Whatever may be thought of his political opinions during this period, it must be confessed that he supported them with uncommon vigour and undaunted resolution. He had the dignity indeed to pass over, in merited contempt, the numerous libels against his person and government; a conduct for which he merits the more praise, as he was never suspected of any want of natural resolution.

Upon his return to England, as a proof that he had not been recalled through any failure of royal or ministerial favour, he was appointed to the splendid situation of master of the horse. He has been since nominated lord-keeper of the privy-scal; an office the duty of which consists in the inspection of all charters, &c. before they receive the confirmation of the great-seal.

His first countess, having died as above mentioned. in 1798, his lordship has since married a second wife,* by whom he has two children living.

The private character of his lordship may, without difficulty, be collected from what we have already related of his public life. The Earl of Westmoreland is, in truth, one of the most singular men of his age; the unyielding gravity of his deportment and general manners, forming a singular contrast with the supposed levity of some part of his conduct. During his residence in Ireland as lord-lieutenant, he appeared a courtier worthy of the age and court of Louis XIV. Gallantry and business were pursued with

* This lady was formerly Miss Saunders nearly related to Sir Charles Saunders, the celebrated admiral.

equal zeal, and almost at the same moment. He visited the council and the ball-room in the same dress, and, according to the maxim of Chesterfield, divided himself so eqly between his duties and his pleasures, that he satisfied the calls of each. His lordship has as yet scarcely reached the middle period of life. His person is not without elegance, though his countenance is thought by some to possess rather too much severity. But this is the more easily overlooked, as it exists no where else. T. L. H.

THE MARQUIS OF WELLESLEY,

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF BENGAL, &C.

IT is the peculiar and happy nature of our popular constitution, that by presenting emolument and honours as the certain rewards of those abilities which are required for the purposes of its administration, political exertions are at the same time stimulated and repaid. By the power of an over-ruling majority, a minister may indeed carry his most obnoxious measures; but although he can thus govern the house, the nation is still independent. The voice of a people, even if not reflected by an house of commons, is not usually dissipated in idle complaint; the sense of insulted rights inspires such rude murmurs of disconif not speedily appeased, may become dangerous. The firmest foundation, therefore, of every government, the surest support of every ministerpublic confidence-is beyond the reach of corrupt influence, and, fortunately for the liberties of all, is ab

solutely

Major Renvél.

The Marquis Wellesley.

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solutely necessary for his own security. It becomes essential, therefore, to cultivate popular esteem; the powers of eloquence are thus required; and talents may rest assured both of honours and office, when they are thus exercised in the public service.

It is these causes which have raised the Marquis of Wellesley from comparative obscurity to his present eminence. But we have only to examine the life of this nobleman to acknowledge that he has well merited all his honours, and that he is one of those public characters of our own times whose titles are but the stamp of their worth; the royal mark and statecertificate that the metal has been assayed, and answers to the standard.

The family of this nobleman is among the most ancient of the kingdom; and, if we may credit the account of the genealogists, the splendour and glory of its first founders were such, that no small weight of dishonour would attach to the present representative, if he did not in his own person reflect back upon them something of that lustre which they have thrown upon him. The name of the family was originally Colley; it derives its origin from the county of Rutland, whence it removed into Ireland during the reign of Henry VIII. Richard Colley, Esq. of the county of Meath, the grandfather of the Marquis of Wellesley, took the name of Wesley, in compliance with the will of his brother-in-law, Garret Wesley, Esq. of the same county. This latter having married the sister of the former, and dying without issue, bequeathed his estates upon this condition. Richard Colley, now Wesley,