"Reflections on the different Ideas of the French and English, in regard to Cruelty; with some Hints for improving our Humanity in a particular Branch. By a Man." Lond. 1759. 8vo. 3 The following short extract is characteristic of the imputed writer: "A kingdom like this, when it has not a hundred thousand men to spare upon an emergency, is an estate that can only make shift to support its owner, until he has a fit of sickness, but then cannot pay the doctor's bill. We have been drained and wasted by commerce, colonies, gin, debauchery, transportation, and the lavish use of the gallows, until the skin of what we wore hangs loose about us in plaits; and yet we talk on, as when we were all muscle and nerve. As long as the streets of London continue a little shew of hurry and business, we judge the whole country to be full of vigour; not considering that as long as any writing, is now in the possession of Mr. Bedford; and was put into print by means of his father, who was deputy to lord Orford when usher of the exchequer." 3 Two tracts, not commonly known as lord Orford's, are, "Letters to the Whigs," against lord Lyttleton; and "The Opposition to the late Minister vindicated," 1765. See Almon's Anecd. vol. i. p. 45. He is said to have been a frequent writer in the London Chronicle; and had once projected a work in imitation of Anecdotes des rues de Paris; to be entitled, "Anecdotes of the Streets of London ;" intending to have pointed out the places where any remarkable incidents had happened. But he found the labour too great, and therefore abandoned his design. Walpoliana, vol.i. p. 57. blood is left in us, the pulse of it will certainly beat there; nay, perhaps will be found in time to palpitate a little while, like the heart of an eel, after the vitals are separated from it." The following appears to have been one of his lordship's latest effusions : "EPITAPHIUM VIVI AUCTORIS, 1792. "An estate and an earldom at seventy-four! Had I sought 'em or wish'd 'em, 't would add one fear more, That of making a countess when almost fourscore. In the plain simple style I have liv'd in, to die; Since the former edition of these volumes, much of lord Orford's private correspondence has been made public, and also his "Memoirs of the last Ten Years of the Reign of George the Second ;" but it would have been more creditable to the posthumous reputation of the noble author, if these reliquiæ had been consigned to incarcerated decay in the "two wainscot chests or boxes," bequeathed to the present earl of Waldegrave. "Hasty Productions, by George Lord Orford," were printed at Norwich in 1791, and said to be properly suppressed.] FRANCIS GODOLPHIN OSBORNE, DUKE OF LEEDS, [THE youngest son of Thomas, fourth duke of Leeds2, was born in 1751, and summoned to parliament by writ in 1776, by the title of baron Osborne of Kiveton. He married Amelia, only daughter of lord Holderness, in 1773, and had the fairest prospect of connubial happiness; but that accomplished woman listened to the voice of seduction; his hopes were blighted, and he was divorced from her in 1779. In 1788 he married, secondly, Catharine, daughter of Thomas Anguish, esq. a master in chancery, by whom his sanguine views of nuptial felicity were not disappointed. Her grace still adds moral dignity to a ducal coronet. He succeeded his father in the dukedom on the 23d of March 1789, and filled the office of principal secretary of state for the foreign department from 1783 to 1791. His grace died January 31. 1799; most cordially regretted by all who came within the sphere of his acquaintance. He was a nobleman of the most tried integrity; and a man of liberal principles, amiable manners, and respectable talents. He cultivated a taste as well as tendency to 2 To that duke was ascribed a few neat lines on the Favours worn at the Coronation of George II. and Queen Caroline. See Gent. Mag. for 1761, and Nichols's Anecdotes, vol. ii. p. 364. wards literature, which was one of his favourite topics of conversation. Though never forgetful of his situation in life, genius and learning were always strong recommendations to his attention and regard; and as he mixed with various classes, his courtesy made him well acquainted with mankind. 3 If he had any peculiar pride, it was very honourable, for it consisted in avowing that his family sprang from a citizen of London. Dramatic and poetic studies were his favourite objects of pursuit; and if some of his grace's effusions do not indicate the strong inspirations of the muse, they at least evince a polished ease and metrical facility. 4 He was the author of a pamphlet entitled, "A Short Hint addressed to the candid and dispassionate on both sides the Atlantic." 5 He contributed a loyal song for the theatre, on lord Howe's victory over the French; finished one comedy, and left the first act of another on the dramatic stocks. 6 "A Prologue, by the Duke of Leeds," s It has been aptly observed (in Gent. Mag. vol. lxix. p. 169. whence this account is principally taken), that if aristocracy were always to appear so mild, so conciliating, and so intelligent, even the rude spirit of republican violence would be softened into respect and esteem. 4 See p. 50. supra. 5 Almon, in his Anecdotes, vol. i. p. 55. gave an extract from this "Short Hint," which was written at the beginning of the American war, and he also gave some account of the noble writer. 6 This information was communicated by Mr. Kemble. was written for Better Late than Never. A few neat boutes rimes "To Chloe," were printed with the Bath-Easton poesies; and the following verses appeared in the New Foundling-Hospital for Wit.7 "TO FLAVIA. "Lovely nymph! assist my lyré, What are obelisks superb, Purling stream and flowery herb; Say, can fancy's aid impart Raptures worth thy shepherd's heart? Can Damætas ever see Beauty, and not think of thee? Though yon tow'rs in proud array Say, when Flavia's form serene |