self warranted to mention his name.— In the MS. Memoirs of Dr Carlyle an amusing account is given of the Poker Club, of which he was a zealeus member, and a constant attender of its meetings. He has likewise preserved a list of its members, which the reader may find in the Appendix to this volume, No. 8. art. 2. published in this Supplement.) In the beginning of 1762, says Dr Carlyle, was instituted the famous Club called the Poker, which lasted in great vigour down to the year 1784. About the third or fourth meeting of the club, we thought of giving it a name that should be of uncertain meaning, and not so directly offensive as that of Militia Club to the enemies of that scheme. Adam Ferguson fell luckily on the name of Poker, which we perfectly understood, and which was at the same time an enigma to the public. This Club comprehended almost all the literati of Edinburgh, and its neighbourhood, most of whom had been members of the Select Society, (those only excepted who adhered to the enemies of the militia scheme,) together with a great many country gentlemen, zealous friends to the militia, and warm in their resentment at its being refu sed to us, and an invidious line thus drawn between England and Scotland. The establishment of our Club was frugal and moderate, as all clubs for a public purpose ought to be. We met at our old landlord's of the Diver. sorium, (Tom Nicholson's, near the Cross.) The dinner was on the table at two o'clock at one shilling a head: we drank the best claret and sherry, and the reckoning was punctually called at six o'clock. After the first fifteen who were chosen by nomination, the members were elected by ballot: and two blackballs excluded a candidate.

William Johnston (Sir William Pulteney Johnston) was chosen secretary to the Club, with the charge of superintending all publications, aided

by two members, with whom he was to consult, in a laughing hour. Andrew Crosbie, advocate, was appointed assassin to the Club, in case any service of that sort should be needed: but David Hume was named for his assistant; so that between plus and minus there was no hazard of much bloodshed. After some years, a quarrel with our landlord, who was a foolish fellow, sent us to Fortune's tavern, at the Cross Keys, where the only change was, that our dinners were more showy, and much dearer, but not better. This slackened the attendance of some of our best members: and the celebrity of the Club brought others among us, who had no title to be there, and whose minds were not congenial. In short, the Poker dwin. dled away, by the death or desertion of some of the old members, and the non-attendance of the new. An at tempt was made to renew it about the year 1786 or 1787, by the admission of some young men of talents, who, together with the most zealous of the old, might revive the spirit of the institution. At vera virtus cum semel excidit, &c.: from the change of times and habits, the attempt did not succeed. When Captain James Edgar, one of the original Pokers, was at Paris, about 1773, during the flourishing times of the Club, he was asked by D'Alembert to go with him to their Club of Literati, to which he answered, with more bluntness than French politesse, that the company of literati was no novelty to him, for he had a club at Edinburgh with whom he dined every week, composed, he believed, of the ablest men in Europe. This, (adds Dr Carlyle with the pardonable nationality of an old Scotsman,)" was no singular opinion; for the most enlightened foreigners had formed the same estimate of the Literary Society of Edinburgh at that time. The Princess Dashkoff, disputing with me one day at Buxton about the superiority of Edinburgh, as a re

sidence,

sidence to most of the cities of Europe; when I had alleged various particulars in which I thought we excelled, No, said she, but I know one article you have not mentioned, in which I must give you clearly the precedency, which is, that of all the societies of men of talents I have met with in my travels through Europe, yours is the first in point of abilities." -MS. Memoirs of Dr Carlyle.

for at that period, the custom, after wards introduced by Lady Mary Montague, from the East, was to the full as much unknown as the Jennerian system. In addition to this, the nature and treatment of the malady were alike undiscovered; for, instead of adopting the cool regimen of the present day, the hot and dangerous system, but lately exploded even here, then reigned in full force, so that a warm atmosphere, and a profuse perspiration, were to be kept up by fires,

LAND.

W ILLIAM HENRY CAVENDISH BENTINCK, third Duke of Portland, was born April 13, 1738. He was of Dutch extraction; and his immediate ancestors, like those of the Earls of Albemarle and Rochford, came over to this country at the Revolution of 1688. His family had been long settled in the province of Overyssel; but the first of them known to us, was Henry-Bentinck Heer Van Diepenham, who had issue three sons, the third of whom, William Van Bentinck, was brought upon the Stadholderian household.While a boy, he acted as page to WilHam Prince of Orange, and was afterwards advanced to the rank of a gentleman of the bed-chamber. In 1670, he accompanied his Highness to England; and on the 20th of December obtained the degree of. L.L.D. from the University of Oxford, out of compliment to his Highness, in whose suite he then was.

His favour appears to have encreased with time, but it was at least equalled by his gratitude. Five years after his return to his native country, he, at the risk of his own life, conferred such an obligation on his patron, as seems to have secured the attachment of the latter, during a long series of years. In 1675, the Prince was seized with the small pox, then considered as a most dreadful disease;

this custom, it was proposed by the Dutch physioians, that some one should be put to bed to his Highness, so as to encourage the production of the pock, and a favourable issue to the malady, by the heat of some youthful body.

