[This sign is intended as a compliment to John Manners, commonly called
Marquis of Granby, eldest son of John, third Duke of Rutland, who
appears to have been a good, bluff-brave soldier--active, generous,
careful of his men, and beloved by them. Mr. Peter Cunningham
(_Handbook_, p. 398., edit. 1850) informs us, that "Granby spent many
an happy hour at the Hercules Pillars public-house, Piccadilly, where
Squire Western put his horses up, when in pursuit of Tom Jones." He
died, much regretted, on October 19, 1770, without succeeding to the
dukedom.
"What conquests now will Britain boast,
Or where display her banners?
Alas! in GRANBY she has lost
True courage and good MANNERS."
His popularity is shown by the frequent occurrence of his portrait as a
sign-board for public-houses, even of late years; a fact which at once
testifies in favour of his personal qualities, and indicates the low
state of our military fame during the latter half of the last century.]
_"Memorials of English Affairs," &c._--Can you inform me who was the author
of a folio volume entitled--
"Memorials of the English Affairs; or an Historical Account of what
passed from the beginning of the Reign of King Charles I. to King
Charles II. his happy 'Restauration;' containing the Public
Transactions, Civil and Military, together with the Private
Consultations and Secrets of the Cabinet. London: printed for Nathanael
Conder, at the Sign of the Peacock in the Poultry, near the Church,
MDCLXXXII."