THOUGHTS

i'v'tl'-

UPON SPOR

HARRY R. SARGENT

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at

Tufts University

200 Westboro Road

North Grafton, MA 01536

THOUGHTS UPON SPORT.

TMv^^ Z^ Cc^^ yO'OV^^'i-^

mow iPzucjCAJi^

THOUGHTS UPON SPORT.

HARRY R. SARGENT.

A WORK DEALING SHORTLY WITH EACH BRANCH OF SPORT

AND SHOWING THAT AS A MEDIUM FOR THE

CIRCULATION OF MONEY,

AND AS A NATIONAL BENEFACTOR,

SPORT

STANDS UNRIVALLED AMONG THE INSTITUTIONS
OF THE KINGDOM.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE CURRAGHMORE HUNT
AND MEMOIRS OF NOTABLE SPORTSMEN.

" No man is so foolish but he may give counsel at a time, no man
so wise but he may err if he takes no counsel but his own."

LONDON:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, &: CO., LTD.,

4, Stationers' Hall Court, Paternoster Row.

1895.

[Entered at Stationers' Rail.]

TO THE

macduie an^ /Iftarcbtoness of Matettor6,

BY THEIR KIND PERMISSION,

THIS BOOK

IS DEDICATED

BY THE AUTHOR.

Remembrance still divells on the days which cire past.
On runs we have ridden^ the long and the fast ;
Our horses— on canvas— now hung to the ivcdl,
Remind us of triumphs—prime sport they recall.

PREFACE.

Seeing how easy it is to interfere with Hunting, so that the King
of Sports might at any time be annihilated, as was the case with the
Curraghmore, with which Hunt I was personally identified for over
a quarter of a century, and fearing, perhaps, that an epidemic of
antipathy to sport, such as we for a time suffered from in Ireland,
might break out in England, I was induced to begin this book as far
back as the weok of Frigate's Grand National. My primary object being
to strive to once more establish the popularity of hunting in Ireland,
and perpetuating other sports in England, I approached each branch
of my subject from a point of view which I am not aware was ever
taken by any other author — viz., that of showing how Sport, quite
irrespective of amusement, benefits our nation and has brought about
our individuality. While doing so I have sandwiched personal expe-
rience and anecdotes, from which a moral bearing upon the object
may at times be deduced. And, as a pattern for young fellows to
follow, I have alluded in short memoirs to some of the most notable
sportsmen of the century. According to my lights and to the best
of my ability I have suggested reformation where I considered it
was desirable or absolutely required ; and in doing so, being a plain-
writing man, as I am a plain-spoken one, I have had at times to hit
hard, therefore my remarks will not be agreeable to some people.
That I cannot help, however sorry I may feel. I have written my
book as best I could in the interests of Sport pure and simple, so
I have not paid attention to interests, which, however individual,
are to my mind of secondary consideration.

All through life I have been engaged in some active pursuit
or other which left me little or no time to devote to literature ;
therefore any knowledge which I may possess has been acquired in
my daily walk, only by the study of mankind and animals, the fields,

VJU

the woods, and the mountains. If, therefore, I hav^e reproduced
matter ah-eady, and perhaps long since, before the public, no one can
charge me with plagiarism. Except where acknowledged, what I
have adduced in this book is the outcome of my own experience or
observation, and those who have followed Sport in nearly all its
branches for as long as I htive done, will, I daresay, have come to
some of my conclusions, and if they have put their ideas on paper
coincidence is inevitable.

Deficient as I am as a scholar, but refusing to have it edited, I am
not such a fool as to think that my book deserves commendation
from a literary point of view — the subject dealt \^^th, and that upon
my first attempt at a book, being one which, to treat adequately,
would i-equii-e the powers of a Whyte-Melville or a Bromley-
Davenport. Be it of what merit it may, the book should have been
published more than two years ago by those to whom I had first
entrusted it; however, they have been got rid of, and the well-
known firm of Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Ltd., Paternoster Row,
are now my publishers.

Harry B. Sargent.

51, Pall Mall, London,
Atigust, 1895,

CONTENTS

PAGE

Preface vii

Notice to the Readee, which he will please refer

TO BEFORE HE BEGINS THE RESPECTIVE CHAPTERS xiii

Errata xlvii

CHAP.

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

YI.

VII.

VIIL

IX.

X.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

The Cureaghmore Hunt —

First Section

Second Section

Third Section

Fourth Section

Hunting

What Hunting is to the Xation

Foxes

Horse Breeding

Buying and Care of a Hunter...
Henry W. Briscoe, Esq., D.L., M.F.H.

Steeplechasing

punchestown

The Marquis of Drogheda, K.P...

Racing

The Curragh

Driving

Fishing ...

Shooting

Coursing

Sport a National Benefactor ...
Manly Games and Exercise
The Prize Ring and Cock Pit...

Betting

Hygienic Principles

George Osbaldeston

Horatio Ross

Lord Kennedy

Edward Hey ward Budd

Captain Barclay-Allardice

John Scott

Mathew Dawson

George Fordham

Fred Archer

Whoo Whoop

Appendix to K aging (to be taken up after

the third paragraph at page 18S^ ... 4:21
Index 427

...

1

...

. 15

. 22

. 49

. 04

. 79

. 85

. 90

104

119

127

...

153

...

165

...

171

193

...

216

...

229

234

...

273

289

293

308

334

344

354

SCA

369

.371

371

383

394

399

402

...

408

ILLUSTRATIONS,

The Maequis of Waterford ^
The Marchioness of Waterford J
The Curraghmore Family

LuNGEiNG A Horse

Punchestown Double
punchestown courses
So— Not So

PAGE

Frontispiece

1

... 116
... 147
... 157
... 295

NOTICE TO THE READER.

Owing to the publication of this book having been delayed for over
two years by those parties to whom I originally entrusted it, matters
with which I dealt in the future tense have since become history. I have
therefore to adopt this method for the purpose of bringing the book up
to date, and I take the opportunity to amend parts and add to others,
while a copious index has been supplied. My readers will therefore be
kind enough when reading any particular chapter to see if reference to
it has been made in the following addenda, which the various side-
headings will facilitate.

THE CURRAGHMORE.
Chapter I.

Although the history of the above once celebrated bunt has been
faithfully recorded by me in the above chapter, I have recollected other
particulars and incidents since writing it which I would fain record
here, but space does not permit of my doing more than to correct a few
typographical errors and add what is absolutely requisite.

To the list given at p. 4 of those who hunted in old times with Lord
Waterford should be added Joseph Osborne, who knows the Stud Book
by heart, and was a great friend of the Marquis ; John Walshe, of
Fanningstown, Clement Sadlier, Robert Cooke, of Kiltinane, John
Congreve Fleming and his son Arthur, Capt. Dick Kellett, Ned
Courtenay, Ned Clibborn, and Johnny Webb of the RJ.C, who was as
bard-riding a welter as ever I saw, while Trant McCarthy, a brother
officer of his, in after years enlivened us with his wit and his stories.
They are all dead now, except Osborne, Cooke, and Webb.

Samuel Ussher Roberts. — On top p. 5 has occurred a horrible
blunder in making it appear that one of the very best sportsmen in
Ireland, and one of the most useful public men, was dead ! Long may
it be before my old friend Sam Roberts shall be gathered to his
fathers.

Corrections. — The Errata deals with other printer's errors, but I
must repeat that near the foot on page 16 "£850" should be read
as the yearly sum given to Mr. Briscoe, instead of £580, and that the
eighth line from foot of p. 20 should begin as a paragraph.

The point-to-point of the four Annfield runs, alluded to at p, 19, were
respectively 8, 11, 8, and 9 miles.

Interchange of Meets. — I omitted to make mention in Section II
of the interchange of meets which we had with the Tipperarys in
Briscoe's time. We used to go to Fethard with the Curraghmore, and
that prince of good fellows, John Going, used to bring his pack to
Carrick. This was done by each Hunt once every season for several
years, and on one occasion we paid the Wexford a visit at Stokestown,
Mr. Beatty returning it at Glenmore. By good luck we nearly always
had capital sport on those great days, despite the crowd and the hard
riding. The idea was excellent, and might with advantage be followed,
for nothing tended more to cement the good fellowship which always
existed between us and our neighbours than this selfsame interchange
of meets. Another time I may give the particulars of some of them
for I took very good care to be at them all.

Duke's Death.— Duke, as stated at page 28, became kennel hunts-
man in 1877, and continued so until Mr. Springfield took the hounds to
Tin vane in 1882, when Lord Waterford gave him a pension, and he
continued to live at the kennels. A few couple of hounds were got
together in about 1885, with which Duke initiated young Lord Tyrone
into foxhunting, but had of necessity to confine his operations to the
woods and demesne of Curraghmore. These hounds in turn were dis-
posed of when the young Earl went to school, and on the 12th December,
1892, poor Duke died, aged fifty- three years, thirty- two of which were
practically spent with the same pack.

Mpv. Strangman's Death. — With deep regret I have to record also
the death of my old friend Mr. Joseph Strangman, which occurred on
2nd May, 1895, in his sixty-fifth year. Good man to hounds as he
undoubtedly was, no one ever heard him talk about what he did.
Though fond of all sorts of sport he did not practically engage in any
but hunting. Poor Joe ! Many a jolly day we spent together, and
many were the long rides home we had.

HUNTING.
Chapter II.
" Sport a National Benefactor."— Owing to my book not being
published as it should have been long before the Anti-Gambling League
began its onslaught upon our sports and pastimes, I was obliged last
Christmas to bring out in a pamphlet, entitled "Sport a National
Benefactor," calculations as to the money spsnt upon Hunting, Shoot-
ing, Fishing, Racing, and Yachting, similar to those which I had pre-
viously put together for this book, and which are to be found in their
respective chapters. Subsequently I brought out another pamphlet
dealing in the same way with our minor sports and manly games.
Both little books have been published by the Sporting League, 46a, Pall
Mai], London, where they are to be had for three pence each. They

show ia more concise and perhaps better style than that adopted by me
for this book some four years before, what an inestimable benefit sport
is to the country quite irrespective of amusement, while they deal
much more exhaustively with the glorious subject, bringing out, as the
second pamphlet does, a total of £47,313,000 as the sum permanently
invested in spor^, with an annual expenditure of £46,042,000, which, as
I say, is nearly half the National income, and more than double the
total charge for the National Debt !

Feel^g of Animals. — " Humanitarians " have also recommenced to
attack our sports, and in doing so they show themselves to be as
ignorant on the subject they deal with as are all other bigots and
faddists ; but as this book is one of reference and not of story, and as
this matter is of importance, I shall refer shortly to it, even though the
subject has been often threshed out by others. We all know that the
mental feeling of animals is vastly less acute than that of human beings-
For instance, in a day or two they will have forgotten the young they
had hitherto cared, perhaps " loved," so tenderly. Sights horrible to
us have, of course, no effect upon brute beasts, while such fear of
death as we have, although careful o[ their safety, can never occur
to them. Besides, when death comes suddenly, or after any great
shock, we don't even ourselves feel it much. We have good reason
to suppose that their bodily feeling is equally obtuse, for in the
case of the horse, whose cutaneous sensitivity is remarkable, he
will, without wincing or showing the least sign of feeling, put up with
a broken leg or other accident which would be to us such excruciating
agony that we would howl again. A cow, a sheep, and an ass, who we
all know have not nearly such thin skins as a horse, show the same in-
difference. A pig, however, will kick up a bobbery, but he would do
the same if he got the prod of a stick ! A hare will squeal when being
killed by greyhounds, but as that timid creature will sometimes do so
before she is caught it is just as likely as not that she cries from fear
alone. Surely a bird with a broken wing does not suffer like a man
with a broken arm. I saw a cock grouse picking heather tops half an
hour after having been wounded so.

Fish, we may take i*-, are all constituted alike as regards bodily feel-
ing, and while I don't know if a salmon or the nimble trout would do
so, a pike will, in a few minutes after, go at the same bait which con-
ceals the hook on which, by the nose, he had been pulled at for perhaps
a quarter of an hour ! Does that indicate that he had suffered much
pain or was very much tormented, or even frightened, by the angler ?

Numerous instances have been related which show how little fear
a fox has when being hunted. I myself saw one run fifty yards
out of his way to get at a flock of geese, although the hounds were
hunting his line not two fields behind. This he evidently did only for
a lark, for he made no attempt to catch one, and pursued his course
with a whisk of his brush after having scattered them cackling in all

directions. He then passed quite close to where I was ensconced in a
deep ditch behind a fence, and, not seeing me, he listened for a moment
to the hounds, then sat down and scratched his ear with his hind pad,
after which he leisurely cantered along the grip and went off for Glen-
bower, two miles away.

Don't let any one tell me that that fox was frightened of the hounds,
but the sight of me would have made him run for his life, and if I had
shouted at him he would have been more terri6ed than if the hounds
were racing him in view. Xor was that a bad scenting day, on which
foxes don't usually hurry themselves, for thehounds ran fairly fast.

Foxes and Sheep. — With reference to what I say at p. 85 about
foxes not as a rule killing lambs, and that those put down to their
account are ninety-nine times out of a hundred killed by dogs, we have
prima facie evidence in the fact that sheep show no fear of a fox, but
follow him slowly in a flock, with feet stamping and ears cocked, as he
passes through their walk ; but, if a strange dog appears they fly from
him in confusion, even though he may not go near them, or appear in
the least inclined to.

HORSE-BREEDING.

CHArXER V.

Hackneys at Dublin Show.— I see in the papers some controversy
arising out of the decision of our Royal Dublin Society not to give
prizes this year at the Dublin Horse Show for Hackney stallions.
As far as I am a judge, I think the Committee have done perfectly
right to eliminate from the catalogue of our great hunter show that class
of horse. We Irish, as I say in another chapter, are not drivers, and as
an art or an institution I don't think driving will ever rise much
towards perfection in my country. What we want, and what we
know more about than any other people, is the hunter^ and him we
can breed and train to^ not alone gallop and jump, but to walk and
trot, and so carry a man as safely along a road in the dark as he
can over a country in the day. The system pursued of late years
by my countrymen in breeding hunters has worked amazingly well,
therefore it should be stuck to, and to import the hackney class
into Ireland would tend directly to alter that system, for assuredly the
breed would get mixed with that of our hunters. Stick to your own
opinions, ray friends the Committee of the Dublin Horse Show, and
don't be influenced by parties who know nothing about Irish horse
lireeding, although they may talk and write a lot about it. Men who
know most talk least, so you have not heard much from those who are
in thorough accord with you, not alone upon the question of hackney?,
but upon the whole system of your management, including that excellent
^dea of giving prizes for well turned-out jarveys, the competition for
which affords one of the most interesting exhibitions witnessed at our

carnival. One of the great features of our Show is that what I miy
call the "professional horse" is never seen there. Open the gate? to
hackneys, and we shall see plenty of the professionals stepping need-
lessly high, and led by athletes at fifteen miles an hour in the arena
hitherto sacred to the hunter and the horseman — an exhibition which
is all very well for Islington, but it won't do for Dublin.

