DRURY LANE 235 



before the 1st of January 1810. I cannot find any- 

 thing more substantial than the assertion made by 

 the press of this pro bono publico poUcy. It probably 

 never had any other existence. All the world knows 

 that these noblemen did not build the present Drury 

 Lane Theatre at their cost, although they may have 

 assisted the rebuilding of the ' National ' Theatre by 

 giving subscriptions. 



From betting on others' decease, the Duke had to 

 submit to being the subject of such ghastly wagers : 

 I record two bets from the History of Whites — 



' Mr. G. Talbot bets Lord Charles Manners ten guineas 

 that the Duke of Queensberry is not alive this day two 

 years. May 8th, 1809. G. Talbot.— C. Manners.' 



Here is another — 



' Mr. C. H. Bouverie bets Mr. Blackford that the Duke 

 of Queensberry outlives the Duke of Grafton. 



' Chas. H. Bouverie.— B. P. Blackford. 



'Paid: 



But even had his grace been acquainted with 

 these, it would not have rufHed his serenity, for he 

 shortly before his death in the next year thought he 

 heard the ' footstep ' of the tyrant — Death ; this idea 

 took so great a hold on him that he made a wager 

 of five hundred pounds that he would die at a 



