 He was defeated in a contest at Malmesbury at the 1747 general election.Earle's sordid nature and broad jokes were the subject of universal comment, and his jests are said to have been "set off by a whining tone, crabbed face, and very laughing eyes".Two dialogues between "G——s E——e and B——b D——n" (Earle and Bubb Dodington) were published, one in 1741 and the other in 1743; the former, written by Sir C. Hanbury Williams, conveyed a "lively image of Earle's style and sentiments", and in both of them the shameless political conduct of this pair of intriguers was vividly displayed.