No. XXIII.

RIGHT HON. FRANCIS NORTH, EARL OF GUILFORD.

LORD NORTH AND GUILFORD, HEREDITARY HIGh steward OF THE BOROUGH OF BANBURY, PATENT COMPTROLLER AND SEARCHER OF THE CUSTOMS, AND LL. D.

ANIMO ET FIDE. Mot.

ROGER NORTH, who flourished during the reign of Edward IV., appears to be the common ancestor of this family. From him descended Edward, created a peer by Mary, on Feb. 17, 1554. But for wealth, and consequence, we are to look to Sir Francis North, Knight, a very able lawyer, who became first Solicitor, then Attorney-General, next Chief Justice of the King's Bench, and was finally nominated Keeper of the Great Seal, during the reigns of Charles II. and James II. with the title of Lord Guilford. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge; and while presiding in the Court of Chancery, is said to have been rather too favourable to the interests of the crown, for a great, upright, and independent judge. Happily for his memory, two events occurred, to shelter his reputation, and enhance his merits; for he was succeeded on the bench, by the infamous Jefferies, while his life was written, and his conduct displayed in the most favourable colours, by a near relation.

This nobleman, who was the author of a philosophical Essay on Music; is known to have exhibited considerable skill on the Bass-Viol, an instrument now become obsolete. According to tradition, he employed a musician to lull him to sleep; and if we are to believe his enemies, he was accustomed "to ride on a Rhinoceros." This accusation is seriously termed

dallic pursuits*; and the fine collection of numismatic treasure at the British Museum, furnished ample opportunity to indulge his ruling passion. He had lived for some time in Bloomsbury-square, whence he removed to Vernon-place, where he died on March 18, 1817, in the 74th year of his age.

* When the celebrated Mr. Howard, had endeared himself to all the world, by the generous sacrifice of both life and fortune for the benefit of mankind, the propriety of erecting a statue to him, during his life-time, was suggested by some spirited individuals. He, however, absolutely refused to accept of such a testimony of the public esteem. On this, a medal was thought of; and Dr. John Coakley Lettsom, who had distinguished himself by his zeal and liberality, on a subject which presented not a few difficulties, consulted Dr. Combe, as will be seen by the following letter, in reply ; (Vide Life and Correspondence of Dr. L. vol. i. p. 587.)

tion:

"To DR. LETTSOM.

"Bloomsbury-square, Oct. 22, 1787. "In regard to the Howardian Medal, I submit the following to your consideraA medal, unless appropriated to some person, or recording some fact, or series of facts, well defined, that is, clearly pointed out, becomes nugatory. Mr. Howard having refused to let either his head or name be placed on the medal, has rendered it very difficult to do him honour, or inform posterity, or even foreigners of the present age, the occasion and intention of striking it.

"Under circumstances thus discouraging, I have attempted something. There seem to be two considerable objections against a Greek inscription, however apposite and elegant; one arising from the smallness of the number of people who are able to read it, and so far counteracting the design of a medal; the other from the artists not having Greek punches for the letters; and to have them made for one medal only would be very expensive.

"As the medal is intended for foreigners as well as our own countrymen, I thiuk an English inscription is not suitable. Latin is a language generally understood throughout Europe; more can be compressed by it in a less space, and custom seems to have made it, (if I may be allowed the expression,) the medallic language.

"On the obverse, a view of a prison, which by irons, chains, &c. may be clearly defined; toward this a man walking, in the exergue:

< INFIRMUS ERAM, ET VISITASTIS ME,

IN CARCERE ERAM, ET VENISTES AD ME.

"And in the contour:

·Matt. xxv. 36.

6 NEC MORBI NEC EQUORA TERRENT.'

"Alluding to the dangers he underwent of infectious diseases, and in travelling, when in pursuit of his very humane plan.

"On the reverse, the figure of BRITANNIA, the same as on a medal of Antoninus Pius, holding out a civic crown, over a standing figure; and underneath,

'BRITANNIA, L. M. MISERORUM CONSOLATORI, 1787.'

"Still something I think is wanting for the information of posterity, which must be supplied by gentlemen having the following engraved round the edge after they had received the medal. IN HONOREM HOWARD ARMIG.

Dr. Combe was a well known collector and purchaser of rare books. Like the late King of Wirtemburg, he possessed an immense number of the editions of the Bible, which were lately purchased by the trustees of the British Museum.

List of the Works of the late Dr. Charles Combe.

1. Index Nummorum omnium Imperatorum, Augustarum, et Cæsarum, à Julio Cæsare usque ad Postumum, qui tamen Româ et Coloniis quam in Græcia, Ægypto, et aliis locis ex ære magni moduli signabantur. Lond. 1773. 4to.

2. Nummorum veterum Populorum, et Urbium in Museo Gulielmi Hunter, Descriptio, 4to. 1782.

3. Quint. Horatii Flacci opera cum variis lectionibus, notis variorum, et indice completissimo. Lond. 1792-3. 2 vols.

4to.

4. A Statement of Facts, relative to the behaviour of Dr. Samuel Parr, to the late Mr. H. Homer, and Dr. Combe, 8vo. 1793.

No. XVII.

SIR ALEXANDER THOMPSON, KNT.

LATE CHIEF BARON OF THE COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

After due study and entered into

SIR Alexander Thompson was a native of the North of England, where he was born in 1745. Having been destined for the law, he was sent to the University; and at a proper period entered at one of the Inns of Court. and application he was called to the bar, practice soon after, which encreased considerably, on account of his extraordinary application and attention. These qualities, superadded to his intimate knowledge of the laws of England, recommended him to the notice of a former Duke of Bedford (the grandfather of the present), and he conducted several suits for his Grace, with equal credit and ability. He was afterwards, if we are not misinformed, employed for many years as auditor of the various estates, both in town and country; and did not resign this situation until he was appointed, like his successor Mr. Baron Adam, to the bench.

When Sir James Eyre became Chief Baron of the Exchequer, on January 26, 1787, Mr. Thompson received the honour of knighthood, and was nominated a Baron in his place. In this situation he remained until 1793, when, on the resignation of Sir Archibald M'Donald, he became chief of that court in which he had before been a puisné, or junior judge.

In respect to legal knowledge his reputation was exceedingly high; and for his perspicuity as well as integrity, he has been always praised. He sat for many years in the Exchequer, and having outlived the Judges Gold, Heath, Rooke, Hotham, Eyre, Grose, Ashhurst, Lord Mansfield, &c. he stood alone,

like one of the sturdy oaks of the forest, and seemingly defied the attacks of time. He accordingly became the senior judge of the four courts in Westminster-hall, having sat on one bench near thirty years!

At length he retired in consequence of encreasing years and infirmities, and died at Bath in April 1817, in the seventysecond year of his age.

The late Chief Baron Thompson was the intimate friend and companion of the great Lord Thurlow, who, as Chancellor, had it in his power to be eminently serviceable to him during the early part of his legal career. His late preferment took place after that nobleman's demise. They were both good lawyers, and both fond of the pleasures of the table, being never averse to a cheerful and exhilarating glass of wine, after the business and fatigues of the day had been terminated.