CAREER OF THE MARQUESS OF HASTINGS. 241 



much scandal from the misapprehension of facts connected 

 with the deeds of others. 



Racing requires capital, and if this be supplied by usurers 

 it is not difficult to foretell the destiny of those who engage 

 in it. Yet it is not racing which, though it has to bear the 

 blame, deserves it ; rather should the obloquy cast by the 

 ruin of needy clients fall on the extortioner. 



One case amongst a few in which the patrons of the turf 

 have escaped this destructive snare may be cited, I allude 

 to that of the Marquess of Hastings. His difficulties com- 

 menced, it can hardly be doubted, at that period so fatal to 

 many of our aristocracy — whilst at college. With youth and 

 inexperience as their only guides, young men are at that 

 time, often fleeced by more insatiable sharks than they will 

 ever meet on the turf; and from the clutches of these foes 

 some never escape, subsisting on borrowed money, and as a 

 last resource taking to racing. I do not wish to be under- 

 stood to say that the nobleman in question was driven to 

 these extremities ; but that he had suffered in this way to 

 some extent, there can be no doubt, for he was never 

 considered rich. 



His lordship commenced racing early in life, his horses 

 being originally trained and run in the name of a friend. 

 Subsequently he removed them to Danebury, and raced in 

 his own name, quickly becoming the " lion " of the turf. At 

 this period no one hesitated to pronounce him a lost man. 

 " He was in the hands of usurers and beset with harpies of 

 every description," it was said ; either the one or the other 

 being enough to effect his speedy ruin, it will be allowed. 

 But the most that could fairly be said against him was, that 

 he may have borrowed money at extravagant rates of interest, 

 and as truthfully it should be added, that he repaid it. His 



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