Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II EARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION The Melbourne household--Sir Peniston in Parliament--The ambitions of a great lady--An Irish peerage--With princes of the blood--Another Vice-Chamberlain in the family--The company at Melbourne House--William Lamb at Eton and Cambridge--A first flight in declamation--To be quoted by Fox--Law and philosophy at Glasgow--Home correspondence--Glasgow manners--The Miss Millars--Robert Hall's sermon--Lamb does not like the Dissenters. William Lamb, the future Premier, was born at Melbourne Hall on March 13, 1779. Territorial associations are dear to a new family. It was proper that he should first see the light of heaven in the place which had given a peerage title to his father, but he was taken up to London to be christened. The ceremony is one which, when prudently arranged, with due publicity and a proper choice of sponsors, affords an introduction at once to the Church and to the world, giving a promise of two very different sets of blessings. The boy was not born into an empty home. He had a brother nine years older than himself, who bore his father's name, and experienced the disadvantages which, as some equipoise to greater material fortune, are generally the lot of eldest sons. The Melbourne family enlarged itself slowly. After three years a third son, Frederick, was born. He lived to enjoy the advantage of having a brother and a brother-in-law occupying important positions in the State. Next came George, who acquired some local celebrity as a politician, and ran the gauntlet of certain contests at Westminster. Then in 1787 the last and brightest addition was welcomed in a daughter Emily, who became the wife of Earl Cowper, and afterwards, as Lady Palmerston, prolonged to our own time that...
