Recommended by the Duke of Omnium for the Garter, despite almost universal objections, particularly vocal from Lord Drummond, who had hoped to get it.

"For nearly half a century he had devoted himself to the improvement of the labouring classes, especially in reference to their abodes and education.... He was a man very simple in his tastes.... He had therefore been able to do munificent things with moderate means.... He was a fat, bald-headed old man, who was always pulling his spectacles on and off, nearly blind, very awkward, and altogether indifferent to appearance. Probably he had no more idea of the Garter in his own mind than he had of a Cardinal's hat" - The Prime Minister