CHAPTER XII 



A bad racing record— Lord Marcli created a Lord of the Bedchamber — His 

 lordship's character — A change of town residences — Lord March's 

 friendship and correspondence with George Augustus Selwyn. 



Whether the result of the Cassillis litigation upset 

 Lord March's equilibrium this year (1762), or other 

 causes tended to make his Turf record meagre and 

 the results nil, can only be surmised. That some- 

 thing was "\vrong or wanting is certain, as seven 

 entries bearing a duck's-egg testify. 



Nevertheless, the Earl of March and Ruglen made 

 a notable divergence, this year, from his ordmary 

 mode of life ; he accepted office. His countryman, 

 John Stuart, Earl of Bute, had acceded to power 

 as Prime Minister; and, with 'correct' party 

 diplomacy, set about creating supporters, as the in- 

 crease of the Lords of the Bedchamber from twelve 

 to eighteen can scarcely be considered merely a 

 supplement to his Majesty's state. However, Lord 

 Bute made the addition, and bestowed on Lord 

 March one of the new creations, which carried with 

 it £1000 per annum. The duties involved cannot 



