his own person both the East and West India interest. The election commenced on the 3d of March, and closed two days after, in consequence of Mr. Combe's wisely declining to prosecute a losing cause.

But although balked on this occasion, his disappointment proved but of short duration; for we soon after find the subject of this memoir returned one of the city representatives; and such was his increasing popularity, that at the general election in 1802, when there were no fewer than seven candidates, he was manifestly the favourite, for his name was placed at the head of the poll.

It is not to be concealed, however, that during the late war, when party-animosities ran high, Mr. Alderman Combe was both opposed and hated by a very formidable junto in the city of London. It is no less true, however, that he defeated their plans for his abasement, and finally triumphed over all his enemies. Having been nominated Captain-Commandant of the Aldgate Volunteers, it was hoped that no commission would be issued to him by the crown; but His Majesty's Ministers were far more liberal than many of their supporters, and accordingly, in due time, he became first a major, and then lieutenant-colonel. On this, as on every other occasion, he displayed a manly spirit; for he disdained to exercise his authority over others without being sufficiently apprised of his own duty. Accordingly, before he presumed to give the word of command, the alderman submitted to the drill; and after being some time under the hands of the serjeant and the adjutant, repaired to head quarters, with the character of an excellent officer.

- Harvey Christian Combe, Esq.

2334

1560

In the course of the next year, the Alderman proved more fortunate, having polled

3865, and being the third candidate in point of numbers.

In 1802, he was at the head of the poll, having

In 1806, he was again placed first, having

In 1807, he stood fourth in order, with
In 1812, he was once more first, having

3377 votes.

2294 ditto.

2583 ditto.

5125 ditto.

In 1800, Mr. Combe, who, in the mean time, had distinguished himself greatly by his public spirit during his shrievalty, was at length exalted, after a variety of difficulties, to serve the office of lord mayor. The livery are accustomed to select and return certain candidates; but the nomination of any one of these individuals, is expressly vested in the Court of Aldermen. It is usual, however, on this occasion, to choose the senior magistrates in rotation; but in 1799, a junior one was actually nominated, expressly on purpose to mortify him, and obstruct his preferment. Effectual means, however, were adopted in the course of the preceding year to defeat this manœuvre, which was at length fully accomplished by the intervention of the late Mr. Alderman Skinner. Accordingly, Mr. Combe was put in nomination with that respectable magistrate, who was his senior in the corporation, and had consequently been invested with the civic honours many years before this period. As was expected by all parties, Mr. Skinner declined; and at the same time paid the highest compliment to the talents and integrity of the other candidate, who stood by him. on the hustings. This measure proved effectual; for, as he could not be forced to serve the office a second time, nothing now remained for the opponents of the subject of this memoir but acquiescence.

During his mayoralty Mr. Combe conducted himself in such a manner as to excite the applause both of friends and enemies. He was requested by some of his constituents, on one trying occasion, to call out the military; but my lord mayor disclaimed that course, and proved in the case of a mob, who had assembled at the Corn-market, that our ancient laws were still effectual, and that the constable's staff was more constitutional, as well as more efficacious, than the bayonet.

In respect to his parliamentary conduct, Mr. Alderman Combe appears to have acted generally with the Whigs. Accordingly, during the first war with France, in conjunction with Mr. Fox and many others, he not only disapproved of the motives in which the contest had originated, but also in

the manner in which it was prosecuted. It will naturally be concluded that he opposed the administration of the late Mr. Pitt with a considerable degree of zeal and uniformity. But let it be recollected, that on the occasion alluded to, he but obeyed the instructions of his constituents, either expressed or implied: for the livery of London have always exhibited a marked antipathy to continental connections.

