76 'THE DANEBURY CONFEDERACY: 



but little to leave, much to the surprise of those who 

 knew the immense wealth he once possessed — Ack- 

 worth Park being the only property left by him at the 

 time of his death. The disappearance of his ready- 

 money may be variously accounted for. Probably 

 the number of his lady favourites may have had 

 something to do with the economic disposal of it ; 

 for that in such transactions they would be the 

 greatest gainers few people will dispute. It is also 

 said that, in order to save Succession Duty, he dis- 

 posed of the remainder of his property to his son 

 by deed of gift in his expiring moments, thus showing 

 that the ruling passion — love of money — like his 

 intellect, was strong in death. 



Mr. Pedley, another of the confederacy, was a 

 North-countryman, hailing from Huddersfield, and 

 also rose from the ranks. He commenced betting, 

 like all the rest of his class, with the smallest possible 

 capital, and soon reached the coveted dignity of a 

 professional. He was in his calling reputable, and 

 made a large book. He was well known from his 

 ungainly figure and stentorian voice. He could be 

 heard shouting all over the ring, ' I'll lay against the 

 favourite : two monkeys to one against anything !' in a 

 thundering tone. Yet his voice was a musical one, 

 and he was fond of singing. Of the possession of the 

 gift, some proof has reached us in an account of a 

 party given by Gully at Newmarket. ' Pedley,' so it 

 runs, ' in due course roared out like old Boreas, sub- 



