PREFACE 



devoted myself to those parts of his career which 

 influenced our national sports and life. 



Next to the Duke himself I am indebted for 

 counsel and suggestions to Mr. Alfred Watson, 

 who with characteristic unselfishness has found 

 time, in the midst of a busy life, to suggest to 

 me several touches as to the Duke's character. 

 These are incorporated in the text. 



The historical chapters have been read by Mr. 

 J. Horace Round, who is a well known authority 

 on matters of peerage history and pedigrees. 

 From him I have received some valuable hints 

 and one or two corrections. 



Since writing this book I have read Mr. 

 Round's " Peerage and Family History." Of 

 special interest to me are those parts relating to 

 the Earl of Glamorgan and Charles I. I have 

 carefully studied and thought over the question ; 

 but while I appreciate the learning and force of 

 Mr. Round's remarks, I am entirely unable to 

 agree with him that the Earl of Glamorgan, after- 

 wards second Marquis of Worcester, forged or 

 tampered with the patent of the Dukedom of 

 Somerset and Beaufort, now at Badminton. It 

 seems to me that such an action was entirely out 



