Page images
PDF
EPUB

vulsions have already been described at page 459.] The new Ministry of Pitt had to be sustained by an entirely new set of Parliament-men; and among these, Addington at Devizes took the place of Jones. The youthful senator thus announced his success to another of his friends, Pole Carew, (afterwards a member of the privy council, and in 1796 member for Fowey.)

To Reginald Pole Carew, Esq.

"Devizes 8th or 9th of April, 1784. "MY DEAR CAREW. I received your letter this morning just before I went to the Hall, and seize the first moment on my return from it to assure you of my success. It is only alloyed by the reflexion that it will not add to the too-infrequent opportunities we have had of being together. But you must turn your thoughts elsewhere. Why should you withdraw from Parliament, my dear Carew, because your sense of what was due to your family has separated you from Sir F. B. As for our sentiments, they cannot materially differ. Sir James Long is my colleague. Our adversary [Mr. Lubbock] declined the contest, and went off early this morning for town. Affectionately yours,

"HENRY ADDINGTON."

Dr. Joseph Warton, Mr. Addington's old master at Winchester, sent his congratulations in the following form.

"Winton 27 April 1784.

"DEAR SIR. I cannot possibly forbear expressing the sincere pleasure I feel in giving you joy of being elected into a Parliament which I hope and trust will save this country from destruction, by crushing the most shameful and the most pernicious coalition that I think ever disgraced the annals of any kingdom ancient or modern. I am, dear Sir, with true regard, yours.

"JOSEPH WARTON."

Mr. Sutton of New Park died after a long illness, on the 7th of July 1801, having survived just long enough to see his brother-in-law occupying the highest ministerial office in the State. Mr. Sutton had two sons, James and George. At the christening of the first born in 1783, a fête was given on Roundway Hill to the townsfolk, when oxen were roasted whole, and booths erected for music and dancing: but the

1 Robert Nicholas, late of Devizes, stood for the Cricklade Hundreds, and though not returned at first, yet on petition, established his seat.

subject of so much rejoicing survived but a single year; his brother also died in infancy. Mr. Sutton's large estates have therefore descended through his eldest surviving daughter Eleanor the wife of Thomas Grimstone Bucknall Estcourt Esq. to the Right Hon. T. H. S. Sotheron Estcourt, now, 1859, M.P. for North Wilts, and a member of Lord Derby's administration.

In the course of five years from Mr. Addington's entrance into Parliament, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons, on the retirement of Mr. (afterwards Lord) Grenville, in 1789.1 Dr Gilpin addressing him on the subject in a congratulatory letter, regretted "that such an enlightened countenance" as nature had given him "should be shrouded in a bush of horse-hair." To the inhabitants of Devizes, the classic features of their Right Honourable Recorder are rendered familiar by the well executed bust preserved in the Council Chamber, a memorial which happens in the present case to convey a far more dignified impression than does the painted portrait by Sir William Beechy; though this also was a truthful resemblance. Another portrait, representing him in his Speaker's robes, was painted by John Copley, R.A. It remains to notice lastly the drawing on stone by Catterson Smith, which, through the courtesy of Dean Pellew, his lordship's biographer and son-in-law, has been made use of in the present History. It prefaces the third volume of Lord Sidmouth's Life, and has always been regarded, (so we are given to understand) as correctly representing him in his latter days. It is from that work that the above facts have been principally derived.

1784. James Sutton of New Park Esq. was pricked High Sheriff of the County for the ensuing year, William Salmon of Devizes attorney-at-law, being appointed his under-Sheriff. Mr. Salmon's marriage may also here find place: it was

1 Sir Gilbert Elliott a whig, was also proposed for Speaker. The votes were, for Addington 215 for Elliott 142.

[graphic][merged small]

FROM A DRAWIN, BY CATTERSON SMITH.DRAWN ON STONE BY JANE A RA.

Sedmonth

LONDON JANY 1847..OHN MUPRAY ALBEMARLE ST.

MAN HANEART, LITH PRINTERS.

"Married on

announced in 1773 in the following terms. Wednesday last Mr. Salmon jun. attorney at-law, at Devizes, to Miss Mortimer, a beautiful young lady of the same place, with a fortune of £5,000 and every accomplishment necessary to complete the felicity of the marriage state." This was the gentleman whose name has already occurred at page 439 as Secretary to Lord Shelburne's County Association; and whose uncontrolled management of the borough affairs long after gave him the sobriquet of "King Salmon." In 1783 he had obtained the lucrative position of stamp distributor to the county, in the room of John Flower of Devizes. [Mr. Flower had been appointed in 1779.]

1785. At the July Assizes an action of trespass and assault was brought by Wadham Locke Esq. of Devizes against William Aldridge Ballard an attorney of Westbury, arising out of a personal altercation touching the will of the late John Powell of Conock.

1788. The 5th of November being the centenary of William III.'s Revolution, was celebrated in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Earl Stanhope presided at the London Tavern, the Duke of Portland at the Crown and Anchor. At Devizes, a lofty pole, erected near the parade in the market-place, was furnished with tar-barrels, to the top, to feed the flame which was then kindled at its base.

GEORGE III.'S VISIT.

1789. When the King was travelling for his health during the early period of his mental malady, he spent some time in this county, in the autumn of 1789; for the particulars of which, see Miss Burney's Diary. While passing from Longleat to Tottenham Park, the royal party stopped to change horses at Devizes, when an absurd scene was enacted, which Miss Burney, notwithstanding her keen observation and love of fun, does not appear to have noticed. Though the King's movements were not designed to attract publicity,

GG

« PreviousContinue »