C.L. and F.R.S. and
possessed the feudal dignity of Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex. His father
had been Prime Minister; but the son made no effort to shine in politics
and contented himself with developing the resources of his estates and
adding to the wealth of his patrimony.
He had the prescience to choose an heiress for his Duchess and went to
Scotland for the purpose.
Major-General John Scott of Balcomie, Fife, had three daughters, the
eldest was known as "the rich Miss Scott," the second as "the witty Miss
Scott," and the third as "the pretty Miss Scott." The Duke selected
Henrietta, "the rich Miss Scott," who besides her wealth had coursing
through her veins the blood of Balliol and Bruce, the chieftains of
Highland chivalry.
Having secured the hand of the heiress, he assumed by royal licence in
1795, the additional surname of Scott.
Well might the Duke be willing to couple that simple syllable with the
patrician accents of Cavendish-Bentinck, for by his marriage with the
Fifeshire heiress there came into the family an unexpected windfall of
60,000l.
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