The remarks and sketches which are subjoined, appear to have been among
those which were last written in our Sexagenarian’s Recollections. They
were evidently written under strong emotions of mind, and to have been
intended for a longer and better digested dissertation. He observes in
a sort of concise introduction, that they were suggested in consequence
of a visit which he paid to the place of his nativity, after an absence
of twenty years. His astonishment was great, and his sympathy strongly
excited, by discovering on enquiry, that, with some few exceptions,
a total change had taken place among the persons whom he once more
familiarly knew. That the rich were become poor, and the poor rich; that
many who formerly had influenced the politics, directed the counsels, and
commanded the reverence of their fellow-citizens, had been precipitated
by Fortune to the bottom of her wheel. On the contrary, that others, who
had filled humble and even menial offices, were in lofty situations,
discharging the higher functions of their little Republic, building
palaces, and rolling in wealth.
The contemplation of these events induced him to turn the matter more
seriously in his mind, and to exercise his memory upon such individuals,
as in the progress of life he had personally known, who from humble
origin, and no other pretensions than those which, though honourable in
themselves, are not always successful, namely, diligence and talent, had
risen to stations of great dignity and emolument.
Happy Britain! our Sexagenarian on this occasion exclaims, happy beyond
all other nations, where alone, between the lowest and most exalted
station, no obstacle is interposed, which genius cannot subdue, and
perseverance remove.
The Recollections next present us with a somewhat extended catalogue of
illustrious names, whose lives and success exemplify the above remark,
which perhaps exclusively applies to this our country. The following is
prefixed as a sort of preliminary observation.
The profession of arms is perhaps that alone, in which success and
exaltation, even to the loftiest height of rank, excites no surprize,
and provokes no envy. The qualities of personal valour combined with
military talent, is that which obtains, extends, and secures the glory
of a nation, in which every individual participates, and is more or less
anxious to reward.
From the time of the great Marlborough to the period of the immortal
Nelson, this sort of prepossession in favour of military valour has
existed, whether manifested by sea or by land.
Perhaps also great elevation to dignity and wealth in the profession
of the law, is contemplated with comparatively little jealousy, or
invidious feelings. There are certain stations to be filled, and certain
functions to be performed, which can only properly be sustained by
the momentum of sound professional knowledge, aided by great natural
ability. Little surprize or discontent was therefore excited or expressed
on the elevation of those great characters, personally known to the
Sexagenarian—Lords Thurlow, Rosslyn, Mansfield, Erskine, Bathurst,
Camden, Ashburton, and various others.
Nor in the list of names which follow, is any thing further presumed to
be intimated, than that good fortune came in aid of superior talents and
great real merit, with such exceptions and qualifications as readers may
choose to make, according to their respective feelings and prejudices, as
well as from the extent of their personal knowledge.
The first name which presents itself, is that of Lord S. Though being
educated in the profession of the law, he may in some degree be
considered as belonging to that class, whose elevation excites little
surprize, and seldom, if ever, provokes invidiousness of remark. Yet Lord
S. certainly does not come under the denomination of a Law Lord. He owed
his great elevation to political pursuits and connections, and by no
means to his professional acquirements, whatever these might be.
He was the son of a physician, which physician was not only the
professional adviser, but the confidential friend of the great Lord C.
The subsequent connection between the two sons of these personages, as it
commenced in youth, was cemented in the progress of years, and confirmed
by congenial propensities.
Through the influence and friendship of Mr. P. Mr. A. rose, in no very
dilatory succession, to the peerage, and to the very exalted station of
Prime Minister of the country, exhibiting, perhaps, what rarely occurs,
and never but in Britain, an instance, of prosperous fortune, the result
of unimpeachable integrity, and undeviating perseverance, rather than of
any very extraordinary intellectual endowments.
The two brothers also, who fill, honourably fill, the great and dignified
stations, one at the head of the law, the other of Judge of the High
Court of C⸺y, exhibit no less memorable examples of success and opulence.
Perhaps these distinguished persons might not improperly be classed among
those, whose elevation reasonably accompany their meritorious exertions.
But the fortunes of men sometimes turn upon very slight hinges; and of
the most illustrious of the two, it is reported, that after having for
a considerable time attempted, without success, to obtain business at
the bar in the metropolis, he had resolved to return to the place of
his nativity in the north, and there practice as a Chamber Counsellor.
Fortune, however, determined otherwise. The death, or the indisposition
of some eminent barrister, engaged in a cause of extraordinary interest
and importance, rendered it essential to the parties to employ
immediately as a substitute, one who had sufficient leisure to devote
himself to the business, and at the same time who possessed legal
character and knowledge adequate to the arduousness of the cause in hand.
Sir John (then Mr. S⸺) was distinguished by both these requisites, and so
distinguished himself upon the occasion, that all thoughts of removal
were instantly laid aside, and his progress to wealth, reputation, and
the highest dignities, were as rapid as can well be imagined.
The advancement of the second brother to dignity and wealth was continual
and uninterrupted, and perhaps, as far as riches are concerned, they
possess between them enough to satisfy even avarice itself.
The extraordinary rise of the present Earl to the elevated rank he now
holds, demonstrates the caprice of fortune, “ludum insolentem, ludere
pertinax,” as much perhaps, or more, than any other example that ever the
country can display.
