THE duke's death 247 



attendants could save the patient. It was believed 

 that although his grace's organs were impaired by 

 that decay which all who attain so lengthy a span 

 of existence must endure, he might have lived a 

 few years longer, could he have refrained from over- 

 indulgence in eating fruit. 



William, fourth Duke of Queensberry, will ever 

 stand conspicuous in the annals of this country as 

 one who reached the height of notoriety without 

 having done more than one single act worthy of a 

 nation's praise. The much- vaunted contributions to 

 the ' Patriotic Fund ' excepted, nothing remains. 



If, however, the Duke's worth be measured by the 

 standard of the Turf, the Club, the Drawing-room, 

 and Society, then the fourth Duke of Queensberry must 

 rank facile princeps of his time. That this was so 

 contemporary writers admit — ' He was long considered 

 the first figure in the brilliant circle of Fashion.' 



Lacking his wealth and honours, he might have 

 achieved considerable distinction as a jockey, gambler, 

 and roue, but his name would never have been 

 heard outside a racecourse, a ' hell,' or worse ; but his 

 high rank and his great wealth, allied to his polished 

 exterior and his abounding vices, made of the Duke a 

 centre of attraction for over sixty years. 



Many of both sexes were found to offer sacrifice to 



