The Life of Charles, Third Earl Stanhope (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914 Excerpt: ...to have had no special taste for belleslettres, was probably more gratified by the following address from Alnwick, accompanied by over 300 signatures 1: --'My Lord, --We whose names are hereunto annexed, residing in the town and neighbourhood of Alnwick, in Northumberland, have presumed to address your Lordship on the very patriotic exertions you have lately made in the House of Lords. Without a perfect acquaintance with your Lordship's personal character, we are emboldened by congenial sentiments to offer you our united and most sincere thanks for having dared to stand alone in what we think a good cause. When a man steps forward boldly in the cause of suffering virtue, the conscious rectitude of his intentions affords him the highest gratification. But we think it a duty incumbent upon us, if possible, to add to your satisfaction by thus openly expressing our gratitude. We are not, it is true, among the great ones of the earth; we are not men high in power or in office; but we are Britons, who think for ourselves without bias, and, we trust, without prejudice. Merit and an upright heart constitute the true basis of distinction among mankind: and we therefore esteem public characters in proportion as they approach to that eminent station your Lordship posesses in our minds. Far removed from vile flattery and adulation, accept of this our address as a genuine token of our well-founded regard, which we feel more powerfully than we are able to express. That your Lordship may long live to run your glorious career, and finally behold your zealous efforts crowned with success, is our sincere and heartfelt wish.' Still more precious were the unfailing support and encouragement extended to him by the democratic societies which had sprung up shortly before or shortly...