Obituary.

the Borough of Southwark , in parliament ; and , notwithstanding a very warm opposition from the court party , happened to succeed . No sooner had he taken his seat , than he opposed the Bute Administration , then supported by a junto , who affected to arrogate to themselves the title of ' the King' ? class of

friends , ' a men characterised by Davenant as ' an ignorant , mercenary , and servile crew ; unanimous in evil , diligent in mischief , variable in principles , constant for flattery , talkers for liberty , but slaves to power ; stiliiig themselves the court party , and the Prince ' s only friends . " On this occasion

, he conducted himself with such snirit and uniformity , that his conduct ' was noticed by the heads of the O pposition , and when the TCockingham parly came into favour , Mr . Mawbey had tlie offer of -J Baronetage . During the Grafton and North Administrations , Sir Joseph steadily adhered to the of the

cause people , and proved lo his constituents , and the nation at large , that he had not bartered his principles for any species of gain . Conceiving the rights of every freeholder in the kingdom to be injured in the person of Mr . Wilkes , he supported that gentleman in his contest during

the Middlesex election , and not only countenanced him with his presence " , ' hut aided him with his purse . His exertions were also conspicuous in the memorable contest about general warrants .

When the Lord Mayor and Mr . Alderman Oliver were imprisoned in ihe Tower , for maintaining the franchises of the city of London , we find Sir Joseph Mawbey walking in procession with the society of Antigallicans , to pay his respects to them . On the of Serjeant Gl

appearance ynn , as a candidate for the first county in the kingdom , he contributed his assistance and support , and subscribed thirty pounds towards the necessary expences . In common-will ] others he expressed his indignation at the conduct of Government , in respect to the Brentford riots and those

, in St , George's Fields : ne protested loudl y against the extension ° f the royal mercy to M'Quivk , convicted on this occasion of murder . Condue ; so hostile drew upon him the vengeance ofthe court party . Sir Joseph's nogs' became the standing jest of all VOL , XI T

the minor wits , and Mr . Burke himself , witli a professional allusion , unworthy of his talents , happening to be opposed by the popular Baronet , ' as he was then called , affirmed , that all his arguments confuted his principles , ' and that , like a pig in swimming , he was only cutting his own throat . " At the

general election in 1768 , Sir Joseph was once more returned for the Borough of Southwark . On a vacancy taking place for the county of Surry , he was soon afterchosen one of its representatives . He was uniformly a foe to the American war , and constantly opposed the raising of the supplies bwhich it

y was carried on . On Monday , Nov . 13 th , 1776 , he objected lo tlie additional shilling on the land-tax , proposed by Lord North , and said , ' that it was unnecessary and wanton ; ' adding , 'it was difficult to determine , whether it was most founded on folly or injustice . ' Sir Joseph was a constant friend to the

liberty of the press . In ' 1779 , « 'e find the member for Surry , in execution of his parliamentary duty , moving in his place , that Lord George Germaine should vacate his seat in parliament , in consequence of

his having accepted of an office , created posterior to the statute of Queen Anne . On this occasion he entered into a history 01 the question , and proved himself to be a man of considerable research . In the same year , he seconded Colonel Bsirre ' s motion against ' contractors ;' and 111 . 1784 , he opposed the expensive

establishment conceived by a noble Duke , ihen at the head of the ordnance board , for purchasing Sir G . P . Turner's splendid house at Blackheath , in order to convert it into a military school , for the cadets of Woblwichwarrtn . It was thus that Sir Joseph supported the reputation of an English senator . At the

length memorable epoch ofthe coalition occurred . Hesupported Mr . Pitt , a youth whose principles appeared to be bottomed on the ancient constitution . To this young statesman , Sir Joseph , like many other worthy men , gave a liberal , but not a constant support . This circumstancehoweverproved

, , unfavourable to his interests in the county , and we accordingly find , that atthegcncral election , in 1790 , he did not meet with that warm support which he had formerl y experienced . He therefore retired to the comforts of