Loughborough.
_Lady Russell and Mr. Hampden._--Extract from a letter of Rev. Alex.
Chalmers, dated London, Feb. 10th, 1736-7:
"Mr. Hampden[1] has had the misfortune to lose 5000_l._ by Lady
Russell.[2] She was a Lady of good sense, and great piety in
appearance, and made many believe she had a private way of
tradeing which brought seven or eight per ct. to the adventurers,
by which means she got above 30,000_l._ put in to her hands, and
for which she only gave her Note to put it to the best advantage;
for some years the interest was well paid, but at her death no
books nor accts were found, and the principal money is all lost.
She had a jointure of 2000_l._ a year, but that goes to her
Son-in-law, Mr. Scawen, Knight of the Shire for Surry: her
dissenting friends are the chiefe sufferers."
[Footnote 1: M.P. for Buckinghamshire.]
[Footnote 2: "Sept. 2. Lady Russell, mother of the wife of Thomas
Scawen, Esq., Kt. of the Shire for Surrey, and wife to Sir Harry
Houghton, Bt. She had an excellent character."--_Gent. Mag._, vol.
vi., 1736, p. 552. She had been previously married to Lord James
Russell, 5th son of William, 1st Duke of Bedford, to whom she bore
the daughter mentioned above. What was her maiden name?]
Is anything more known of this story; and, if so, where is the account
to be found?