Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/339

This page needs to be proofread.

HUTCHINSON. $35 One of the points of attack which lay most exposed to the doctor and his coadjutors, was the eminent alacrity evinced by Mr. Hutchinson, to reap the full benefits of patronage from the government he had so eminently served; and to let no post of emolument pass him un asked, which could be had for solicitation, or acquired by address. He had for many years enjoyed the prime ser jeantcy, a lucrative and honourable post in the law; he held, at the same time, the sinecure appointments of searcher, and packer, and comptroller, and guager, in the customs; he had also the sinecure post of alnager of Ire land, which was the collectorship of a duty on woollen cloths, typified by a leaden seal of his office affixed to each piece; and, at one time, when the tide of patronage flowed too tardily for his wishes, he became urgent with the then chief governor, Lord Townsend, who told him banteringly, that really nothing had fallen in of late worth his acceptance, but a majority of horse—never supposing that such a post could be acceptable to a law officer of the crown. Mr. Hutchinson, however, convinced him to the contrary, by actually soliciting the commission until something better should occur. It was granted, and, although he did not f i l l i t i n person, h e found a friend t o substitute, for certain adequate considerations. He was a t the same time a privy councillor, and held the high office o f secretary o f state. There i s o n record a bon mot o f Lord North's, reflecting archly upon this propensity t o place-seeking statesmen. The story says, that when Mr. Hutchinson once paid his devoirs a t the royal levee, a t St. James's palace, and was introduced i n the usual forms, his late majesty privately asked Lord North, who that gentleman was 2 The facetious minister answered, “that i s your majesty's principal secretary o f state o n the Irish establishment; a man, o n whom, i f your majesty were pleased t o bestow both England and Ireland, h e would ask for the Isle o f Man for a potato garden.” The college was now split into hostile factions. The fellows and their partisans o n the one side, and a host o f