Daily National Intelligencer

Lord Falmouth commanded the yeomen of the guard at the time of his death; but my sole motive of mentioning his decease, is in order to commemorate an anecdote respecting him. I have been assured, that, towards the conclusion of George the Second's reign, when Mr. Pitt, afterwards created Earl of Chatham, occupied a principal place in the cabinet, Lord Falmouth having waited on him at his levee, stated his wish to be recommended to his majesty, for the first vacant garter.

The Secretary of State expressing a degree of reluctance to lay the request before the King, and manifesting some disapprobation of the demand itself; "you will be pleased, sir, to remember," said Lord Falmouth, "that I bring in five votes, who go with ministry, in the House of Commons; and if my application is disregarded, you must take the consequence." "Your Lordship threatens me," replied the Minister, with warmth; "You may therefore be assured, that so long as I hold a place in the councils of the Crown, you shall never receive the order of the Garter." Then turning round, he exclaimed, addressing himself to those near him, "Optat Epippia Bos piger." [The heavy Ox desireth the saddle.]

Lord Falmouth comprehending nothing of the meaning of these words, but conceiving that the monosyllable Bos must allude to his name, requested to be informed what the minister meant by so calling him? "The observation," replied Mr. Pitt, "is not mine, but Horace's." As little familiar with the name of the Roman Poet, as he was acquainted with his writings, Lord Falmouth, apprehending that Horace Walpole had said something severe or disrespectful concerning him; under that second mistake, "If Horace Walpole," said he, "has taken any liberties with my name, I shall know how to resent it. His brother, Sir Robert, when he was alive, and first minister, never presumed so to treat me."

Having thus expressed himself, he quitted Mr. Pitt, leaving the audience in astonishment at the effect of his double misapprehension.—Wraxall's Memoir.