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state daring the reign of George II. that there was a
surplus revenue after payment of all charges. " It was
impossible that the kingdom could become, as it did under
George II., more flourishing through its great natural
fertility, its extensive manufacture of linen, and its facilities
for commerce, or that a House of Commons could be
constructed on a model more thoroughly English." To
these conditions may be attributed, perhaps, the willingness
of those in high social rank to share in the duties of local
self-government.
A random selection will be sufficient to
show the constitution of the Vestry of that period:—
Date.
Members of the Vestry.
1725
Duke of Richmond (2).
1726
Duke of Dorsett (2).
1732
Sir John Evelyn (6).
1732
Earl of Berkshire (4).
1732
Horace Walpole.
1732
Lord Robert Walpole (Earl of Orford) (3).
1735
Duke of Montague (2).
1738
Earl of Abingdon (6).
1738
Earl of Pembroke.
1738
Lord Lincoln.
1738
Sir Joseph Ayloffe.
1738
Earl of Macclesfield (1).
1738
Earl of Onslow (x).
1738
Duke of Portland (2).
1742
Rt. Hon. Saml. Sandys, Chancellor of the
Exchequer.
1758
John Wilkes.
1763
Earl of Halifax.
1. Resided in the New Palace. Were not assessed, owing to the exemption
of Government Property from rating, but paid £1 14s. 4d. each to the Poor
Rate, which represented a Rateable Value of £91 10s. Od.
2. Resided in Privy Gardens. Not assessed, but contributed of their
"Benevolence" to the Poor.
3. Resided in Downing Street, ditto,
4. Rated at £150 in Duke Street.
5. Rated at £100 in Duke Street.
6. Resided in College Street, " Benevolence."