Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 1

[370] Quarter Sessions, which are held with a jury, and dispose of all crimes where the punishment is under transportation for life, and also of all the cases under the poor laws. For thirty years his Lordship has been chairman, and is said to have discharged these important duties in such a manner as to distinguish him among all the magistrates of England. I have had the good fortune to sit by his side on the bench. I need not tell you that Lord W. is a thorough Tory, and so are all his family. He inquired about you, and said he wished you would visit England. Lady Wharncliffe is one of the handsomest women of her age I ever saw. She is a daughter of the Countess of Erne, and a sister of the late Countess of Liverpool. John Stuart Wortley is amiable, intelligent, and gentlemanly. He has expressed the warmest regard for you. Of course he is a Tory. He has contested unsuccessfully many places, so as to get the soubriquet of the ‘standing member.’ Lady Georgiana, his wife, is a tall and striking person, with a good deal of brilliancy in conversation and quickness of mind. She is a daughter of the Earl Harrowby, and, I need not add, a very strong Tory. Next is Charles,¹ who is in the army; but who was not at home, so I will say nothing of him. Then comes James Stuart Wortley.² He is the young member of the bar to whom your works have gone; and, you will be glad to hear, without question one of the most promising and rising members of his profession. If his party shall be able to get and keep power, he may expect no inconsiderable promotion; indeed, the ‘keeper's seals,’ as of old, ‘may dance before him.’ He is now about thirty-two. He would, however, pass as much younger than I am. I know James Wortley very well. Next is the daughter Caroline, who is married to Mr. Talbot, the third son of the Earl Talbot. They were at Wortley while I was there. Such is the family: never have I seen more good sense, pure toryism, simplicity, and affectionate intercourse than among them. The park about the house is famous as the scene of the opening of Scott's ‘Ivanhoe.’ It is also supposed to have been infested in ancient times with a dreadful dragon; and an old English ballad, preserved in Percy's ‘Reliques,’ commemorates this.

To return to Wentworth. In the chapel to-night at prayers there were about fifty servants, constituting the household establishment. Young Lord Milton has just married a very pretty little wife, a daughter of Earl Morton. The earl arrived to-night, and was pleased to express his regret that I had not visited him when in Scotland. You may find pictures of Wentworth and descriptions enough. I will, therefore, not fatigue you by my sketch. It is truly vast. All the country places round Boston put together would not equal it; and it contains some very remarkable paintings,—among others the famous Vandykes of Strafford. This house and estate once belonged to the great Strafford, and many of the books in the library have his name. Lord Fitzwilliam has all the papers of Burke,—letters, essays, and unpublished manuscripts. I have taken the liberty of urging his Lordship to give these to the public; and I think he is disposed to do it.