Such a procedure as suggested itself was accordingly recommended, and whether it happened from the prosecution of this advice or not, is very immaterial, but after no great lapse of time, a Prebendal stall in the Cathedral Church of C. was obtained, of which by the way his Lordship still retained possession, even after he had succeeded to the title, and to the very noble provision bestowed by a generous and grateful nation duly to support its honour. Here let us pause. Providence, in such cases as this before us, as indeed in every other, (for it is impiety to call it fortune) holds the balance of good and evil with an equal hand. The noble Lord of whom we are speaking, lost a darling son in the flower of youth, and as it has been said of the most promising endowments—the branch is broken from his hands. The dignity and accompanying opulence will be vested in the heirs male of a sister. This also may fail, but the name will live for ever. In the former periods of British history, the elevation of great merchants, and of wealthy commercial men, to the dignity of the Peerage, was not unfrequent. Pennant, in his History of London, mentions many noble families of this description. That of the Duke of Leeds, for example, of Coventry, of Essex, and of a great many others. But in more modern times, wealth instead of accumulating in the persons of a few fortunate individuals, has been more equally as well as, more generally diffused. The examples accordingly of elevation to the honours of nobility from the city have less frequently occurred. Of the few which we have witnessed, perhaps the house of Thellusson is that which may, with the greatest propriety and justice, be classed among those, whose origin was as humble as their present condition is illustrious. Prosperity is hard to bear, and honours not hereditary are apt for a time to sit awkwardly on the wearer. “And then to have the humour of state, and after a demure travel of regard, telling them I know my place, as I would they should do theirs, to ask for my kinsman Toby. Seven of my people, with an obedient start, make out for him. I frown the while, and perchance wind up my watch, or play with some rich jewel. Toby approaches, curtsies there to me. I extend my hand to him thus—quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of controul.” It cannot but excite a smile to learn, that the first new fangled Baron of R. having purchased the mansion of a nobleman, which was one of those denominated by our French neighbours, “entre Cour et Jardin,” consecrated the “Cour” with great solemnity. No carriages were permitted to enter its mighty gates, except those of our brethren of noble rank, or such as were stamped with bearings and quarterings from the Herald’s College. The gates were Taboo to the more mean and vulgar visitors, whose finances compelled them to avail themselves of the accommodation of hackneys.