ball-room was
decorated with muslin festoons, in which artificial
roses were twined ; the floor was chalked out
with designs emblematical of music and dancing.
In the apartments which adjoined, supper was
provided for 300 guests ; in the front dining-
room supper was laid for the Prince of Wales
and his suite.
A novel device resorted to was the erection
of a temporary orchestra in the garden, which
was rendered effective by shrubs, flowers, and
coloured lamps.
It was said that not for souie years had society
been regaled with a better entertainment of its
character. The house was taxed to its utmost,
and though crowded, all went off with eclat.
But few of the younger guests present knew the
" apprenticeship " their host had served in pro-
ducing this form of entertainment at War-
'.->
grave.
Among those who supped with the Prince of
Wales were the Duke and Duchess of St. Albans
and the Duchess of Gordon. Among other
members of the peerage in costume were the
238 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
Marquis of Lome, Lord "Westmoreland, the
Marquis of Abercorn, the Marchioness of Salis-
bury, the Duchess of Leeds, Lady Cholmoncleley,
etc., etc., etc. But this was only a sudden " flare
up " in the expiring flame of the house of Barry-
more — that is, in its direct line. Both the Earl
and his brother Augustus sorely felt the need of
that patrimony they had helped to squander — in
particular Augustus, who was in very bad cir-
cumstances about this period. True, this honour-
able person was now in holy orders, but his
erratic disposition prevented his aristocratic
acquaintances from presenting him to a living.
Possessed of both ability and education, he could
never be depended on to appear in the part those
attributes entitled him to play, that of a — gentle-
man, or the direct opposite, one of — society's
lowest strata, for he had the protean capacity of
his unfortunate brother in a worse degree,
therefore his company was not sought by his
peers. This honourable and learned ' divine' lived
a chequered life, and died at Moulsey on the 29th
September, 1818.
In allusion to the various prints of the late
Earl, mention should have been made of a mezzo-
tint engraving by Jehner, after a miniature by
Cosway, published by John Boy dell in 1778.
This represents his lordship as Cupid, but the
features are too young and unmarked to be com-
pared with later prints ; however, it is of interest
from an artistic standpoint. There are also one
or two others of a scurrilous nature, scarcely
worth alluding to.
RICHARD, SEVENTH RARE OF BARRYMORK,
is ( mm.
Page 238.
The Last Earl, Portrayed by Cruickshank. 239
That satirical magazine, the Scourge, for
November, 1812, has a coloured plate, by Cruick-
shank, devoted to the Prince of Wales and his
doings. In one vignette is Henry, Earl of Barry-
more, his right, or lame, leg (?) ornamented with
a cloven hoof, who is made to say, " I am known
by the title of the paragon of debauchery, and
I only claim to be the 's confidential
friend."
The Earl had, like his brother Richard, a
passion for the drama and music, which he had
to gratify at the public founts, as the luxury of a
private theatre was quite beyond his means.
CHAPTER XXXII.
"Anthony Pasquin's" means of livelihood after his patron's death
— His later works — William Gifford retaliates on "Pasquin"
— Action by "Pasquin" against Eobert Faulder — The
plaintiff's flight to America — Employed by the " Federal "
paper to attack Corbett — Discomfiture and return to
England — Compromises with his creditors here — Ee-
appearance as a theatrical and art critic — His quarrels and
strange conduct.
Among the dependents of the late Earl who had
to seek " pastures new " was his secretary, etc.,
John Williams, alias " Anthony Pasquin ' : the
' notorious,' who fell back on journalism, coupled
with authorship, to gain a subsistence. He was
the author of the " Pin basket to the children of
Thespis" " Pasquin on the Fine Arts," " History
of the Actors of Ireland" and other works. These
effusions had much to do with an action brought
by "Pasquin" against Robert Faulder, a bookseller,
who was one of some forty others the malevolent
" Anthony " purposed suing for damages, for pub-
lishing, by selling, a libel on him, in a work by
William Gifford, entitled the Baviad, a paraphrastic
imitation of the first satire of Persius — a work,
so the introduction states, which was a satirical
denunciation of the wretched taste of the Delia
"Pasquin" Pilloried. 241
Gru8can school, without the slightest reference to
their moral or political qualities. In this, the
author says, he would have persevered to the
end, had he not been provoked to transgress the
bonds he had prescribed himself by the diabolical
conduct of one of his heroes, "Anthony Pasquin,"
which was the earning of a subsistence by work-
ing on the fears and vanities of several artists,
actors, actresses, etc. ; till, hardened by impunity,
he attempted higher game by articles against
"Warren Hastings (to whom he had offered his
services). These were continued daily in the
Morning Post, with indefatigable zeal and rancour ;
later, he became so bold as to insert false state-
ments, which only the most inveterate malice
could have dictated.
Mr. Gifford, therefore, thought this a just
opportunity to drag "Anthony Pasquin " before
the tribunal of Public Opinion, to show him in his
true character — a pest. He then indited the
following, which duly appeared, and was the libel
complained of: —
" Some love the verse that like Maria's flows,
No rubs to stagger, and no sense to pose,
Which read and read, you raise your eyes in doubt,
And wonder gravely what it is about.
These fancy bells, poetics only sweet
And intercept his authors in the street,
There, smoking hot, inhale " Mit Yanda's " strains ;
And the rank fume of "Tony Pasquin's" brains."
This only concerned Gifford himself, but the
real bone of contention was some verses which
appeared as a footnote, these Gifford affirmed
242 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
were sent him by a friend, and could not resist
the temptation to insert.
"TO 'ANTHONY PASQUIN,' ESQ."
" Why dost thou tack most simple Anthony,
The name of ' Pasquin ' to thy ribald strains 1
Is it a fetch of wit, to let us see
Thou, like that statue, art devoid of brains 1
" But thou mistakest, for know thou, ' Pasquin's ' head
Be full as hard and near as thick as thine ;
Yet, as the world, admiring, in it read
Many a keen gibe and many a sportive line.
"■ While nothing from thy ' jobbermowl ' can spring-
But impudence and filth, for out, alas !
Do what we will, 'tis still the same vile thing —
Within, all brickdust ! and without, all brass !
" Then blot the name of ' Pasquin ' from thy page ;
Thou seest it will not thy poor riff-raff sell.
Some other would'st thou take, I dare engage,
' John Williams ' or ( Tom Fool ' will do as well."
The case was heard before Lord Kenyon,
whose abhorrence of subterfuge led the defendant
to anticipate acquittal. The Honourable Thomas
Erskine appeared for "Pasquin" and Sergeant
Grarrow for the defendant. Both used their best
forensic skill for their clients, but in the end the
jury stopped the case and gave a verdict for the
defendants ; an issue that placed " Pasquin " iu an
unpleasant position, insomuch that he obtained
some momentary relief from a Benevolent In-
stitution, with which he fled the country. At
New York he procured employment on the staff
of the " Federal " paper, a journal hostile to
" PASQUIx\ t " AND CORBETT. 243
Corbctt. "Pasquin's" duty was to attack Corbett's
writings, but " Pasquin," though a fair rhymester,
was a poor prose writer, therefore " Peter Porcu-
pine," Corbett, soon overthrew his adversary.
It was while employed in this "paper" duel that
"Pasquin "fell " foul " of some American cousins,
who prosecuted him for libel, which made New
York as unendurable as London had become
earlier. He then returned to England, and con-
trived to hide himself, pending an arrangement
with his creditors. This concluded, " Pasquin "
assumed his old career as critic, but was fool
enough to quarrel with two old Wargrave
friends, Captain Wathen and Harry Angelo. The
first he apologized to on his knees, the other went
into Bow Street police court, in which " Pasquin,"
as plaintiff, apologized to Angelo, the defendant —
a somewhat strange proceeding.