CARE OF A HUNTER.
Ciiaptp:r VI.
Correction. — On the fifteenth line of page 106 there is a stupid
mistake, which my readers will kindly correct by reading " top of the
shoulder," instead of point thereof.

8TEEPLECHASING.
Chapter VIII.

Correction. — Through a clerical error the famous Quorn covert i&
spelt at p. 130 '■ Barkly " instead of " Barkby."

Grand National Record. — The record wh!ch I gave in this chapter
of ouf Irish horses in the Grand National, ending as it did, after a
sequence of three wins, with Comeaway in 1891, happily for the renown
of old Ireland, but not for that of my book, is now a long way behind
time, so I must bring it up.

Although his name denotes otherwise, and, strange to say, is the only
one with Celtic significance to be found among all the winners of the
Grand National, Father O'Flynn w^as an English horse, and neither
through owner, trainer, or jockey was connected with the old count rj'-,
but he won in 1892, and thus broke the chain of a remarkable record,
for the blue riband came to Ireland every year since then, as it did for
the three years previously. Cloister, by Ascetic— Grace 11, carrying to
victory for the first time 12st. 7 lbs., won in 1892, as described in the
postscript, p. 152. Why Not, bred by my friend Mr. Percy Nugent, who-
has the love of sport engrafted in him as deep as any man I know, won
in 1893 in the hands of Arthur Nightingall after a good race with the
Irish horses Lady Ellen II. and Wild Man from Borneo. The latter,
after one of the finest finishes ever seen at Aintree, won this year —
the second being Cathal, another Irishman — amidst a scene of enthu-
siasm and applause the like of which was never seen on a racecourse
except when Lord Rosebery won the Derby with Ladas, and the Prince
of Wales won the Manchester Handicap last June with Florlzel II.
Instead therefore of the Irish record in the annals of the Liverpool
Grand National standing as it did in 1891, when I wrote it up for this
book, we now have twenty wins out of fifty-eight races, and running,
into a place nearly every year.

b

As I have expressed myself elsewhere, give me the man who breeds
his own horse, trains him, and then wins his race on him — but such a
man is not easily found. With Liberator, his own property and
trained by himself, Mr. John Hubert Moore won the National in 1879,
his son Garrett being the jockey — a fine performance, and the best
record of the sort which I know of connected with that race, save and
except that of Mr. John "Widger in March last. Wild Man from
Borneo (such a name ! ) was purchased by the eldest brother of the
Widger family for the purpose of winning the Grand National, with
his brother Joe in the saddle, after having been trained by his other
brother Michael. That praiseworthy ambition was achieved to the
letter, and thus was realised the day-dream of that happy band of
brothers, whose history, written by me, appeared in The Sportsman of
Apiil 13th, 1895.

Cloister. — CI aster's time was put down at 9 minutes 32 seconds
immediately after the race, but 9 minutes 42f sees, were afterwards
recorded, and so it now stands at : but giving him even 10 minutes
to have won in with such a weight, although the going was perfection,
I adhere to what I stated at the time, and is related at p. 152. That
Cloister, over the Grand National course, was one of the best horses ever
seen there is no manner of doubt, but I think there is a doubt whether
he was better than The Colonel, Congress, Comeaway, or Royal Meath,
while little Seaman, if he could have been trained to concert pitch,
or perhaps St. Marnock, who was killed at Manchester, might have
stretched his neck over the selfsame course. Anyway I hope to see
Cloister win for Mr. Duff the Sefton in November and the National
again in March, prepared, as he no doubt will be, by Harry Linde, at
Eyrefield.

Father Mathew.— The first Irish horse that won the Grand
National is recorded in the calendars as Matthew, and sometimes
Mathew (p 131), but his right name was Father Mathew, called after
that "apostle of temperance " who did for Ireland more real good than
perhaps any other man tint ever lived, be he clergyman or layman, ia
that he converted from drunkenness to sobriety tens of thousiuds, very
few of whom ever "broke the pledge " they had voluntarily given to
that paragon priest.

PUNCHESTOWN.
Chapter IX.

PuNCHESTOWN DouBLE. — Like many other things, the old double at
Panchestown when looked at on paper, as a section of it can be done
at page 147, is very different to what it is in reality ; so in case any of
my readers might take the shadow for the substance, I may tell them
that that fence, while it is both safe and fair, is one of the stiffest to
be found in any course in the world, notwithstanding its apparently

insignificant height. To get well on to it horses have to jump some
ten to eleven feet, then, in about four feet and a-half, they " change,"
which gets them to the top, from which, to clear the off grip, they have
to jump at least another seven feet, the whole performance occupying
three-quarters of a second. To fly the fence from field to field re-
quires a horse to cover at the very least twenty feet in an arc of from
twenty-five to twenty-six feet, which in itself is a very big jump indeed,
and if he takes off further than a foot from the near grip, as most of
them do, it is a pound to a penny that he comes a purler upon landing.
I may add to what I say at p. 147 that the width of the top, which is
formed on a slant, and must be viewed in connection with the depth
and width of the grip, either when approaching the fence or standing
•close, is what causes people to be deluded into the idea that the fence,
as it has to be jumped, is five or six feet high.

Regimental Luncheons.— Owing to the MSS. having been lost by
my first publishers, what I had written about the regimental luncheons
at Punchestown has not appeared in Chap. ix. I am glad, however, to
he able to rectify the error, even though it be not [in the proper place,
for to have made no mention of these luncheons in a history of
Punchestown would indeed have rendered the work incomplete. For
the last thirty years it has been the custom of every cavalry regiment
stationed in Ireland at the time, and many of the infantry regiments,
to entertain their friends at luncheon during Punchestown, and this
they did in regal fashion with hospitality as lavish as it was genuine.
The space set apart for these entertainments is situated, as most people
know, at the back of the Stand, and, covering nearly an acre, is enclosed
with corrugated iron paling ten feet high. Within this space some
twenty marquees were usually pitched, and in them nearly everyone
who had Stand tickets got entertained upon both days, rendering it
quite unnecessary for those who were at all known to bring luncheon
to Punchestown. The generosity of our soldiers was, however, abused
of late years and tickets misappropriated, which, coupled with the
fact that the expense, which was enormous, fell heavily upon officers of
moderate means, an order came from the General that such broadcast
•distribution of invitations should be curtailed, and at the last meeting,
1895, he forbade the luncheons altogether — an order which was not
alone righteous, but was absohitely requisite. Thus, however, ended,
perhaps for ever, an institution which had for over a quarter of a
■century become proverbial all over the world. Free luncheons are,
however, plentiful enough still at Punchestown for the members of the
Kildare Street Club, as well as the representatives of the great
Guinness family. Lords Ardilaun and Iveagh, erected years ago per-
manent houses of corrugated iron adjoining the enclosure, where they
entertain their friends by the hundred, and in style equal to that
adopted by the soldiers, but with better management.

The Weather.— Of course we have had bad weather at Punchestown,

and at times very bad, notably in 1886 and 1894, but with an expe-
rience of the dear old place a long way greater than most people's, I
can state that on the whole we have had no reason to complain of the
elements, while a fog — think of this, Aintree ! — has never upon any one
occasion of the great carnival visited our princely plains — since 1861 at
all events.

The Laragh Run. — The Laragh run is not quite correctly described
at p. 164, but was so in an article which appeared from me in Baity' s
Magazine of February, 1895. This famous hunt took place on the 26th
Xovember, 1859, and from Laragh House, where the fox wheeled to the
right after going a mile from the gorse, until he was pulled down in
the open close to the fence of Swainstown covt-rt — a thirteen mile
point— the line was almost as straight as it could possibly be, and all
over grass without the semblance of a check. The distance covered
was about eighteen miles, and the time, including fifteen minutes in
CollestowD, which was the only covert touched, was one hour and fifty-
five mins. Besides those enumerated at p. 164, I have found since that
the Baron de Robeck, Mr. Michael Aylmer, Mr. Henry Meredith, Sir
James Higginson, and Captain Frank Kennedy, with Gaffney, who was,
and still i?, Mr. Blacker's groom at Castle Martin (not Mr. Tuthill's),
rode and finished the run, and Lord Naas, who, owing to an accident,
was out on wheels that day, got there in time to see the fox broken up.
Some one connected with the Magazine alluded to altered my MS. so
that I am made to state that the celebrated Will Goodall was hunts-
man of the Pijtchley instead of the Belvoir ; and sporting phraseology
which I h9d employed was also changed with disadvantage to the
article.

Gextlemen Riders. — Among the gentlemen who rode at Punches-
J % town thirty years ag*^, I wish to chronicle those I remember to have
been the best. Messrs. Tom Picker nell (" Mr. Thomas "X George Ede
(" Mr. Edwards"), George Knox, Willie Long, "Pig" Laurence, Pat and
Dan Russell, Dan Canny, Christopher LTssher, Pritchard-Rayner,
Thompson, John Hutchinson (" Mr. Appleton "), Dominick Murphy,
Jimmy Shee (" Mr. Hume "), and Hickman of the 8th Hussars, Captains
Tom McCraith, ''Curley" Knox, Tom Townley, who died only a
few months ago, Harford, "Doggie" Smith, Shaw, Bernard, Tempest^
Trocke, Barclay, Hutton, Candy, Warburton, Ricardo, "Joey" Little,
Coventry, and last not least, Sir Richard de Burgh o, Bart. Then came to
the front the men whose names my readers all know, Messrs. Garrett
Moore, W. B. Morris, Murland, the Hon. Reginald Greville-Nugent
-^ 2 (" Mr. St. James "), Burn-Murdock, Captains Lee Barber, Orr Ewing,,
i '^ " Bay"' Middleton, and later still, Mr. Tommie Beasley, perhaps the
® =^ most accomplished of them all, bar Tom Pickernell. Then followed his
"-S g brothers and the many other fine horsemen whose names being con-
^ ^ stantly chronicled in the daily papers need not here be mentioned.
5 -c Professional Riders. — Among the old professionals were Darv

r.2 >>

2 o

^ a

O ^3

Meany, Denny and Joe Wynne, John Doyle, John Debeau, James
Monaghan, John Noble, Johnny Whelan, Larry Hyland, Dan and Jim
Broderick, William Cusack, Johnny Hanlon, Tom and William Ryan,
Tom Kelly, John Connolly, John Igoe, Stephen Kelly ; while of later
date came Davy and William Canavan, Paddy Gavin, and George Gray.
PuNCHESTOWN AND HoRSE Show.— Punchestown owes its patronage
to the same section of Irishmen as does the Dublin Horse Show, which
I describe at page 103. And in these, our two great national carnivals,
the world has object examples which demonstrate plainly to what
supreme excellence we Irish can bring great projects of our own con-
ception when we are left untrammelled with politics or religion, and are
not harassed by the interference of designing agitators.

LOPtD DROGHEDA.
Chapter X.

His Marriage and Successor.— I should add to the short memoir
of LordDrogheda which I give in Chapter x. that in 1847 he married Mary
Caroline, daughter of the second Lord Wharncliffe, but left no issue,
so that the marquisate became extinct, and he was succeeded by his
oousin, Mr. William Ponsonby, as Earl of Drogheda.

And, reminded of the incident by the General Election which has just
taken place, I may also add that shortly before his death our great
•chief told me that at one time he thought of going in for politics,
to which I replied that I was glad he did not carry out his intention,
for he would have had to do for expediency and for " party " what he
■never did, and never would do, when left to his own instincts. He
made no reply, but well do I remember the piercing look he gave me
and the significant smile which passed over those features, the expres-
sion of which was never indicative of anything save honesty of principle
with independence of purpose.

RACING.
Chapter XL

l^oTA Bene, p. 188— Appendix.— When they have read the para-
graph, '■ Give heed, all Radicals, to this assertion," at head of p. 188,
my readers are particularly requested to take up the Appendix to
Racing, which they will find at p. 421, for it is a continuation of what
I may call the homily I began at p. 187.

FoREBODiJ^GS Fulfilled.— They will also see how strangely some of
my forebodings have come true. The Duchess of Montrose not alone
broke up her breeding establishment in July, 1894, but was on the
point of giving up racing altogether, a loss which the Turf was saved

from for only four moaths. for the lamented death of the poor old
ady on November 16 last brought it about. The Hampton stud was
broken up at the same time, a proceeding whicii was deemed ill-advised.
The Duke of Beaufort soon after sold otf both his racing and breeding
studs, and many others since then have had to curtail expenses. Before
then cime the general reduction in the fees of high class stallions, with
allowances to be made to owners whose mares had proved barren, which
I had said was imperatively necessary {vide pp. 421, 422).

Financial Position of Bacing.— The entries for the classic races
of 1896, which closed in August, 1894, and those for the autumn
handicaps, which closed about the same time, prove how correct I was in
what I said about the stability of the Turf at present. Osving to a great
increase from abroad the classic races have more entries than usual, but if
so the patrons are almost entirely contined to oar wealthiest owners —
scarcely a single small man is to be found among the lot. On the other
hand the autumn handicaps of last year showed a lamentable falling
off. In former years these ever-popular events were supported by the
rank and file quite as much as by the great owners, but in 1894 the
absence of the former was as conspicuous in the handicaps as in the
classics. Strange to say, in Ireland it is quite the reverse. Very few
of our wealthy country gentlemen now patronise tither r^.cing or
steeplechasing, nearly all our support comes from the middle classes —
not so formerly, however. Thus is shown, in addition to what I say
in the appendix and elewhere, how racing in England is going to
the bad, despite the fact that never was the sport nearly a^ universally
popular as it is at present, nor had we ever in the anaals of the Turf
such attendances at meetings as we have had the last two or three
years, that at last Ascot being hugely greater than waa ever before
known. At Waterloo Station on the Cup day 900 tickets more were
issued than upon any other Cup day since the railway was opened.

