Earls of Aboyne

56
gial in a letter received on 'the 15th iast., have
reported the particular deficiency in Lord
Henry Gordon's accounts as paymaster at
Meerut. The amount of the deficiency is Rs.
82,148, occasioned by the embezzlement of the
native servants attached to that officer. Lord
H. Gordon's integrity and honour are pro-
nounced to remain unimpeaohed and without
a stain ; but the misconduct of the guilty par-
ties is mainly attributed to his very culpable
oarele«ness and want of method in keeping his
accounts, added to a natural easiness of dis-
position which led him to repose in his office
establishment a confidence of which they were
unworthy. The Government have removed Lord
Henry Gordon from his office, it being apparent,
they remark, from the inquiry, that he was
unqualified for a situation in which unremit-
ting diligence, with a rigid adherence to the
prescribed .method of keeping and checking ac-
counts and a vigilant superintendence of the
office establishment were absolutely necessary.
His sureties will be called upon of the ac-
count of their bond, viz., 20,000 rupees. The
only means, the Government observe, for re-
covering the remainder will be by monthly
deductions from his pay and allowances, unless
his friends at home, as supposed by himself,
will come forward and relieve him from his
difficulties." Lord Henry received the local
rank of major in 1855. He afterwards was cap-
tain in the Aberdeenshire Militia. He married,
March 6, 1827, Louisa Payne, whose origin is
not stated in the peerages. He died August 28,
1865. His wife, who lived at 20 Hampton Court,
died May 17, 1867. The "Gentleman's Maga-
zine" says they had ten children, but Burke
gives only eight —
(1) Augustus Henry Gordon, born 1839: died
April 1869.
(2) William Saclkville Gordon, born July 14,
1812: died unmarried, September 27, 1878.
(3) Leslie 'Charles Gordon, born May 14, 1852.
He was in the Probate Court, and died un-
married, February 8, 1888.
(4) Sarah Elizabeth Catherine Gordon, born at
Hampton Court, March 26, 1829. She mar-
ried at Kensington Palace, January 2, 1815,
the Rev. Lord Augustus FitzClarence,
brother of her aunt, Ladv Augusta Gordon.
He died June 14, 1854. She died March 23,
1901. Her husband's niece, Lady Munster,
describes her as a "very beautiful woman,"
and gives somie amusing details about Lord
Augustus. They had six children, includ-
ing—
i. Augustus Fitzclarenee, 1849-61.
ii. Henry Edward FitzClarence, born 1853.
ne married Mary Isabel Parsons, and ■
has issue.