234 'OLD q' 



when ill-health or the English cUmate prevented his 

 appearing on the balcony. 



In January 1807 the following announcement 

 was made : ' The Duke of Queensberry has de- 

 clined in health so rapidly within the last month 

 that his physicians have but little hope of his 

 survivLQg through the winter.' But Hfe 'there was 

 in the " old dog " yet,' as on the 5th of April follow- 

 ing he was at his window, seemingly in ' high spirits,' 

 again surveying through his glasses the fair visitants 

 to and from Hyde Park. 



In 1808 the Opera House, Drury Lane, was destroyed 

 by fire. To assist the unfortunate proprietors many 

 of the box-holders at this and Covent Garden gave 

 up their boxes. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales set the 

 example, which was foUowed by the Duke of Queens- 

 berry, the Marchionesses of Sahsbury and Headfort, 

 Lord Kinnaird, the Ladies Vernon and Louisa 

 M'Donald, etc. etc. This was prefatory to an an- 

 nouncement that the Dukes of Queensberry and 

 Bedford, together with Lord Kimiaird, would, it 

 was anticipated, come forward and rebuild Drury 

 Lane Theatre. Rumour added there were three 

 plans almost completed for their selection, and odds 

 were being laid at many of the clubs that the building 

 would be erected, finished, and opened to the pubhc 



