240 'OLD Q' 



the charges which were brought against him. These 

 were yet unchanged, though assailed with reproach 

 for holding communion with a man whom the world 

 condemned.' 



During the progress of this prosecution, General 

 Picton was one day dining at the Grosvenor Coffee 

 House, in company with some of these friends, when 

 Colonel Darling, who highly honoured General Picton, 

 and was intimate with the Duke of Queensberry, 

 joined the party. After some general conversation 

 Colonel Darling observed: 'Picton, I have just left 

 the Duke of Queensberry, and he has charged me 

 with a message for you.' ' Indeed ! ' replied Picton ; 

 'I am certainly much honoured, more especially as 

 I never had the pleasure of being introduced to his 

 grace.' 'I know it,' said the Colonel, 'but he has 

 often spoken of you and your affairs in the most 

 friendly and liberal manner.' 



General Picton expressed his sense of the honour 

 conferred upon him by the Duke. ' And now,' con- 

 tinued the Colonel, 'he wishes to show you his 

 feelings with regard to the proceedings instituted 

 against you by a more decided mark of his considera- 

 tion.' 'What do you mean, Darling?' inquired the 

 General with some surprise. 



'Simply this,' rejoined the Colonel. 'The Duke 