Let not these records delude the authorities into the belief that racing
is in a good monetary position, for it is 7iot, and I write again what I
wrote at Christmas, 1892, and appears in the appendix, that if some-
thing be not doae by the .Jockey Club to relieve owners of expenses-
the days of racijuj are numbered, and if ten time^ as many outsiders-
were to go to meetings as g) at preseat the downfall would not be
averted for twenty-four hours !

What have the Royal processions, the drags, the luncheons, the ladies^
lawn, or the ladies' dresses to say to the hills which the owners have to
pay ? But they have a great deal to say to the profits of the Race
Companies !

If our rulers should, of their clemency, take the matter up, it would
be well for them to recognise the fact that we have, at present, too many
horses, too many meetings, and too many races a day. Fancy eight
meetings in the year, even at Xewmarket, extending over twenty-nine
days, with six or seven races on each ! The consequence is, that with

all our horses, the fields at headquarters, as well as elsewhere, are
ridiculously small, while meetings held all over the country for the
benefit of outside interest in such superabundance as they are is posi-
tively a prostitution of the noble sport of racing— I state so advisedly.

Jockeys' Riding.— Not alone is the system of racing changed from
what it was, but the riding is changed too. Long ago jockeys, sitting
firm in the saddle, rode with their hands and knees, driving their horses-
home without much aid of whip or spur. Now we see theaa coming
in with loose rein, wabbling all over their horses, which they flog
and spur unmercifully, and at times when there is no chance of winning.
Many a race has been lost by undue punishment, while thousands of
horses have been ruined by it ; and if some of our present jockeys were
taught that a prick of the spur will make nearly every thoroughbred
horse give his running quite as well as excoriation of it, it would
be a sound lesson.

Two-Year-Olds.— Not long ago I showed a well-known trainer, who
also breeds extensively, what I wrote at p. 173 about working two-year-
olds, and having the whole system changed as regards racing our
youngsters. After having read it all over twice he took off his spec-
tacles, and moodily said to me, " Yes, yes, it is all true, but if such a^
system was adopted all the breeders in England would be ruined.'
"Why?" asked I. "Because," said he, "horses would then last until
they died of old age, and we breeders woukl not have to provide one
quarter of the young ones we do now." I dont think if he talked for
an hour he could have given more commendation to my remarks.

The Duchess of Montrose— an Oversight.— When at Newmarket
last Whitsuntide I discovered a mistake, which, although plain enough
to be seen, was never observed before, at least so the clergyman of St.
Agnes' Church told me when I drew his attention to it. The name of
the Duchess of Montrose's second husband, Mr. William Stirling
Crawfurd, is spelt wrong on the tomb her Grace erected to his memory
in the little churchyard on the Bury Road. There itisiCrawford-
How it was that the Duchess, with that quickness of perception which
was peculiarly her own, could have failed to have discovered the mistake
upon any of many scores of times she visited the tomb of the man she-
loved so devotedly was a problem the vicar, at all events, could not
solve. Had she discovered it what would the poor sculptor have come
in for? The mistake will, however, I daresay, be now corrected, for the
same man, I was told, is erecting a tomb of similar design over the
remains of her Grace, which lie alongside those of Mr. Crawfurd.

MoRNY Cannon's Doncaster. — Great as were Archer's achieve-
ments I doubt if he or any other jockey ever did better at one meeting
than did Mornington Cannon at the Doncaster Autumn Meeting
of 1894, when that jockey's wins were as follows : — First day : —
Stand Plate (9), Rowallan, 100 to 8 against ; Champagne Stakes (5),
Solero, 10 to 1 against ; Great Yorkshire Handicap (16), Bushey Park

100 to 12 against ; Doncaster Welter 03), Lumberer, 100 to 8 against.
Second day :— Milton Stakes (7), Newmarket, 5 tD 4 on ; St. Leger (8),
Throstle, 50 to 1 against. Third day :— Juvenile Selling (10), Queen
Saraband, 9 to 4 against ; Kous Plate (6), Matabele, 100 to 30 against ;
Portland Plate (15). Grey Leg, 8 to 1 against ; Corporation Selling (10),
St. Ignatius, 11 to 8 against. On the fourth day he did not win, but he
was second in the Cup on Portland with 100 to 6 against. Th-re were
twenty-six races in the four days, and Cannon rode in them all except
the Fitzwilliam Stakes, Rufford Plate, Cleveland Plate, Bradgate Park
Plate, and Prince of Wales Nursery, with a result of ten wins, four ;
seconds, two thirds, which left only five " duck eggs " to his debit ;
besides which he rode a dead heat for the Tattersall's Stakes on The
Brook, the decider being won by Finlay on Florendean. As is seen be
won all ihe principal events except the Park Hill, the Stakes and the Cup,
in which latter he was second, and many of his mounts were outsiders,
while Throstle created the most remarkable surprise perhaps ever re-
corded in the Leger. The twenty-one races which he rode covered exactly
twenty-two miles and a half, and those who " followed" this able and
popular jockey by putting one sovereign at s. p. to win on each of his
mounts netted exactly i'98 9s. 2d., i.e., won £109 93. 2d. and lost £11,
a result which came to the share of few others, for never was there
a more disastrous meeting for backers than was the one under
reference. If, therefore, this riding of Morny Cannon's has not
established a record among "jockeys' mounts," I am very much mistaken.
Even at a small meeting it would have been marvellous, not to speak
of the Doncaster September, which I maintain is the mcst important
we have in the calendar. So little was thought of Throstle's chance
that it was intended that she should be used as a pacemaker for
Matchbox, but at the last moment Cannon requested to be allowed to
lide the mare as he liked, hence the result. His riding in some of the
other races was also remarkably brilliant, particularly on Queen
Saraband and Grey Leg.

THE CUKRAGH.
Chapter XH.

The Beasleys— Corrections pp. 203, 205, 206.— At page 203 the
rotation of the brothers Beasley is given wrong — they came as
follows :~Tom, John, Harry, James, and Willy. And two pages on I
should have said that the Stand House is a little short of three miles,
instead of nearly four, from Eyrefield House. Again, Charley was old
Canavan's name, and not Davy ; while by a printer's mistake, in not
putting a comma after " off" in the last line of p. 206, it would appear
that the fox covert was not on the Curragh, which it is, and close to
the railway on the opposite side from the Stand House.

Eclipse. — At page 211 is made a mistake about Eclipse which I

■can't account for, as I knew well enough that he was not an Irish
horse, being by Marske out of Spiletta, and bred by e Duke of Cum-
berland in 1764.

Crotanstown Stud.— When I wrote my nistory of the Ourragh
there was no one living at Crotanstown, and old Brownstown was in
•dilapidation, but since then Captain Greer has started stud farms at
both places, and after last Punchestown I had the pleasure of being
shown over them by the owner. I don't think I ever enjoyed a visit
of the sort more, for there I saw everything done as it should be. The
stabling and sheds, which are all new, are laid out upon the most con-
venient plan and built in style as substantial as it is picturesque.
The paddocks at both establishments are numerous and not too large,
as they are in many places, while in all of them are found that undula-
tion of ground which is so beneficial to foals and yearlings, while the
herbage, springing from generous limestone soil, shows by its abundance
how carefully the paddocks with their neatest of hedges are attended
to. Captain Greer started only six years ago, but being wonderfully
endowed with brain-power, and thoroughly master of his business, he
has got together within that short time some twelve brood mares which
for quality and breeding cannot be surpassed in any other breeding
establi^hment that I know. His foals and yearlings, bred for his own
racing, were also good, and are got by the best and most fashionable
sires of the day, many of them being by his own hor^e Gallinule. I had
a long look at this li r^e, and certainly he is the sort to beget alike
race-horses, steeplechasers, and hunters, and he is as quiet as a lamb.
He was not sent many good mares in his first season ; his stock, how-
ever, showed from the beginning that they were capable of winning,
and since then he has been mated with the very best mares in Ireland,
so that last season Gallinule stood high in the list of winning stallions.
Captain Greer peaces a high value upon this horse, and so he may, for
his reputation as a sire has been established, and the source of a
nice income will he be to his popular owner for, let us hope, many a
year to come.

Waterford Lodge was also empty at the time I wrote, but that fine
horseman, Mr. Willy McAuliffe, has recently resumed training, and has
now a select stud under his charge at this once famous stable.

DRIVING.

Chapter XIII.

London Coachmen.— Since I wrote as I did at p. 218 about London
traps and private coachmen I have altered my opinion on the subject.
We can see many a badly turned-out private trap in London, and many
a man driving it whom you would imagine spent most of his time at
work in the garden. What has struck me lately — and I have seen more

XXVI

of the Park diiriog the past two years than I have done since I was a.
boy — is that not one private coachman in a hundred drives without the
assistance of the r'ght hand, not even when g nng slowly one carriage-
after another, and invariably will they pull the right rein out of the--
left hand to get hold of it with the right. With the reins thus held and.
the fellow trying to use his whip, see what an exhibitioa he makes of
himself I You also see some of them with a rein in each hand same
as a coxswain uses the yoke lines from behind. No, no, the English
private coachmen don'c drive as well as I thought they d d four or five
years ago, but the busmen and hansom cabmen do, and they, as a class,,
are the very best drivers in the world. They are also, as a lot, honest,
civil, and respectable, but, as I say at p. 219, they are intensely stupid
in conversation, and not even a surgical operation would extract wit-
f rom or inoculate them with it. So different from our own jolly, jovial
Dublin jarvies !

Waterford, Dungarvan, and Lismore Coach.— It is not to be-
supposed by what I say at p. 223 that the old Dungarvan coach was-
badly horsed as a rule, for it was not, but the teams were not to say
"handy." And here I shall relate something more about that famous-
old coach, the last representative we had of an institution which was
in its day probably as famous in Ireland as it was in England, and
answered the requirements of the age quite as well as do railways-
now ; while, by means of four spanking horses, whose hoofs rattled in
time to the clanking bars and ringing pole-chains, a halo of romance
surrounded the whole affair, the like of which can never attach itself to-
a shrieking locomotive or cumbersome train, much less surround it.

The Waterford and Lismore road, as far as coaching goes, has-
records as remarkable as any in the kingdom. The west of our county
from Lismore, through Cappoquin, Dungarvan, and on to Waterford
was opened up to the public towards the end of the thirties by
Mr. Charles Bianconi, by means of his well-known long cars which-
took his name, and to which two, three, or four horses were put-
according as the weight-bill required. The firtt man put on the box was
Tom Keogh, and from 1837, or perhaps a year earlier, until 1861 he
drove the whole way from Lismore to Waterford and back every week
day, except from about 1852 to 1858, when he drove only from Dun-
garvan and back. The distance from Lismore to Waterford is forty-
three miles, and from Dungarvan it is twenty-eight, therefore, for
some eighteen years, he drove eighty-six miles a day, and for six years
drove fifty-six.

There were three (perhaps four) stages between Lismore and
Waterford, leaving two from Dungarvan, so, allowing that " unicorn '*'
was his average team, Tom Kecgh has a record of having driven
101,412 horses, with 33,804 changes, 502,052 miles, or more than twenty-
times round the world !— a feat which knocks into a cocked hat that
of the Guard immortalised in Baibj^ vol. 55, p. 358. " Bian's Car'

XXVil

started from Lismore at 5 a.m., and reached Water ford at 11 a.m.,
returning at 3 p.m., and got back to Lismore at 9 p.m. ; therefore, for
eighteen years, Keogh was twelve hours a day on his box, and could
not have had more than six hours in bed, except on Sunday, when,
small blame to him, he stayed in it nearly all day. During these four-
and-twenty years this wonderful man was never oflf duty for a single
day, except a few just before he gave up. He was most abstemious
in drink, if not a teetotaller, but he eat heartily, particularly before
starting in the morning. Mr. Bianconi was not in favour of long
stages, so it may have been that there were four stages along the
line. Anyway, Tom was so wonderfully punctual that " Bian," rather
than their clocks, denoted to the country folk the time of day.
Although he carried a little horn, slung by a strap round his shoulder,
it was his stentorian voice and thundering oaths that notified to
those who might be obstructionists to faugh a hcdlagh, and this they
hastily did, knowing that Tom would drive over them if they did not.

In about 1861 Bianconi disposed of the "road" to the late Mr.
William Cummins, at whose brother's hotel the car was always put up in
Waterford, and a coach was then substituted for the long car. John
Bates drove it for about twelve years, and Pat Thornton for five, until
August, 1878, when the railway was opened, but neither of these men
went further than Dungarvan. During the forty odd years that this
road was driven over there was only one serious accident to either the
car or the coach, and that was near Kilmacthomas in about 1860, a fact
which speaks volumes to the skill of the drivers, for there was a great
deal of traffic along the route, and upon fair or market days drunken
people were plentiful ; and although a guard was never employed,
neither car nor coach was ever attacked, even in the troublous times of
1848 and 1866.

Mr. William Cummins, a respectable and worthy citizen of Waterford,
horsed and turned out the coach well, and when it was run off the road
by the railway it was the last of the long distance coaches which we
had in Ireland. This quondam representative of a grand old institution
has, however, gone to posterity with a record of safe travelling, which
is not likely to be accorded to its iron successor, while Tom Keogh has-
a history, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of coaching. He was — and
so were Bates and Thornton — as respectful and respectable as they
were skilful. A surly chap, whose name I forget, drove the coach
for a few months before it stopped, but he need not be counted.

SHOOTING.

Chapter XV.

Osbaldeston's ShootiisG.— The feat recorded at p. 248 of the t^o-

noblemen having a few years ago shot between them 98 pheasants out

of 100 shots, bird for bird and shot for shot, wonderful work no doubt,

was not nearly as fine a performance as that of George Osbaldestoa

XXVIU

nearly seventy years ago as recorded at p. 361, for to his own gun— and
that a flint-lock — he bagged the same number, missing also only two
shots.

i\ECOED Hind Shooting.— I find that it was by fair stalking alone,
for driving was not resorted to at all, that my friend and his companion
shot the twenty-two hinds in five days at Christmas, 1892.

