Diary of the celebrated G. Bubb Doddington, exemplifies in an extraordinary degree the system of court patronage and borough interest, that barters for a court toy, or a title, all honourable feelings, and disposes of the rights of the unfortunate inhabitants to the highest bidder, or at the will or nod of ministerial influence.

"1750, November 18th.

Mr. Tucker and I went to Mr. Scropes to desire him to acquaint Mr. Pelham, that as we supposed, when he engaged for the charter-at Weymouth* he understood that he was to have two friends there during this parliament, though no such conditions were actually expressed, yet if Mr. Plummer should die (who was that day cut for the stone,) we were too nice upon points of honour to take advantage of what might be implied, though not specified, and therefore, we would choose any unexceptionable gentleman he should name. But we would not choose any other, or one who by his relations or situation might seem to be put there, with a view to make a separate interest, and we should consider the insisting upon such a one as a premeditated design to make war, which when we were in the right, we were ready to begin, as soon as he pleased. 66 1750, December 11th.

Mr. Tucker and I went to Mr. Pelham at Mr. Scropes, by appointment, we settled the Weymouth re-election, according to the agreement made in obtaining the new charter, and he recommended Lord George Cavendish.

"1752, February 2nd.

Mr. Pelham sent a message to Mr. Tucker, by Mr. Ellis, to know what was to be done on a new election at Weymouth, pretending that the choosing two at his nomination was to last always.

"1752, February 10th.

Mr. Ellis was with me, he introduced the talk of his election on a new parliament, I told him that I thought my behaviour, both public and private, even in opposition, never could have given just cause of offence to the Pelhams, or could have shewn any indisposition to live personally with them, that as I was now, entirely free from engagements, I was sincerely

This alludes to a disputed election to the civic chair, when the charter of James was canvassed in consequence. Mr. Tucker bad been chosen mayor by a bye-law of the corporation, where they had elected a mayor from the aldermen, which was contrary to the express words in the charter, which states that the mayor should be chosen out of the burgesses; this was confirmed by the House of Lords, and in 1747, August 19, an explanatory charter passed the seals, whereas the one alluded to was the charter of Gco. III. page 52.

desirous of Mr. Pelham's favour and friendship, if he would accept of my favour and friendship, and if then, he would receive my services, he might upon proper conditions command my interest, and in that case, nobody would be more welcome to me at Weymouth, than he Mr. Ellis, that this was in Mr. Pelham's breast, who best knew his disposition, but that mine was entirely to be his friend and servant upon proper conditions.

"This of proper conditions, was frequently repeated, and Mr. Ellis be desired to observe that there was neither promise nor engagement.

"1752, May 5th.

"Saw Mr. Pelham, began by telling him of the application I had received from Mr. Ellis about his election for Weymouth, that I could be of some utility by my own and by the weight of my friends, particularly in choosing several members, for though reports had been circulated to the contrary, yet I assured him as a gentleman, and his servant, that the interest of Weymouth was wholly in me and Mr. Tucker, that it was impossible to choose one member against us, and for this I desired no rank which could justly create envy in my equals, or any sort of power that might occasion suspicion in my superiors.

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1753, December 11th.

"In a conversation with the Duke of Newcastle, I recommended my two parsons of Weymouth and Bridgewater, Burroughs and Franklin. His Grace assured me that they should have the first crown livings that should be vacant in those parts, if we would look out and give him intelligence. (It would appear that Mr. Burroughs had the gift of Bradworthy living, but Mr. Franklin was not so fortunate.)

66 1754, March 14th.

"In another conversation with the Duke of Newcastle, he engages to choose two members for Weymouth, which the Duke desires to be Mr. Ellis of the Admiralty, and Lord John Cavendish son of the Duke of Devonshire; the Duke remarked that he often thought of the ease and cheapness of the elections at Weymouth.

"Spent in the infamous and disagreeable compliances with the low habits of venal wretches!! (this is the observation of one who by these very individuals raised himself to the peerage.)

“1754, June 21st.

"In a conversation with Lord Dupplin, he says, that he has a

X

good deal of marketable ware, (id est, the above venal wretches at Weymouth.)

"1758, July 18th.

6

"The Duke of Newcastle tells him that His Majesty endeavoured to lessen his credit at Weymouth, that the Duke replied, That he thought His Majesty had told him that the borough was put into Mr. Pelbam's hands at the renewal of the charter, on condition of his nominating two members for that time only.' His Majesty could not deny this, but upon the whole would not receive me to any mark of his favour. "1757, February 18th.

