CHAPTER VII 



Racing eugagements, 1755 — W. M. Thackeray's allusions to Lord March iu 

 The Virginians — His lordship's stud of brood mares offered for sale 

 — Anecdote of John Smith, alias ' Buckhorse ' — Death of Charles, 

 Earl of Drumlanrig — Lord March heir-presumptive to the Dukedom 

 of Queensberry — Anecdotes concerning Catharine, Duchess of Queens- 

 berry, 



The year 1755 shows a marked decrease in his lord- 

 ship's racing engagements, which numbered only 

 eight, as against fifteen in the previous year ; but the 

 result was better from the smaller entries than the 

 larger : he obtained three winning brackets to two. 



It may be that the death of his lordship's relative, 

 Earl Drumlanrig, dictated a less prominent appear- 

 ance on the turf in 1755; but, however it was, this 

 fact remains — a diminution of his racing engagements 

 for that season. 



One who earned so much notoriety in all circles — 

 for his lordship's rank permitted him to enter any, 

 although his good sense always dictated prudence 

 and caution, which our latter-day erratics generally 

 honour by their breach — it is a matter of surprise 