Pre^entiox of Accidents. — This being the glorious "Twelfth,"
and I not on the moors as I should like to be, I may add something to
what I have already written at pp. 236, 237, about caution with fire-
arms and tell of other big bags made up to date.

To the three golden rules given at p. 236 I shall add : Never
fire at anything that you canoot see far beyond except it be well
over the height of a man. Another measure of precaution, when not
actually engaged in firing, is to unlock the barrels and hang the gun
over the arm, and in a second it can be shut and ready for use. This
is a plan I often adopted, and I saw it advocated in the Field last
September. Men should be careful with a gun even when it is not
loaded, so as to render the custom habitual, and directly they take hold
of one they should examine whether it is loaded or not. Boys should
be taught these safety methods and made to follow them, and so
should those who nowadays begin shooting late in life, for they are
the gentlemen who are the most dangerous of all.

My own opinion is that a man who can't handle his gun properly or
is over excitable, be he young or old, host or guest, should not be
allowed to shoot in company with others, for he is to a party even more
■dangerous than a bad rider is to good horsemen in a race or a hunt.

TuRXED-DOWN Hares. — With regard to what I say about turned-
down hares at p. 241, I may add that as hares are very fond of salt
it would materially tend to induce them to stay where they are turned
down if large lumps of rock salt were plentifully strewn about ; or
better still, if it could be done, have the hares in the first instance let
loose in a walled-in paddock with the rock salt strewn there, and after
a few days let them go in the open, leaving small holes for them to get
into the paddock to lick the salt when they choose, or to take refuge.

Remarkable Shooting. — Before dealing with the last couple of
years I must add some more records of remarkable shooting made
years ago which I have got hold of lately, for they are even greater
than those given in Chap. xv.

Two very interesting letters appeared in the Field last September
in which are recorded the first-rate sport which was had over dogs
nearly fifty years ago on Dalnaspidal Moors, the Duke of Athole's
property in Perthshire. The game book of the Lodge records it
as follows, the bags being made in 1846 by the five well-known
sportsmen, Mr. Robert Fellowes, Mr. Stirling Crawfurd, his brother-
in4aw Mr. Everard, Mr. Willoughby, afterwards Lord Middleton, and
Mr. W. Little Gilmour.

Au.f^ust 12. — Messrs. Gilmour and Crawfurd . 190 brace
,, ,, Fellowes and Everard . 164 ,,

Mr. Willoughby . . . . 82 ,,

—436 brace
,, 14. — Messrs. Crawfurd and Fellowes . 183 brace
,, ,, Gilmour and Everard . 123 ,,

Mr. Willoughby . . . . 89 „

— 345 brace
,, 17. — Messrs. Crawfurd and Gilmour . llOj brace
Fellowes and Willoughby 100^ ,,

,, Mr. Everard 96 ,,

—307 brace
,, 20.— Mr. Crawford . . . .126 brace
,, Messrs. Fellowes and Everard .68 ,,

,, ,, Gilmour and Willoughby . 58 ,,

— 252 brace
,, 21. — Messrs. Fellowes and Willoughby 80 bra?e
,, ,, Crawfurd and Gilmour .53 ,,

—133 brace
,, 22. — Messrs. Crawfurd and Fellowes . 103 brace
,, ,, Willoughby and Everard . lOlh ,,

204^ brace

,, 24.— Mr. Fellowes .... 103 brace

,, Messrs. Crawfurd and Everard .98 ,,

Mr. Willoughby . . . . 58i ,,

259i

Total of five guns for four days and four for three days 1,937 brace

Their bag for the season was, grouse 5,778, black game 20, ptarmigan.
187, hares 107, wild duck 7, sundries 8, a grand total of 6,107 head.
These moors, whichhave always beensome of the very bestinthekingdom,
afforded in 1850, again to Mr. Stirling Crawfurd and party, 1,100 brace
of grouse in nine days, and the following year the bag, in five days
with five guns, was 931^ brace. In those days the rental of that fine
shooting Avas only about £350, now it is perhaps twice or three times
as much, and the sport is not better, or may be as good.

Better even than the Maharajah's shooting over dogs is the following^
record, given by a sporting correspondent of The Daily Telegraph in its
issue of August 11, 1894, wherein he states in an interesting account of
The Twelfth that "The late Colonel Campbell, of Monzie, on his own
moors and to his own gun on x^ugust 21, 1843, bagged 184^ brace of
grouse, and on September 4, 1846, he beat that performance by killing
191 brace." The County Gentleman of .September 1, 1894, records that
he shot 222^ brace about the same time. This the gallant Colonel did,
shooting alone and no doubt over dogs, and probably with flint guns.
The big bag, however, was not made fairly, and a number of cheepers
were shot which were all counted. At the present time, with grouse

XXX

mucli more plentiful than they were fifty years ago, and having breech-
loaders which eject cartridges as fast as they are fired, and can
be re-cartridged in a brace of seconds, men can't beat this splendid
record over dogs, simply because those who have really good moors
don't go out as early and can't walk so hard or continuously as their
fathers, whilst those sportsmen of the present day who never tire but
work hard from daylight till dark and are good shots have not such
moors to shoot over as Colonel Campbell's, and until they get a chance
over them the Colonel's records are likely to remain undisturbed, for,
under the circumstances, they are far and away better than Duleep
Singh's.

I have not read Mr. Stuart Wortley's books, but from a review of the
first volume I learn that a wonderful bag of partridge was made at
The Grange in Hampshire in October, 1S87, when seven guns in four
days' driving got no less than 4,109, being an average of 1,027 a day,
587 a gun, or 147 per gun a day !

In the opening week of the season 1888 the Comte de Paris, who
died last year, and party of nine guns killed 1,269 brace of grouse over
dogs on the Moness and Loch Kennard moors in the Breadalbane
district of Perthshire, which is considered the best grouse land in
Scotland.

At Merton, Lord Wal>ingham's place in Norfolk, about Christmas,
1893, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Huntingfield, Lord de Grey, Mr.
Archibald Stuart Wortley, Colonel Bateson, and two other guns killed
in one day 1,572 pheasants, 235 hares, 90 rabbits, and 5 woodcock, and
repeated almost the same bag for four consecutive days, until at the
close of the fourth it was found that nearly 4,000 pheasants had fallen
to the guns of seven well-skilled sportsmen. Such a bag would have
been impossible thirty or forty years ago, when pheasants were not
reared by hand and turned down in such quantities as they are now.

Over the Elveden estate, which was purchased last year by Lord
Iveagh, in the season 1892-93, the bag for 22 days' shooting was 10.745
head, including 5,258 cock pheasants and 2,237 partridge. Upwards
of 21,000 pheasants have been brought up by hand there in a single
season, nor does that extensive breeding prevent 150,000 pheasants' eggs
being usually sold every year off the same preserves.

And in the season 1893, which will be ever memorable for big bags
of grouse, probably the greatest was that of Mr. Rimington Wilson's
party of nine guns on the 30th August, when over the Bromhetd
moors, near Sheffield, they shot 1,324 brace — of course, driving— thus
beating his own record made in 1872, as given at p. 246 ; but there I
find I gave Mr. Wilson's christened name incorrectly as " Kenn'ngton."

The best bag of grouse made over dogs in 1894 which I have heard
of was that recorded in The Field of September 1, where Mr. Roger K.
Cross with party of four guns got 1,549 grouse over the Inverlair moors
in Inverness-shire up to the 27th of August, and the best bag made

XXXI

t)y driving ^ is that made by The Mackintosh and party, averaging
eight guns, over his own moors, Moy Hall, in Inverness-shire, when no
I ss than 2,467 grouse were got on August 21 and three following days,
of which 1,222, or nearly ha'f, were gjt on the first day. The Mackin-
tosh also made an extraordinary b\g to hia own gun over dogs in
August, 1894, but I don't know the exact score.

In his wonderful performance relat-d at p. 247 Lord Walsingham fired
1,510 shots ; once he killed three birds in oce shot and a brace three
t'mes, not through means of " browning " or by chance, but by taking
them intentionally at the proper instant.

Guns. — Not many years ago a first-rate gunmaker considered it good
business if he sold daring the season a hundred new guns at an average o
30 guineas ; now double that number are turned out by several of the
good makers, while some of them sell three hundred in a season ranging
from 50 guineas to 80 guineas apiece.

Mr. Winans. — Since I wrote what I did about Mr. Winans at p. 260
he has let some of his Highland shootings, and remarkable sport has,
naturally, been had over both his forests and moors, upon which,
for many years, he had kept at tremendous expense an army of keepers
•and watchers without allowing a shot to be fired.

Deer Forest Commission. — It will be observed how the report of
the Deer Forest Commission, which was made this summer, bears out
exactly the remarks which I made three years ago about the crofting
■of deer forests and grouse moors as recorded at pp. 261-263.

Finding their game of injuring the landlords by trying to spoil the
shootings in having them turned into farms and sheep walks was being
played out, agitators have taken up another means. They now want to
have tourists allowed to roam all over the deer forests, knowing well
that red deer love solitude and quietness, and being the shyest of all
animals, and hating the sight of a man, would fly from any place which
would be disturbed by very much less noise than that which is caused
by a party of howling and horn-blowing tourists. People can enjoy
mountain scenery in abundance elsewhere than upon our Highland
deer forests, and I hope it will be many a long year before liberty will be
granted them, much less the right, to invade the regions where the
aatlered monarchs from time immemorial have enjoyed their long lives
in peaceful solitude. At the same time it would be diplomatic and
wise if the area of our forests and moors was not further extende-"^.
If "Humanitarians" knew what they were talking about they would
know that to be scared out of their wits by tourists would be far more
hurtful to the feelings of a wild red deer than is death caused instantly
by a bullet.

COURSING.
Chapter XVI.
Coursing versus Hunting.— When reviewing the edition of my
book, which the first publishers sent out in such incomplete style, all

the papers were complimentary of it as a whole, but some took excep-
tion to what I said about coursing, alleging that because I did not
cire about it I abused it as a sport. Certainly I don't care a great
deal about coursing, but if fair play was given to the hares I most
assuredly would not say a word against it ; on the contrary I should
stick up for it the same as I do for other branches of sport which
personally I don't care much for. Let us take coursing as carried out
at Altcar and described at pp. 285 and 286, which is typical of other
public meetings, in comparison with hunting, and also with what may
be called wild coursing. A fox when found goes away with an odds-on
chance of escape of at least 10 to 1. A deer let loose from a cart, being
worth about £50, is never allowed to be killed if it be possible to save
him, so he is enlarged at the betting of 2D to 1 on his being taken even
unhurt. Wild deer are killed, if they can be, but that is not often, so
they have as much chance as a fox. A hare hunted by harriers starts
with at least 5 to 1 in her favour ; and a hare started on the wolds, not
to talk of a mountain, if she gets a fair chance of the hill, will beat the
best brace of greyhounds in England three times out of four, or may
be four times out of five. According to the records of the Waterloo
meeting described in Chap. xvi. a layer of odds would have won £109
if he had bet in sovereigns 109 to 1 against the hares in every course
run at the meeting !

Waterloo Cup.— It may interest some people to know that the
Waterloo Cup was first run at Altcar in 1836, and was for eight dogs
only, the winner being a bitch named Milaine, the property of Lord
Molyneaux, but ran in the name of Mr. Lynn, the runner-up being Mr.
Norris' Unicus. Next year it was made a 16-dog stake, and in 1838 it
was increased to 32 dogs, and so continued until 1857, when it became
the 64-dog stake it has ever since remained.

I was wrong in stating at p. 288 that the Derby was never won by a.
Lord Derby, for it was won in 1787 by Sir Peter Teazle, the property
of the twelfth Earl, who instituted the race, but never since or before.

SPOKT A NATIONAL BENEFACTOR.
Chapter XVIL

Advice to Header. — For reasons already stated at p. xiv of these
addenda my readers are requested to get a copy of the pamphlets
which I wrote under the above title in December, 1894, and July,
1895, and read them instead of this chapter. They are 3d. each, and
can be had at the offices of the Sporting League, 46, Pall Mall, London,
or I will send them gratis to whoever buys this book and applies for
them.

THE PRIZE RING.
Chapter XIX.

Sayers and Heenan. — Bob Brettle was the only man Sayers ever
fought who was lighter than himself, and the two fights he had with
Aaron Jones summed up 148 rounds of five hours' fighting, and they
were going to tackle each other for the third time when Heenan came
on the scene, as is related at p. 323.

Colours, Umpires, and Referee. — I have not described the men's
colours quite accurately at p. 326. Sayers' colours were — Standard of
England in the centre, British lion rampant in each corner on cream
coloured ground, with crimson border ; while Heenan's were red,
white, and blue borders, surrounding thirteen stars on white ground,
and bearing the motto " May the best man win." Mr. George Wilkes,
of the New York Spirit of the Times, was umpire for Heenan, Mr.
" Farmer " Bennett acted for Sayers, while Mr. Frank Dowling, editor
of BelVs Life, was the referee. It was the rule of the P.B. k. that if a
man held the Belt for three years in succession against all comers it
became his absolute property. I can't, therefore, understand why
Sayers was not given the original Belt two months after his fight
with Heenan, having won it from The Slasher on 16th June, 1857, and
it was never taken from him, but that question was no doubt settled
by Mr. Dowling when he brought about the arrangement mentioned
at p. 331. If, however, Heenan'a eyes had been lanced same as were
Keates' in his fight with Flowers (p 318), perhaps poor Tom might
have had a different record.

Farnborough Field. — The scene of the great battle between Sayers
and Heenan was named after the little railway station on the South-
Eastern line, which is only a quarter of a mile off — the village of
Farnborough being much further away, and was not in those days run
close to by any railway as it now is, and can be got to from Waterloo
in about thirty miles ; whereas the old road from London Bridge via
Guildford is over fifty, which explains the length of time the journey
took (p. 326.)

To visit the scene of any great event is to me at all times most enjoy-
able, so, in July, 1894, being at Aldershot for a day or two, I went off to
see again the famous Farnborough Field, and in case any of my
readers might like to do the same, all they have to do is to find their
way to the Ship Inn, which is about two miles and a-half from the
North Camp at Aldershot, and just beyond the Empress Eugenie's
beautiful demesne. They will find, about thirty yards on the near
side of the inn a small gate which opens on to a pathway, following
which they will come to Hook Cottage at the end of the field. Here,
unless they choose to go out of their way by continuing the path, they
must get as best they can across the railway, and, directly at the other
side, in Hampshire, is " Sayers' Meadow." In the snug little recess
at the top is where the ring was pitched, surrounded, as it still is, by

XXXIV

the trees which grew there at the time of the fight, from the boughs of
which many scores of people from the neighbourhood got a tip-top
view. The little stream close by, called the Blackwater, divides Hamp-
shire from Surrey, and for being carried across it on the morning of
the fight many a half-sovereign had to be paid.

