of my striking), which, with his usual precaution, he had brought in his pocket, in case of accidents. I take this occasion also to pay my thanks to Thomas Gore, Esq. for some excellent milk-punch, which he directed his butler to furnish me with most opportunely, and which I then thought the most solacing beverage I ever had regaled withal. Dr. Joseph and myself reached Oxford in the Dilly by five in the evening, the populace most handsomely taking off the horses for something more than the last half mile, in honour of the first Literary Aëronaut of these kingdomsAs witness my hand this 22d of May, 1785, THOMAS WARTON. CERTIFICATE. May, 1785. County of Oxford to wit, THIS is to certify, to all whom it may concern, That the aforesaid Thomas and Joseph Warton came before me, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said county, and did solemnly make oath to the truth of the above case. His Sworn before me, JOHN † WEɣland, WEYLAND, Mark. LAUREAT ELECTION, On the demise of the late excellent Bard, William Whitehead, Esq. Poet Laureat to His Majesty, it was decidedly the opinion of His Majesty's great superintendent Minister, that the said office should be forthwith declared elective, and in future continue so; in order, as well to provide the ablest successor on the present melancholy occasion, as also to secure a due preference to superior talents, upon all future vacancies: it was in consequence of this determination, that the following Public Notice issued from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, and became the immediate cause of the celebrated contest that is recorded in these pages. ADVERTISEMENT. Lord Chamberlain's Office, April 26. In order to administer strict and impartial justice to the numerous candidates for the vacant POET LAUREATSHIP, many of whom are of illustrious birth, and high character, NOTICE is hereby given, That the same form will be attended to in receiving the names of the said Candidates, which is invariably observed in registering the Court Dancers. The list to be finally closed on Friday evening next. Each Candidate is expected to deliver in a PROBATIONARY BIRTH-DAY ODE, with his name, and also personally to appear on a future day, to recite the same before such literary judges as the Lord Chamberlain, in his wisdom, may appoint, LAUREAT ELECTION. [The following Account, though modestly styled a Hasty Sketch, according to the known delicacy of the Editorial Style, is in fact A Report, evidently penned by the hand of & Master.] HASTY SKETCH of Wednesday's Business at the LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE. IN In consequence of the late general notice, given by public advertisement, of an open election for the vacant office of Poet Laureat to Their Majesties, on the terms of Probationary Compositions, a considerable number of the most eminent characters in the fashionable world assembled at the Lord Chamberlain's Office, Stable Yard, St. James's, on Wednesday last, between the hours of twelve and two, when Mr. Ramus was immediately despatched to Lord Salisbury's, acquainting his Lordship therewith, and soliciting his attendance to receive the several candidates, and admit their respective tenders. His Lordship arriving in a short time after, the following Noblemen and Gentlemen were immediately presented to his Lordship by John Calvert, jun. Esq. in quality of Secretary to the office. James Eley, Esq. and Mr. Samuel Betty, attended also as first and second Clerk. The following list of candidates was made out forthwith, and duly entered on the roll, as a preliminary record to the subsequent proceedings. The Right Rev. Dr. William Markham, Lord Archbishop of York. The Right Hon. Edward, Lord Thurlow, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. The Most Noble James, Marquis of Graham. t The Right Hon. Harvey Redmond, Visc. Mountmorres, of the kingdom of Ireland. The Right Hon. Constantine, Lord Mulgrave, ditto. The Right Hon. Henry Dundas. |
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