CHAPTER IV 



A doubtful match results in a challenge — The meeting and its termination 

 — Racing results for 1751 — Lord March takes a house at Newmarket 

 — His lordship's rule in selecting jockeys — He disputes the validity of 

 an assignment of a bond made by his mother. 



The reputation thus earned was strangely significant 

 the next year, which bears also the brunt of the 

 following singular story : — 



I must admit, however, that the story I am about to 

 tell (though, so far as I can trace, never denied) is 

 not of undoubted authenticity. True, it was pub- 

 lished during his lordship's lifetime, and has since 

 been reproduced; but I make bold to say that the 

 dishonest conduct alleged does not appear to me 

 borne out by facts. The most casual reference to 

 the Earl's turf career will confirm this; also the 

 honourable manner in which he always met his en- 

 gagements when he was sometimes, in common with 

 the most successful votaries of the turf, ' pinched.' 



The circumstance referred to resulted — so alleged — 

 from a match between a bay colt of his lordship's 



