Townshend in the representation of Calne was the celebrated lawyer Jekyll:
"Jekyll, the wag of law, the scribbler's pride,"
as the authors of the Rolliad called him, while they described Shelburne as
. . . . "the sylvan sage
Whom Bowood guards to rule a purer age."
The choice of Jekyll seems to have been largely influenced by an attack made in the House of Commons by Sheridan. "I see," Shelburne wrote to Baring, "that Sheridan has chosen to amuse himself and administration too with a great deal which I never said in the House of Lords. If I go on in any political line, I foresee I must consider of some connection in a law line, who may be ready to answer such bavardage."[1]
But the greatest loss of all was that of Lord Ashburton, whose constitution, already impaired by illness and exertion, gave way entirely under the loss of his eldest son in April 1783. He died in August following at Exmouth of consumption.
It is said that when on a journey to that place he met at Bagshot the Attorney-General Wallace, his old antagonist both in the House of Commons and at the bar, who was himself proceeding to London for medical advice. Both expressed a strong wish to have a last interview and conversation. They were brought into the same room, placed on two sofas, and passed some time in talking over their recollections of both sides of Westminster Hall; then parted, to meet no more.[2]
While Pitt was pursuing his victorious career one at least of his colleagues was not altogether satisfied with the treatment Shelburne had received. This was the Duke of Rutland, who had resigned the Privy Seal, and was now Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, where he had gone accompanied by Mr. Orde as Chief Secretary. "I cannot
