CHAPTER XIV.

Brummell a Whig, but no Politician-General Fitzpatrick-His Contributions to the Beau's Album-His Lines on a Proposed Grant of Money for the Prosecution of the War—Mrs. Miller of Bath-Easton -Horace Walpole's Description of her-Castles in the Air-The late Lord Palmerston-His Epitaph on his Wife-Lord Upper Ossory— Lady Tyrconnel-—Lines addressed to her by that Nobleman—Lady Upper Ossory.

Ar the Duke of Devonshire's, Brummell had many and agreeable opportunities of improving his acquaintance with the wits, and celebrated men, of the party of which his Grace was the leader, and his Duchess such an enthusiastic supporter. But Brummell, though a staunch Whig, took little active interest in their political proceedings, and in all probability, his reason for preferring their society was, that their leisure hours were more convivially spent than those of the ministerial one, and the "Pilot who weathered the storm."

Foremost amongst these wits was General Fitzpatrick, and I shall in this chapter introduce two of his contributions to the Beau's album, as well as those of several more of Brummell's friends, whose verses have likewise escaped the printing press. Richard

Fitzpatrick, the son of John, first Earl of Upper Ossory, was born January 30th, 1747. In his youth he served in the American War, but, having a political turn, he relinquished active service, and entered the senate as member for Tavistock, in 1780. Though he attained the post of Secretary of War, he was far more celebrated as the friend of Fox, and his companion at the gaming-table, and as one of the best political versifiers of his day, than as a statesman, or an orator. The General was the author of some of the happiest pleasantries in the Rolliad, and the Probationary Odes; he wrote the verses on Brooke Watson, those on the Marquis of Graham, and the Liars; he also wrote Dorinda, a town eclogue, and other short pieces. The following specimen of his politico-poetical talents is nearly, if not quite, equal to any squib Swift ever wrote.

WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF A BILL ENTITLED "AN ACT FOR GRANTING TO HIS MAJESTY AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION FOR THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR!!"

"Plan, by general confiscation,

To redeem a ruin'd nation;

Plan, through all its parts a blunder,

Credit to maintain by plunder;

Plan, which property protects,

By the seizure of effects;

Plan, securing general comfort;

Can we pay too large a sum for't?

Which such comforts soon shall bring, as

Writs of Capias and Distringas

Into poor folks' houses breaking,

E'en the beds they sleep on taking;

Thus by wives and children starving,
All that's dear to man preserving ;
Virtue, and good morals guarding,
Base informers by rewarding;
Strengthening all our social ties
By encouraging of spies ;

Setting down in each man's cot,
What he has, and he has not;

What though gone all Fortune gave him,
No economy can save him.

Base conceit to fight the French meant,
By prohibiting entrenchment;

Vital Christians, still repining

That religion is declining,

Here in her behalf decree
Premiums upon perjury;

Friends of due subordination,

Here, 'twixt high and humble station,

Cordial union to secure,

Drive the rich to starve the poor.

Here a clause which needs must please us,

Of superfluous cash to ease us,

Whence the tax, by dexterous shift,

All at once becomes a gift;

Clause which leaves an option pleasant

To be robbed or make a present;
For, should you decline the honour
To become a nation's donor,
Shortly to your cost you'll find
There's a process still behind;
Which, how closely e'er you lock it,
In due time will reach your pocket.
So sham cripples, whom we meet
Asking alms through many a street,
Rob by night (their wooden leg off)
Those they in the morning beg of,
And, as laws are made restraining
Suffering wretches from complaining,