Walrond), and once, at least, Air. George Owen, of Lowman Green, was honoured by a surprise visit from the younger nobleman. In the year 1808, this second Lord Harrowby condescended to be Mayor—a concession which resulted in a somewhat diverting misconception. It appears that a Barnstaple correspondent, interested in the working of the mails, had written to him in the belief that he was a “common or garden” mayor—a plain Mr. Mayor. His consternation on learning the truth does not need to be imagined, for he has pictured it himself:— I was much mortified at my ignorance at the receipt of your Lordship’s letter, for which I beg to apologize. Far from having the least idea that the Corporation of Tiverton was so highly respected and had the Honor of a Nobleman of your Lordship’s High Rank for Mayor, I naturally concluded it to be an open borough like Barnstaple. Lord Harrowby was coached for the inaugural ceremonies by the cousins Wood, the elder of whom, Mr. Beavis Wood, who long filled the office of Town Clerk, was by far the shrewdest of the Ryders’ multitudinous correspondents. Even now his clever, incisive letters, lit up with many a happy jest, are a pleasure to peruse, and neither in his earlier nor in his later ones was he inclined to spare the feelings and eccentricities of those with whom his lot was cast. Thus, on August 5th, 1808, he writes:— The Mayor now again produced your Lordship’s Letter, desiring to know the answer they might [deem?] it proper for him to give to it, when they unanimously acknowledged your Lordship’s kind offer, and gladly consented to embrace it, and elect you Mayor for the ensuing year. The Business being unanimous, to be sure on that account from such an offer it must be pleasant; but those assembled on this occasion did not look like _old Christians_ in old Times at previous meetings on such occasions. Twelve o’clock by Day is always a dull, dry time, when old Tiverton aldermen never met to do chearful Business, as they could not fix their Nominee by drinking his Health. Father Tucker gave the Company a Hint of it, but it had no effect. I suppose as those of the Junta are now under pantile Influence, and have turned their Backs on our Lord Bishop, they will leave off drinking wine, unless when quite by themselves. _Tempora mutantur._ Of the old times and the old Christians Mr. Wood had told Lord Harrowby not a few entertaining stories, which are still preserved in his faded but excellent handwriting. Possibly at some future date they may be printed for the benefit of students of human nature, together with extracts from other correspondence, but with one more specimen of his admirable humour this paper must be brought to a close. Sept. 17, 1775.