SENDS RACERS TO FRANCE 173 



In 1782, Queensberry lost his office as Lord of 

 Police, consequent on the abolition of that depart- 

 ment; this gave him a little more leisure for his 

 favourite pursuits. A portion of this time was 

 devoted to overhauling his racing stable, when he 

 came up to quite his old 'M. and R' form, as, out 

 of thirty-three engagements, he won thirteen ; value 

 about three thousand guineas in stakes alone. The 

 most important event won was the Revolution Stakes 

 of twelve subs., two hundred guineas each, won by 

 his horse Guido. 



The year following, Queensberry is credited with 

 sending racehorses to France. Our volatile neigh- 

 bours were then taking to the sport as a half-and- 

 half sort of national pastime ; though the stakes just 

 referred to by name was a much more national 

 ' amusement ' to them, though not always won 

 by ' shortened heads ' ; though racehorses win by 

 lengths or heads. This, however, is too historical 

 and political for these pages. What success his grace 

 had across the Channel I cannot say. But his Turf 

 record here did not equal that of the previous years. 

 Out of thirty-six engagements, only seven were 

 ' carried to credit ' ; value about thirteen hundred 

 pounds. 



In March 1784, Queensberry showed his contempt 