Again was the day charming, as it was of old ; but sad recollections
of various nature occurred to me as, for nearly an hour, I roamed
about and rested upon the spot which, over five-and-thirty years be-
fore, had been the centre of the ring on that memorable morning.
The place for many years was marked by four posts, 24 feet apart,
until they rotted away lately. They ought to be replaced.

Jim Mace.— Next to Sayers I think Mace was about the best man
we ever had. On " book form " he was better than Heenan, for with as
much difference in height and weight as there was between Sayers and
Heenan, Mace beat Tom King in their first battle, which was a fair
stand-up fight, and in the second he was having altogether the best of
it when King, by a chance blow, knocked him out. King then fought
Heenan, both men being fairly matched as regards height, weight,
and age, when the latter was beaten, fair and square, in a compara-
tively short time. Therefore, as I say. Mace was, on paper, a better
man than Heenan. But was he as plucky ?

Hakry Bruxton and Tom Sayers.— Harry Brunton was a skilful
boxer and a courageous man, but having soft hands he could not hold his
own in the prize-ring. He was, however, one of the best seconds ever
known, and was selected by Sayers in all his battles, subsequent
to that with Perry. Between the two men there existed the greatest
friendship, and over his signboard at the " George and Dragon " in
Beech Street, Barbican, Brunton had himself described as " Tom Sayers'
favourite second." Soon after his fight with Heenan, Tom presented
Harry with a handsome silver cup, which on one side bore the inscrip-
tion, for the copy of which I am indebted to the editor of the Licensed
Victuallers' Gazette, " This trophy was presented to Harry Brunton by
his old friend, Tom Sayers, for faithful services rendered throughout his
great fights." On the other side were the following lines from the
facile pen of " Chief Baron " Nicholson :—

" In those happy hours when man seeks relief
From the backfalls of sorrow and cross-counlers of grief,
When joy fills the heart and puts the crook on our cares,
Drink deep from this goblet and think of Tom Sayers. "

The presentation was made by the " Chief Baron " at Brunton's house,
and the ceremony derived additional interest from the fact that Heenan
was present, and with Sayers and Brunton drank from the magnum
that christened the bowl.

Soon after poor Tom's death, Brunton purchased for his own grave
the piece of ground which adjoined Tom's, and changed his residence
from the Barbican to the more secluded quarters of the Nag's Head,

XXXV

Wood Green, which is close to Highgate Old Cemetery, where he could
be the nearer to the remains of the man who was the object of his fervent
and life-long admiration. Brunton survived his principal for twenty-one
years, during which time it is recorded that no one dared say a word
in his presence derogatory of the champion. This I can well under-
stand from the manner in which he spoke of Sayers upon the one
occasion when I paid him a visit. Brunton died at the Nag's Head,
June 9, 1886, aged sixty, and now the two friends rest alongside each
other until " Time " shall be called by the Great Referee.

BETTING.
Chapter XX.

Heavy Bettors.— Besides those mentioned at p. 335 the following
were some of the heaviest backers of horses of their day : Lord Barry more,
Charles James Fox (Prime Minister), Colonel Anson, Hon. Richard
Yernon, Lord Kennedy, General Berkeley Craven (who shot himself the
evening of Bay Middleton's Derby), Mr. George Payne, Mr. FredGretton,
the Marquis of Ailesbury, and for a time Capt. Machell. Lord George
•Cavendish, early in the century, also betted heavily, and in the memor-
able match (referred to at p. 385) between Sir Joshua, of which he was
part owner, and Filho da Puta, which took place at the Craven Meet-
ing at Newmarket in 1816, he won nearly £50,000 from the Yorkshire-
men, taking all the bets offered at 5 to 4, then evens, and finally laying
5 to 4. So did his relative. Lord George Bentinck, win nearly the same
amount over his mare Miss Elis, when she won the Stakes and Cup, at
Goodwood, in 1849.

Mr. George Payne for many years was a consistent follower of Alec
Taylor's stable, and at times plunged heavily. Of course, he won
occasionally, but in the end, like everyone else, he had to his credit a
great deal less money than he began with. Teddington, then the joint
property of Sir Joseph Hawtey and Mr. Massey Stanley, won Mr.
Payne a big stake over the Derby, but it was nothing to what he stood
to win on Savernake in 1866, when he was beaten a short head by
Lord Lyon, after one of the grandest races ever seen at Epsom. Mr.
Payne sustained even a greater disappointment with "brother to Flurry,"
afterwards named Pell Mell, in the Leger of 1872, when that horse lost
the race to Wenlock by an equally short shave, Payne and all the
stable having plunged to win an enormous stake, but as they got on
at very long odds the losses were not unusually great.

A Good " System."— Exemplifying what I state in the third
paragraph at p. 338, the most any man should lay aside for backing
horses is one-tenth of his income — same as what a prudent man allots
for the rent of his house — and he should not risk more than one-tenth
of that in any one bet, and when the lot is lost he should knock off till

XXXVl

the next year. If that principle was to be adhered to no very great
harm would accrue. But if betting debts were to be made recoverable
by law, the same as any other debt, the measure would act deterrently
upon backers, while it would also influence some of the layers.

HYGIENIC PRINCIPLES.
Chapter XXI.
Rheumatism and Lumbago.— For many years before, and up to the
time I wrote about rheumatism as I did at p. 271, I was subject, as 1
have said, continually to terrible attacks of lumbago, but strange to
say I have had only two or three " touches " of it since then. I can t
account for this good turn of luck, for I never used any preventive
other than those described, except it be that for the last couple of
years I have returned to my old practice of using dumb-bells, and, as I
did for many a year before I ever knew what rheumatism was, I work
with them (14 lbs. each) for five minutes before I go to bed and after
my bath in the morning. Whether that exercise has kept away lumbago
or not I don't know, but this I know, that I never was in better health
than I have been since I began agaia the dumb-bells, and rightly or
wrongly to that exercise I accredit the cause.

Good Recipes.— To the receipt for making a mutton hash, which I
give at p. 350, may be added the following for making a curry, and it
will be found to be equally valuable. It was given to me recently
by the lady whose portrait, with those of her sons, is given at page 1.
For about a pound and a half of meat, cut in small dice two large
onions, a carrot and a turnip, and fry them in butter : cut up the meat
to be used in dice, which add to the vegetables with one tablespoonful
of curry powder and a little sweet chutney ; add flour to thicken, with
salt to taste, and simmer until cooked.

But what can beat a properly grilled British mutton chop, served
without gravy or anything to give it relish except mustard, pepper,
salt, and a crisped potato ? Surely cutlets smothered in sauce are not
more toothsome and certainly not so wholesome. Outside its own
town we don't often find what is called a " Barnsley chop," which is
the two centre chops cut out of the saddle, and served double. If
the mutton be prime, sufficiently long hung, and properly cooked, in
my opinion this homely Yorkshire dish, for taste and nourishment,
takes a lot of beating.

Correction. — The printer added 7 lbs. to the weight I consider an
average man should be ; therefore, in the fifth paragraph of p. 353, the
weight should read " 12 st.," and not 12 st. 7 lbs.

OSBALDESTON, .^c.
Chapter XXII,

Osbaldeston's Hounds. — In connection with what I say at p. 357 I
wish to refer to what Sir Reginald Graham contributed to The Field
of May 26, 1894, in a most interesting letter alluding to Mr. Osbaldeston's
pack. He states that his father, Mr. Bellingham Graham, purchased
all Osbaldeston's hounds except 25 couple, when he took over the
Quorn in 1821, but upon the Squire's return in 1823 he repurchased
an equal lot from Mr. Graham at £1,110. Sir Reginald also states
that Osbaldeston's most celebrated stallion-hounds were Furrier,
Flourisher, Vaulter, Rasselas, Valentine, Hermit, and Rocket. Furrier,
a black and white hound, by Saladin from Fallacy, was bred at Belvoir
in 1821, and at one time there were 2^\ couple by Furrier in the Squire's
pack, and sometimes he made the whole of his pack for the day's hunt-
ing of hounds got by that famous sire. In conclusion, Sir Reginald
plaintively asks, " Where are the descendants of this historic pack ? "

Woodland Hunting. — Osbaldeston found out some eighty-five
years ago a fact which many men of the present have not learned yet,
which was that, if woodlands be constantly hunted, foxes will fly
from them nearly as readily as they do from gorse or spinneys.
He therefore dusted his big woods during cub hunting in rare style,
and it is recorded of him by Mr. Blews, that when he took the Burton
■country he took his hounds to the great strong woodlands which then
existed near Wragby, six days a week for five weaks on a stretch,
until at last he made the foxes so anxious to get away, that they would
fly at even the sound of his voice. This he proved one day, to decide
a bet of a guinea, which he made with a friend on the subject. Having
stationed him in a pirticular spot, and going into the wood, which is
now nearly all cut down, the Squire began to cheer an imaginary pack
of hounds, when a leash of foxes went away almost immediately, in
full view of his friend. Naturally, however, woodlands were not the
Squire's favourite coverts, for when he took the Pytchley country
afterwards, which he continued to hunt till the end of his remarkable
career, he considered that in it he had " at last found Paradise."

Osbaldeston's Racing Career.— Dealing with Osbaldeston only
as regards the feats he actually performed himself, I make no mention
-of the stud of flat racehorses which he kept for years. Although he
usually rode them himself, and could hold his own with the best pro-
fessionals of the day, he was not nearly as successful on the flat as he
was across country. In fact the gallant fellow lost heavily by the
business, and it principally brought about his ruin.

CAPTAIN BARCLAY-ALLARDICE.
Chapter XXII.
The Track and Domicile in the Great Walk. — As stated at
p. 372 I took my account of Captain Barclay's walk from what

appeared in BeJVs Life^ in 1874, but I have ascertained since that
one or two slight inaccuracies with regard to the domicile and the
tracks used crept into that account, no doubt owing to the fact that
Bell itself was not in existence at the time, nor for thirteen years
afterwards, and as I ferreted out the particulars lately from perhaps
the only person alive who knows them, I will correct some of what
appears at pp. 376, 377. The track which was first selected began
at Barton's Yard, on Mill Hill, and continued along the Exning road^
past where the gas works are, for half a mile out and home. It
is strange that this place should have been chosen at all for such a
feat, as the first sixty or seventy yards was up the sharp rise of
ground which we see there still. The house the Captain put up at was
that of the father of Frank Buckle the jockey, and there it stands now
exactly as it did in 1809 — the second on the left in Barton's Yard. It
is easy to understand why Barclay could not be made comfortable in
fcuch a pill-box of a place, nor could he continue to breast that hill
every time he started. The change of quarters and course had there-
fore to be made on the sixteenth day, as described, and the new abode
was a house which stood where Heath Cottage now is, near the Horse
and Groom (not " Horse and Jockey " as given by BelVs Life), both
the house and the inn belonging to a man named Parkinson, who was
a stonemason and a great friend of the fighting men of the day who
patronised the inn, and were backing Barclay through thick and thin.
There remains this moment the identical doorway at which the new
track began, and crossing the Xorwich road it went straight to the
corner of the Severals, where Judge Clarke's house now stands, and
to make the half-mile, along the Ely road, to a little beyond where
Tom Jennings lives, every yard of which was level as a table. The
line could not have been "up the heath," as described by BelVs Life,
for paddocks, enclosed by high hedges, then occupied the area on which
Captain Machell's and Ryan's stables are now built. Parkinson's
house was commodious, so Barclay was made as comfortable as he
could be under the circumstances, and guarded by Gully, Gregson, acd
that lot, needless to say he was not allowed to be disturbed by the
crowd outside.

A DisGEACEFUL EXHIBITION.— In coutrast with Allardice's manly
exploit I shall relate a disgraceful exhibition which is recorded in the
"Records of the Racecourse." After having given little glimpses at the
morals of King Charles II. and his Court at Newmarket, and their diver-
sions, the author states that a certain nobleman (?), whose name he
gives but, for the sake of his descendants, I shall not repeat, for a
wager of £50 backed himself to walk, stark nal-ed and barefooted, five
miles on " Xewmarket Common" in an hour. He lost the match by
half a minute, but had the honour of good company, for the King, his
concubines, and hii- nobles attended ! On Newmarket Heaih have been
seen many strange sights, but I question whether a stranger one was

ever witnessed than that of this dirty old brute walking stark naked,
amid the ribald jests and laughter of the King of England and the
ladies and rjentlemen (?) who constituted the Court of that "merry
monarch" two hundred years ago.

JOHN SCOTT.
Chapter XXIII.

Mr. Boaves and Col. Ansox.— Although Mr. Bowes was connected
with John Scott's stable longer than any other patron, he took no part
in the management, and seldom went to Whitewall, or even to see his
horses run, after they left the Streatlam paddocks. Not so Colonel
George Anson, who, from 1830 till he went to India in 1853, was the
predominant ruler of Whitewall. That beau ideal of an accomplished
and courteous gentleman had reposed in him, to an unlimited degree,
the confidence of all the patrons of the great northern stable,
and being a consummate judge of a racehorse, and of how, where,
and when he should be raced, he " placed " the horses of that mighty
stable, leaving to Scott their preparation. The other owners did
not trouble themselves about their horses, and often did not know
when or where they would be raced, relying entirely upon the sagacity
of the ever popular Colonel, but when the proper time came to take
advantage of a " good thing " down went the money for the stable all
round, irrespective of whose horse it might be, and so the plan worked
for three and twenty years in most perfect harmony, and without a
single hitch or unpleasantness. I wonder how such a system would
work at present !

West Australian's Leger day was the last day's racing Colonel Anson
ever saw in England, for he sailed for India immediately after, and
thus was lost to the Turf one of the brightest lights that ever shone
over it, and a man whose example the best in the land even now might
with advantage follow. Scott loved the Colonel devotedly, and despite
the mighty "West's" achievement he ever reckoned that that day was
the most sorrowful he ever experienced, and, as has been often recorded,
the old trainer dared not trust hire self to meet his good friend at the
weigh room, after the race, to bid him farewell as was arranged.