These and kindred matters did " Anthony "
much harm, though the terror of his pen held
many well-known actors and actresses in thraldom,
notably Mrs. Abington, with whom he used to ask
himself to dinner, suggest the dishes he liked,
and make her pay him for attending.
John Taylor, editor of the " Sun," relates he
often met " Pasquin " in literary circles ; once in
particular at a dinner party given by Mrs. Billing-
ton at Brompton, which included, among others,
Dr. Wolcot (Peter Pindar), Mr. Shield, Haydon
the artist, opposite whom Anthony sat, and whom
he addressed : "Mr. Haydon, you are the greatest
genius I ever saw," concluding with a foul epithet.
E 2
244 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
As the evening wore on, "Pasquin" heard that
Dr. Wolcot and Messrs. Taylor and Shield had
ordered a hackney coach to come for them ; this
resulted in some amusement to two, at least, of
its occupants later.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
John Taylor suggests that Dr. Wolcot and "Pasquin" should
unite their JUuses — How John Taylor hecame deprived of
" Pasquin's" friendship — "Pasquin's" claim as an art critic
— Goes to Paris — Return a<?ain to London — "Writes
critiques for the Morning Herald — Procures some favour by
a work on criticism — Some further particulars concerning
the late Earl Barrymore's affairs— Sale of the estates of
Castle Lyons and Buttevant — Death of Henry, eighth and
last Earl of Barrymore.
" Pasquix " asked and obtained permission to
occupy the fourth seat in the coach. When they
settled down and got some little distance on their
road, Taylor slyly nudged Shield and said, " How-
pleased he was to find himself a fellow passenger,
with men of such great merit and genius as
Mr. Williams and Dr. Wolcot, both of whom had
made their mark in poetry, and, what was strange,
under pseudonyms, but his gratification would be
much increased if they would join their Mn
and give to the world a production worthy of
their joint efforts. As an earnest of this, he
wished they would ratify his suggestion by shaking-
hands, whereon " Anthony " held out his " maw,''
at the s ame time expressing pleasure at so learned
a collaborateur. But Dr. Wolcot would not give
246 The Last Earls of Barrymore.
his hand, in fact, held it back, as if he feared con-
tagion from " Pasquin's " grasp. At last some more
than satirical observation by Taylor caused the
pent-up emotions of "Peter Pindar" to burst
forth; he accused Taylor of mischievous intentions,
who thereon appealed to Shield, and asked if he
did not think he had done his best towards effect-
ing good understanding between two gentlemen,
all but strangers to each other. The Doctor
noticed, however, by Shield's guarded answer, that
Taylor only intended merriment, but no induce-
ment could make him address " Pasquin."
Soon after, "Pasquin" was employed as Art and
Dramatic Critic by the morning papers, i.e. he
was not on the staff of any one, but acted as a sort
of supernumerary to any who required a special
article, etc.
John Taylor became deprived of " Pasquin's *
acquaintance by a singular incident. Going one
day to view Sir Benjamin West's picture, " Christ
Rejected," he met " Anthony" as he returned from
a private view, who volunteered to tell where he
had been. Taylor asked what his opinion was.
" There are some beauties, as well as many faults,"
replied the Art Critic. " Ah ! " exclaimed
Taylor, " but you are so kind and liberal-minded,
that I am sure you will fail to notice the latter."
Whereon " Anthony " gave a malignant frown and
walked off, and though he met Taylor many times
after, he never spoke to him again.
"Anthony Pasquin's" criticism son painting were
interspersed with technical terms and knowledge
Death of "Pasquin." 247
acquired in his brief career as an engraver; these
alarmed artists by their professional knowledge,
particularly young aspirants. " Pasquin ' soon
after disappeared, and it was wished he had gone
for good, but he turned up again, to the chagrin of
those he held in thraldom, having, in the interim,
been to Paris, it is said in the service of the
Government as a " spy." Soon after this he was
permanently employed for a time as critic for the
Morning Herald ; during that period he produced
a book of dramatic criticisms, which obtained for
him a slight recognition of favour. But the bad
traits in his character reappeared, which necessi-
tated another "trip" to i^ew York, where he
died, in almost penury, of typhus fever, at
Brooklyn, U.S.A., November 3rd, 1818.
It is now my unpleasant duty to record the
most dire event that can befall any one — the sale
of their goods for debt, which comes as the finale
to the glories of "Wargrave. It is much to be
regretted that the successor to the title did not
discharge this obligation, in order to prevent so
sad a termination.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
BY
Datcby and Henderson,
On the premises at Wargrave, Thursday, April 4th, 1793 (by
virtue of a warrant of distress for rent) — Part of the household
goods of the late Lord Barrymore, consisting of four-post bed-
steads, with cotton, dimity, and other furniture, goose feather
beds, blankets, quilts, counterpanes and mattresses, chairs,
tables, chests of drawers, dressing, pier, and other lookiug-
glasses, staircase and other carpeting, etc., etc.
The goods to be viewed the morning of sale, which will
begin at 1 1 o'clock.
24S The Last Earls of Barrymore.
The dowager Countess of Barrymore wore her
"weeds" for some 18 months, after which she
married, at Richmond, Surrey, on the 23rd
September, 1794, Captain Williams, of the Guards.
This, I think, shows that, though not of noble
birth, this lady had conducted herself so as to
gain the respect of all, and eventually make a
second marriage that still ensured her entree into
good society.
The estates of Castle Lyons and Buttevant
were sold by the 8th Earl of Barrymore to John
Anderson, Esq., of Armagh, a native of Dumfries,
with the reservation of £4000 per annum to him-
self and £1000 to his Countess for life, Irish
Currency. 1 Mr. Anderson held these estates for
many years, till purchased by Viscount Doneraile,
in whose family, I believe, they remain. The
8th and last Earl of Barrymore had many
vicissitudes (among which was the loss of his
royal patron's favour). Luckily, his wife's sister
married an old French emigre, the Due de Castries,
which saved him later from sharing the fate
of his brother Augustus — as to penury. On the
restoration of the Bourbons, the Due de Castries
returned to France and regained some of his
former possessions, which, with the governorship
of Calais, permitted him to reinhabit his hotel
in the Faubourg St. Germains, when he offered
his brother-in-law and wife the protection of his
roof. Here they lived quietly till the Earl died
1 Then an ever fluctuating value.
Death of the last Earl of Barrymore. 249
of an apoplectic fit, December 18th, 1823, in
the 54th year of his age.
The ancient baronies of Olethan and Ibauue,
originally held by tenure, were said to devolve on
the Earl's sister, Lady Caroline. The Viscountcy
of Buttevant it was said should descend to the
representatives of William Barry, Esq., of Lislee,
the 3rd son of James Fitz-Richard, 7th Viscount,
who died in the reign of Elizabeth.
CHAPTEE XXXIV.
Anecdote of, and death of Hooper — Death of Lady Lade —
Decease of Anna, Countess of Barrymore — Death of Sir
John Lade — Claim to the viscountcy of Buttevant — Con-
clusion.
Hooper, the pugilistic retainer of the 7th Earl
of Barrymore, eked out a livelihood by the
exercise of his calling. A vice to which he now
became addicted was drink, which has laid many
a strong man low, and will again. Some time
early in the present century, Hooper was found
insensible on a doorstep in the " Dials." On
being roused by the " Charlie ' and asked whom
he was, he finally hiccupped, " Hoop ! " " Hoop ! '
but a bystander recognizing him as the miserable
wreck of that once noted pugilist, he was carried
to the workhouse, when he almost immediately
expired.
