Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-13
The Late Marquis OF Hastings.

Our cable dispatches contain the brief an
nouncement of the death in London of the
MARQUIS of Hastings. Although but twenty
six wears of age, this young man had crowded
into his brief existence an amount of romance
and adventure seldom equaled by men thrice
his age He inherited at an early age 4 large
fortune, consisting principally of landed estates.
Immediately upon becoming possessed of his
property, he entered upon wild life of adven-
ture and excitement He became irequenter
of several clubs, was soon we'll known in the
gaming saloons, and speedily became intimate
with turimen For racing and pure-bleoded
horses he seems to have had great passion.
His stable was speedily filled with fine horses.
Some Of these horses he entered at nearly every
race which occurred in England, placing his
money upon them against the advice OF his
friends, aud losing large sums. La 1867 he
appeared at the Derby very much embarrass-
ed pecuniarily. His horses were beaten In
every race in which they contested, and the
young Lord Hastings lost $500. .000.E This sum
he paid ., and in October of the same year he
lost $3.50. 900 additional, owing to the mex
pected failure of his horse Lady Elizabeth,
who had won everything but the one race on
which her owner had so great stake On
still another race that same year he lost 5000,
900, and this last sum broke him up
He had married the Lady Flora Paget. who
was at the time engaged to another gentleman,
but who preferred to walk from q miiner'
shop into the arms OF her more youthful lover.
There was some scandal attached to this mar
riage, which his subsequent failure served to
aggravate. He was not able to pay all his
debts, and was assailcd in most viDdictive
manner. s He contriyed, however, to eomprom
ise mis- affairs, and in May last again appeared
at the Derby with Lady Elizabeth and some
other horses Lady Elizabeth was entered Tor
the race, and up to the hour of starting stood
iavorite at long odds. Her owner had backed
her to the extent OF $500, 900, and this sum in
yolyed not only his solVency, but bis honor,
credit, and good name; If his horse were to
fail him, then he would be branded as default
g er throughout all England. When Lady Ellz
abeth came to the score 1t was evident that she
was in no condition to run, and that she had
been drugged That such was the case was
subsequently proven. The race was run and
the horse upon which was staked so large
sum was badly beaten. Again was her young
owner assailed with abuse, and charges of the
gravest character were circulated regarding
him. Notwithstanding all this, he appeared
within month at the Paris races, where, one
Sunday. his horse, The Earl, won the Grand
Prize-an object of art presented by the Em-
peror, 100000 In gold, besides sweepstakes
of 5000 for each entry. Returning to England
he figured extensively at the Ascot races, In
June, where The Earl was again winner,
carrying off the st. James Palace Stakes
and one other. Another horse of his,
the young flly, Athena, won still another
race on the same occasion. The winnings
Of the Marquis on this occasion were
comparatively small, and went but short dis
tance among his numerous ereaditors. These
were his last racing ventures, as his creditors
closed in upon him and eonfscated all that
could be reached Of his little remaining pro
perty. His career was commented on by the
press throughout the whole civilized world,
and in England created great deal OF feeling
against the sports Of the turf. During the IN
yeStigations OF his affairs, some most disgrace
full proceedings relating to horse racing, were
disclosed, and the. Marquis of Hastings was
not the only titled person whose reputation
suffered in consequence When he was in the
height of his career, and when the public were
talking most of his folly and recklessness two
Of the London comic papers appeared almost
simultaneously with fultpage cartoons OF "the
2 Derby" Each, with but slight variation, re-
presented the Marquis iD carriage with some
} Of his sporting friends, driving fast to perdl-
q ton, with the Marquess was represented 10
hight revel fiuging to the winds, honor, credit,
Selfrospect, ambition, and, all the virtues