A WASTED LIFE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8323, 10 November 1887, Page 5

A WASTED LIFE.

Tbe death is announced, at the age of 38, of Charles (Earl Compton), the eldest son of the Marquis of Northampton. Ho succumbed, with terrible rapidity, to inflammation of the lungs. Hardly any young man of the day had brighter prospects at one time, but he discounted them to such an extent as even to expose himself to the public ignominy of bankruptcy proceedings, and has now died untimely, in genial weather, of a malady which could not have extinguished his life unless his strength had been long underminded by a disregard of Nature’s laws. As far as his monetary ruin was concerned, it was the old story of Becky Sharp, who had a taste for hand-painted trains to her dresses, and a profound belief in her own ability to “ spot winners.’’ The financial collapse of the Earl also brought down the husband of the Becky Sharp, who formerly represented a County in Parliament; and he too, like his colleague, went into bankruptcy. 1 last saw the pair pacing the Row in company, with the sorrowing and dignified aspect of men who have not got one brass farthing in their pockets. This year the Marquis of Northampton and Lord Compton oame up for election at the crack “ Gallery Club ” on the same night; but so low had poor Charlie Compton fallen that the electors black-balled him unanimously, whilst electing his father ncm con , which, of course, added bitterness to the indignity. What makes the fate of Lord Compton seem the more sombre is its contrast to that of hia younger brother. Lord William Compten. This young man is a County member, and is distinguished for his benevolent and enlightened administration of the family property, which consists of land and houses in one of the poorest quarters of working-class London, He is handsome, clever, musical, moral, and mannerly. Ae a reward for his goodness, he has been joined in marriage to a charming heiress with .£20,000 a year—Miss Baring, the only child of the late Lord Ashburton. She has Jewish blood in her veins from both sides of her house—not too much, but just enough to brighten her eyes, and give her that capacity for conversation and “sympathy” which is the redeeming quality of the chosen people.— London correspondent of the Argus.