Lady Lade died at Egham, May 5th, 1825.
Both she and her husband survived the brothers
Barrymore.
Anna, relict of the last Earl of Barrymore, died
at Paris, May 6th, 1832. Her latter days were
spent in various acts of charity and benevolence
Claimants to the Barrymore Honours. 251
amongst the poor of Paris, by whom her death
was keenly felt.
Sir John Lade survived till his 80th year. Tn
1814 he was imprisoned in the King's Bench for
debt, but emerged, after being " whitewashed,"
without means. The Prince of Wales thereon
granted him and his wife a joint annuity of £300
per annum, which Sir John lived to enjoy till
1838.
The title of Viscount Buttevant was assumed
by James Redmond Barry, of Donoughmore, Co.
Cork, descendant of William Barry, of Lislee, but
on this gentleman claiming to vote at the election
of Irish representative peers, his claim was
referred to the House of Lords. The House
appears to have treated it as extinct by the
creation of the Viscountcy of Gulliamore, by the
powers reserved in the Act of Union, which they
could not have done had a claimant been able to
make good his title to any of the Barrymore
honours. This so far as concerns this title. But
Lady Caroline assumed the title of Baroness de
Barry — without reference to the peers, on the
decease of her brother Henry.
So terminates this singular record of the last
in direct descent, of this ancient Norman-Milesian
House, which its last descendants did their utmost
to sully and debase, apart from extravagances.
ISTo inhabitant of these isles wishes to see the
manners of the latter end of the last and the first
three decades of the present century enacted
again. Though, excepting their hard drinking
252 The Last Earls of Barry moke.
and gambling habits, I doubt if there was not a
more chivalrous bearing and manly demeanour in
the " Bucks " and " Macaronies " of those times,
which is made more conspicuous by its absence, in
their successors of the present day.
finis.
APPENDIX A.
Rockingham, by Highflyer, out of Purity. As a three year
old, won a sweepstake of 50 guineas each, 3 subscribers, at
Nottingham, and was then the property of Mr. Wentworth.
A match of 500 guineas at Newmarket, B.C. At the same
meeting, the Jockey Club plate, beating 5 other competitors.
He beat the Prince of Wales's famous horse, Hardwicke, 9 st.
each, for 800 guineas ; after which match he became tip-
property of the Prince for 20l»0 guineas — a transaction that is
said to have caused Mr. Wentworth's death, by chagrin !
In the colours of H.R.II. he beat Clay Hall Mask for 500
guineas, H.C., giving his opponent 5 lb.
In 1786 he won a £50 plate, Newmarket, beating Delj>hiia,
Genge, and Clay Hall Mask; also won a 50 guinea each
subscription race, 6 subscribers, at Ascot.
Rockingliam now came into Mr. Bullock's possession, and
won for him : The King's Plate, Lichfield ; a 70 guinea
handicap at Newmarket ; another of 60 guineas, beating four
competitors ; one of 70 guineas, beating the well-known
Drone and others.
In 1787 Rockingham won 525 guineas; the great Sub-
scription of 50 guineas each, beating Fox, Delphi/ti, Marplot,
Drone, Pilot, and Oheron ; also received forfeit from Mr.
O'Kelly's Dungannon and six others ; a £50 handicap,
Two King's plates ; and the renewed 140 guinea subscription
handicap; together with a 60 and a 70 guinea handicap, all at
Newmarket ; also, the King's plates at Guildford, Win-
chester, Nottingham, and York, with the Town plate of the
last.
APPENDIX B.
Newmarket.
March 12th, 1788.
A sweepstake handicap of 100 guineas each. Rowley
mile.
254 Appendix.
Lord Barrymore's Elm, bj' Ihnio, 8 st. 7 lb. . 1
Lord Clermont's Osprey, 3 st. 4 lb. . . . 2
Lord G. H. Cavendish's Oporto, 8 st. . . 3
Match.
Lord Barrymore's br. colt Hamlet, by Denmark, beat Mr.
Barton's bro. colt Cantab (8 st. each), brother to Schoolboy.
Two year old course, for 50 guineas. 8 to 2 on Cantab.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Alarm, by Tandem, beat Mr. Charles
James Fox's Miss Tomboy. Abingdon mile, 50 guineas. 6 to
4 on Alarm.
Match.
March 14th.
Lord Barrymore's Jerico, by Philippos Arabian, beat Lord
Clermont's colt Hocks, by Dorimont, 7 st. 7 lb. each, first third
of Rowley mile, for 50 guineas. 7 to 4 on Hocks.
APPENDIX C.
NEMABKET.
Match.
April 7th, 1788.
Lord Barrymore's Yarico, by Eclipse, beat Lord Clermont's
Hocks, 7 st. 4 lb. each, across the flat, for 50 guineas. 2 to 1
on Hocks.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Elm, by Ilmio, 8 st. 2 lb., beat Mr.
Vernon's Birch, 6 st. 13 lb., Rowley mile, for 100 guineas.
2 to 1 and 5 to 2 on Elm.
April 8th, 1788.
The King's plate of 100 guineas. 6 year old, 12 st. R.C.
Lord Barrymore's Rockingham, by Highflyer. W.O.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Alarm, by Tandem, beat' Mr. Barton's eolt
by Postmaster, 7 st. 11 lb., for 25 guineas. 6 to 4 on Alarm.
Appendix. 255
APPENDIX D.
Nkwmarket.
April 24th, 1788.
The Jockey Club plate. B.C. Won by Lord Barrymore's
Rockingham, 8 st. 7 11). 5 and G to 1 on.
Match.
April 25th, 1788.
Lord Barrymore's Grey Pumpkin beat Lord Clermont's
Woodcock, across the flat, for 25 guineas.
APPENDIX E.
Newmarket.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Jerico, by Philippe's Arabian, 7 st. 10 lb.,
beat Mr. Charles James Fox's colt by Imperator, 7 st. 13 lb.,
the first half of Rowley mile, for 200 guineas.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's bro. horse Elm, 8 st. 2 lb., beat Lord
Grosvenor's Mentor, 8 st., across the flat, for 200 guineas.
2 to 1 on Elm.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Nimble, by Flori::el, 8 st., beat Lord
Clermont's Collector, 8 st. 10 lb., across the flat, for 200
guineas. 7 to 4 and 2 to 1 on Collector.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Alarm, by Tandem, 8 st., beat the Duke
of Bolton's colt by Pulpe, 8 st. 3 lb., across the flat, for 100
guineas. 2 to 1 on the colt by 1'nlj .
256 Appendix.
APPENDIX F.
Chelmsford.
July 21st, 1788.
His Majesty's plate of 100 guineas for four years old, two
mile ] heats, won by Lord Barrymore's Nimble. 4 to
1 on.
July 22nd.
.V -£50 plate, won by Lord Barrymore's grey horse Grey
Pumpkin, by Pumpkin, 5 years, 8 st. 8 lb.
Lewes.
Match.
July 23rd, 1788.
Lord Barrymore's bro. mare Columbine, ridden by his lord-
ship, beat Sir John Lade's bro. mare Augusta, ridden by Sir
John, 11 st. 7 lb. each, 4 miles, for 100 guineas. 2 and 3 to
1 on Augusta.
APPENDIX G.
Newmaeket.
Match.
Monday, September 29th, 1788.
Lord Barrymore's grey filly Tipsey, sister to Countryman,
7 st. 10 lb., beat Charles James Fox's colt by Boudron out of
Hip, 8 st. 2 lb. Two year old course, 200 guineas. 5 to 2 on
Mr. Fox's colt.