Mynheer Van Bentinck volunteered his services in this dangerous adventure; and thus created a fortune for himself, and rank and honours of all kinds for his posterity!

On his death-bed, William enquired for the Earl of Portland, and that nobleman being in attendance, immediately made his appearance; but it was too late for although he had placed his ear as near as possible to his Majesty's mouth, his lordship was unable to hear any distinct articulate sound: and this great monarch expired a few minutes afterwards. He himself survived only about eight years; having died at Bulstrode, in the county of Bucks, November 23, 1709, in the 61st year of his age; and was buried soon after, under the east window of Henry VII.'s chapel, in Westminster Abbey.

His son Henry, second Earl and first Duke of Portland, having injured his fortune greatly by that disastrous speculation, usually termed the "Southsea Bubble," determined to repair it abroad. He accordingly went as governor to Jamaica, in 1722, and died there, four years after, in the 45th year of his age. His eldest son, Wil

Gam, third Earl, and second Duke of Portland, by Lady Elizabeth Noel, eldest daughter and co-heir of Wrothesley Baptist, Earl of Gainsborough, with whom the lordship of Titchfield, in the county of Southampton, came into the family, succeeded to the honours and estates. On his return from his travels, he was appointed a lord of the bed-chamber to the king; and in 1734, married Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, only daughter and heir of Edward, Earl of Oxford. By her he had, 1. Lady Elizabeth Cavendish Bentinck, afterwards the wife of the Earl of Stamford. 2. WilliamHenry, who succeeded him. 3. Lady Margaret Cavendish Bentinck; and 4. Lady Frances Cavendish Bentinck, who both died, anmarried; and 5. Lord Edward Charles Cavendish Bentinck, born in 1744.

William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, third Duke, and fourth Earl of Portland, who forms the subject of the present Memoir, was a youth of some promise. After a prefatory education, partly at home, under a private tutor, being then Marquis of Titchfeld, he was sent to Oxford, and entered of Christ Church. In 1756, he recited publicly some English verses, in such a manner, as to attract notice. On the 1st of February, 1757, he obtained the degree of M. A. but it was not until October 7, 1792, that kis lordship proceeded D.C.L. when it was conferred by diploma.

After finishing his education at this learned seminary, Lord Titchfield was sent abroad, in company with his only brother, Lord Edward Bentinck, on their travels. In conformity to the established etiquette of that day, they made the grand tour; and soon after their return home, both became members of parliament. The Marquis served for Weobly, in Herefordshire, a borough supposed to be then somewhat under the influence of the family; while Lord Edward was elected, first, for the city of Carlisle, and se

condly, was nominated a knight of the shire for the county of Nottingham; of which county his brother became Lord Lieutenant.

Lord Titchfield sat but a few months as a commoner, for his father, the Duke of Portland, died soon after he took his seat; and we accordingly find a new writ issued, June 6, 1762, so that we believe he never had an opportunity of speaking, as the house did not meet for the dispatch of business until the succeeding autumn.From the first moment that he was admitted to his seat among the Peers, the new Duke of Portland, who by that time had attained the 24th year of his age, took an active part in the proceedings of the House, and then, as well as for many years after, seemed desirous both of earning, and of deserving, popularity. His estate was not large, as it was encumbered with an immense jointure of about sixteen thousand pounds per annum, to his mother, the dowager. This circumstance obliged him to have recourse, early in life, to expedients for raising money, which encumbered his for

tune.

In 1763, his Grace gave an early presage of his patriotism, by a strenuous opposition to the cyder-bill, a measure which was engendered during the Earl of Bute's administration, and brought forward by a Chancellor of the Exchequer, supposed to be but little conversant in matters of finance. He afterwards entered his protest against that measure, which was too unpopular to be persevered in, as it introduced the excise laws into the barn and cellar of every farmer in the kingdom, who made use of the juice of his own apples. On the proceedings against Mr Wilkes, too, the Duke joined with the opposition, who, on this occasion, were supported by the great body of the people. He, and those with whom he acted, maintained that the privilege of parliament extended to matters of libel, and accord

ingly he was one of those who dissented from the resolution of the house.

It has always been customary for men of a certain rank and influence in this country, to attach themselves to a party, as this is supposed to be the only sure and infallible way of either attaining, or preserving, political and parliamentary consequence. His Grace accordingly connected himself with the Marquis of Rockingham, a name once celebrated, and still venerable, in the annals of this country! He joined with that worthy nobleman, in talking down, and writing down, two different administrations. At the head of the first of these presided the Peer, who had acted as governor to the King, who enjoyed all his Majesty's confidence, and who was supposed to have conceived notions of government but little compatible with public liberty. The second was George Grenville, father of the present Marquis of Buckingham, Lord Grenville, &c. &c. who had been but a lawyer, and was conceived to be no statesman.

At length, in 1765, in consequence of a change in the ministry, the Duke accepted of employment. The place occupied by him, was that of Lord Chamberlain of the Household, an office of honour rather than of profit; and he retained it but a few months, having gone out, or, in plain English, been turned out, in conjunction with his colleagues.