Fourteenth Earl of Derby. — I am indebted to the Hon. Frank
Lawley for some of the following particulars concerning Scott's
stable, having taken them from one of that gentleman's inte-
resting articles. Next to Mr. Bowes, the fourteenth Earl of Derby
was perhaps Scott's principal patron during the Whitewall era.
That great statesman was withal one of the leading turfites of the
day, and while he could play the game of the ring his wit and joviality
were the life and soul of the Jockey Club; and when among its
members, or engaged in any other sport at Knowsley or elsewhere, he
never permitted his recreation to be interfered with by political or

xl

State considerations, which, by natural instinct in him, stood secondary
to sport. In about 1841 he sent his horses to Whitewall, where they
continued for the remainder of his racing career, which practically
ended in 1863, some six years before his death. During that time Lord
Derby had under Scott's care a total of nearly 250horses, and won in stakes
nearly £95,000 — a big record then, but it would now be for the same races
something like three times the amount. A lot of the Knowsley bred
horses, and those Lord Derby purchased, were of little use, so that with
the exception of one Oaks, one Two Thousand, one Doncaster Cup,
two One Thousands, and two Goodwood Cups, the Knowsley " black
jacket and white cap " fluttered in front in great races very seldom
when compared with the " all black " of Streatlam. It was in two
year old and minor races that Scott won for the " Rupert of Debate "
the most of this stake-money.

^Memorable Races. — A memorable race was the Leger of 1S51, when
Scott saddled Newminster to represent the North, and Alec Taylor,
who died last winter, stripped Aphrodite, then the joint property of
Sir Joseph Hawley and Mr. Massey Stanley, to do battle for the South.
A great race it was between the two, for, coming away from the other
fourteen starters, the future sire of Hermit beat the Fyfield crack, and
thereby caused tens of thousands to be lodged in Yorkshire banks to
the credit of the followers of Whitewall.

In the Derby of 1836, in a field of twenty-one, Scott ran second to
Bay Middleton with Lord Wilton's Gladiator, his brother Bill riding
and the next two horses were Venison and Slave. Referring to these
four horses in their position in the Stud Book, Mr. Lawley, in one of
his sporting reminiscences, says of this race that, " In the long and
splendid history of England's greatest race no such four horses were
ever placed for it as Bay Middleton, sire of The Flying Dutchman,
Andover, and Aphrodite ; Gladiator, sire of Sweetmeat and Miss
Sarah ; Venison, sire of Alarm, Miami, and Ugly Buck ; and Slave,
sire of Sting, Merry Monarch, and The Princess. It may also be
remarked that each of the placed horses for the Derby of 1836 were the
sires of animals that could stay for any distance — e.g., The Flying
Dutchman, Sweetmeat, Alarm, and Subduer."

Bill Scott and John's Children. — Writing of Bill Scott, at p. 388,
I should have added that he won the Two Thousand in 1842, on Mr.
Bowes' Meteor, and the next year also on that gentleman's Cotherstone,
while in 1846 his own horse, Sir Tatton Sykes, carried him to victory

John Scott, by his first marriage, left a son and two daughters, but
there was no issue by the second marriage.

Mr. Naylor — Correction. — By a slip of the pen, or the print, a mis-
take has been made in the table at p. 392. It was Mr. R. C. Xaylor,
as is mentioned in the text, and not Mr. Bowes, who bought StockwelJ.

xli

MAT DAWSON.
Chapter XXIII.

Much of what I have said with regard to Mr. Mathew Dawson's late
years has been discounted during the process of delay in the publica-
tion of my book, so I must devote some pages to bringing the history
of this Prime Minister of trainers up to date, but in doing so I am
enabled by information which he gave me lately to add much interest-
ing matter to that which already appears in the above chapter, and at
the same time I can correct a few slight inaccuracies which occur.

CoEEECTioxs, p. 394.— I find that it was at Bogside, for Lord Mont-
gomery, that Mat's father trained horses over a century ago, and in
1815 he moved to training quarters at Gullane, and I am glad to know
that only six out of the seventeen sons and daughters died young.

More Great Horses and Jockeys. — To the list of good horses
which were trained by Mat, and given at p. 395, may be added Crow-
berry, Galore, Mowerina, Cannobie, Pericles, Silenus, Wild Oats,
and Leonie ; and the jockeys he employed most were Marlow, White-
house, Custance, Tom French, Fordham, Archer, and, of late years,
perhaps Jack Watts and Tommy Loates. Mat also tells me that Lord
Falmouth did not win any handicaps, because he would not allow his
horses to run in that class of race, and he showed me a year ago how
he had got the names of the horses put under their several portraits,
as was so often suggested by me and others (p. 397).

His Marriage— Death of Mrs. Dawson.— When training for Lord
Eglinton, at his seat in the North, Mat got married, on the 7th July,
1844, to Miss Mary Rose, the daughter of Mr. Alexander Rose, who
had charge of the gardens and forests at Eglinton Castle ; and that
good woman, after being to her husband the best of wives for over
fifty years, died on the 19th October, 1894, after a few days' illness.

A Marvellous Record.— Although in the first year of his training
he prepared for the Derby Lord Kelburn's (afterwards Lord Glasgow)
Pathfinder, and had won the Oaks with Catherine Hayes in 1853,
it was not until 1856 that Mat went in regularly for the classic events,
having previously confined his operations to the North ; but since then
a year has not passed without his having horses under preparation for
them, and for some five-and-twenty years have his representatives
started, giving him the following marvellous record : — He has had six
Derby wins, with Thormanby 1860, Kingcraft '70, Silvio '77, Melton
'85, Ladas '94, and Sir Visto '95 ; three seconds, with Dundee '61,
The Baron '87, and Crowberry '88 ; nine thirds, with Cannobie '56,
Buckstone '62, Scottish Chief '64, Speculum '68, Queen's Messenger
'72, Atlantic '74, colt by Macaroni out of Repentance '75, Childeric '78,
and Galliard '83. The Two Thousand he won with Atlantic, in 1874,
and Camballo the year after, Charibert in '79, Galliard in '83, and
Ladas in '94. The One Thousand was his share in 1873 with Cecilia,
Spinaway in '75, Wheel of Fortune '70, Busybody '84, Minthe '89, and

xlii

Mimi '91. The Oaks came to his stable through the means of
Catherine Hayes in 1853, Spinaway in '75, Jannette '78, Wheel of
Fortune '79, and Mimi in '91, after which she won the Xewmarket
Stakes. He both won and ran second for the St. Leger, in 1877, with
Silvio and Lady Golightly, and did the same the next year with
Jannette and Childeric. He also won it with the rank outsider, Dutch
Oven, in '82, The Lambkin in '84, and with Melton the year following.
His seconds for that race were The Reiver in '53, Leolinus in '74,
with Trent running third, while Ladas lost by a flukey short half-
length in 1894. Blanche of Middlebie and Julius were also third in
1858 and 1867.

Thus is seen that his classic double events were the Two Thousand
and Derby with Ladas, who lost the triple event by little over a neck ;
Derby and Leger with Silvio and Melton ; One Thousand and Oaks
with Spinaway and Wheel of Fortune, two years running, also with
Mimi ; while Busybody, who won the Oaks, was trained by Mat up
to the day before she won the One Thousand, and Jannette credited
him with the Oaks and Leger. Besides which he won the Grand Prix
de Paris, with Trent, in '74, and Minting in '86 ; and was second with
Primate in '66, The Baron in '87, and Crowberry in '88.

Heath Farm.— In 1893 he sold the lease of Heath Farm to Lord
Marcus Beresford, and leased, from the Jockey Club, The Marsh, which
adjoins Melton House, and there he now has his valuable stud of
brood mares.

Ladas. — I now come to deal with Ladas, and considering what that
colt has done for Lord Rosebery and the veteran trainer whose history
I am now bringing up to date, it may be excused in me if I draw
the attention of my readers to p. 399 for the record of what Mr. Dawson
said of the handsome son of Hampton before a bridle had ever been
put on his head, and what I wrote concerning the Illuminata colt
nearly two years before illuminations in the little village of Exning
celebrated the great Epsom triumph.

The Derby of 1894.— The history of Ladas is too fresh in the minds
of everybody to warrant my referring to it further than to record a
couple of incidents which I am not aware have hitherto been published.
I must, however, chronicle in Thoughts upon Sport the reception
Lord Piosebery got upon winning the Derby, for, if anything, that book
is one of reference, and I think that what I wrote in September,
1893 (p. .399), further entitles me to do so. I therefore state, upon the
consentient authority of every chronicler of the Press, and upon that of
everyone who saw the Derby of 1894, that never in the annals of racing
was there such a demonstration on a racecourse in favour of a win.
Applause, deafening to a degree, rent the air as Ladas carrying Jack
Watts in " the rose and primrose hoops " passed the post ; but when
the Prime Minister of England, in his ecstasy, rushed through the crowd)
and as owner of the colt he himself bad bred, seized the bridle and led

xliii

in the winner like a -man, the "earthquake shout of victory" burst
forth in volume till " the roar " resembled naught but thunder in the
Alps, and to his dying day the longest liver of the multitudes who,
on June 6, attended the Derby, will never, unless he gets softening
of the brain, forget that scene. No doubt to Lord Rosebery as " the
most popular owner in England," which I rightly described him to be,
and at the time of victory being Her Majesty's Chief Counsellor, was
accorded the greater share of that " explosion of applause," but I am
very sure that *' the veteran trainer," although he was unfortunately
not able to be present, came in for his share, for Mat Dawson as a
trainer is equally popular with Lord Rosebery as an owner.

I need not here enumerate them, but those circumstances which
surround the Derby of 1894, especially the fact that for the first time
it was won by a horse the property of the Prime Minister, constitute
it as the most memorable upon record, even though the winner, with
four and a half to one on him, started the greatest favourite in the
annals of the race. I must, however, allude to a feature which has at
the present moment a peculiar significance. An ebullition of public
feeling such as broke forth on that occasion, shared as it was by losers
as well as political opponents of Lord Rosebery, while it shows how
the nation admires a manly sportsman, demonstrated with emphatic
evidence the contempt which the British public entertain for those
who, with narrow-minded bigotry and impertinent interference, strive
to injure the noble sport, and for that matter, all sport.

With the Woodcote Stakes, the Coventry Stakes, the Champagne
Stakes, and the Middle Park Plate to his credit when a two-year-
old ; and the Two Thousand, the Newmarket Stakes, and the Derby
in his three-year-old year, Ladas won for Lord Rosebery £18,513, and
started for the Princess of Wales' Stakes at Newmarket, on the 5th
July, an unbeaten colt. In both this race and the Eclipse Stakes, at
Sandown, on the 20th of the same month, he was beaten by Isinglass,
and again did the son of Hampton suffer defeat, this time at the hands
of Throstle for the Leger on September 12th.

In threshing out the circumstances of these three races^ columns
of newspapers may be measured by the yard, while men more or
less qualified to judge have talked on the subject almost ad 7iauseam.
Now my humble opinion is this, that as far as Isinglass is concerned,
he won the two races from Ladas through the assistance he got from
a pace-maker rather than through his own merits, great, no doubt,
though they be. Priestholm was started at five-furlong speed to
serve the seasoned stayer and to run out the youngster, a plan of
campaign which accomplished the result desired. If, however, Ladas
and Isinglass were to be started in a match at weight for age, say the
one mile and a quarter across the flat at Newmarket, with nothing
else to make or mar the pace, assuredly I would back Ladas.

xliv

The Leger of 1894. — As regards the Leger, the facts are simply
these. In his gallop on the morning of the race, Ladas ran away with
Tommy Loates. Fearing therefore that he might do the same thing
in the race, the riding of which was left entirely to his own discretion,
the light weight jockey kept Ladas 100 yards in the rear until he had
reached the Red House, then having given him his head he got out of
his hands and rushed to the front, which his marvellous turn of speed
enabled him to gain before the leaders had reached the distance. This
extraordinary but badly timed spurt, which his rider, except through
lack of strength, was not to blame for — although it settled the chance
of Matchbox, which was the only horse the Ladas party feared — enabled
the erratic Throstle, whom Morny Cannon had kept pegging away, to
get up on the post, and win by a neck and shoulders, the good Ladas
being unable to come a second time. To talk of the Leger having
been won on the merits of Throstle would be simply ridiculous, for
even when she could be got to run straight and to give her running in
her trials at Kingsclere she could never beat Matchbox, and over the
Leger course, with a strong jockey on Ladas, and Throstle running with
the best manners, the colt could, as far as I am a judge, give the filly
7 lbs. and a sound beating. Anyway, John Porter got his turn out of
Mat Dawson, for with Throstle he did to Ladas what Mat did, in 1882,
with Dutch Oven to the Kingsclere cracks, Gelieimniss and Shotover,
and in the annals of the "Sellinger" there were never as great
*' surprises," even by any of Scott's lot.

Among all the horses trained by Mat Dawson I don't think there
could have been an animal possessed of more beautiful shapes than
Ladas, whose head, neck, shoulders, middle piece, and hind legs are
simple perfection ; his quarters may not be equally grand, but they
are better by far than most horses", while his style of galloping could
never have been surpassed on the Heath of Newmarket. He has been
likened to The Flying Dutchman, but if the portraits which I have seen
of that horse be faithful, give me Ladas.

I have been informed that Lord Rosebery was offered £20,000 for
his colt by a well-known American gentleman, but like a British sports-
man possessing patriotic feeling he refused the offer, and I think it is
highly likely that his lordship will keep the grand horse in the country^
as the Duke of Portland has done St. Simon.

Mat's Illness and Affliction. — Mr. Dawson had been suffering
for over a year from suppressed gout, and most of the time, being
unable to walk or ride, he had to perform his duties while seated in
his carriage. To have been able to prepare Ladas, crippled as he was,
and achieve such results, was a source of general satisfaction, for it
assured the public at large, as it did the grand old fellow himself, that
he was as good a man as ever.

This feeling of contentment was not allowed to him for long, for his
wife, who had been his partner for over fifty of the fifty-four years of

xlv

his public career, died, as already stated, in the autumn of 1894, whereby
the poor fellow met with the greatest affliction that had ever befallen
him.