"Mr. Tucker had agreed with Mr. George Grenville to be paymaster of marines, and for Governor Grenville to be chosen in his room; the king sent Fox to know if he could prevent it, and if he thought I would interpose, Fox said, he supposed I would if His Majesty commanded me, the king ordered Fox to speak to me, he did, and I stopt it.-(Veni, vidi, vici.)

"1760, November 18th.

"Mr. Ellis was with me to let me know that the Duke of Newcastle was desirous of seeing me about the election at Weymouth, I deferred giving an immediate answer.

"November 19th. I wrote to Lord Bute desiring him to settle the answer I should send to the Duke of Newcastle.

"November 20th. Mr. Ellis came for the answer, which was, that I begged to be excused troubling his Grace, because my interest at Weymouth was engaged to gentlemen, who I could not doubt but would be agreeable to him, because I had occasion to believe they would be acceptable to the king. 66 1760, December 21st.

"Mr. Glover was with me, he was undetermined about political connections, but I believe will come to us.

"1761, January 16th.

"Lord Bute observed that he would agree to no condition with the Duke of Newcastle till he saw that Dashwood, and others, had such places as he wished.

"1761, February 21st.

"Lord Bute and I talked over Sir Francis Dashwood's, succeeding Charles Townshend, as Secretary at War."

These extracts are in themselves a host of evidence against the malpractices of boroughmongers, and should act as a caution to warn the electors against the hollow, specious, sycophants, who solicit "the honour of their suffrages," but such is the obduracy, and wilful, and sometimes it must indeed be confessed needy actions, that almost any individual,“ is welcome to Weymouth upon proper conditions."

The following bill of indenture is inserted to exhibit how wide is the difference between the courtly parasite of the reign of the Georges and the homely burgess of the Edwards, who would only accept of a cade of mackarel, whereas the other obtained a title.

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Thys bill indentyd meade the VIII. daie of Aprille yn ye thridde yere of kyng Edward the fourte, betwyne the Baylyffs of Weymuth and Iohn Sackvylle, Esquyer, witnessyth that ye sade Iohn Sackvylle graunteth bye thes presents too bee oone of ye burgeys (burgesses) for Weymuth, att ye P'lement to been holdyn at Westminster, ye XXIX daie of ye saide monyth of Aprille.

"Ffor the qwhychqwoehdyer (whichsoever) yt holden long tyme or schortt or qwhedye (what) yt fortune too bee takyn for hys wagys, their a cade* of maquerellee, though too been delivyred bye Xtenmasse nexte comyng. In wytnysse heroff ey thyr partte too others, indentur interchawnxubilly (interchangeably) her setys her sell daie and yere above sayd."

* Cade, a barrel, keg, or cask, containing usually 500 mackerel or berrings, 1000 sprats, or 2000 prawns, or shrimps.

The Priory.

ONCE existing in this town, still retains a slight memorial of its Catholic foundation, in that of its present name, "The Friary," is situated in Maiden-street, N. E. of the church, it was a house of Dominican Friars dedicated to St. Winifrid, but Speed says, that it was dedicated to St. Dominick, Leland designates it as "A fare house of Freres yn ye este parte of

ye towne."

By a certificate of the commissary of the Bishop of Sarum, concerning the fryars at Melcombe, dated 1426, he censures an altar raised in this town, and orders an inquiry into the names of the persons who celebrated at it, and of those who favoured them, he afterwards issued a mandate to Edward Polyng, John Lok, and John Lowyer, Dominican fryars, who had erected and celebrated an altar there, declared them contumacious and prohibited their proceedings; this is signed by Robert Neville, who was Bishop of Sarum and Provost of Bereuly, 1426 to 1438.

John Rogers and Hugh Deveril, Esquires., petitioned the Bishop of Sarum, that being moved by the desolation of this vill, they had begun a house for the habitation of the White Fryar's preachers here, and certify :

First. The intention of the work.

2nd. The fitness of the place to be dedicated for a church. 3rd. Its endowment,

4th. The Apostolic and royal licence for beginning the foundation.

5th. They inquire whether such a house may be erected, without diminution of the Bishop's jurisdiction, and the right of the parochial church.

6th. That there was no place dedicated to God in Melcombe, that the parochial church was a long mile and a half from this vill, and was inconvenient for the burgesses to go.

7th. That the inhabitants were rude, illiterate, and situated in Angulo Terræ, that many places in this vill were destroyed by an hostile band, and remained uninhabited.