Match.
Tuesday, September 30th.
Lord Barrymore's Nimble, by Florizel, 8 st. 5 lb., beat Lord
Clermont's Bullfinch, 7 st. 9 lb., across the flat, for 300 guineas.
6 to 4 on Nimble.
Appendix. J5;
APPHXDIX H.
Newmarket,
October 14th, 1788.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's I). C. Sir Christopher, by Evergreen, beal
Mr. C. J. Fox's I), c. by Bowfrmi: oat of //V//. Two year old
course. 200 guineas. 5 to 2 on Sir Christopher.
October 16th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Grey Pumpkin, by Pumpkin, 7 st. 10 1b.,
beat tbe Duke of Queensberry's horse Mulberry, 7 st. 8 lb.,
D.C. 500 guineas. G and 7 to 4 on Mulberry.
October 18th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's bro. colt Feenow, by Tandem, beat Lord
Clermont's bro. borse George, 8 st. 10 lb. Two year old course.
50 guineas. 7 to i and 2 to 1 on Feenow.
APPEXDIX I.
Newmarket,
Houghton Meeting,
October 28th, 1788.
.Match.
Lord Barrymore's bro. colt Jerico, by Philippo's Arabian,
8 st. 2 lb., beat Mr. Dymoke's bro. filly Tiffany, by Solstrum,
7 st. 11 lb. Two year old course, for 100 guineas. 5 to 2 < in
Jerico.
October 29th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's grey filly Tipsey, by Bordeaux, ridden by
owner, beat Mr. Vernon's grey colt by Pantaloon, ri Lden by
Mr. Davis, 11 st. 13 lb. each. Two year old course. Twenty
guineas. Even betting.
258 Appendix.
October 30th.
Handicap plate of «£50 for two and three year olds. Two
year old course. Won by
Lord Barrymore's b. c. Ventilator, 6 st. 9 lb.
12 others ran. Betting against the winner, 2 to 1.
October 31st.
Open handicap, for £50, across flat, won by
Lord Barrymore's Nimble, 8 st. 4 lb., beating 9 others.
3 to 1 against winner at starting.
October 31st.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's bro. colt Ventilator, 8 st., beat Mr.
Bullock's Pretender, 8 st. 4 lb. Two year old course. 50
guineas. 6 to 4 on Pretender.
November 3rd.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Jerico beat Mr. Panton's Scrub, 8 st. 2 lb.
Two year old course. 2 to 1 on Scrub.
November 10th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Ventilator, 8 st. 2 lb., beat Mr. Dutton's
Tinker, 7 st. 4 lb. Two year old course, for 25 guineas. 6 to 4
on Ventilator.
APPENDIX J.
Newmarket,
Second Spring Meeting, 1789.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Jerico beat Mr. Charles James Fox's colt
Bragadocio, 8 st. each, across the flat. 300 guineas. ,
May.
Lord Barrymore's colt Skiff ran a dead heat with Sir Charles
Banbury's horse Slcewball, 7 st. 2 to 1 on Skewball.
Appendix. 259
Ascot,
Saturday, June 20th. 1789.
A cup value sixty guineas, with a subscription of fifty
guineas each, h.f. Weight 11 st., mares allowed 2 lb., two
mile heats, to be ridden by owners, 6 subs. Three ran, who
finished : —
Comte de Melfort's gr. gelding Magog. . 1
Lord Barrymore's ch. gelding Tongs, by
Florizel . ...... 2
The Honourable Henry Barry's bro. mare
Corunna. ...... 3
Awarded to Lord Barrymore, who claimed the race on the
grounds that the Comte had crossed him.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Highlander, 7 st. 7 lb., beat H.R.H. the
Prince of Wales' horse Thorn, 8 st. 7 lb., both 6 years old,
across the flat. 300 guineas. 3 to 1 on Highlander.
Newmarket,
October Meeting, 1789.
31st.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Toss, by Daniel, 5 years, 8 st. 7 lb., beat
the Duke of Queensberry's Burgundy, 2 years old, 4 st. 7 lb.
Two year old course. 5 to 2 on Burgundy.
APPENDIX K.
Newmarket,
Second Spring Meeting,
May 3rd, 1790.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Pellegrini, 7 st. 13 lb ., beat the Duke of
Bedford's Cardock, 8 st. 7 lb., b. c. 30 guineas. 7 to 4
on Pellegrini.
May 0th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Highlander, by Bordeaux, 8 st. 7 lb., beat
the Duke of Bedford's Cardork, S st. 2 lb., b. c. 300 guineas.
S 2
260 Appendix.
June.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Toss, by Daniel, G years, beat H.B.H. the
Prince of Wales' Louisa, 3 years, 6 st. 3 lb., over the New
mile. 100 guineas.
July.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Toss beat Mr. C. J. Fox's Seagull, 8 st.
7 lb. each, across the flat. 500 guineas. 11 to 8 on Seagull.
July 17th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Toss beat Mr. C. J. Fox's Seagull, who
conceded 4 lb. to Toss. Beacon course. 13 to 8 on Toss.
Lord Barrymore's Highlander, ridden by owner, 11 st., beat
Sir W. Aston's Butterfdj, 6 st. 10 lb. Two year old course. 50
guineas. 3 to 1 on Highlander.
Newmarket,
First October Meeting,
October 8th, 1790.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Pallafox, 7 st. 10 lb., beat Lord Derby's
Bob, 9 st. 13 lb., R. M. *200 guineas. 6 and 7 to 4 on Bob.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer, 3 years old, beat H.R.H. the
Prince of Wales' Serpent, 8 st. each, a.f. 100 guineas. 6 to
4 on Chanticleer.
Second October Meeting,
October 19th, 1790.
Handicap, value <£60 ; 4 years, 7 st. 4 lb. ; 5 years, 8 st. ;
6 years. 8 st. 4 lb. ; aged, 8 st. G lb. Ditch in. Won by Lord
Barrymore's Seagull, by Woodpecker, 4 years. 5 to 1 against
Si agull.
On the 23rd, at this meeting, Lord Barrymore's Sketch all,
Seagull, and Chanticleer put in an appearance. The first had
a race awarded, The others received forfeit.
Appendix. 261
APPENDIX L.
Newmarket,
Houghton Meeting,
November 2nd, 1790.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Ventilator, ridden by owner, list, lib.,
beat Mr. Stone's Pallafox, ridden by owner, lOst. 121b. B.C. —
100 guineas.
November 5th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Seagull, 8st. 71b., beat Sir H. Feather-
stone's Montezuma. 300 guineas. 3 to 1 on Seagull.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Highlander } 8st. 51b., beat Mr. Aston's
Marcia, 7st. 121b., a.f. 100 guineas. 5 to 4 on Highlan der.
Nvember 8th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's horse Pellegrini^ 6 years, beat Mr. (hail 3
James Fox's Cormorant, 6st. 12 lb., a.f. 200 guineas.
APPENDIX M.
Newmarket,
Craven Meeting,
April 25th, 1701.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Pellegrini, by Moioick Ball, 8st. 111b.,
beat Sir Win. Aston's Marcia, 8st., a.f. 200 guineas. 5 and
6 to 4 on Pellegrini.
Lord Barrymore's Glianticleer receives 500 guinea- forfeit
from the Duke of Bedford's Thunderbolt.
April 26th.
A sweepstake of 200 guineas each, 5 subs., B.C., weight
for age, won by Lord Barrymore's Seagull, v st. 2 to 1 on
Coriander, who ran second ; 2 to 1 against Seagull.
