102 MEN OF PAST DAYS 



even to have heard of any attempt on his Grace's part 

 .to be witty ; or, under any circumstances, to be in the 

 least familiar with either trainer or jockey. 



I should say, in relation to this anecdote, that it is 

 recorded by ' Druid,' in ' Silk and Scarlet,' differently, 

 he attributing the speech to the Duke of Graf ton. But 

 he is mistaken, as the words were undoubtedly those of 

 the Duke of Portland, and uttered exactly in the manner 

 I have related. I should also perhaps observe that this 

 usually correct writer also falls into another error, in 

 writing of the Duke of Grafton being about to make a 

 present to my father. The true story I have already 

 given in ' The Eacehorse in' Training.' I then said it 

 was Lord George Fitzroy, acting for his brother, the 

 Duke, who made the present in these words : 



' In the Duke's name, and for him, I present you with 

 two five-pound notes on the Bank of Bury St. Edmunds, 

 and beg you will take care of them.' 



The Duke of Grafton himself was an invalid, or 

 thought himself one, and for many years would not 

 leave his bedroom. On one occasion, on my father's 

 asking him if he intended going to the races, his Grace 

 replied : 



' No ; I am too comfortable here, John.' 



Lord George Fitzroy had the management of his stud ; 

 K,ut the Duke himself I never saw. 



Talking of the old days at Newmarket calls vividly to 

 mind the difference between the amusement afforded 

 then and now. Then, to canter to the Ditch stable to 

 see the horses saddled and take their preliminary canter 

 before starting, and return to the winning-post in ample 

 time to see the finish, was real enjoyment. Then you 

 could catch more than a glimpse of any horse you wished 

 to see. Now many are invisible altogether, or, at any 



