Page:Life of Edmond Malone.djvu/406

386 heavy commentaries on that poet, his friend told him that he was convinced he was one of the vainest men living. “How so?” says Pope. “Because, you little rogue,” replied Lord Marchmont, “it is manifest from your close connection with your new commentator you want to show posterity what an exquisite poet you are, and what a quantity of dulness you can carry down on your back without sinking under the load.”

When Sir Robert Walpole was attacked in the House of Commons in the latter end of 1741, though ill of a fever, got out of bed and went down to vote for him, as Mr. Horace Walpole told me. He thought much to Sir Spencer’s honour, as they had been rival candidates for the place of Prime Minister on the accession of King George II.

Sir Robert lived about three years after being dismissed from office and created Earl of Orford. He spent about half the year at Houghton and the remainder in London. Being afflicted with the gravel he could not take much exercise, but sometimes rode out.

[The following anecdote has been noticed in a previous page, but it is satisfactory to have this verification of it, with additional circumstances.]

Having heard from Mr. Courtenay, who had it