CHAPTEK VIII 



Lord March buys his gaming experience — His rule of play at public 

 tables — He rides a match against the Duke of Hamilton — References 

 to racing record and analysis — His lordship's residence in Piccadilly 

 at this period — Its structural alterations in Cupid's cause— He makes 

 love to the Prime Minister's daughter — Pelham's opinion of him 

 — The match forbidden — Public comments — Miss Pelham's taste for 

 gambling — Claremont, Surrey — Lord March's racing record, 1758. 



The Earl of March and Ruglen, shrewd as he was, 

 did not pass through the ordeal of ' play,' as practised 

 in the last century, unscathed; for he, in common 

 with all who then indulged in that passion, had to 

 buy his experience. But his lordship was fortunate 

 in knowing when to stop, especially at public tables, 

 though this knowledge was no doubt acquired at 

 an early date. It is alleged that on his first entry 

 into life he lost a large portion of those accumula- 

 tions which young men of family and wealth often 

 find themselves blessed — or cursed — with, when of 

 age, resulting from careful ' nursing' by their trustees 

 or guardians during their minority. Whatever those 

 early losses were, Lord March wisely meant to profit 

 by the knowledge and judgment he had gained. 



