110 'OLD Q' 



Bets of this nature were not then taken to in- 

 dicate a morbid condition of mind, but simply 

 something novel. Indeed, the difficulty seems to 

 have been in obtaining new matters of chance to 

 keep the circulating medium active with the bloods 

 of those times. Walpole relates a story which, 

 singularly enough, has for its venue White's. A 

 passer-by happening unfortunately to be seized with 

 a fit near the door, was carried into the hall, when 

 the members hurried out to ascertain the man's 

 condition. This was too good an opportunity for a 

 wager to be let hghtly pass ; so at it they went, some 

 betting the man was dead, others he was only in a 

 swoon caused by his fall and fit. ' Send for a surgeon 

 and have him bled,' said one with a little more 

 feeling than the gamblers. ' No ! no ! ' exclaimed the 

 backers of the man's death, ' that may perhaps lose us 

 our bets by bringing him to life ! ' And yet some of 

 us sigh for the ' good old times ' ! ! 



The Earl of March and Ruglen obtained further 

 favours this year, 1764 : whether as an acknowledg- 

 ment of his services to his Majesty, or on the 

 further recommendation of his countryman, Lord 

 Bute, cannot be stated, although the bestowal of the 

 Order of the Thistle indicates Court and Govern- 

 ment favour. 



