Lord FOLKESTONE confessed that there Had been a smile on his countenance at one part of the right honorable gentleman (Mr. CANNING)'s speech, and it seemed to him very extraordinary, even after the reconciliation that had taken place, to hear the right honorable gentleman stand up for the talents of that poor "Doctor" (Lord SIDMOUTH), who has so long been the butt of his most bitter and unsparing ridicule (_loud laughter and shouts of hear, hear_). Whether in poetry or prose, the great object of his derision, and that for want of ability and sense, was the noble lord whom he (Mr. CANNING) had so strenuously defended that night; and now forsooth, he wondered that any person could object to confide unlimited power in the hands of a person, according to his own former opinions, so likely to be duped and misled (hear, hear). Yes, the house would remember the lines in which, at different times, the right honorable gentleman (Mr CANNING), had been pleased to panegyrize his (Mr. CANNING's) noble friend (Lord SIDMOUTH) of which the following were not the worst:-- "I showed myself prime Doctor to the country; My ends attain'd, my only aim has been To keep my place, and gild my humble name."-- (A laud laugh) Yes, this was the view the right honorable gentleman had once drawn of his noble friend, who was then described by him thus:-- "My name's the Doctor; on the Berkshire hills," &c. [See the Parody below for the remainder of Lord Folkestone's Quotation--For his Lordship's Speech, see Evans's Debates, 1817, p. 1568.] My name's THE DOCTOR; on the Berkshire hills My father purged his patients--a wise man, Whose constant care was to increase his store, And keep his eldest son--myself--at home. But I had heard of Politics, and long'd To sit within the Commons' House, and get A place, and luck gave what my sire denied. {254} Some thirteen years ago, or ere my fingers Had learn'd to mix a potion, or to bleed, _I flatterd Pitt: I cring'd, and sneak'd, and faun'd,_ And thus became the Speaker. I alone, With pompous gait, and peruke full of wisdom, Th' unruly members could control, or call The House to order. Tir'd of the Chair, I sought a bolder flight, And, grasping at his power, I struck my friend, Who held that place which now I've made my own. Proud of my triumph, I disdain'd to court The patron hand which fed me--or to seem Grateful to him who rais'd me into notice. And, when the King had call'd his Parliament With all my fam'ly crowding at my heels, My brothers, cousins, followers and my son, I show'd myself Prime Doctor to the country. _My ends attain'd my only aim has been To keep my place--and gild my humble name!_ [Illustration: 262] {255} TO THE READER