PERCEVAL, SPENCER, Right Hon., English minister, was the second son of John, earl of Egmont: born Nov. 1, 1762; educated at Harrow, and at Trinity Cam bridge. He was called to the bar, and soon obtained a reputation as a diligent lawyer. A clever pamphlet on the abatement of the impeachment of Warren Hastings made hint known to Pitt. Obtaining a seat in parliament for Northampton, he wits soon, con spicuous for his extreme horror of popery and his violent advocacy of what was called by his party the " Protestant interest." In the Addington administration he was made solicitor-general in 1801, and attorney-general in 1802. He was afterwards induced to abandon his profession and adopt a political career. In the Portland administration of 1807 he was made chancellor of the exchequer, and was even then the real head of the government, his influence with George III. being obtained by the depth of his bigotry and his pertinacious opposition to the Catholic claims. On the death of the duke of Portland', in 1809, Perceval became premier, uniting to his office of chancellor of the exchequer that of first lord of the treasury. He was retained in power by the prince of Wales on his accession to the regency. On May 11, 1812, about 5 1..31., as Perceval was entering the lobby of the house of commons, a man named Bellingham fired a pistol at him, the ball pierced his heart, and he instantly expired. The assassin made no
attempt to escape. He was a Liverpool broker trading with Russia, who, having sus tained some losses and injuries which he had vainly applied to the government to redress, determined to avenge himself by taking the life of the prime minister. Perecval's assassination shocked the public mind, and parliament hastened to make an ample provi sion fur his widow and numerous family. His death was, however, rather a private than a public calamity. "With all my respect for the virtues and excellences of the late minister," said the marquis of Wellesley, who had held the office of foreign secre tary in his administration, '•1 still feel it my duty to say that I did not consider him a fit man to lead the councils of this great empire." IIe was ready in debate, a placid and not ungraceful speaker, and led the house of commons with much tact; but he was superficial and intolerant. Sydney Smith, in his Letters of Peter Plyraley, has conferred a species of immortality upon him by his wit and sarcasm. It was the fashion, when Perceval's public policy was attacked, to laud his domestic virtues. " Peter " said, if he had to choose between public and private virtues, he should prefer that Mr. Perceval "owed for the veal of the preceding year, whipped his boys, and saved his country."