'THE VIRGINIANS' 49 



that the career of the Earl of March and Ruglen 

 has not been more fully used by writers of fiction. 

 William Makepeace Thackeray, who has laid tribute 

 on almost every person of note, eccentric or staid, 

 that flourished during the time of the ' Four Georges,' 

 marked down his lordship for record. 



In his Virginians, Thackeray boldly alludes to his 

 lordship by name and reputation. What led the 

 novelist to record the Earl of March and Ruglen by 

 his titles, without recourse to the usual wrapping as 

 my Lord ' Racecourse ' or ' Pasteboard,' I cannot say, 

 unless it was to ensure that the mantle of Lord 

 March's achievements should hang from the proper 

 shoulders. 



It would be beyond my province to give ver- 

 batim that which many have read, or could read, 

 in Thackeray's notable novel. Nevertheless, a brief 

 quotation from even a work of fiction will tend to 

 show that my record indorses the old truism, ' Truth 

 is stranger than fiction.' To make the reference 

 suggested, Thackeray, in chapter xxvi., introduces 

 Mr. Warrington at the ' White House Tavern,' where 

 are Lord Chesterfield and Lord March : — 



' " My Lord Chesterfield's deuce is deuce-ace," says 

 my Lord March. " His lordship can't keep away from 

 the cards or dice." 



D 



