Robert Henley, 1st Earl of Northington Quotes
We have tried everything to prevent this, but they have got too powerful, and there is nothing for us but for our friends to go into their meetings and disturb the harmony of them, and create division.
He was referring to the Volunteers of Ireland who had politically organized.
Robert Henley, 1708-1772, 1st Earl of Northington, Lord Chancellor of England, Letter to Prime Minister Fox, 1782
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Fox hunting was a sport engaged in only by the very wealthy. The House of Lords tends to represent the views and norms of the British upper classes who engage in Fox hunting. Skinner and the House of Commons wanted to ban Fox Hunting because it is a very cruel sport with dozens of dogs chasing a single fox and often tearing him apart before the riders arrive.
At the time Democrats & Republicans were at each others throats and neither group would much compromise and vitriol was the style of oratory. The partisanship was at an extreme and, respectful, collegial workings between members of the two parties had all but disappeared.
Robert Henley, 1st Earl of Northington, PC, was the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. He was a member of the Whig Party in the parliament and was known for his wit and writing.
