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by his biographer, the Honourable Roger North, a gross calumny!" Sir Dudley North, brother to the Lord Keeper, was bound apprentice to a Turkey merchant, and is said, while residing at Constantinople, to have acted the part of a Cadi or Judge, having tried upwards of five hundred causes, there, in consequence of his knowledge both of the Turkish language, and the Mahomedan law,

Francis, Lord North, was created Earl of Guilford, by George II. on April 8, 1752; his son, Francis Lord North, K. G. acted for many years as Prime Minister, until obliged to retire, in consequence of the unpopularity attached to the war with America, of which he was accustomed to declare to his confidential friends, "that he was neither the author nor adviser." He, however, returned to power in conjunction with Mr. Fox, and they with their adherents were known by the appellation of "the coalition administration." He succeeded to the family honours and estates on the demise of his father: and although assailed at one period with all the eloquence of & Burke, and a Fox, his character was vindicated by their subsequent alliance; and he is represented by his friend Mr. Gibbon, ❝as a statesman of spotless integrity, and a consummate master of debate, who could wield with equal dexterity, the arms of reason, and of ridicule." On his return from Switzerland, this celebrated historian observes," the house in London, which I frequented with most pleasure, and assiduity, was that of Lord North. After the loss of power and of sight, he was still happy in himself and his friends, and my tribute of gratitude, and esteem, could no longer be suspected of any interested motive."

Francis North Earl of Guilford, of whom we are now to treat, was the second son of this nobleman. On his demise his lordship was succeeded by his eldest son, George Augustus; but the latter having died in 1802, without leaving any issue, by Miss Coutts, his Countess, the family honours and estates, of course devolved on him.

He was born, Dec. 25, 1761, and after receiving a public education, at a proper age, obtained a commission in the

army. He was soon promoted to a Majority in the 84th regiment of foot, and in due time obtained the rank of a Lieutenant-Colonel by brevet. He was also Captain of Deal Castle, a post conferred by his father in early life, in virtue of his office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

When a young man, he was particularly known by the appellation of "honest Frank North," among all his acquaintances. Unlike his father, however, he was no orator, and we believe never spoke in the House of Lords. He attended occasionally, however, and voted in favour of the Roman Catholic Bill, both in 1807, and in 1808. This nobleman, greatly addicted himself to theatrical performances; and was the author of a dramatic work of some merit: the "Kentish Barons," a play published in 1791. He always evinced a great esteem for, and attachment to Mr. Kemble, and when his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, paid him a visit at Wroxton Abbey, in Oxfordshire; the Earl got up the cele brated tragedy of Richard III., in which the actor just named, personified the character of that monarch, with his usual skill and success.

On July 19, 1810, his lordship married Maria, sixth daughter of the late Thomas Bycott, of Rudge-Hall, in the county of Salop, Esq., by whom he had no issue,

He repaired sometime since to the Continent, with his Countess, and died at Pisa, in January 1817. The Earl was succeeded in both titles and estates, by his sole surviving brother, Frederick, now Earl of Guilford. The following character has been transmitted by a friend:

"His lordship was the second son of Frederick Earl of Guilford, and inherited from his father, the invariable benevolence that formed the foundation of all his character; a benevolence, not confined to the more ostensible exertions of generosity and charity, but extending itself through all the unpretending kindnesses of social life. It was never overlooked in the exultation of wit and spirits; and it will be well remembered by his acquaintance, that he never could hear

any person indiscreetly and hastily condemned, without immediately employing himself to search for some possible excuse.

"His brilliant wit, and his most exhilarating cheerfulness, are known to all who ever heard his name; but those who had occasion to apply to him at more serious moments, had equal reason to admire the solidity and acuteness of his judgment. His principles on every subject were honourable and liberal, and his manners were the immediate reflection of his manly, candid, and affectionate mind. At every period of his life, he preserved the greatest reverence for the attributes of the Christian religion, and the firmest belief in its doctrines; and he expired while invoking the blessing of the Almighty upon those around him, still anxious, even at that awful moment, to impart to the objects of his warmest love, a share in the happiness that was opening to his enjoyment.”

Another friend observed as follows, of the late Earl, during his life:

"He possessed the hereditary talents and love of literature of his family; and what is better, that hereditary good-nature, benevolence, freedom from guile, openness and liberality, which have, for ages given a peculiar tincture to his ancestors. The house of North, frank, unassuming, and kind, have, for centuries, set a pattern of what in truth they are, true nobility. Their case is well calculated to put the insolence of upstarts to shame."

No. XXIV.

THE MOST NOBLE LOUISA CATHARINE,

DOWAGER MARCHIONESS OF SLIGO.

LADY Louisa Catharine Howe, second surviving daughter and coheir of the gallant and celebrated Admiral Richard Earl Howe, by Mary, daughter of Chiverton Hartopp of Wellby in the county of Notts, Esq., was born December 9, 1767. On the 21st of May, 1787, her ladyship was married to the most noble John Denis Browne, first Marquis of Sligo, Earl of Altamont, Viscount Westport, a governor of the county of Mayo, and Knight of the most illustrious order of St. Patrick. By this nobleman, the marchioness had issue, Howe Peter Earl of Altamont, now second Marquis of Sligo, who was born May 18, 1788.

Sometime after the demise of her late consort, and about five years since, a most unexpected and romantic marriage took place between Sir William Scott, the elder brother of the Lord Chancellor, and chief judge of the Court of Admiralty, and this titled dowager. During the latter part of the last summer, Sir William resolved on taking a journey to Switzerland; and he accordingly set out on his route thither. In October, the Marchioness repaired to Holland, with a view of greeting him on his return, and also of accompanying him to England. But it was not their fate to meet any more: for her ladyship was suddenly taken ill at Amsterdam, and died there in November 1817, after being confined for only a few days. Luckily on this, as on former occasions, she was attended by her niece, Miss Curzon, who administered all possible consolation and assistance on this trying occasion.

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Her ladyship, who is said to have possessed a fine taste for literature, and to have been an accomplished woman, was a younger sister of the Baroness Howe, and in the remainder of the Barony.

Previously to her demise, the Marchioness had made many very valuable purchases for the splendid mansion of her son in Ireland, which have just reached the place of their destination.