Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 38.djvu/263

 ships which were engaged on the Doggerbank on 5 Aug. 1781 were in a similar category [see, 1714-1782].

In other respects, also, Sandwich's administration proved disastrous. Rightly or wrongly the heads of the whig party believed that his appointment of Keppel to the command in 1778 was a trick to put the disgrace which might accrue from the inadequacy of the fleet on a political opponent ; and the way in which he ordered and pushed the court-martial on Keppel was denounced as scandalous not only by the navy, but by public opinion. On Keppel's acquittal the mob, drunk with joy and strong waters, made a savage attack on Sandwich's official residence at the admiralty. The navy more sternly resented his conduct, and many officers of character and ability Harland, Howe, and Barrington among others refused to accept a command while he remained at the admiralty, not scrupling to say that under such a chief their honour was not safe. One man ; alone, of real ability, forced by pecuniary embarrassment, was willing to serve. This was Sir George Brydges Rodney, afterwards ; Lord Rodney, who went out to the West Indies as commander-in-chief early in 1780. Rodney had formerly been on friendly terms with Sandwich, but the whole tenor of his ; correspondence from the West Indies betrays ; the irritation, if not exasperation, which he felt at the conduct of the first lord.

Shortly after the acquittal of Keppel, while Sandwich's unpopularity was at its highest, the town was shocked by the murder of Sandwich's mistress, Margaret or Martha Ray, on 7 April 1779, by a young clergyman who had unsuccessfully sought her hand in marriage [see ]. With the murder Sandwich had absolutely nothing to do; he seems to have been much attached to the woman, who had lived with him for sixteen years, and to have sincerely mourned her death. But the revelation that he, a man of over sixty, had a mistress permanently residing in his house led to an outburst of indignation on the part of the public who hated him. On the fall of the North administration in March 1782 Sandwich retired in great measure from public life, and though he accepted the office of ranger of St. James's and Hyde Parks under the coalition, it was but for a few months. During the following years he resided for the most part at Hinchinbroke, and died in London on 30 April 1792.

No public man of the last century was the mark of such bitter, such violent invective. On the other hand he was esteemed and loved by the subordinates at the admiralty, men who were content to serve him to the best of their ability, and to receive in thankfulness such gifts as he could bestow. That their adulation was not entirely mercenary appears from the posthumous notices of his life, such as that by the Rev. J. Cooke, printed as an introduction to the 'Voyage round the Mediterranean,' or that in the ('Gentleman's Magazine,' 1792, pt. i. p. 482. That Sandwich was assiduous and punctual in the despatch of business is attested not only by many witnesses, but by his own letters (e. g. to Mr., afterwards Sir George Jackson ; ''Add. MS.'' 9344 ;, iv. 164 ;, i. 72) ; but his industry was frittered away over details which seemed to increase his personal consequence, while matters of the first importance were left in the hands of incompetent and dishonest subordinates.

In society he is described as having a singular charm of manner. 'Few houses were more pleasant than his; it was filled with rank, beauty, and talent, and every one was at ease.' The musical entertainments at Hinchinbroke had a distinct reputation, and Miss Ray, whose natural talent had been cultivated under the best masters, was the admired prima donna ; 'he was the soul of the Catch Club, and one of the directors of the Concert of Ancient Music, but he had not the least real ear for music, and was equally insensible of harmony and melody' (, i. 72). His gait is described as awkward and shambling. Seeing him at a distance, a gentleman said, 'I am sure it is Lord Sandwich ; for, if you observe, he is walking down both sides of the street at once ; ' and Sandwich himself used to tell how, on taking leave of his dancing-master in Paris, and offering him any service in London, the man answered, 'I should take it as a particular favour if your Lordship would never tell any one of whom you learned to dance' (, iv. 166). Churchill of course refers co this uncouthness, and adds that his visage is that of one ' half hanged,' with the inference that he had been 'cut down by mistake' (The Duellist, iii. 360). This unflattering description is to some extent supported by the portrait by Gainsborough in the Painted Hall at Greenwich, which has a ghastly effect, chiefly due perhaps to the fading of the flesh tints. Other portraits by ZofFany one belonging to the family, one in the National Portrait Gallery, and one in the Trinity House though not prepossessing, are less repulsive. Sandwich married in 1741 Judith, third daughter of Charles Fane, first viscount Fane, and had by her, besides other children who predeceased him, one son, John, who succeeded as fifth earl. By Miss Ray he also