It was particularly bad in Ireland, where Peel, who was Chief Secretary from 1812 to 1818, took great credit to himself for breaking up the habit of treating the Irish patronage as the perquisite of the leading families, and for dispensing it on public grounds, that is, using it to secure political support for the party in power.
"The Government of England (Vol. I)"
A. Lawrence Lowell
His only thought was to earn the promised perquisite; and, with this object in view, he followed the female figure fast flitting toward the gate of the park.
"The White Gauntlet"
Mayne Reid
A woman who combines these qualifications commands very high wages, and expects, as her perquisite, her mistress's cast-off dresses.
"Manners and Social Usages"
Mrs. John M. E. W. Sherwood