to it in the interesting Auto-biography, prefixed to his Miscellaneous Works. "In my second visit to Lausanne, (1764,) among the crowd of my English companions, I knew and esteemed Mr. Holroyd, (now Lord Sheffield,) and our mutual attachment was renewed and fortified in the subsequent stages of our Italian journey. Our lives are in the power of chance, and a slight variation on either side, in time or place, might have deprived me of a friend, whose activity in the ardour of youth, was always prompted by a benevolent heart, and directed by a strong understanding."* In 1767, Captain Holroyd, having returned to his native country, united himself to Miss Abigail Way, the only daughter of a gentleman of considerable opulence. His marriage with this lady, of whom Gibbon entertained a very exalted opinion, is thus jocosely alluded to, in one of the historian's letters to his friend, dated Bereton, April 29, 1767. “I happened to-night to stumble upon a very odd piece of intelligence in the St. James's Chronicle; it related to the marriage of a certain Monsieur Olroy, (the name was so spelt in the newspapers,) formerly Captain of Hussars. I do not know how it came into my head, that this Captain of Hussars was not unknown to me, and that he might possibly be an acquaintance of yours. If I am not mistaken in my conjecture, pray give my compliments to him, and tell him from me, that I am at least as well pleased he is married, as if I were so myself. Assure him, however, that though as a philosopher, I may prefer celibacy, yet as a politician, I think it highly proper that the species should be propagated; assure him, even that I am convinced, that if celibacy be exposed to fewer miseries, marriage can alone promise real happiness, since domestic enjoyments are the source of every good. May such happiness as is bestowed on few, be given to him; the transient blessings of beauty, and the more durable ones of fortune and good sense, and an amiable disposition.” About this time a good deal of discussion had arisen * Gibbon's Miscellaneous Works, vol. i. p. 169. throughout the country, as to the paramount importance of agriculture, as tending to form the true greatness and stability of a nation. The policy and propriety of encouraging agricultural pursuits was loudly insisted upon by the continental economists. A similar theory began to be adopted in England, which was ably supported and warmly countenanced by Mr. Holroyd, who was at this juncture living in elegant retirement at Sheffield Place *, in the county of Sussex. Unsatisfied with the cultivation and embellishment of his own extensive domain, he took a considerable tract of land, and became a farmer upon a very extended scale. In the ardent prosecution of these very useful pursuits, he improved in many and important respects, the system of agriculture, then in general adoption; and might be said in some measure to have ameliorated the condition of the husbandman by the introduction of new and less laborious modes of cultivation. Such were the laudable employments of his leisure hours, acting at the same time as magistrate, in which capacity he was as remarkable for the minuteness with which he investigated the offence brought under his consideration, as for the lenity with which he visited it upon the head of the unfortunate culprit. In 1772, Mr. Holroyd had the misfortune to lose his infant son, on which occasion Gibbon addressed him a letter of the most friendly condolence. To assist in dissipating the severe regret which must have arisen out of this loss, Mr. Holroyd and his lady made a tour through Ireland and Scotland the ensuing summer. They returned ere long, to their agreeable retirement at Sheffield Place, where they remained until 1778, when the war (so long foreseen by our skilful politicians) • His lordship's principal estate at Sheffield Place, is very considerable, and gives a name to the hundred. The house is large and elegant, and situated in an extensive park, midway between East Grinstead and Lewes. The first foundation is not known, but it has undergone great alterations, especially within these few years. It is in the best Gothic style, and in a battlemented frieze, which goes round the house, are introduced the arms of the possessors of the lordship or manor of Sheffield, from Edward the Conqueror's time; when, as appears from Domesday Book, it belonged to Earl Godwin. between this country and several of the European powers, broke out to disturb the repose which had so universally prevailed. Louis XVI., taking advantage of the disgrace and discomfiture attendant on the capitulation of Saratoga, declared against us. On this occasion the militia was called out, and that of Sussex embodied under the command of the Duke of Richmond, when the subject of this memoir accepted of a majority. In the course of the ensuing year the most disastrous events recorded in our history posterior to the revolution, took place, namely, the undoubted appearance of the combined fleets of France and Spain off our coasts, which struck terror and dismay throughout the whole empire. On this occasion Major Holroyd proposed to government, to raise and equip, at his own expense, a legion of hussars and light infantry. His offer was gratefully