From this disappointment, if it really was one, the mind of the Duke was happily averted to more pleasing scenes; and the bustle of politics became, for a while, exchanged for the happiness arising out of domestic comfort. On the 8th of November, 1766, his Grace was married to Lady Dorothy Cavendish, daughter of William, the late Duke of Devonshire, by whom he has had four sons and two daughters.

As parliamentary influence must always be a great object with every one who aspires to become a leader of a

party, the subject of this memoir was well aware of the advantages supposed to result from it. Having property in the county of Cumberland, he thought a fair opportunity presented itself of assisting two of his friends, in their pretensions to be returned its knights of the shire, and he accordingly supported the late Henry Curwen, Esq. a gentlemen of fortune, and Henry Fletcher, Esq. an East India Director, and afterwards a Baronet, both of whom had large possessions there.

This of course gave great umbrage to the late Sir James Lowther, afterwards Earl of Lonsdale, who, to great opulence, united a daring spirit; and, in addition to both, was son-inlaw of the Earl of Bute. A long, violent and expensive contest accordingly took place; and, although the Baronet found means to be returned, yet he was declared unduly elected by a Committee of the House of Commons, and the two other candidates were left for that Parliament, at least, in the quiet possession of their seats.

During the whole course of the American war, his Grace remained steady in the ranks of opposition.When the Marquis of Rockingham came into office, he received the place of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and appointed General Fitzpatrick his secretary. He was extremely popular in that country. On the death of the Marquis, he was recalled, but came into office again with the coalition ministry. He was then appointed to the high situation of First Lord of the Treasury. When this ministry was supplanted by Mr Pitt, his Grace was again thrown into the ranks of opposition.

Sometime after the commencement, however, of the French revolution, he came over to Mr Pitt, nearly about the same time with Lord Loughborough and Mr Windham. He then continued for seven years to act as a subordinate member of that administration.

At length, in 1801, the subject of

this memoir finding his health decline, resigned the office of Secretary of State for the Home Department, and acted as President of the Council until 1805, a situation in which less labour and application were required.On the formation of the Fox and Grenville Administration, his Grace thought fit to withdraw, as he had not, for some time, been on terms of intimacy with Mr Fox. After the death of that gentleman, and the sudden dismission of his colleagues, in consequence of a supposed attempt to restore their civil and ecclesiastical privileges to the Irish nation, his Grace ence more appeared on the scene, and that too in an official character, which to some appeared unsuitable, in consequence of his declining years and infirmities. Accordingly, in 1807, under the name of First Lord of the Treasury, he became ostensible Miniter; but as he was for the most part unable to attend, the parliamentary part of the business, was conducted by Mr Perceval in one House, and Lord Liverpool in another. At length, after a severe struggle with disease, his Grace determined to retire wholly from the political world; this was accordingly effected in the autumn of 1809, and but a few weeks anterior to his demise, which took place in the 724 year of his age.

It now remains, after such an ample account of his public conduct, to consider the Duke of Portland as a private nobleman. In this point of view, the early part of his life was pecaliarly amiable. During that period, he supported, for many years, the splendour of his dignified rank with 2 very moderate fortune. Although never considered as an orator, yet what he said was listened to, as the suggestions of an honest man, springing directly from the heart.He was but little adapted, perhaps, to business, yet it is well known that no gentleman in the kingdom could write a better letter. After his coalition

with Mr Pitt, his equanimity at times forsook him, and his order to exclude a distinguished Commoner from any of his Majesty's jails, on account of the denunciation of certain supposed abuses, in which he has been supported by the concurring testimony of more than one Grand Jury, savoured but little of his usual urbanity.

During the youthful portion of his career, the Duke lived in habits of great intimacy with the celebrated Chace Price, M. P. for Radnor, a man of infinite humour and jest, the very "Yorick" of society. Money negociations, to a very great amount, passed between them, and on the sudden demise of the latter, as may be easily supposed, the Duke was a considerable loser. On the death of his mother, the debts incurred by him were supposed, although very considerable, to be liquidated, either wholly or at least to a very considerable amount, by the falling in of her jointure; but he unhappily had acquired certain habits of expense, which always kept his fortune in a state of embarrassment.

It is believed, however, he never was addicted to play; and as to the turf, his Grace did not appear on it with any degree of eclat; for a stud was never kept either for or by him, so that the utmost, we believe, was merely the naming of a horse. But he was accustomed, now and then, to pay the debts of a near relative, who, we imagine, formerly frequented Newmarket, and had been, during the greater part of his life, in difficulties. As the visible head of the opposition for a long series of years, frequent calls were, doubtless, made on his purse: the election for Cumberland; the contest with Sir James Lowther, or rather with the Crown, and his household expenses, which were always conducted on a liberal, and, perhaps, extravagant scale, all contributedto make him poor, and to keep him so. On the other hand, the sums received as salary are to be deducted; but after all, these

perhaps,