] "Toland (`Life of Milton', p. 2) has justly observed
> that ``those distinctions which the brave and the wise have
> justly obtained from their country, descend indifferently
> to cowards, traitors, or fools, and spoil the better souls
> from endeavouring to equal or exceed the merits of their
> ancestors.'' The Peerage furnishes abundant illustrations
> of the truth of this remark; and so long as human nature
> remains what it now is, hereditary honours must be
> prolific with mischief."

] "Irish Peerages, says The Spectator, have proved a most
> pernicious instrument in the hands of the packers of the
> House of Lords. An Irish Peerage is a step to the British;
> a man is created an Irish Peer for servility, oppression,
> and bigotry in his own country; and then he is ready for
> transplanting to this, whenever his services shall be
> wanted. The misgovernment of Ireland has been a grand means
> of ruining England. When a man is made a Peer by corruption
> in Ireland, by corruption he is glad to take the next step
> in England."

] Campbell, Marquis of Breadalbane -- "Sir John Campbell
> of Glenorchy being the creditor of George, sixth Earl of
> Caithness, obtained a disposition from that nobleman of his
> whole estate and earldom, with the hereditary jurisdictions
> and titles; and upon the demise of his Lordship, he was
> created by patent (1677) Earl of Caithness; but in a few
> years afterwards, that dignity being allowed by Parliament
> to be vested in George Sinclair of Keif, Sir John Campbell
> obtained a new patent (1681), creating him Earl of
> Breadalbane and Holland. This Peerage, therefore, has
> obviously been obtained in the way of trade -- it is solely
> the purchase of money or money's worth. Other Peerages have
> been conferred for political profligacy or subserviency to
> the minister of the day; but we are not at present aware of
> any other case in which a Peerage has been notoriously a
> matter of bargain and sale, like any other commodity or
> description of transferable property."

] Earl of Clanwilliam -- "This Tory Peer was a hanger-on
> of the late Lord Castlereagh of execrable memory, and was
> made a British Peer by the especial favor of George IV in
> order that he might vote against the Catholic question.
> Having thus obtained his Peerage, the noble Lord, according
> to true lordly morality, voted in favor of the Emancipation
> Bill, in order to please the Duke of Wellington, and serve
> himself."

] Lord Albert, brother of Marquis of Conyngham -- "This
> young gentleman, who is married to a sister of Lord
> Forrester, is what is denominated a blood . He is well
> known in the saloons of the theatres, and in many other
> places which we may as well not mention."

] Earl of Clancarty -- "His claims to public notice rest
> altogether upon political subserviency, diplomatic finesse,
> and an uniform opposition to everything tending to improve
> the institutions of the country."

] The Duke of Cumberland -- "It was the misfortune of his
> Royal Highness to reside for many years of his life in
> foreign countries, where the doctrines of despotism were
> sedulously inculcated, and where his mind was familiarised
> with opinions and principles wholly at variance with the
> British Constitution. He is one of those statesmen who
> maintain that the people have nothing to do with the laws
> but to obey them -- that the few are born to rule, and the
> many to submit without question or complaint. He is never
> absent from his place in Parliament when the bigotted and
> intolerant faction to which he belongs meditate any
> agression on liberty either at home or abroad; and he has
> evinced similar zeal and activity in availing himself of
> his proximity to the throne, and of the confidential
> intercourse which that position gives him, to influence the
> state-policy in favor of everything anti-popular and
> illiberal."

] Earl Delawarr -- "Wherever the mouldering carcass of
> exploded legitimacy is there, there is he; labouring most
> zealously, though feebly, to foster the corruptions in the
> State, and perpetuate the abuses on which the oligarchy has
> so long battened."

] Earl De Grey -- "He is ever to be found in the
> anti-popular ranks, impeding and thwarting the progress of
> liberal and wholesome legislation."

] Nicholas Vansittart, Baron Bexley -- The poem below was
> written in response to this remark from Lord Bexley's
> Letter to the Freeholders of Kent : "We are told that
> the bigots are growing old and fast wearing out. If it be
> so, why not let us die in peace?"

] Stop, Intellect, in mercy stop, Ye curst Improvements
> cease: And let poor Nick Vansittart drop Into his
> grave in peace.

] Hide, Knowledge, hide thy rising sun -- Young Freedom,
> veil thy head; Let nothing good be thought or done
> Till Nick Vansittart's dead.

] Take pity on a dotard's fears, Who much light doth
> detest; And let his last few drivelling years Be dark
> as were the rest.

] Ye Liberals, whate'er your plan, Be all reforms
> suspended; In compliment to dear old Van, Let nothing
> bad be mended.

] Ye Papists, whom oppression wrings, Your cry politely
> cease, And fret your hearts to fiddle-strings, That
> Van may "die in peace".