er. Not even the warm
feelings of a father would turn the scale of justice in the even hand of
Lord Ellenborough.'

It must not, however, be taken for granted, merely because these fellows
assert it, that the sons of the late Chief Justice really frequented
that den of iniquity. It is part of the system of these houses to delude
the ignorant, by pretending that this or the other person uses their
tables. I had an instance of that myself at ----, in Pall Mall. Asking
who that gentleman was, pointing to the party, I was answered--'That
is Mr Hay, private secretary to Lord Melville, the First Lord of the
Admiralty.' Now, I believe I may safely say, and from my own knowledge,
too, that Mr Hay, whose character and conduct is deservedly held in the
highest estimation, NEVER was at that or any such house; yet his name
was constantly quoted, and particularly to young officers of the navy
and marines, to whom his acquaintance held out hopes of future advantage
in their profession!(46)

(46) Id. ibid.

FORTUNATE RISE OF A CLUB-HOUSE WAITER.

'A waitership at a club sometimes led to fortune. Thomas Rumbold,
originally a waiter at White's gaming club, got an appointment in India,
and suddenly rose to be Sir Thomas, and Governor of Madras! On his
return, with immense wealth, a bill of pains and penalties was brought
into the House by Dundas, with the view of stripping Sir Thomas of
his ill-gotten gains. This bill was briskly pushed through the earlier
stages; suddenly the proceedings were arrested by adjournment, and the
measure fell to the ground. The rumour of the day attributed Rumbold's
escape to the corrupt assistance of Rigby; who, in 1782, found himself,
by Lord North's retirement, deprived of his place in the Pay Office, and
called upon to refund a large amount of public moneys unaccounted for.
In this strait, Rigby was believed to have had recourse to Rumbold.
Their acquaintance had commenced in earlier days, when Rigby was one
of the boldest "punters" at White's, and Rumbold bowed to him for
half-crowns as waiter. Rumbold is said to have given Rigby a large sum
of money, on condition of the former being released from the impending
pains and penalties. The truth of the report has been vehemently denied;
but the circumstances are suspicious. The bill was dropped; Dundas, its
introducer, was Rigby's intimate associate. Rigby's nephew and heir
soon after married Rumbold's daughter. Sir Thomas himself had married
a daugh