262 Appendix.
April 27th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer, 3 years, beat Sir Wm, Aston's
Marcia, 4 years, 8st. each, a.f. 200 guineas. 7 to 2 on
Chanticleer.
Newmarket,
July, 1791.
The second year of the Grosvenor Stakes of 50 guineas
each ; the two middle miles of the B.C., won by Lord
Barrymore's Chanticleer. 7 subs.
July 15th.
Handicap plate, won by Lord Barrymore's Treecreeper , by
Woodpecker, 8st. 71b. 5 to 2 against Treeere&per.
APPENDIX N.
Brighton,
August 3rd, 1791.
A 50L handicap, weight for age, &c, won by Lord Barry-
more's b. c. Halbert, by Javelin, 8 st. 5 lb., beating Lord
Egremont's Hector and Lord Grosvenor's Flea. 6 to 4 on
Halbert.
Lewes,
August 4th, 1791.
A sweepstake of 10 guineas each for 3 years old. Colts
8 st. 2 lb., fillies 8 st., the last mile and a half of the course,
10 subs., won by Lord Barrymore's b. c. Halbert, by Javelin,
8 st. 2 lb., beating H.R.H. the Luke of York's Lauriston.
3 to 1 on Halbert.
A sweepstake of 25 guineas each, for 4 years old, 4 miles, 6
subs., won by Lord Barrymore's Pallafox, beating Mr. Wynd-
ham's Bare Devil. 6 to 4 on Pallafox.
Bedford,
September 12th, 1791.
A purse of 50/. given by the Duke of Bedford, for 3 year
olds, colts 8 st., fillies 7 st. 12 lb., won by Lord Barrymore's
b. c. Halbert.
Appendix. 263
APPENDIX 0.
Newmarket,
Piebt October Meeting, 1791.
A sweepstake of 50 guineas each, D.I., to be ridden by
owners, won by
Lord Barrymore's Ventilator, 1 1 at. 7 lb. . 1
Sir John Lade's Helmet .... 2
Mr. Pigot's Tranquility .... 3
6 to 4 on Ventilator.
October 5th.
The Town Plate of 50/., for 3 years old, to carry 8 st. 7 lb.,
D.I., won by
Lord Barrymore's Halbert ... 1
Duke of Bedford's, b. g. BolUm . . 2
Lord Grosvenor's Gwncistus ... 3
Betting, 7 to 2 on Halbert.
October 6tb.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's filly by Jupiter out of a dam by Mam-
hri/io, 7 st. 13 lb., beat Mr. Galway's b. c. by Pot-8-os out of
Lathom's S>rap, mare, 7 st. 2 lb. Two years old, both.
Abingdon mile, for 50 guineas. Even betting.
October 7th.
Match.
Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer, 4 years old, beat H.B.H.
the Prince of Wales' Don Quixote, aged, 8 st. each. 200
guineas, a.f. G to 4 on Chanticleer.
APPENDIX P.
Newmarket,
Second October Meetixo, 1701.
17th.
Mitch.
Lord Barrymore's Halbert, 7 st,, boat Sir Win. Aston'a
Marcia, 5 year old. Ab. mile. 200 guineas. Even betting.
264 Appendix.
18th.
Match. Lord Barrymore's Moses, by Buzarlo, 8 st. 5 lb.,
beat Sir Wm. Aston's Pandolpho, 8 st., first half of Rowley
mile. 200 guineas. Betting 5 to 4 on Pandolpho.
20th.
Two year old race for £50, old course, colts 8 st. 2 lb.,
fillies 8 st., won by
Lord Barrymore's Treecreeper, who beat 11 others. 5 to 4
on the winner.
20th.
Match. Lord Barrymore's Ventilator, by Imperator, 1 1 st.
7 lb., ridden by owner, beat Mr. Pigot's Grey Pumpkin,
11 st., ridden by owner, D.I. 50 guineas. 10 to 1 on
Ventilator.
21st.
Match. Lord Barrymore's Pallafox, by Crop, beat Mr.
C. J. Fox's Crazy, 8 st. each, R. M. 200 guineas. 2 to 1 on
Pallafox.
APPENDIX Q.
Newmarket,
Craven Meeting,
April 14th, 1792.
Match. Lord Barrymore's Pellegrini beat Lord Clermont's
Bullfinch. 8 st. 1 lb. each, Ab. mile. 50 guineas. 7 to 4 and
2 to 1 on Bullfinch.
A sweepstake of 200 guineas each, 5 subs., for fillies rising
3 years, 8 st. 7 lbs., across the flat, won by
Lord Barrymore's br. f. by Jupiter . . 1
Duke of York's filly by Highflyer . . 2
Duke of Bedford's filly, sister to Maid of
all Work ...... 3
6 to 4 against the winner.
Appendix. 265
Lord Barrymore's Pallafox, by Crop, 4 yea .
II.I.'.H. the Duke of York's b. c. by Highflyer, '■) years, 7 st.
10 lb., D.I. 100 guineas. 2 to 1 on Pallafox.
Newmarket,
First Spring Meeting,
April 23rd, 1792.
Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer, 4 years, 8 st. 9 lb., received
100 guineas forfeit from Lord Foley's Vermin, 3 years, 7 st.
10 1b.
April 24th.
The second class of the Filly Stakes, 100 guineas each, h.f.,
6 subs., won by
Lord Barrymore's Treecreeper ... 1
Lord Clermont's Trumpetta ... 2
6 to 4 on Trumpetta.
On the Saturday following, this match was run : —
Lord Barrymore's Pallafox, by Crop, 1 years, 8 st. 5 lb.,
beat Sir Wm. Aston's Mopsey, 3 years, 7 st. 7 lb., E.M. 100
guineas. 2 to 1 on Pallaj
Second Spring Meeting,
May 8th.
The main of the Filly Stakes of 100 guineas each, 8 st. each,
won by
Lord Barrymore's filly, Treecreeper, by
Woodpecker .... .1
H.E.H. the Prince of Wales' Cinderella . 2
H.R.II. the Prince of Wales' Mademoiselle •">
Evens on the winner.
May 13th.
Match. Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer beat Lord G or's
Asparagus, 8 st. each, B.C. 500 guineas. 2 to i on Asparagus.
INDEX.
Abington, Mrs., and "Pasquin," 243.
'A new way to pay old debts,' a la
Barrymore, 171.
Angelo, Henry, a fencing master,
24 ; his opinion of Augustus and
Henry Barry, 24 ; loses his flute,
24 ; as Dick, 49 ; at Vauxhall Gar-
dens, 59 ; a member of Lord
Barrymore's dramatic company,
66 ; speaks a prologue, 68 ; intro-
duces Edwin, Junior, to the
Barrys, 111 ; instructs Lord
Barrymore, 185.
Anna, relict of Henry, 8th and last
Earl of Barrymore, death of, 250.
Anspach, Margravine of, 207.
Armytage, Sir George, 30.
Ascot, ' Black,' Lord Barrymore at,
51 ; races at, 1789, 51.
Aston, Harvey, Esq., 203.
Bacchanalian Society, founded by
Lord Barrymore, 220.
Ballad, a masquerade, 208.
Bannister, John, actor, 66 ; invited to
Wargrave, 125.
Barre, De or Dn, 1; Robert, 2;
William, 2.
Barry, family of, 1.
, Augustus, the Honourable,
birth of, 6; and "Joe" the i -
jurer, 24, 12! » ; his sobriqv*f, 22;
disposition, 23 ; assaults a French
officer at Brighton, 173; lam-
pooned by Gilray, 179; his career
and death, 238.
