LORD MELBOURNE.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Lord Melbourne may have amused himself by telling Queen Victoria he did not know who was his grandfather, but Sir Matthew Lamb was a notable man in his 'day, ample traces of whose importance and activity are to be found here. Born the son of a solicitor, he amassed a fortune at the Bar, which he increased by a fortunate marriage with Catherine, daughter of the Right Honourable Thomas Coke of Melbourne (Teller of the Exchequer and Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Anne), who ultimately became heir to her brother. M.P. for Peterborough in three Parliaments, he was created-a Batemet in 175.1, an4. for many years acted a&Standing Couasel to the Board of,Trade and Plantations, being legal adviser to the Committee ot,the Privy Council in all matters relating to the Colonies, particularly in regard to the disallowance of Colonial Acts, a. position always held by distinguished
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