Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/433

Rh sions and conduct appeared very strange to the circle in which she moved. Some even advised Lord Huntingdon to interpose his authority; but, though he differed from her in sentiment, he continued to shew her the same affection and respect. He desired, however, she would oblige him by conversing with bishop Benson on the subject, to which she readily agreed; but the conference was not productive of any change.

During Lord Huntingdon's life, her means were necessarily circumscribed, and family affairs occupied her attention, but she devoted a considerable portion of time to the poor. These she relieved in their necessities, visited in sickness, conversed and prayed with. On his death, the entire management of her children and their fortunes was left to her, which last she improved with the greatest fidelity.

Countenancing more especially the followers of Mr. Whitfield, as she was herself inclined to the Calvinistic persuasion, she opened her house in Park-street for the preaching of the gospel, supposing, as a peeress of the realm, she had a right to employ, as her family chaplains, those ministers of the church whom she patronised. On the week days, her kitchen was open to the poor who wished for instruction; and on Sundays the great and fashionable were invited to spend the evening in her drawing-room, where Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Romaine, &c. occasionally preached.

The illness of her younger son leading her to Brighthelmstone, she erected a little chapel contiguous to her house: it was afterwards enlarged, and that not sufficing to contain the congregation, it was a third time taken down and rebuilt. In Bath, Oathall, Bretby, and various other parts, places of worship were also erected by her. At first, she selected her ministers from those of the established