COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON.

THE distinguished family of Gardiner, Earl of Blessington, maternally derives from the Stewarts, Viscounts Mountjoy and Earls of Blessington. LUKE GARDINER, Esq., the immediate ancestor of the late Earl, descended from a family of that name whose estates lay principally in the county and city of Kilkenny, and was one of the most eminent statesmen of his time. He successively represented in Parliament the boroughs of Tralee and Thomastown, was deputy Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, and a Privy-Councillor. His appointment to the latter high office he owed to the particular recommendation of the Lord Primate Boulter, who, in a letter to the Duke of Devonshire, describes Mr. Gardiner in the following flattering terms:

"There is another affair which I formerly troubled the Duke of Dorset about, and which I beg leave to lay before your Grace, which is the making Mr. Gardiner a

Privy-Councillor. He is deputy to the Vice-Treasurer of this kingdom, and one of the most useful of his Majesty's servants here, as your Grace will be fully satisfied when you do us the honour to be with us. There is nobody here more against increasing the number of Privy-Councillors than I am, who think they are by much too numerous, but it is because many have been brought in without any knowledge of business, or particular attachment to his Majesty's service, merely for being members of either house of Parliament; but we want such a one as Mr. Gardiner to keep others in order, as he is most zealously attached to his Majesty by affection as well as by interest, and is a thorough man of business, and of great weight in the country."

Mr. Gardiner married, in 1711, Anne Stewart, only daughter and heiress of the Honourable Alexander Stewart, second son of William, first Viscount Mountjoy (who fell at the battle of Steenkirk, 17th August 1692). He died 11th July 1755, leaving issue,

Charles, his successor.

Sackville, who married Elizabeth, daughter of
Edmund Kelley, Esq., and died 1st June 1796,
leaving issue,

Henrietta, who was married 17th Sept. 1748, to
Francis Macartney, Esq., M.P. for Blessington,
eldest son of James Macartney, Judge of the
Common Pleas during the reign of Queen Anne.
Mary.

CHARLES GARDINER, Esq., the eldest son, was returned to Parliament for Tagmon, and chosen one of the King's Privy-Council. He espoused, 20th March 1741, Florinda, daughter of Robert Norman, Esq., and left issue,