The eldest son of Richard, the sixth earl, was born in August 1769, and received his education at Eton; succeeded to the family title and estates on the demise of his father in 1773; was chosen member for Heytesbury, Wilts, in 1790; married Miss Smith in 1792, and is said to have had a presage that he should not die a natural death, which was unhappily verified by the accidental discharge of his fusee, as he was travelling in his curricle near Folkstone, on the 6th of March 1793.
The too early inheritance of an ample fortune, without the salutary restraints of paternal authority; and the infatuating guidance of loose companions, without any counteracting powers of self-control, hurried lord Barry more into those degradations attendant on licentiousness, and into those embarrassments resulting from lavish prodigality. Nor was length of life permitted for opportunities of reformation. Discretion is reported to have scattered seeds in his understanding which began to take root; but he was destroyed ere the soil could produce any earnest of a harvest acceptable to wisdom and to honour. What a lesson, observes his biographer, was offered by his vicissitudes to the heedless, the frantic, and the proud ! The fate of lord Barrymore should serve indeed as a perpetual memento to licentious indiscretion; since every man lives, like Damocles, with a sword of destiny suspended over him.
The earl had talents which might have shone in the closet as well as on the stage; and appears to have written Epigrams and Songs, to have made some progress in a comedy, and planned a periodical paper. The following, among other ludicrous institutes for a social establishment upon a new plan, are also his.
“Rules to be observed by the Marble Club, held monthly, at the Sign of the World’s End, at Leatherhead, in Surrey.
1st Rule. ” That there should be no more members admitted into the room than it could hold.
2d. ” Resolved, That this amicable society should have two anniversary dinners every year.
3d. ” Resolved, If any man has more sense than another, he is to be kicked out of company.
4th. ” Resolved, That any man who cannot tell his right hand from his left, after being asked three times, shall be denied the honour and privileges of this society.
5th. ” Resolved, That no member shall marry, until he comes to the years of discretion; and as that is a desperate hope, it is recommended to all to live bachelors, &c.
Quoted from: Horace Walpole: A catalogue of the royal and noble authors of England, Scotland, and Ireland. (1806)