accepted by the executive power, and as commandant, he was of course permitted to choose his own officers. This body of cavalry was called the Sussex, or 22d Regiment of Light Dragoons. Colonel Holroyd possessed great wealth and influence in the county; he had served in the Light Horse, and was therefore well fitted to take the command of this newly raised force. We accordingly find that the Sussex regiment of light dragoons was completed, and mustered in the course of a few weeks. Although it was never called into active service, it was in all respects fitted for that purpose, had the exigency of the times rendered its employment necessary. Colonel Holroyd, however, found means to distinguish himself during the riots that prevailed in London in 1780; on which occasion he exhibited equal courage and ability: but we are in some degree anticipating our narrative. In 1780, Colonel Holroyd, having expressed an inclination to be returned to parliament, had the good fortune to be elected, without any opposition, for Coventry. He did not possess any property in that place, or its vicinity: his election was in all probability the consequence of a temporary residence there, and an occasional connection with the inhabitants: that city having been for some time the head-quarters of the Sussex regiment of Light Dragoons. Colonel Holroyd was not accustomed to speak often in the House of Commons. In the course of the session after which he was chosen, a circumstance is said to have occurred in the House, which sufficiently marked the decisive character of our new member. Lord George Gordon, whose conduct at this period can only be conceived by those who possess an adequate idea of what fanaticism and superstition are capable of achieving, was accustomed to leave his seat, and go out to the people assembled in the lobby, to inform them who was then speaking, and what was at that moment transacting in the House. Colonel Holroyd, fearing lest such inflammatory conduct should lead to more dangerous extremities, took hold of his Lordship, forcibly, and, after using some menaces, remarked, "that heretofore he had imputed his behaviour to madness alone; but that now he was fully convinced, that there was more malice than madness in it." He at the same time advised him, that in case the safety of any of the members of that House was endangered, he should consider him as the instigator, and inflict immediate vengeance with his own hand. During the riots occasioned by Lord George Gordon, Colonel Holroyd was particularly active. Gibbon, alluding to these disturbances, in a letter to his aunt, remarks, "Colonel Horoyd was all last night in Holborn, among the flames, and with the Northumberland militia, and performed very bold and able service." On December 10th, 1780, Colonel Holroyd experienced a signal mark of the royal favour. His Majesty was pleased to advance him to the peerage of Ireland, by the name, style, and title of Lord Sheffield, Baron of Dunamore, in the county of Meath. And by letters from St. James's, 17th Sep * Dunamore, or Dunaghmore, a manor and estate in the county of Meath, which was purchased by his Lordship's ancestor about a century ago, from the Earl of Denbigh and Desmond. tember, 1783, his Majesty was pleased further to create him Baron Sheffield of Roscommon, extending the honor in failure of heirs male on his issue female. At the general election the preceding September, through the flagitious conduct of the corporation of Coventry, and the sheriffs, Lord Sheffield was thrown out in his attempt to represent a second time that borough in parliament. Not content with preventing his Lordship's re-election, the corporation of Coventry would suffer no return whatever to be made. This business was at length brought before the proper court of judicature, that of the House of Commons. The present Marquis of Hertford (then Lord Beauchamp) distinguished himself at this juncture by his zeal in behalf of what he conceived to be the elective franchises of the subject; and by the vote of parliament, the sheriffs of Coventry were committed as prisoners to Newgate, and a new election ordered to take place, which commenced in November following. Such however was the rancour, animosity, and injustice of the corporation, that notwithstanding there was a great majority in favour of Messrs. Holroyd and Yeo, Sir Thomas Halifax and Mr. Rogers were returned. A new petition to parliament was the consequence, and much fresh altercation took place, but Messrs. Holroyd and Yeo triumphed, and were declared duly and properly elected. Gibbon, commenting in a letter to his aunt, upon Lord Sheffield's conduct in parliamentary concerns, observes, "Holroyd pursues those affairs with eager and persevering zeal, and has the pleasure of undertaking more business than any three men could possibly execute."* Towards the close of the American war, Lord Sheffield began to study the nature of the commerce, revenues, and resources of this country in a more particular manner than he had done heretofore. He also became, for the first time, an author; and, in a publication on the trade of the United States of America, gave abundant proofs of his industry to inves * Gibbon's Miscellaneous Works, vol. ii. p. 240. |