He was first known to our Sexagenarian at College, and his prospects in
life were as humble as can well be imagined. His father was a Norfolk
clergyman, residing on a benefice of no very considerable value. His own
destination was that of a clergyman also, and he entered life with no
better hopes than present themselves to the generality of young men on
leaving the University, without the claims of high connection, or the
consciousness of extraordinary talents.
Luckily for him, his brother rapidly rose to the highest honours of his
profession, and in the progress of a most glorious career, too short,
alas! for his country, manifested such claims to the public gratitude,
that he was elevated to the illustrious distinction of an Earldom. In the
midst of this splendid scene, the present Lord N. who had retained his
College acquaintance with the Sexagenarian, applied to him for advice, as
to the surest means of obtaining ecclesiastical preferment, through the
interest of his brother, who was then only Sir H. N.
Such a procedure as suggested itself was accordingly recommended, and
whether it happened from the prosecution of this advice or not, is very
immaterial, but after no great lapse of time, a Prebendal stall in the
Cathedral Church of C. was obtained, of which by the way his Lordship
still retained possession, even after he had succeeded to the title, and
to the very noble provision bestowed by a generous and grateful nation
duly to support its honour.
Here let us pause. Providence, in such cases as this before us, as
indeed in every other, (for it is impiety to call it fortune) holds the
balance of good and evil with an equal hand. The noble Lord of whom we
are speaking, lost a darling son in the flower of youth, and as it has
been said of the most promising endowments—the branch is broken from his
hands. The dignity and accompanying opulence will be vested in the heirs
male of a sister. This also may fail, but the name will live for ever.
In the former periods of British history, the elevation of great
merchants, and of wealthy commercial men, to the dignity of the Peerage,
was not unfrequent. Pennant, in his History of London, mentions many
noble families of this description. That of the Duke of Leeds, for
example, of Coventry, of Essex, and of a great many others. But in more
modern times, wealth instead of accumulating in the persons of a few
fortunate individuals, has been more equally as well as, more generally
diffused. The examples accordingly of elevation to the honours of
nobility from the city have less frequently occurred.
Of the few which we have witnessed, perhaps the house of Thellusson is
that which may, with the greatest propriety and justice, be classed
among those, whose origin was as humble as their present condition is
illustrious. Prosperity is hard to bear, and honours not hereditary are
apt for a time to sit awkwardly on the wearer.
“And then to have the humour of state, and after a demure travel of
regard, telling them I know my place, as I would they should do theirs,
to ask for my kinsman Toby. Seven of my people, with an obedient start,
make out for him. I frown the while, and perchance wind up my watch,
or play with some rich jewel. Toby approaches, curtsies there to me. I
extend my hand to him thus—quenching my familiar smile with an austere
regard of controul.”
It cannot but excite a smile to learn, that the first new fangled Baron
of R. having purchased the mansion of a nobleman, which was one of those
denominated by our French neighbours, “entre Cour et Jardin,” consecrated
the “Cour” with great solemnity. No carriages were permitted to enter
its mighty gates, except those of our brethren of noble rank, or such as
were stamped with bearings and quarterings from the Herald’s College. The
gates were Taboo to the more mean and vulgar visitors, whose finances
compelled them to avail themselves of the accommodation of hackneys.
The noble Baron, after a while, changed the place of his abode, and
his mansion was purchased by one of the Royal Family. The Prince, with
more good sense, and with more consideration for the feelings of his
countrymen, directed the ponderous gates to move on their hinges, as well
for the humble ensign, as for the greatest and proudest of the realm.
One act of modesty, however, on the part of the first Baron, ought to be
recorded, and this is the motto which he adopted for his arms:—
Labore et honore.
The next individual in our manuscript who was elevated to the Peerage,
from the midst of commercial connections and pursuits, was of a very
highly respectable, and ancient Dutch family. They came to England more
than a century ago, and very honourably and very successfully engaged in
commerce. So early as the year 1751, one of them was created a Baronet,
with the title of Sir Joshua Vanneck. The third Baronet in succession was
in the year 1796 raised to the rank of Baron H.
The next personage of this description exhibits perhaps the detached
and solitary example of the elevation of one of the tribe of Judah
to the honours of the British Peerage. Let it not be imagined that
any imputation or disparagement is intended by this observation on
the individuals of the family thus illustriously distinguished. Far
otherwise—are we not all brethren? but the circumstance is without
parallel.
The family name of Gideon was discreetly laid aside by the first Baron,
and that of Eardley assumed, the then Sir Sampson having married a
daughter of Sir John Eardley Wilmot, Lord Chief Justice, descended in the
female line from the ancient family of Eardley.
The last individual whom we shall mention of the above description, was
the intimate friend of Mr. Pitt, and in every particular deserving of the
honours which were bestowed upon him. This is Lord ⸺, whose ancestors
were all long and successfully engaged in the banking business, and in
other departments of commerce.
There are or were many other individuals of this family, all of whom rose
not only to affluence, but to considerable distinction in society. Two of
these were representatives of populous places in the House of Commons;
all were respected and esteemed for their irreproachable conduct in life,
and eminent for their liberality, benevolence, and courtesy.
Such results of talents and diligence, honourably and successfully
exercised, excite the wish that they might be enjoyed without
interruption.
O! utinam præsens verba observare legentis
Et frontis possem signa notare.