, Lady Carolino, her birth, 6 ;
her sobriquet, 22 ; marriage of, 23 ;
assumes title of Baroness de,
252.
Barry, Corfite (de Mervel), descended
from the Earls of Barrymore, 146.
, La Comtesse du, 146; visits
London, 14(! ; and Lord Barry-
more, 117 ; and Louis XV., 147.
-, Henry, the Honourable, birth
of, 6 ; visits Newmarket, 10 ; his
sobri<i"'i, 22; his disposition, 23;
as a postillion, 34 ; a bold rider,
35 ; rides races at Brighton, 37 ;
at Ascot, 51 ; at Vauxhall Gar-
dens, 59 ; his harriers, 92 ; and
'Joe,' 21, 129; lampooned by
Gilray, 179 ; succeeds to Earldom
of Barrymore, 229; his marriage,
230; fights with ' Jarvies,' 231 ;
his 'mystifying' freaks, 232;
fights a duel, 233 ; his song, the
'Chip-chows,' 234; and the
bailiffs, 236; a founder of the
"Whip" Club, 236; Bal mas, ( uo
given bv, 237 ; goes to Pari>, , -
death of, 249.
— , James, Viscount Buttevaut,
betrays his father. 4.
-, John Redmond, of Donough-
moro. 251 .
— , Richard, sixth Earl of Barry-
more, 5 ; his propensities,
wagers 500?., 6; his child ion,
6; his Hackney coach wagers, 6;
death of, 6.
-, Richard, seventh Earl of
Barrymore, his birth, 6; succeeds
to Earldom, 7; precocity of, 7;
loses his mother, 8; visits New.
268
Index.
market, 1785, 10; wins 1000
guineas, 10; determines on a
racing career, 11; his practical
jokes, etc., 11 ; early histrionic
efforts, 12 ; raises money, 13 ; be-
gins to live in splendour, 13; his
appearance at 18, 14 ; his -protean
abilities, 14 ; compared to former
' eccentrics,' 15 ; his athletic pur-
suits, 15; a favonrite exclamation
of, 15; 'lives for the day,' 15;
hunting pageant of, 17; his deer,
17 ; entry on the turf, 1787, 19 ;
his first racehorse, 19 ; first
match, 19; ability for the turf,
19 ; partner in ' Royal Circus,'
20 ; new production at, 21 ; retires
from, 21; increases his stud, 22;
gives 2500 guineas for Rocking-
ham, 22 ; his sobriquet, 22 ; racing
colours of, 27; a whimsical
bet of, 27; and the* 'fancy,'
28; at Newmarket, 29; first ap-
pearance of, in the ' pigskin,' 30;
a memorable race day, 31 ; pays a
bet with ' song,' 31 ; al fresco en-
tertainments of, 33; his power of
fascination, 33 ; a la " Col.
Quagg," 33 ; his postillion freaks,
34 ; as a rider, 35 ; Hackney
coach pleasantry? 35; rides at
Lewes, 36; at Brighton, ?6-37;
his wit and humour at New-
market, 39 ; buys a gelding with
' two ' faults, 39 ; builds a theatre
at Wargrave, 47; and the
"Bothering" clnb, 47; as Brass,
48 ; as Sebastian, 48 ; as Captain
Bobadil, 49 ; his team of greys,
49 ; purposes going into the army,
50; claims a race, 51; a match
made by, 51 ; winning (racing)
record for 1789, 51 ; newspaper
reference to, 52 ; attires servants
in racing colours, 52 ; result there-
of, 52; acts as his own 'check-
taker,' 52; and the jovial farmer,
53 ; relieves a friend in distress,
54 ; engages Hooper, the pugilist,
56 ; puts him in ' holy ' orders,
58; fracas at Vauxhall Gardens,
59 ; his residence at Wargrave,
62 ; additions made thereto by,
62 ; the ' barracks,' 62; his bed-
room peculiarities, 63 ; breakfast
hour, his, at Wargrave, 64 ; his
doings at, 64 ; chides ' Pasquin,'
64 ; also another person, 65 ;
comes of age, 66 ; his band of
amateurs, 60 ; plays produced by,
at Wargrave, 67; visited by Prince
of Wales, 67 ; his tact for ' bam-
boozling,' 74 ; and 'Young 'Stone,
75 ; a singular procession headed
by, 77 ; and the ' Warble ' clnb,
78; his 'poet,' 80; his 'Court
of Justice,' 80; Waggery at
Wargrave, 81 ; his humorous
prompter, 83 ; his driving skill,
86; his freak when, 86; member
of the " Je-ne-sais-qnoi " Club,
87 ; engages Delphini, the pierrot,
88 ; treatment of press reports,
his, 91; brings off Watson-Hooper
coup, 94 ; runs against a horse-
man, 95 ; winning (racing) record
at Newmarket, 96 ; loses his
watch, 97 ; his mode of recovery,
97; rides a match, 97; censured
by the press, 97 ; the song of the
"Brogue-makers" and, 98; goes
to Brighton, 1790, 100; assaults
Fox, junior, there, 101; as an
' amateur undertaker,' 103 ; ac-
quires a London theatre, 104 ; his
expenses, 109 ; takes a mansion in
Piccadilly, 109 ; promptness in
meeting racing engagements, his,
110; arrested for debt, 110; and
his tailor, 111 ; appears at Edwin's
benefit, 112 ; wins 5000Z. from the
Duke of Bedford, 114 ; races at
Reading, 115; birthday rejoicings,
his, 1790, 115; purposes contest-
ing the City of Oxford, 118; gives
a dinnor at Reading, 119; ac-
count of his late seat at Castle
Lyons, 119 ; estates in Co. Cork,
his, 120 ; and the ' Humbug ' Club,
123; visits 'Jacob's Well,' 125;
a letter of, to Bannister, 125 ;
his procrastination, 132; wins
matches against the Priuce of
Wales' horses, 133 ; winning (rac-
ing) record for 1790, 138 ; how he
eventually made' turf ' losses, 139 ;
both his theatres in " full work,"
139; gives up patronage of the
ring, 142 ; patronizes cricket, 142 •
and "Three" evils, 143; and a
fencing lesson, 113 ; purchases
more racehorses, 144 ; and la
Comtesse du Barry, 147 ; anecdote
by, 157 ; produces the pantomime
Index.
269
1 Bluebeard,' 158 ; enters House of
Commons, 161 ; his profusion, 161 ;
wins' Macaroni' stakes, 1791, 162 ;
depicted in a print, 162 ; ami
U.K. 11., 16:?; smitten by <'«
163 ; producos
at Wargrave, 161; Mrs. Goodwill
in, 164; contests Beading, 1 <'••"' ;
joins "Two o'clock" Club, 167;
his servants, L68 : well served by,
1G8 ; Dennis O'Flynn, one of,169 ;
a new carriage built for, 170 ; his
finances disordered, 171 ; pur-
chases Sir John Lade's greys,
174 ; jokes by, at Pavilion, 177 ;
lampooned by Gilray, 179 ; and a
cricket match, 180; diminishes his
stud, 180; and -Mr. Donadieu, 181;
thrashes him, 182; serenades Mis.
