CHAPTER XXXI 



The Duke makes his will, 1809 — His grace and Goodison — His later 

 ' ways ' at Newmarket — Magnanimous offer of the Duke to General 

 Picton. 



Sporting witla Death did not, however, delay the 

 stealthy march of the conqueror who outmanoeuvres 

 all. ' Old Q,' with all his nonchalance, knew he was 

 but mortal, 'dodge' 'Dr. Everlasting Sleep' as he 

 would. On the sixteenth of January 1809 he made 

 or subscribed the body of his subsequent much- 

 codiciled will. I, however, need not at present refer 

 to that instrument, as, in the spirit of a true old 

 EngHsh culinary proverb, 'first catch your hare' — 

 that is, from a biographic point of view, ' first kill 

 your subject ' before discussing his will. 



Many of my sporting readers will miss a reference 

 to the sale of the Queensberry stud, which had been 

 disposed of privately year by year, so that when 

 the Duke finally retired from the Turf little re- 

 mained to seU. Possibly Goodison secured what 

 was left, as that worthy was racing in his own name 



