WILLIAM PULTENEY, EARL OF BATH, AN author, whose writings will be better known by his name, than his name will be by his writings; though his prose had much ef fect, and his verses were easy and graceful. Both were occasional, and not dedicated to the love of fame. Good-humour and the spirit of society dictated his poetry; ambition and acrimony, his political writings. The latter made Pope say, "How many Martials were in Pulteney lost!" That loss, however, was amply compensated to the world by the odes to which lord Bath's political conduct gave birth. The pen of sir Charles Hanbury Williams inflicted deeper wounds in three months on this lord, than a series of Craftsmen, aided by lord Bolingbroke for several years, could imprint on sir Robert Walpole. The latter lost his power, but lived to see justice done to his character. His rival acquired no power, but - died very rich. I cannot specify the particular paper or pamphlets written by lord Bath, during his long opposition to sir Robert Walpole; but he was supposed to have the principal hand in Mist's and Fogg's journals, and the Craftsman. Such of his poems as are come to my knowledge are, "Verses on Lady Essex Howard:" printed in the Annual Register for 1768. "Riddle on the Eye." Lord Bath's wit was not of the delicate kind. 66 Epistle from Mother Lodge to Sir Paul Methuen." Ballad, on the Maids of Honour losing their shifts." "On the various Claims to the Baronies of Stitch and Knocking." "Ode to Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester." "Paul Foley, to Nicholas Fazakerley:" imitated from Ode xi. Book ii. of Horace. "Verses to Miss Pelham." "On the Pump-Girl at Bath." "Ballad on Strawberry Hill." Some indecent lines, on a lady who aimed at too high a marriage. The works in prose, certainly written by lord Bath, were "A Dedication" to the Short History of the Parliament.' 2 ⚫ [Sec article of sir Robert Walpole, first earl of Orford.] A proper Reply to a late scurrilous Libel, entitled 'Sedition and Defamation displayed." 1731. The latter was written by lord Hervey 3, The Reply occasioned the duel between those two lords. "Seasonable Hints from an Honest Man on the present Crisis." 1761. "No. XVII. of the Periodical Paper called The World." A few of his letters are printed with Swift's correspondence. [William Pulteney, descended from a very ancient family, was born in 1682, and educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Being heir to a plentiful fortune, he very early obtained a seat in the house of commons, and distinguished himself as the political opponent of sir Robert Harley and sir Robert Walpole, [As an Answer to sir C. H. Williams's Congratulatory Letter, &c. See Reminiscences of Lord Orford, in his works, vol. iv. p. 316.] The light in which he held descent, was thus noticed, in sir C. H. Williams's poem of the Statesman; "When you touch on his lordship's high birth, Speak Latin as if you were tipsy; Say, we all are the sons of the earth, 5 whose errors he had the sagacity to detect, and the eloquence to expose. In 1714 he was appointed secretary at war, and not long after cofferer to his majesty's household 6; but in 1725 an irreconcilable breach was caused between Walpole and himself, which some time after broke out into open invective. Nor did this opposition-pique confine itself to the minister, but extended to all his measures; till, at length, it became so obnoxious to the crown, that in July 1731 the king struck the name of William Pulteney out of the list of privy-counsellors. This proceeding served to inflame his resentment, and increase his popularity. He now attacked the administration with a degree of sarcasm that foiled every antagonist; and sir Robert, dreading his tongue 5 Bramston paid the following compliment to his oratorical powers in the senate: "Pulteney the coldest breast with zeal can fire, Art of Politics. Lord Chesterfield also gave him the character of a complete orator; but added, that he was a slave to every disorderly passion, and avarice in particular:" while bishop Pearce avers, that, contrary to the opinion of those who were less acquainted with him, he yearly bestowed, out of a very large estate, more than a tenth part of his whole income. See Note to Dedication of the Guardian, vol. ii. p. 3. Sharpe's edit. 6 In 1723 Ambrose Philips addressed an ode to him, which is not emasculated by his customary adulation or puerility, more than another man's sword, resigned a post no longer tenable, and was created earl of Orford. 7 In 1742 Mr. Pulteney was made baron of Heydon in Yorkshire, viscount Pulteney, and earl of Bath ; but his only son dying before him, the title became extinct at his own death, on July 7, 1764.3 From the moment he accepted a title, all his popular favour is said to have ceased 3; and the rest of his 7 Annual Register for 1765, p. 15.; and New Biog. Dict. vol. xii. p. 417. It is among political anecdotes told - Lord Bath was one day complaining to dowager lady Townshend," he had a pain in his side.” "How is that possible? (retorted the female wit,) I never knew your lordship had any side.” 8 In 1740 he appears to have almost despaired of accomplishing his purpose, as we gather from one of his letters to Swift. "Our situation is very extraordinary: sir Robert will have an army, will not have a war, and cannot have a peace; that is, the people are so averse to it, that he dares not make one. But in one year more, when by the influence of this army and our money he has got a new parliament to his liking, then he will make peace, and get it approved too, be it as it will. After which, I am afraid we shall all grow tired of struggling any longer, and give up the game." Correspond. vol. iii. p. 252. 9 Bolton's Extinct Peerage, p. 18. 2 His lordship was F.R.S. and bequeathed his valuable library to the rev. Mr. Douglas, the detector of Lauder, afterward bishop of Salisbury. Gent. Mag. vol. xxxiv. p. 350. 3 Hence, sir C. H. Williams, in his Satiric Odes: "I'm not the man you knew before, For I am PULTENEY now no more, My titles hide my name: Oh, how I blush to own my case! My dignity was my disgrace, And I was rais'd to shame. |