The Lives of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, from the Earliest Times Till the Reign of King George IV. (Volume 5); From the Earliest Times Till the Reign of King George IV (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1848. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER CL. CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD CHANCELLOR CHARLES YORKE TILL HE WAS APPOINTED SOLICITOR-GENERAL. Charles Yorke commenced his senatorial career in the autumn of 1747, and continued a member of the House of Commons till within a few hours of his death. He first represented the snug, 1747 i borough of Reigate, which had passed under the grant L -J by King William to his grand-uncle Lord Chancellor Somers, and now belonged to his cousins, the Cocks's. He succeeded his elder brother, ' who was elected for the county of Cambridge. On this occasion there was addressed to him by Mr. Edwards the following SONNET. "Charles, whom thy country's voice applauding calls To Philip's honourable vacant seat, With modest pride the glorious summons wait, And rise to fame within St. Stephen's walls. Now wear the honours which thy youth befalls Thus early claim'd from thy lov'd learn'd retreat; To guard those sacred rights which elevate Britain's free sons above her neighbour thralls. Let Britain, let admiring Europe.see In those bright parts which erst too long confin'd Shone in the circle of thy friends alone, How sharp the spur of worthy ancestry When kindred virtues fan the generous mind Of Somers' nephew and of Hardwicke's son."* From the scanty accounts handed down to us of Parliamentary proceedings in the middle of the eighteenth century, it is very difficult to discover what was his success in debate. Although he sat in Parliament twenty-three years, --in the " Parliamentary History" his name is only mentioned five times.f We know from contemporary writers, that he was a smart orator, and had a considerable position in the House; but it is pretty clear that he did not support the reputation he had acquired at the bar and by his pen; and that he remaine...