Fiteherbert, is:> ; his ill luck at
cards, 187; plays a match at,
with H.R.H. the Duke of York,
188 ; racing engagements of, 1S9 ;
and the '• Escape" affair, 189-190;
engraving of, in 'Attic' miBCel-
lany, 193; treats for the Brighton
Theatre, 196; sued by Mr. Dona-
dieu, 197 ; verdict, 198 ; as ' Bob
Acr..<,' 199; law troubles begin,
199; remarks on, by Lord Kenyon,
200; and his 'table beer,' 201;
humorous effusion, 202 ; wins a
match at Newmarket, 203; man-
sion sold, his, 203; his racing en-
gagements for 1792, 2i>:'. ; arranges
a cricket match for 1000 guineas,
203; a betting coup by, 204;
makes a runaway match, 204; his
Wargrave theatre seized, 211 ;
seeks delight in "Free Debate,"
212; accepts commission in Berk-
shire Militia, 212 ; his opinion of
Warren Hastings, 213; favourite
works of, 21 I ; Cricket, and, at
Wargrave, 215; Theatre, his, sold,
216; stud sold, 216; disbands his
Dramatic olub,217; speaks at a
" Free Debate," 217; disposition,
his, under reverses of fortune,
l'20; forms the 'Bacchanalian'
Society, 220 ; cooks a supper,
221; departs with his regimenl
for Rye, 222 ; escorts some French
prisoners, 223; halts at Folke-
stone, 223; death of, 224; burial
of, at Wargrave, 225; lines on
career of, 226; his affairs, 227 ;
personal estate of, 229 ; hm I
238; his effects sold, 2 17-
Barry, William, of Lister, 249.
Barrymore, the Earls of: Harry,
.lames, hh Earl, arrested, 3; brought
before Privy Connoil, l; discharged,
mgular statement by, I; acconnt
of Btb Earl of, 235 ; Countess of,
married again, 2H ; descent of
dignities of the earldom of, 249.
Bedford, the Duke of, and Lord
Barrymore, 114.
Berkshire Militia, the, and Lord
Barrymore, 212.
' Bet, or be Silent,' the phrase of,
115.
' Big Ben/ pugilist, an alias of
Brain's, 5?; his encounters with
Johnson, 71, 141 ; with Hooper,
114.
' Black Dick,' the t of a
'monetary nurae ' of Lord Barry -
more's, 13.
Blackstone, Mr., an amateur actor,
66 ; writes an epilogue, 69.
" Blu " a pantomime produced
at Wargrave, 158.
Bolton, the Duchess of, and Lord
Barrymore. 19.
B iw Street Coffee House, frequented
by Lord Barrymore, 110.
Brentford, George the Second, and
'love' for, 170.
Brighton, assembly at. 62 ; Lord
Barrym ire and Mr. Fox, Jonr.,
100 ; Lord Barryniore's residence
there, 102: an 'undertaking' ee
pade at, 103; pedestrianismat, 107;
races at, 1790, 108 ; a footrace
ran by Lord Barrymore, 172; wit-
nessed by the Prince of Wales,
172. A French officer insulted
by Augustus Barry, 173 ; a butcher
thrashed at, by Lord Barrymore,
174; 'Old Suioaker ' and the
1'riuce of Wales at, 175; the
comedian 'Foote' at. 17S ; the
Donadieu affair at, 179 ; cricket
match by Lord Barrymore at, L7
the "Pienna " affair, 164 ; a seren-
ade at, by Lord Barrymore, L85 j
duel at, by Henry, 8th Lord
Barrymore,
Bullock, .Mr., runs a race with 1.
1; irrymore, L07; ant ly named, 1 1 ».
Banbury, Sir Charles, .'>l .
Bnrrach-MohrS] the, 2.
270
Index.
Buttevant, Manor and Viscountcy,
the, 3 ; descent of, 251.
Castle Lyons, description of Lord
Barrym ore's seat at, 119 ; estate
of, sold, 248.
Castries, le Due de, befriends the last
Earl of Barrymore, 24S.
Chifney, ' Sam,' jockey, the, 13-1 ;
and Prince of Wales, 134 ; revela-
tions by, 135 ; and the Traveller-
Highlander match, 137-138 ; and
the 'Escape ' affair, 191 ; anecdote
of, 193 ; affidavit re same, 191 ;
granted an annuity by Prince of
Wales, 192.
Children of Thespis, the, a work by
' Pasquin,' 155.
Christie, Mr., auctioneer, 216; sells
Theatre, Wargrave, 216.
Clarence, H.R.H. the Duke of, and
the 'ring,' 28; attends Edwin's
benefit, 113.
Clarke, Sir James Alured, mystified
by Henry, Lord Barrymore, 235.
Clermont, Lord, 37 ; his matches
with Lord Barrymore, 38.
Clubs, the ' Warble,' account of, 78 ;
the ' Je-ne-sais-quoi,' 87 ; its
members, 87; the 'Blue Bottle,'
121; the 'Humbugs,' 121; the
' Two-o'-Clock,' 167; Convivial,
some, 194-195.
Cox, Mr., erects theatre at Wargrave
for Lord Barrymore, 42.
Craven, Earl, and Berkshire Militia,
223.
Cumberland, the Duke of, his death,
125.
Day, Mr., author of Sandford and
Merton, 235.
Daubigny, chef. 117.
* Delays are Dangerous,' applied to
Lord Barrymore, 132.
Delphini, Charles, the ' Pierrot,' 88 ;
engaged by Lord Barrymore, 88 ;
tale narrated by, 88-90; and the
Prince of Wales, 215 ; and John
Kemble, 229 ; Madame, 67.
Donadieu, Mr., fracas between, and
Lord Barrymore, 181 ; thrashed by
Lord Barrymore and 'Hooper,' 198.
Dromana, the seat of, 7.
Edwin, John, the younger, actor, 48 ;
account of, 111 ; his Wargravian
alias, 112 ; his benefit, 112 ; death
of, 186.
Falkland, Lord, at Vauxhall
Gardens, 59 ; arranges a prize
fight, 106.
Faulder, Robert, bookseller, 240.
Fitzgerald, Thomas, Esq., writes and
speaks a prologue for Lord Barry-
more, 104.
Fitzherbert, Mrs., her residence, 36.
' Finish,' The, at Covent Garden, 167.
Flynn, Dennis O', a footman to Lord
Barrymore, 169 ; anecdote of, 169.
Foote, the comedian, at Brighton,
178.
Fox, Charles James, and Lord
Barrymore, 37, 51 ; and Sir John
Lade, 93; profane jest by, 94;
plays at cards with Lord Barry-
more, 188. Mr., Junior, son of,
lessee of Brighton Theatre, 100 ;
assaulted, 100; goes to Wargrave
to negotiate sale of Brighton
Theatre, 196; assaulted there by
Edwin, 197.
Gaebick, David, and the Dake of
Bedford's steward, anecdote of,
131.
George II., King, and Brentford,
170.
III., King, and Lord Barrymore,
213.
(Prince of Wales) H.R.H.
supports the 'ring,' 28; at
Brighton, 36 ; and Lady Lade
there, 62 ; visits Lord Barry-
more at Wargrave, 67; presi-
dent of the 'Je-ne-sais-quoi Club,'
87 ; a song sung by, 87 ; entertain-
ment given by, 88; witnesses
Lord Barrymore' s pedestrianic
efforts, 96, 107; attends Edwin's
benefit, 113 ; matches made by,
127, 133, 136 ; and Lord Barry-
more, 163 ; interposes in a quarrel,
etc., 173; and Lord Thurlow,
177 ; and the ' Escape ' affair, 189-
192 ; cites Lady Lade's propensity,
204; honours Lord Barrymore
again, 230, 238.
Giflbrd, William, author of ' Baviad,'
attacks' Pasquin,' 241.
Giraldus Cambrensis, 2.
(ioulding, Miss, married to Lord
Barrymore, 205,
Index.
