i34 MEN OF PAST DAYS. 



for a reply, but smiling graciously, added : ' You 

 stole that race for rue.' 



This was the only occasion on which I ever 

 remember even to have heard of any attempt on his 

 Grace's part to be witty ; or, under any circum- 

 stances, to be in the least familiar with either trainer 

 or jockey. 



I should say, in relation to this anecdote, that it 

 is recorded by ' Druid,' in ' Silk and Scarlet,' dif- 

 ferently, he attributing the speech to the Duke of 

 Grafton. But he is mistaken, as the words were 

 undoubtedly those of the Duke of Portland, and 

 uttered exactly in the manner I have related. I 

 should also perhaps observe that this usually correct 

 writer also falls into another error, in writing of the 

 Duke of Grafton being about to make a present to 

 my father. The true story I have already given in 

 ' The Racehorse in Training.' I then said it was 

 Lord George Fitzroy, acting for his brother, the Duke, 

 who made the present in these notable words : 



' In the Duke's name, and for him, I present you 

 with two five-pound notes on the Bank of Bury St. 

 Edmund's, and beg you will take care of them.' 



The Duke of Grafton himself was an invalid, or 

 thought himself one ; and for many years would not 

 leave his bedroom. On one occasion, on my father's 

 asking him if he intended going to the races, his 

 Grace replied : 



' No ; I am too comfortable here, John.' 



