42 'OLD q' 



It was during 1754 that the Earl of March and 

 Ruglen's chance of succeeding to the Dukedom of 

 Queensberry brought him more prominently than ever 

 into public notice. The contingency arose through 

 the death of the Earl Drumlanrig, Duchess Catharine's 

 eldest son, who beyond doubt was afflicted with his 

 mother's malady. The cause of the death of Henry, 

 Earl Drumlanrig, is stated in most genealogies to 

 have been the accidental discharge of his pistol on a 

 journey from Scotland to London, October 20th, 1754. 

 The following facts may tend to suggest whether this 

 is correct, or if another account, that he died by his 

 own hand, is more probable. 



Henry, Earl Drumlanrig, married, in the July pre- 

 ceding his death. Lady Mary Hope, daughter of the 

 Earl of Hopetoun ; a lady who had a most amiable 

 disposition. The Earl loved her passionately. Whether 

 it was this attachment that led Lord Drumlanrig to 

 forego a contract he had previously entered into with 

 another lady, results can only suggest, as authentic 

 proofs are not forthcoming. It is said, however, that 

 this broken promise weighed heavily on the Earl's 

 conscience and created much unhappiness between 

 the newly wed pair, who were frequently seen together 

 in the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, both weeping. 

 This circumstance, preying on a delicate temperament, 



