pomp of that mighty house was much abased. His collateral successor, Mr.
Howard, of Graystock, was a man of mean and intemperate habits, which
were inherited by his son, the late duke, then known by the name of Lord
Surry, and who made himself conspicuous as a Whig, and by electioneering
contests and intrigues. With this last I was familiar, but soon saw that
I could put no trust in him. I wrote many political squibs at his
desire--not worth preserving; he was a man of a good deal of spleen,
personal as well as political. Charles Fox flattered him, that he might
have his aid to the party; but he did not love or respect him. He
married an Irishwoman for his first wife. I think his mother's name was
Brockholes. It was amusing to see him in contest with the late Lord
Abingdon, whose power of speaking in the House (whatever mental
eccentricities he might have) was so great, that many preferred his
eloquence even to Lord Chatham's. The duke was never at rest: he always
had some jobs in hand: by which he often put himself into pecuniary
embarrassment. His face was very much like that of Cardinal Howard,
Temp. Car. II., of whom there are so many engraved portraits. He prided
himself upon a common dress, very much like that of a yeoman, or rather
country schoolmaster. It was generally a grey coat, with black buttons,
and black waistcoat. I once asked him to use his interest for a relation
of mine; he readily promised--but never attempted to perform. He had a
personal antipathy to Pitt and Lord Grenville; and one of the constant
subjects of his jokes and raillery was the Grenville pedigree. A Mr.
Dallaway, a clergyman, was his private secretary, as earl-marshal; with
whom I once dined at the duke's table; a large, heavy-looking man, who,
I was told, had written several books; but I presume he is deceased, as
I have not seen his name announced for a long while.

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