On her majesty’s death, our author was one of the regency nominated by king George the Ist. till his arrival; who was no sooner possessed of the crown, but he shewed him distinguishing marks of his favour, having so strenuously promoted his succession to the British throne.  He had his majesty’s leave to resign his poll of auditor of the exchequer, to his nephew the honourable George Montague; and after being made first lord commissioner of the Treasury, and sworn of the privy-council, he was advanced to the dignity of earl of Hallifax, and viscount Sunbury, by letters patent, bearing date the 26th of October, 1714; and before the end of that year, was installed one of the knights companions of the most noble order of the garter, and made lord lieutenant of the county of Surry.

Lord Hallifax died in the 54th year of his age, on the 19th of May 1715, and on the 26th of the same month, was interred in general Monk’s vault in Westminster-Abbey:  leaving no issue, his titles devolved on his nephew, George late earl of Hallifax.—­Considered as a poet, his lordship makes a less considerable figure than the earl of Dorset; there is a languor in his verses, which seems to indicate that he was not born with a poetical genius.  That he was a lover of the muses, there is not the lead doubt, as we find him patronizing the poets so warmly; but there is some difference between a propensity to poetry, and a power of excelling in it.  His lordship has writ but few things, and those not of the utmost consequence.

Among others are the following, printed in Tonsen’s Minor Poets.

1.  Verses On the death of Charles the IId.

2.  An Ode on the Marriage of the Princess Anne, and Prince George of Denmark.

3.  The Man of Honour, occasioned by a Postscript to Penn’s Letter.

4.  An Epistle to Charles earl of Dorset; occasioned by King William’s Victory in Ireland.

5.  Verses written for the toasting Glasses of the Kit-Cat-Club, 1703; which consisted of persons of the first fashion, who were in the interest of the house of Hanover.  These Verses are by far the compleatest of lord Hallifax’s, and, indeed, genteel compliments to the radiant beauties, who were the chief toasts amongst the Whigs.  I shall here present the reader with them.

Duchess of Beaufort.

  Offspring of a tuneful fire,
  Blest with more than mortal sire: 
  Likeness of a mother’s face,
  Blest with more than mortal grace: 
  You with double charms surprize,
  With his wit, and with her eyes.

  Lady Mary Churchill.

Fairest, latest of the beauteous race, Blest with your parents wit, and her first blooming face; Born with our liberties in William’s reign, Your eyes alone that liberty restrain.

  Duchess of Richmond.

Of two fair Richmonds diff’rent ages boast, Their’s was the first, and our’s the brighter toast; Th’ adorers offspring prove who’s most divine, They sacrific’d in water, we in wine.

  Lady Sunderland.