CHAPTER IX 



Lord March assumes the title of Earl of Cassillis— A brief account of his 

 claim — Contested by Sir Thomas Kennedy of Cullean — Sir Thomas's 

 claims in support — Protracted litigation — Final decree of the Lords 

 against Lord March — Anecdotes of Catharine, Duchess of Queens- 

 berry. 



It is curious that Lord March, whose acumen was 

 as marked as his foibles, should have so often 

 entered that fools' paradise — litigation. True, he 

 brought or defended an action only when the matter 

 in dispute was worth contesting, or when he was 

 sure of his case. Thus, when John, eighth Earl of 

 Cassillis, a family connection already mentioned, 

 died after a lingering illness in Arlington Street, 

 Piccadilly, on August 7th, 1759, without issue. Lord 

 March purchased ' brieves ' for having himself served 

 heir of ' tailzie ' and ' provision ' to the late Earl. 



To follow the legal intricacies that this claim 

 involved would be quite foreign to my purpose, but 

 it is necessary to explain on what grounds his 

 lordship based his right. His lordship, William, 

 Earl of March and Ruglen, was grandson of Lady 



