sink, like some hon. gentlemen, into perfect silence with a good grace. Notwithstanding this, it does not appear that Mr. Ward's estimates were exposed to any further attack from the same quarter.

In the year 1816, before the period for bringing forward the Ordnance Estimates, which were this year postponed for the purpose of affording time to model them with reference to a peace establishment, he took part in the debates on a subject less alien from his former studies, viz., on an amendment moved by Lord Milton condemnatory of the late treaties with foreign powers. On the second evening to which the debate had been adjourned, Mr. Ward was the first to undertake, on the Ministerial side, the defence of these treaties in reply to a clever speech by the present Lord Ellenborough, then Mr. Law. There followed one of the most interesting debates of that period, in which Mr. Horner and the present Lord Glenelg particularly distinguished themselves.

It may, perhaps, cause a smile if I allude to a debate, in which Mr. Ward took part, a few days afterwards, upon the formidable danger to the constitution arising from the establishment of what is now called the Old United Service Club. So great was the jealousy of opposition lest the military enthusiasm, generated by the late victory, should jeopardise the liberties of this country, that extreme apprehension was manifested at the establishment of, what subsequent experience has shown to be, a very harmless association for enjoying over temperate repasts, the society of old comrades. A formal

petition was presented against it from the wiseacres of the town of Leominster, lately so famous for their discriminating doubts on the merits of rival candidates; and although General Gascoigne explained, that it was merely "an Institution to which halfpay and other officers, when in town, could resortwhere they might be provided with a cheap ordinary, and have an opportunity of associating with genteel company," Mr. Brougham "regretted that any thing like ridicule was attempted to be thrown on those who felt jealous on the subject, because he felt considerable jealousy himself; acting on a maxim of ancient prudence he wished to withstand beginnings;" Mr. Western "thought it a fair subject for constitutional jealousy;" Ld. Milton asserted "that the military spirit that must be unavoidably excited, was an object of terror in this case;" while Col. Foley stated that his constituents had petitioned against the club, not on account of any ill that had hitherto resulted from it, but in order that the House might watch against any danger that might arise!! The conversation appears to have here dropped, without any substantive steps being taken, or any Parliamentary Inspector of the United Service Club being appointed.

On the 8th of April, Mr. Ward, in bringing forward the Ordance Estimates, had the pleasure of announcing that the peace establishment admitted of a reduction of 3,000,000l. upon the average estimates of past years, and that even since these estimates were presented to the House in the early part of the session,

a reduction to the extent of 137,000l. had been effected. Unluckily, however, that great event, the rejection of the income tax, had occurred in the intermediate period, and this farther reduction was, by the opposition, ascribed to necessity and not choice, and was received with about the same amount of gratitude as even similar reductions in the year 1848, after a similar refusal to furnish, through the income tax, the increased means required. In vain did Mr. Ward announce the fact, that the increased reductions were only in pursuance of an original intention; his opponents refused to be convinced, and reductions which had been the result of continual labour and a real desire for economy, were grudgingly received as forced on by the hard necessities of opposition triumphs. It would not be interesting to the general reader to pursue in detail Mr. Ward's personal share in the discussions in Parliament, consisting, as it generally did, of matters connected with his own particular department. To the Finance Committee that sat in 1817 he presented, by order of the Master-General, a very able and compendious memoir upon the accumulation of stores at the conclusion of the war. A much more elaborate work, however, was his report upon the state of the Ordnance Department in Ireland, addressed to the Right Honourable Robert Peel, on the 9th of November, 1816. In order to prepare this report he had visited personally, and made an extensive survey of, all the different establishments under the control of the Ordnance in Ireland, having passed three

months upon this tour of inspection and travelled 1,700 miles. The object of his mission could not be a very pleasant one to those whom he was going to visit, as it was to discover what reductions could be made in their several departments; but his brilliant conversation and hearty kindness made his tour of inspection a tour of triumph, and procured for his name a lasting popularity in Ireland, notwithstanding the formidable list of reductions which he thought it his duty to recommend.*

A mission of a similar nature to the eastern coast of England, is alluded to in the following extracts of letters from Mr. Ward to his old friend Ld. Kenyon, under date of Tunbridge Wells, whither he had taken Mrs. Ward, whose state of health had already excited apprehensions in his mind.

In a letter, dated Tunbridge Wells, August 17, 1817, after deploring the little benefit his invalid. appeared to be deriving from the change, he says,—

"I cannot say a very great deal for this place. It is not unpretty, the neighbourhood has some lovely rides, and if a very keen air will give health, it is healthy. But to me it is by far the coldest and least genial climate I ever was in, and this always benumbs

* Some Irish wag cclebrated his popularity in the following doggerel:

The Ordnance Board, on economy bent,

Sent an envoy across to affright us;

But, so charming his talk, that wherever he went,

He managed to cheer and delight us."

That they had no substantial cause for delight, may be inferred from the formidable list of snug places of which he recommended the reduction or abolition.

my heart in all its feelings, and my genius in all its pursuits. Of gaiety too (another to me very freezing want) there is absolutely none, either as to company or amusement. Yet we did not come to such a place for retirement, Calum non animum muto, and therefore, when I tell you there are no men to entertain one with conversation, and no women to attract together beauty or fashion, that so many of them squint that we are afraid to drink the waters, and so many have thick legs, that the only thing to make up for a cold blowing wind is wanting; when I add that the water is brackish, the butter salt, and the donkies bad, you will not wonder that I sometimes agree with Captain Morris's song on the delights of the country, and if I must have a villa, wish for the shady side of Pall-Mall. I would beg even here, though in August, to make a correction,—for shady read sunny. In short, my blood is what blood used to be thought before Dr. Hervey looked at the flea in the candle, without circulation. I wish my money was so too; not that this is an expensive wateringplace. There are rooms indeed, but nobody goes to them; plays, but not fit to be seen; ponies, but not fit to be rode; libraries, but no books to read. If the place will suit you, pray come away directly, for I shall go (no wonder) in a few days and try if I can find amusement by endeavouring to save a few thousands, perhaps only hundreds (but the smallest donations will be thankfully received) at Harwich, Tilbury, Chatham, Sheerness, Dover, Martello Towers, and Portsmouth. I go on horseback, so hope to have