In fine, we no sooner find the alderman fairly seated in parliament, than he took an active part in the debate that ensued in consequence of a motion of Mr. Fox*, against the premier of that day, for presuming to meddle with the public purse, in express opposition to the rights and privileges of the House of Commons. Mr. Combe, in obedience to the voice of the livery, assembled that day in common-hall, who had enjoined him to vote a censure on His Majesty's Ministers, for lavishing the public treasure without the consent of Parliament, not only supported, but also seconded the motion. The member for London commenced a maiden speech of some length, by expressing his pleasure, in obeying the voice of his constituents, as expressed that very forenoon, at a numerous and respectable meeting. They had almost unanimously disapproved of the conduct of His Majesty's Ministers on the present occasion; and it was with peculiar satisfaction he now obeyed their commands, his duties as a representative being in strict unison with his own opinions." After what had been advanced by his Right Hon. friend (Mr. Fox), he would not say a word upon the subject in a constitutional point of view. As the representative of the first commercial city in the world, he was well acquainted with the mischief produced by the money sent to the Emperor. The discounting of the bills drawn for the purpose of remitting money to

"That His Majesty's Ministers having authorised and directed, at different times, without the consent, and during the sitting of Parliament, the issue of various sums of money for the service of his Imperial Majesty, and also for the service of the army under the Prince of Condé, have acted contrary to their duty, and to the trust reposed in them, and have thereby violated the constitutional privileges of this House."

the Imperial troops had swallowed up so much of the wealth of the Bank, as to compel that great body to narrow their discounts; and the British merchants were made to suffer, that the German troops might be supplied. The remittances to the allied armies on the continent had, in fact, been a great cause of the alarming scarcity of money last year, and of most of the embarrassments which had been experienced in the commercial world."

He next adverted "to the professions which had been so recently made by members of Parliament, of love and respect for the constitution, and of regard and deference for the sentiments of their constituents, which he hoped had not already evaporated; on the contrary, he trusted that gentlemen would, on the present evening, give a proof of the contrary. He professed to be attached personally to no man, nor to have any prejudice against any of the members of administration. He voted with Mr. Fox, as a friend to human happiness, which was best secured by political liberty; and this evening he came down, to use the phrase of the Right Hon. Gentleman, impregnated with the sense of his constituents, which was this day so fairly and decidedly given by the Commonhall."

On the 19th of May, 1797, the alderman was pitched upon by Opposition, once more to instigate the immediate removal of the servants of the crown. Accordingly, having noticed all the principal events of the war, and dwelt on the most disastrous epochs of the history of that period, Mr. Combe contrasted the promises of the Cabinet with their actual conduct, and insisted on the consequent disappointment of the public. He concluded a harangue, which was listened to with great attention by both sides of the house, with the following motion: "That an humble address be presented to His Majesty, beseeching him to dismiss from his presence and councils his present ministers, as the most likely means to obtain a speedy and permanent peace." Sir William Milner, Bart., one of the representatives for the city of York, seconded the

motion, which was lost, however, on a division, by a majority of 183.

We find the member for London, who appears to have been the only one of the four who would pledge himself explicitly to obey the instructions of his constituents, soon after supporting Mr. now Lord Grey, in his celebrated motion for a reform in Parliament. Here again, a failure in point of numbers, rather than of arguments, ensued, and that measure has never since been carried into effect: nor is it now, we believe, an object of particular desire on the part of the nobleman then so eager for its success.

In 1800, being then invested with the city regalia, the subject of the present memoir introduced a petition from "His Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the lord mayor, aldermen, and livery of the city of London, assembled at the Guildhall of the said city, against the continuance of the present war." Instead of being supported by his colleagues on this occasion, the application was ridiculed by some, and disavowed by others, as not expressing the sentiments of their constituents at large.

In 1803, he opposed the principle of the income tax as odious, vexatious, and unequal. Here again he obeyed the injunctions of the livery; and yet two of his colleagues voted in favour of the new impost, in direct opposition to the orders received by them in the Common-hall.

But Mr. Alderman Combe, although frequently, was not uniformly in opposition to all the measures of the cabinet of that day. On the contrary, at a time of great difficulty and danger, he warmly supported the "General Defence Act," and boldly declared, that not only those actually under arms, "but every man in the kingdom ought to go forth, in hostile array, against the enemies of their country, when called upon by the exercise of His Majesty's acknowledged prerogative. There I could be no exemption but on the ground of express inability. The citizens of the metropolis," added he, "are not only ready, but anxious to learn, how they can come forward with most effect. If there were any apprehension, it