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 142 THE CECILS

this branch of the family. In 1824, he married Isabella, daughter and co-heir of William Stephen Poyntz, of Cowdray. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Rutland in 1826, and of Northamp- ton in 1842 ; received the Garter in 1827, an( i was sworn of the Privy Council in 1841. He held various offices in the Household, being Groom of the Stole to the Prince Consort from 1841 1846 ; Lord Chamberlain in 1852, and Lord Steward in 1858 9. A bigoted Tory, though he did not participate in the debates in the House of Lords, he voted consistently against all the great reforming measures of the period.

His unreasoning hatred of reform of any kind led him to oppose with all his power the proposal of the Great Northern Railway to carry their main line through the town of Stamford. The result of his obstinacy was that the company were obliged to alter their plans and carry the line through Peterborough, to the irreparable loss of Stamford. In the end Lord Exeter had to build a branch line from Essendine to Stamford at his own expense, and in order to pay for this, most of his London property had to be sold.

The Marquess was a member of the Jockey Club, and kept an extensive racing stud. He was particularly fortunate with the Oaks, which he won three times : with Augusta in 1821, with Green Mantle in 1829, and with Galatea in 1832 : but he never succeeded in winning the Derby.

In 1844 he entertained the Queen and the

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