252 THE DUKE OF CLEVELAND 



watch with chain and seal complete. This delicate 

 method of showing her goodwill was duly recognised at 

 the time, and long after remembered in our home 

 circle. 



My reminiscences, however, have to do, not with the 

 old Duke, but with his successor, who for many years 

 raced as Lord William Powlett, by which name he was 

 better known on the turf. He deserves more than a 

 passing notice in regard to his ill-luck, and also in 

 respect to some personal dealings which I had with him. 

 His grace, or his lordship, as it would seem more 

 convenient for my present purpose to call him, was one 

 of the notable personages at Newmarket. He was well 

 known to its inhabitants and frequenters of all classes, 

 high and low, for his peculiarities of appearance. 

 These peculiarities were probably exaggerated in public 

 estimation by a nervous habit which he had acquired of 

 twitching his face when in conversation. I have heard 

 also, at different times, many amusing stories told of his 

 eccentricities, which probably had as much basis of truth 

 as is generally to be found in similar fabulous accounts of 

 the sayings and doings of those who occupy a conspicuous 

 rank amongst their fellow-mortals. 



It is not, at all events, any part of my design to deal 

 with his lordship's social characteristics, beyond what I 

 may be able to portray in recounting the circumstances 

 of my own intercourse with him, which was naturally 

 of a purely business character. But whilst it would be 

 presumption on my part to attempt to do more, I may 

 say that I had special opportunities of forming an opinion 

 of his lordship's method of dealing in the exchange and 

 purchase of racehorses, as I had important transactions 

 in this way with him. He was reputed to have been 

 lavish in the matter of private expenditure, and doubly 