Sir Visto and Derby of 1895. — Endowed with that bull-dog
courage which forbids the Anglo-Saxon ever to think he is beaten,
Mat rallied, and with another colt of Lord Rosebery's set about to try
to win the next Derby. This, as the world knows, he succeeded in
doing with Sir Visto, who started at odds against him of from 7 to 10
to 1. The race was in all respects the opposite to last year's. It was
the most open that ever was known, and a few days before 10 to 1
could have been got against almost any of the remarkably bad lot that
started. Sir Visto being in no way to be compared with Ladas in
either shape, make, action, or ability, I have nothing more to say
about him, except that I hope he will win the Leger, for which old
Mat is at present preparing him specially.

Owing to his crippled state Mat Dawson was unable to go to either
of these Derbys or even to the Leger, but has had to pay more than
one visit to Bath during the past two years, the waters of which have
done him great good, and when I saw him last Whitsuntide he was
better on the pins than I had seen him since he was attacked by
the gout in 1893, wh^n for the first time in his life he suffered from
illness. He grew a moustache while laid up, but so little has it
affected his jovial appearance that I did not notice the addition until
he himself drew my attention to it.

This Memoir. — Having now brought my history of Mr. Mathew
Dawson up to date, July, 1895, my readers will find in this book a
memoir more exhaustive than any other ever published of that gentle-
man, and with the assurance that the details are absolutely correct,
even to the spelling of his christian name, I wind it up by supplying
in a table the record of the classic races to which he is now entitled,
and which is to be taken instead of what is given with the others at
p. 407, and I hope the chronicle will soon have to be further added to : —
Two Thousand Guineas . . . .5 times.
One Thousand Guineas . . . . 6 „

The Derby 6 „

The Oaks 6 „

The St. Leger 5

)>

Total . . 28

WHOO WHOOP!
Chapter XXIV.
The Sporting League.— The suggestion thrown out by me at
pp. 411, 412, that a combination between sportsmen of all classes should

xlvi

be formed so as to defend ourselves from the attacks of our enernie?,
written by me as it was some time in 1892, was given effect to in the
summer of 1894 by the starting of the Sporting League. I don't suppose
that my observations would have had any effect, but at all events,
what I wrote, and which was in print in the spring of 1894, would have
come to light a year hefore instead of a year after the Sporting League,
had my original publishers paid even ordinary attention to the business
I so foolishly entrusted them with.

The Agricultural Question. — The same remarks apply to what
I say at p. 418, with regard to the agricultural question and the
next election, for a resolution identical with what I suggested was
passed at a meeting presided over by Lord Winchelsea, and held at
Anderton's Hotel, London, on July 31, 1894, while letters appeared in
The Field advocating the very same measure. The " next general elec-
tion " is now a matter of history, and there can be no doubt whatever
that the result, giving the Conservatives the greatest majority that any
party have had in the House of Commons for over sixty years, was
brought about to a very great extent by the way sportsmen and farmers
pulled together, and, in some places, the labourers. Now that they
have the power it is to be hoped that measures beneficial to the farming
interest may be adopted by our great party — and that ivithout delay.

xlvii

ERRATA

PAGE

16. On nintli line from foot read " £850 " instead of £580.

17. On eighth line read " Roister " for Royster.

20. The eighth line from foot should begin a paragraph,

33. On fifth line read "Patrick" for Tatrick, and on the ninth line
read " Then " for Phen.

36. In second paragraph read " Kill " for Kiln,

39. On fifth line read " on " for of.

103. On second line read " mainly " before indebted.

106. On fifteenth line read " top " instead of point.

115. On eighth line read '* but " for out.

130. In fifth paragraph read '* Barkby " for Barkly.

148. On twelfth line transpose " to " and " two."

^^.j' I The brothers Beasley were born in rotation as follows : Thomas, John,
2qV r Harry, James, William — not as indicated in these p.ages.

173. On ninth line read " Hambleton " for Hamilton.

211 Eclipse was not an Irish horse.

252. On this and other pages, the word "let" might have been employed
instead of "set."

288. The Derby was won in 1787 by Sir Peter Teazle, the property of the
twelfth Earl of Derby, the founder of that race.

353. In fifth paragraph read " I2st." for 12st. 71bs.

392. In the table read " R. C. Naylor " for Bowes.

394. There is only one " t " in Mr. Dawson's Christian name.

THOUGHTS UPON SPOKT

CHAPTER I.
HISTOPY OP THE CURRAGHMORE HUNT.

First Section.— Henry, Third Marquis of Waterford, ^Master,

184-4-59.

History of a First-rate Pack of Foxhounds -Previous to 1S79— Why the Curraghmore is-
selected by the Author— Henry Lord Waterford as a Rider to Hounds— He corces to
Curraghmore— County Waterford Pack— The C4rove Hounds— Captain Jacob— Mr.
William Barton— Mr. Richard Burke— Lord Waterford taking Tipperary- Johnny
Eyan — Rockwell — Drafts from England — Lord Waterford's Marriage — Lakefield— Mr.
Vyner's Notitia Venatica— Outrages reported— Stables burned— How explained— Lord
AVaterford's Popularity— Abandonment of Tipperary— Air. Millett— Lord Waterford'?
Liberality — No Hunting Pi.ecord kept — Sport shown by Lord Waterford — Dates given
are correct- Lord Waterford starts Hunting from Curraghmore— The Waterford Pack
—Mr. Briscoe's Pack— The Waterford Country— Fresh Territory— Sir John Power-
Lord Waterford. Rents part of Kilkenny— Adds to his Pack— Lord Waterford's Fox-
hounds—Huntsman and Whips— New Coverts— Magnificent Sport— The Meets— Those
who hunted— Now Alive— Now Dead— The Marquis as a Horseman— His Horses— His
Coach— His Driving— Famous Runs— Knockbrack to Woodstock— Fate of the Fox —
Where he is Now— A Greyhound Fox— A Fine Run— Lord Waterford Not Out— Some
of his Hunters— His own Turn-out— His Servants' Turn-out— Rig-out of his Field—
Their Riding— 1S48 -The 85th Regiment— Their Hunters— Their Officers- Captain Peel
— His Connection with Lord Waterford — Orlando — Peel's Early Days— As a Rider —
Anecdote— Famous Racehorses— Who Rode Them— Exploits— Captain Peel on Shin-
rone— Captain Little on Sir Arthur— Desperate Race— A Comparison by the Author—
Waterford in those D35's— Peel as a Breeder of Thoroughbreds— Flying Column- Willie
Beasley— Peel's Anecdotes-" A Real Old Irish Gentleman, one of the Olden Time"—
The Kilkenny Hunt— Sir John Power— Its Sporting and Social Standing— The Hunt
Week— Long Description of this Festival— The Club House— The Fun— "Handicap-
ping"—Mrs. Walshe—" The Marquis" leading the Fun— Ably assisted— His Assistants
—The General Company— The then Marquis of Worcester— 7th Hussars— Political
Excitement 1846-18— Episodes— Harry J ephson and Larry Dobbyn— Teaching a Lesson
—Good Results— Extraordinary Feat of a Foxhound— 29th March. 1859— Death of
Henry, third Marquisof Waterford— Minute and Authentic Details— His Birth-His Age
—Universal Regret— Daring Deeds— Generous Disposition— His Funeral— His Portrait
—Sale of Lord Waterford's Horses— Exhaustive, but correct particulars— Great Prices
—Gemma de Vergi— An ITnlucky Record— William Brophy's Sale in 1892— Singular
coincidence with Lord Waterford's in 1859— Particulars— Comparison— Lord Water
ford's Racing— Johnny Ryan his Jockey— Unparalleled Record— Some of the Races —
And Racers.

Perhaps in years to come it may be of interest to know how a
first-rate pack of foxhounds was kept up in Ireland, and to learn what
sport it showed previous to the land agitation which began there in
1879, and no doubt a description will not come amiss to the general
reader of the present time. I shall, therefore, give a history and
description of the sport of one in the hope that some copies of this
book may be in existence at the time our sons' sons might like to
read of such.

B

3

In selecting the Curraghmore, I do so for three reason?, \iz. : —
(a) I know all about it.
(6) It was the premier pack in Ireland at the time it was stopped

by the Land League in October, 1881.
(c) Because it no longer exists.

In the year 1840, Henry, third Marquis of Waterford, gave up hunting
in England, where he had made for himself a reputation as a rider
to hounds second only to that of Thomas Assheton Smith, John Musters,
and George Osbaldeston, as the annals of Leicestershire, Warwickshire,
and Northamptonshire can testify. His lordship then came to reside
at Curraghmore, there to live the life of an Irish nobleman upon his
ancestral property as many of his forefathers had done.

The only foxhounds in the co. Waterford at that time were a
small, badly-sustained pack, of which the late Mr. William Fitzgerald
was Master, and these gave, in a rough-and-ready way, tolerably good
sport. As they had been established for some years, and were popular
with the gentry. Lord Waterford made no proposition at that time,
that I ever heard of, to take over these hounds.

Captain Jacob of Mobarnane, in the co. Tipperary, then owned the
^Grove Hounds, which he had purchased some years previously from
Mr. William Barton of Grove, near Fethard, and he hunted the
"Tipperary country."^

Before making Curraghmore his fixed abode, Lord Waterford pur-
chased this pack from Captain Jacob, and took over his country.
With it came their huntsman, Johnny Ryan, whose father and grand-
father had hunted them in Mr. Barton's time. They were an excellent
lot, and very well bred ; but he augmented the pack by a large
importation from some of the then best kennels in England.

His lordship rented Rockwell, near Cashel, and from there he
commenced to foxhunt Tipperary in the autumn of 1840. This he
did entirely at his own expense.

He married, in May, 1842, Lady Louisa, daughter of Lord Stewart
de Rothesay, and after his marriage moved his hunting establish-
ment to Lakefield, near Fethard, where he and Lady Waterford
resided during the hunting season.

I regret to have to record, on the authority of Mr. R. T. Vyner in
his Notitia Venatica, p. 9, that Lord Waterford was subjected to
much annoyance during some of the years he hunted Tipperary,
not alone by the receipt of several threatening letters, but upon
two occasions demoniacal attempts were made to poison his hounds.
The climax of this villainy was reached in the summer of 1844,
when the stables at Lakefield were set fire to, and it was with the
greatest difficulty that the occupants were saved. This last outrage
was attributed by some to a discharged servant, and by others to

* Mr. Richard Burke has lately come to live at Grove, and has his pack
of foxhounds there, so that after a lapse of half a century the Tipperary
country is again hunted from there.

people with whom some of the other servants were on bad terms.
Everyone agreed, however, that none of the offences were committed
directly against his lordship, whose popularity among all classes
was as universal in Tipperary as it was everywhere else.

This outrage led to his giving up the hunting ; but with the mag-
nanimity which characterised so many actions of " The Marquis," he
presented a large portion of his pack and five horses to the Tipperary
gentry, who then began hunting that country by subscription under the
Mastership of Mr. Millett of St. Johnstown. The list of subscribers
was headed by Lord Waterford with £100, which, I think, he continued
annually until his death in March, 1859.

Unfortunately Henry Lord Waterford although a most particular
man about having all other accounts written up with minute exactness,
did not himself keep a hunting diary. There now remain alive but
few of those who hunted with him in Tipperary. Most of these gentle-
men I have applied to for particulars, but none can give them pre-
cisely ; they all agree, however, in stating that the sport shown by
him during his four years in that country was extraordinarily good,
and he did things in regal fashion. I should like to be able to give
some details of the sport and other matters which would be interest-
ing, but, for the above reason, I am unable to do so. The dates, how-
ever, which I mention may be relied upon, for I have taken great
pains to ascertain them, and they are recorded upon the consentient
authority of several parties who remember perfectly the occurrences
and can fix the time with accuracy.

Directly the outrage was perpetrated at Lakefield the Waterford
gentry came forward and offered Lord Waterford their hounds and
country. Mr. Henry Briscoe of Tinvane kept at that time a pack of
foxhounds with which he and his father had been hunting a portion of
the Kilkenny country in the Carrick and Piltown districts, and this was
also offered to his lordship. Luckily he accepted them, and gave up
his idea of returning to England, as he had intended.

The County Waterford and Mr. Briscoe's packs, thus amalgamated
with that which Lord Waterford brought from Lakefield, formed the
nucleus of the afterwards famous Curraghmore Hounds.

His lordship at the same time acquired the hunting right to the
country in the co. Waterford which has descended to the present
Marquis, the boundary of which is from Gurteen to the Comeragh
mountains, along them to Cloncoskoran, then in a line to Clonea Castle,
with, of course, the sea and river Suir on the other sides, all within
the county.

This extent was much too limited, so he entered into an arrange-
ment with the then Sir John Power of Kilfane (great-grandfather of
the present young baronet), who owned the Kilkenny Hounds and had
the hunting right to the country, to take at a rent of £50 a year the
southern portion of Kilkenny from the Slate Quarries to Woodstock,
embracing Carrigtruss, Wynne's Gorse, Castlemorres, Killeen, and

Kiltorcan, together with the Welch mountains and Bessborough
country which Briscoe hunted.

Having acquired this fine tract, Lord Waterford was enabled to hunt
three or four days a week, but the hounds he then had, even in their
amalgamated state, were not sufficient, so he set to work and procured
reinforcements from many of the crack kennels in England, and in a
short time started a capital and well-bred pack at Curraghmore.

Thus in the autumn of 1844 foxhunting was established at
Curraghmore. This was done under the title of "Lord Waterford's
Foxhounds ; " with Johnny Ryan huntsman, whipped into by Tom
Clooney and George Woods.

The Waterford portion of the country was in a very neglected
state, and required a deal of reformation, but the Master went about
it with a will, and soon made all things straight. After a while he
planted Ballydurn, Ballyneale, Rathgormack, and other gorse coverts,
which ever after held foxes that afforded some of the best runs in
those parts of the country.

It would be out of place here to refer to Lord Waterford's previous
exploits at Melton in scarlet, or across Aylesbury Yale and other places
in silk ; it is sufficient now to state that as an M.F.H. he soon became
equally famous in his own country. The sport he showed all through
the Mastership of his own hounds was quite magnificent — so much so
that men came from all parts of Ireland, and many came from
England, to participate in it.

