246 'OLD q' 



Wales's party (to wliicli Queensberry had given liis 

 allegiance at one time) — the Morning Herald — 

 thought the anniversary of Guy Fawkes a good 

 opportunity for the following squib : ' The Duke of 

 Queensberry, so far from any intention of bidding this 

 ■world " good-night," intends to take a more pleasant 

 course and bid " good-morning " to the night-cap of 

 a jolly dame, whom he means immediately to raise to 

 the rank of a Duchess ! ' 



But these and all similar witticisms were now 

 to be brought to a termination by the decease of 

 the ever-verdant butt, who, for so long a period, 

 had proved the very ' Eclipse ' of canards and space- 

 fillers ; indeed, ' gigantic gooseberries, the first 

 cuckoo,' etc. etc., were nowhere, compared to 

 William, fourth Duke of Queensberry, as journalistic 

 prizes. 



On December 23rd, 1810, at about half-past three 

 o'clock P.M., the last male descendant of the cadet 

 branch of the noble House of Douglas expired. 

 The malady to which his grace succumbed was 

 said to have been a stranguary, which he fought 

 against for a fortnight, assisted by the best medical 

 and surgical skill money could procure or Britain 

 produce. Operation succeeded operation, but neither 

 medical skill nor the unremitting care of his 



