advanced in sufficient quantity to remove his embarrassments; in consequence of which, and having no heirs of his own, Mr Somerville settled on the Scottish and ennobled branch of his family, the ancient family estate of Somerville-Aston, in Warwickshire. And thus by a singular contingency, the estates of two families, whose ancestors were brothers during the reign of William the Conqueror, were united in the eighteenth century. Nay, what is yet more extraordinary, the chateau and dependencies of Somerville in Normandy were on sale about 1790, or thereabouts, and were nearly purchased by the subject of this memoir. But the state of property in France was then becoming much disturbed, in consequence of the approaching revolution; and a wild report had arisen among the peasantry, that the English desired to make the Duke of York Duke of Normandy, and that the English barons, who had left that country in the suite of William the Conqueror, were to reclaim their estates there. The idea of purchasing the chateau of Somerville was therefore relinquished, otherwise Lord Somerville might have stood in the unique circumstance of representing his Norman, his English, and Scottish ancestor, by possessing some part of the inheritance of each of the three lines.

Soon after his accession to the title, Lord Somerville was elected one of the sixteen representative Peers of Scotland, and sat in two successive Parliaments in that capacity. He was appointed President of the Board of Agriculture, an office which he filled for several years, with much honour

to himself and eminent advantages to the objects of that institution. Before Lord Somerville succeeded to his title, he had already made himself remarkable by his zeal in agricultural pursuits, and indeed in every object which could promote the national welfare and general comfort of the people. He was early distinguished by the favour of his Sovereign George III., or rather, if we may use the terms as distinct, by the friendship of that revered Prince.

His Majesty, shortly after Lord Somerville's succession to his title and estates, took an opportunity to let him know that he was not ignorant how his time had been employed. "The pursuits of agriculture," said the King, "particularly become an English gentleman, and I wish more of the British nobility displayed the same zeal for public improvement." Lord Somerville's appointment as one of the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, followed in a few years. This office gave him immediate access to the person of his Monarch, and a congeniality of pursuits united them still more intimately; but although a courtier, Lord Somerville could not be termed, in the ordinary acceptation of the word, a politician. He returned with the most dutiful affection the regard of his Sovereign; he felt his duty as a member of the Legislature, and honoured and admired the British Constitution; but he kept aloof from political party, detested political intrigue, and never permitted difference of political opinion to interrupt the harmony of private society. When he served his friends, and he was most anxious to forward the views of those

whom he thought deserving, he did it by his interest with those in power, not as a politician, but as a private friend; and as no man was more generally beloved, his influence of this kind was such as usually rendered his solicitations effectual, and many who now bewail his death, must add the tears of gratitude to those of friendly sorrow.

Lord Somerville's favourite studies were of an agricultural nature, and respected the growth of stock, the improvement of land, and the other objects of national economy. His skill, even in the minutiæ of these pursuits, was so remarkable, that a Lord of the Bed-chamber, and one of the best bred men in Europe, was often chosen an arbiter by the professional graziers and butchers of Smithfield, to decide disputed questions concerning the weight and value of cattle. In fact, he had turned the full energy of an active and enterprising mind into this particular channel, and had obtained a proportional acquaintance with all the details of information concerned with it.

These favourite pursuits engaged Lord Somerville in the prosecution of various schemes, some of which proved eminently successful, while others terminated in failure. As the first, or one of the first, introducers of Merino sheep into Britain, his Lordship was eminently successful. On the other hand, an attempt which he made, at very considerable expense, to encourage fisheries upon the west coast of England, was totally the reverse. The same may be said of various publications, in which he threw out hints for national improvement in general, and for abridging and facilitating the

labours of agriculture. It is proper to mention, that though his domestic establishment was always on a footing becoming his rank, and though he did not scruple to hazard considerable sums in such experiments as we have noticed, Lord Somerville was an excellent, though liberal economist, in this acting upon a principle which he thought due to a just regard for his independence and rank in society.

But whatever difference cf opinion may exist, concerning the wisdom or expediency of Lord Somerville's plans, the determined purity of his motives was never doubted. As an author, indeed, he had no ambition to be distinguished, farther than by throwing together various and miscellaneous hints, suggested by his active mind and keen observation. And of his schemes it might be in general observed, that none terminated in any selfish prospect of advantage to himself, but that, on the contrary, they were always grounded upon views of general and national utility. The pains which Lord Somerville devoted to following out such objects, indicated a perseverance equal to his quickness of observation; and more than once he succeeded in realizing views, which, at first sight, seemed altogether fanciful. Even where he failed, his miscarriage was a caution to others, as a stranded vessel becomes a beacon to those who hold the same course. In these, the great pursuits of Lord Somerville's life, he may be well said to have de served the gratitude of his country.

In taste, the subject of this Memoir was an admirer of vertu, and possessed a few good pictures, though he did not, we believe, purchase many. A

painting of one of his ancestors, the Earl of Winton and his family, by Sir Antonio More, is one of the most curious old Scottish portraits existing. An ornamented edition of Somerville's Chase, was published, we believe, at Lord Somerville's expense, who also adorned with engravings a curious family history, compiled by one of his ancestors, which the author of this Memoir prepared for the press, at the request of his noble friend.

When the apprehension of foreign invasion and intestine discord called all to arms, Lord Somerville took his place in the general armament, as Major of the Somersetshire Yeomanry. There is an engraving of him in the uniform of the corps, which gives an accurate idea of his very handsome person and striking countenance.

In religion, Lord Somerville was a humble and devout Christian, regular in his attendance upon the duties of public worship, and sincere in the practice of his faith. His private virtues we cannot here delineate, without violating the delicacy which attended his conduct during life, and ought to follow him to his tomb. It is enough to say, that he was an affectionate brother, an easy master, an active and affectionate friend. Few men, indeed, have possessed a kinder and more benign spirit; and its influence extended not only through the social circle of friends and relatives who surrounded him, but diffused itself among his domestics, and even descended to the mute animals who were the companions and instruments of his amusements. A nature so susceptible of kindly emotions was, of course, liable to occasional irritability. But the