71
Goodall, Mrs., the actross, 67 ; at
Wargrave, 161.
Greville, Mr. Falke, his non-
chalance at turf losses, 110.
Gullamore, tho viscounty of,
251.
Hanger, Cor,., 73; and the
< Humbug' Club, 12 !.
Harrington, the Countess of, her
zeal for the young Barrys, 8;
sends her grandson, Richard
Barry, to Eton, 8; his pocket
money, 8 ; death of, 8.
Hooper, pugilist, alias " The Tin-
man," "Bully," 56-57; at War-
grave, 56; engaged by Lord
Barrymore, 56 ; put in ' Holy
Orders,' 58 ; at Vauxhall, 59 ; en-
counters a ' bargee,' 85 ; v.
' Watson,' 94 j v. ' Tom Tight,'
106; v. 'Big-Ben,' 11-4; thrashes
Mr. Donadieu, 182 ; also a draper,
182 ; death of, 251.
Howard, pugilist, alias 'Tom
Tisht,' his enconnter with
Hooper, 106.
Howarth, Humphrey, M.P., his
duel with Henry, Lord Barrymore,
233.
Humphries v. Mendoza, 28.
Incledon, Charles, vocalist, 66 ; and
the ' Humbug' Club, 122-123.
1 Innovation,' a parody by ' Pas-
quin,' 148.
1 Jehu,' Sir John, sobriquet given
Sir John Lade, 93.
' Joe ' the Conjurer and the Barrys,
25 ; at Wargrave, 129.
Johnson, pugilist, 56 ; v. ' Big-Ben,'
71-72.
Kemble, John, and Delphini, 229.
Kenyon, Lord, judge, his sarcasm
on Lord Barrymore, 198-200; on
amateur theatricals, 200.
Lade, Sir John, Bart., sells Lord
Barrymore some racehorses, 22 ;
rides against Lord Barrymore, 36;
account of, 42; Dr. Johnson's
opinion of, 42 ; verses on, 43-50 ;
marriage of, 60 ; his stable pro-
pensities, 61 ; an invitation given
by, 61; and Charles James Fox,
93 ; Bella his team of preys-, 171 ;
and Bliss Moulding, 205 ; 'White-
washed,' 251; death of, 25L
Lade, Lady, account of, 60 ; her
driving skill, 01 ; challenges a
sister ' whip,' 61 ; and the Prince
of WaleB, <>2 ; not recognized by
nobility, 62 ; herpenchantfor bad
language, 204 ; death of, 250.
Lake, Mr., H.K. H. George, Prince
of Wales, racing factotum, 134,
etc. ; and the Escape affair, 189.
Lewes, races at, 1790, 108.
Le Brnn, prompter, 67.
' Les trois Magots,' the print termed,
179.
' Like Master, like Man,' a la Lord
Barrymore, 168.
Lord's, Cricket match at, 203.
March, the Earl of, and Ruglen, his
turf career, 38 ; compared to Lord
Barrymore, 97.
Melfort, le Comte de, marries Lady
Caroline Barry, 23 ; a match
ridden in by, 37 ; at Ascot, 51.
Miles, William, alias 'Smoaker,' and
H.R.H. George, Prince of Wales,
175 ; anecdote, 176.
Munden, J. S., actor, 66; at War-
grave, 198.
Newmarket, some of the race
meetings at, 95, 96, 133, 135, 163,
187, 189.
Ogilvie, Mr., contests Oxford,
118.
"OldQ.," sobriquet applied to the
Duke of Queensberry, 38.
O'Lehans, oastle of the, 119.
' Pasqcix, Anthony,' a nom de
plume of J. W. Williams, LL.D.,
Is ; his careless appearance, 64-
66 ■ his traits, 79 ; aids in waggery,
81; poems by, 130; writes
parody on 'Deserted Villa*
14S; other works by, 165; en-
graving of, 217 ; v. Faulder, for
libel, 240; his malevolent spirit,
241; flies to New York, 243; his
career there, 243 ; and Dr.
Wolcot, 213; as art critic, 246;
death of, 247.
Pienna, la Duchosse de la, and the
Barrys, I s 9
272
Index.
Fowney, Lieutenant-Colonel, 212.
•' Profligate," a sobriquet, 23.
Queensberry, the Duke of, his turf
prestige, 3S ; and Lord Barry-
more, 38, 51, 203.
Reading, Justice Chase, of, 53 ;
Theatre, 49 ; races at, 115 ; dinner
given at, by Lord Barrymore,
119 ; election at, l<io ; society for
' Free Debate ' at, 217.
Richards, Miss, actress, 67 ; en-
gaged by Lord Barrymore, 169;
marries Edwin, Junior,' 186.
Richmond Theatre, 112; Edwin's
benefit at, 112.
Savile Row, W., Lord Barrymore's
theatre there, 101.
Stone, ' Young,' or Farmer, and
Lord Barrymore, 75 ; his simple-
ness, 75; his curious wish, 76; his
tenant, 202 ; lines on, 202.
Tarleton, Colonel, 73.
Taylor, Captain Josias, relieved by
Lord Barrymore, 54; Captain, an
amateur actor, 66 ; John, Editor of
the ' Sun/ 243.
Theatrical properties humorously
described, 211.
Thrale, Mrs., 44 ; Mr., 44.
Thurlow, Lord Chancellor, and
George, Prince of Wales, 177-
178.
Tickell, Reverend John, Wargrave,
tutor to Lord Barrymore, 7, 23, 54.
Vauxhall Gardens, fetes at, 58,
204.
Vernon, ' Old ' Dick, owner of race-
horses, 22 ; his turf career, 144 ;
his remarks on the Prince of
Wales, 190.
Ward, pugilist, 56; the brothers
Ward, 56.
Wargrave, ' George Hotel,' 56 ; de-
scription of village of, 16; Stag-
hunt at, 26; Theatre at, 47-48;
pugilism at, 56; Lord Barrymore's
cottage at, 62 ; plays produced by
Lord Barrymore at, 67 ; a strange
procession at, 77 ; the ' mock '
court of justice held at, 80
Waggery at, 81 ; hunting at, 92
Birthday rejoicings at, 115
'Guy's,' 129; accident at, 129
' Joe ' at, 129 ; a pantomime at
158 ; scoured by fox-hounds, 193
a lal masque at, 207 ; cricket at,
211; sale of Lord Barrymore's
theatre at, 216 ; burial of Lord
Barrymore at, 225 ; sale of Lord
Barrymore's effects at, 247.
Wathen, Captain, an amateur actor,
66 ; and Lord Barrymore together
in a print, 162 ; purchases lease of
Richmond Theatre, 169 ; allusion
to, 212.
Williams, J. W., LL.D., his parts
and gifts, 79 ; alias ' Anthony
Pasquin' (Q. v.), 240.
Wokingham, the " Rose," 220.
Wolcot, Dr., ' Peter Pindar,' and
' Pasquin,' 2 13.
Wood's Hotel, Covent Garden, 110.
Yo;:k, H.R.H. the Duke of, supports
the 'ring,' 28; attends Edwin's
benefit, 113; plays a match at
cards, 188 ; purchases ' Chanti-
cleer from Lord Barrymore, 216 ;
His stud sold, 216.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
AT ALL BOOKSELLERS.
THE PRINCELY CHAXDOS
A MEMOIR OF JAMES BRYDGES,
Paymaster-General to i hi: Forces Abroad during the most
liun.i.i w i PART hi' the Dim: OP MARLBOROUGH'S MILITARY i w.
L705-1711, AFTERWARDS IHE FIRST DUKE OP ChaNDOS.
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