Lord Waterford's meets were very largely attended, and at them were
found many hard and good men to hounds. Alas ! nearly all these
fine fellows have since gone to other hunting-grounds, but there still
remain Sir Robert Paul, John T. Medlycott, George Malcomson, Wm.
Madden Glascott, Sir James Langrishe, Captain Peel (late of the 85th
Regiment), Robert Watson, (the veteran Master and huntsman of the
Carlow and Island Hounds), Congreve Rogers, Wray Palliser, Lord
James Butler, Maurice Knox, Harvey Montmorency^ Lord Howth, George
Gough, Joseph Strangmau, and until last year that fine sportsman and
great man to hounds, Horace Rochford, who, even in his old age, betook
himself to polo, and was one of the best men of the day in Ireland at
that grand game.

Among those who hunted with him, who are dead and gone, were the
Coxs of Castletown, Johnny Power of Gurteen, Harry Jephson of
Waterford, the two Sir John Powers of Kilfane, David and Fred
Malcomson, George Bryan of Jenkinstown, William Quin of Lough-
loher, John Courtenay of Ballyedmond, Sir Nugent Humble, Lord
Huntingdon (grandfather of the present Earl), Richard and Thomas
Morris, John Power O'Shee, William Power of Seafield, the Lalors of
Cregg, Henry Briscoe, John de Montmorency, John Jones of Mulli-
nabro', Dan Osborn of Silverspring, William Bailey of Xorelands,
John Wade of St. Canice's, William Flood of Flood Hall, Rev. Nicholas
Herbert and his brother Walter, Captain Pack Beresford, Tom and

Hugh Gough of Clonmel, George Meara, Father Martin Flynn of
Waterford, Edward Roberts, and his sons Saru, Arthur, and llichard.
Of course there were scores of others whose names do not occur to
me at present, but the foregoing not alone hunted regularly, but many
of them were intimate friends of the Marquis.

He defrayed all the expenses, and did everything at Curraghmore in
princely style. He turned out his men on the best mounts he could
procure for them, while his own horses carried him brilliantly. He
was always in the van, being, as the world knows, a brilliant
horseman. Long ago as it is, and although but in my teens, I well
remember how he sailed away on Peacock, Captain, and The Hock
to the tail of his hounds, in his own quiet and finished style, without
fuss or hurry. In fancy I see him this moment driving up to the
meet in mail phaeton and pair, or drag and four greys, at a great pace,
and with skill which the best professional coachman might equal, but
could not surpass.

The records of his sport are extraordinary, but from personal
experience I can speak only of his last season. Tradition has, however,
handed down many famous foxhunts, a few of which I shall now
give a brief account of.

Lord Waterford had four celebrated runs with the same fox from
Knockbrack into Woodstock in the season 1848-49. I often heard
them alluded to when I was a boy as being about the most brilliant
of their time. That good fox was not killed by hounds. He never
waited to be found, but broke before the hounds got up to the covert,
and went as straight as a dart to Woodstock, where he always got to
ground. His fame having got abroad, and Knockbrack being in
Sir John Power's old hunting territory, a countryman thought it
would please him to get hold of this good fox and let him go in
some covert of the northern country which the Kilkenny hounds then
hunted. Accordingly, when he got to ground after his last run, the
man dug out the fox and arrived with him in a sack next morning
at Kilfane. Upon telling Sir John what he had done, his recompense
was as great a licking as ever man got. When the sack was opened
the fox was found smothered in it. Sir John got him stuffed and
presented him to Lord Waterford, and ever since he has lain in
the library at Curraghmore. He is a splendid specimen of the
mountain greyhound fox— the very best breed to show sport.

Another great run was had in the middle of March, 1859, which I had
the good luck to participate in, and I could never recall having seen a
finer one since. It was from Corbally, over Miltown Hill, through Killahy,
through Killeen Gorse, on to Coolnahaw— an eight to nine mile point
straight — then to the left by Kiltorcan through Kyleer Wood, across
the railway at the Tank, and to Killeen again. Being headed at the
covert, the fox ran though Carrigbannan, and an inside ring of the same
line he took before, and got to ground under a sleeper of the railway
near Ballyhale Station. He was left there after giving a run of

twenty-two miles in exactly two hours and twenty minutes. Out of
a very large field, only five rode it from find to finish, including the
huntsman on Merryman and Billy Barry, the whip, on Magpie. Un-
fortunately, Lord Waterford did not see this great run, as he was away
at Liverpool at the time, seeing his horse Ace of Hearts run in the
Grand National.

Among the many good horses which carried him while he hunted from
Curraghmore, perhaps the following were his favourites : — Sir Nick
(called after his great friend. Rev. Nicholas Herbert), Killarney, The Celt,
Conrad, Hackfall, Cardinal Puff, The Doctor, Welcome, The Rock, also
Blueskin and Lord George, on whom he rode several steeplechases as
well as hunts.

He turned out in the field difi'erently from men of the present
day. He never wore top boots or white breeches during the two seasons
I hunted with him. His dress was a black velvet cap, red coat buttoned
up to his chin, showing a blue silk necktie, brown cords, and black jack-
boots. I never saw him carry any whip other than the ordinary racing
kind. His servants were, however, smartly turned out, and, as I said
before, always splendidly mounted.

With few exceptions, the general rig-out of the men who hunted with
him was by no means smart. Our boots and breeches were not of
orthodox cut, but we followed our Master's fashion as regards whips,
and never used the crop and lash ; we also wore velvet caps. Most of
the field were well mounted, and could hold their own with any other
Hunt they went with ; nor could any of the many English visitors
often go before some of the Waterford men, in either a fast spin or
through a long run.

In the autumn of 1848 there came to Waterford the 85th Regiment
of Light Infantry. This was truly a sporting regiment, and had in
it some sixteen officers who hunted regularly with Lord Waterford's
and the Kilkenny packs. Among them they had nearly forty
hunters. Many of these officers were first-rate men to hounds,
notably Colonel Brook-Taylor, Lieutenant Bond, Lieutenant Thomp-
son, and Major Blackburn (brother of the English Judge).

None, however, went better than did their brother officer, the present
Captain Edward Peel, R.M. Inasmuch as he occupied a prominent
position in the history of Curraghmore at the time I am writing of,
was a very intimate friend of Lord Waterford, and is now one of the
few living representatives of that companionship, I shall devote a
short space to this tine sportsman. He is son of General Peel, who
won with Orlando the memorable Derby of 1844. He joined
the 85th Regiment when young — in 1845 — and served in it till the
Crimean War, when he was appointed D.A.Q.M. General in the
Turkish contingent at Kertch during the war, and was afterwards
Consul at Oran and Port Mahon, and then R.M. for thirty years in
different parts of Ireland. Inheriting the love of sport from his
celebrated father, he soon made his name as a rider to hounds,

between the flags, and upon the flat. In the hunting-field he was a
particularly good man on an untrained horse. In one of the runs
from Knockbrack to Woodstock just alluded to, he got several falls,
yet he contrived to see the run as well as anyone who rode it and
was well up at the finish. Afterwards Sir Robert Paul was asked
by some of the 8oth how Peel went, and replied, "Peel went very
well, but his horse went very badly." He was for years the favourite
Corinthian jockey of Lord Waterford and Lord Howth, but, to
prevent the attention of the military authorities being drawn to his
riding, rode under different names, as well as his own.

These were the days at Curraghmore of such horses as Sir John
by Windfall, the Hero by Welcome, Lord George by Economist, Duc-
an-dhurras by Molyneux, and Sir Arthur by Arthur, all belonging to
Lord Waterford. Upon these horses and many others Capt. Peel rode
races in public and trials over the private course at Curraghmore.
I' Anson, afterwards of Blink Bonny and Caller Ou celebrity, was then
trainer to his lordship ; Johnny Ryan was first jockey, with John
and Denny Doyle apprentices— the latter is living now at the
Curragh, but scdly crippled with rheumatism. Old Racing Calendars
record the performances of all these horses, which were quite the
best of their day— some being equally good over a country as on the
flat. On Duc-an-dhurras, carrying 1.3st. lOlbs., Peel won the Corin-
thian at the Curragh in 1848, the race being 1^ mile heats.

One of the severest steeplechases of its day was that between
Capt. Peel's Shinrone, ridden by himself, and Lord Waterford's Sir
Arthur, ridden by Capt. Little. It was over that terrible course,
Whitefields, on Coppenagh Hill, near Thomastown in co. Kilkenny,
a weight-for-age race, Sir Arthur, a four-year-old, receiving lOlbs.
For the last half-mile the horses raced head and head at a terrific
pace, and Shinrone only just won by a head.

I will here remark that I am very sure there is not a stable in the
kingdom at present which has in it four or five horses possessed of
the shapes, with like powers of endurance and pace, which characterised
the horses I have named (not to speak of the others referred to later
on), all of which belonged at the same time to the same man.

I often heard Capt. Peel describe Waterford as being the best place
the 85th was ever quartered in ; plenty of fun of all sorts, the best of
foxhunting, good cheery fellows, and any amount of hospitality.
The oflScers were constant visitors at Curraghmore, and theirs was
considered by the Marquis about the most sporting regiment then
in the service.

Peel retains the love of sport which characterised him all through
life. He is passionately fond of breeding thoroughbred horses, and
generally has a few good ones in training. His mare Plying Column,
ridden by the late lamented and accomplished Willie Beasley, made
most of the running in the last (1892) Liverpool Grand National, and
finished fifth out of five-and-twenty starters.

8

Although he loves racing, as he does all sport, he does not bet.
There are few men now of my acquaintance with whom I enjoy an
interview as much as I do with this gentleman. From him I hear
anecdotes and reminiscences of the sporting past which are so deeply
interesting to me, and, as they are given by one possessed of able
practical experience, my enjoyment is increased many fold. Alas, his
contemporaries are fast " returning the cap and jacket," but he is well
and hearty as ever, and long may he remain so, and continue to be,
if he will excuse me for using the metaphor, a connecting link of
the chain between sportsmen of the past and the present — and " a real
old Irish gentleman, one of the olden time."

Lord Waterford being closely allied to and identified with the
Kilkenny Hunt, I shall give an outline of proceedings characteristic
of the time. Its fame was about at its zenith in the era I am writing
of. No hunt club in the kingdom stood higher in the category of
sport, good fellowship, and social position of membership. Sir John
Power, who established it, owned the hounds, and they were hunted
from Kilfane. It was the custom to have what was called a " Hunt
Week" in the city of Kilkenny once or twice during the season.
Many of the leading men in Ireland, often numbering one hundred,
used, on these occasions, to visit the marble city, and each brought
three or four horses at least. Lord Waterford and others brought
a dozen. Every day during the carnival these gentlemen hunted.
The head-quarters of the party were at Walshe's Hotel, the greater
portion of which was used as the club house, during the season.
Here forty to fifty sat down to dinner every day during the " Hunt
Week," and right merrily did they keep up the festivity.

All the bedrooms were, of course, engaged, but, truth to tell, very
little for sleeping purposes. To dress for dinner in the evening and
for hunting in the morning was about all most of them were required
for. Although these hard-headed, firm-seated top-sawyers of old
could sit up late and hunt all day, none of them ever thought of
drinking in the day time. A man addicted to such a propensity
would have been " black-balled " for any club of gentlemen he might
be put up for. At the same time everyone was expected to drink
his two or three bottles of wine after dinner, and the steadier he
carried them the better he was thought of. These grand old fellows
did not entertain a like opinion to that of Soapey Sponge when he
came to the conclusion that "drinking and riding were two men's
work " !

" Handicapping " was then also a favourite after-dinner amusement,
and it was resorted to nightly at these festivals.

After indulging in this innocent, but not altogether innocuous,
diversion during the hours which the party devoted to Bacchus, these
sportsmen betook themselves to a quiet turn at the pasteboard and
the ivory. These amusements were carried on mostly in the land-
ady's boudoir. Mrs. Walshe was of a good old sort. Dearly did she

love the rattle of the dice and the shuffle of the cards, and ofttimes
would the old lady join in the game, and well able was she to hold
her own.

Truly a hot shop was Kilkenny during these festivals. At no time
was it found in its normal state except the few hours of day time
devoted to hunting. During the evenings, nights, and mornings
the quietude of the city of the cats was disturbed to a degree.
Yes, this festive foxhunting fraternity made mirth and melody,
fun and frivolity resound off the walls of Kilkenny's old city after
days on which they had ridden hard across the paragon pastures of
its favoured county.

Lord Waterford, of course, attended regularly these sporting re-
unions, and with him came many of his hunting men. As may be
supposed^ " The Marquis " was the leading spirit of all the fun, but he
had those nearly as gay as himself in playing the game all round,
among whom maybe mentioned the late Lords Howth and Clanricarde,
Mr. Power of Gurteen, Sir Richard Cox, and that prince of good
fellows Harry Jephson. In addition the following were usually to be
found there : the then Lords Ormonde, Desart, and Clonmell, the
present Lord James Butler and Sir Robert Paul, the then Sir John
Power and his son John, George Bryan, Captain Ponsonby, John
Wade, Henry Meredith, Henry Briscoe, Horace Rochford, John Jones,
Ned Lalor and his son Tom, Tom Connolly of Castletown, Captain
Pack Beresford, Captain Peel, and other officers of the 85th, cum
7nultis aliis.

In 1848 the 7th Hussars were quartered in Kilkenny, so the present
Duke of Beaufort (then Marquis of Worcester), Lord Suffield (then
Mr. Charles Harbord), General Fraser, Colonel Cooper of Markree,
CO. Sligo, and others of that crack regiment were generally to be
found among the peep-of-dayboys at the club house.

In the years 1846-48, there existed great political excitement in
Ireland ; the sports of the country were not, however, interfered
with as they were in recent years, and foxhunting flourished in
Waterford, Kilkenny, and all other parts of Ireland. Some country
gentlemen were, no doubt, obnoxious to the peasantry for some reason
or another, and upon more than one occasion Lord Waterford's and
the Kilkenny Hunts were molested. A determined onslaught was
made near Ballyhale upon a number of gentlemen when returning
from hunting with the Kilkennys, and they had to ride for their
lives across country. On another occasion, about the same time, the
late Captain Harry Jephson and Mr. Larry Dobbyn of Waterford,
with another gentleman, whose name I forget, were returning late at
night from hunting with Lord Waterford, and were proceeding down
the steep hill approaching Mullinavat from Hugginstown. Mr.
Dobbyn was a considerable distance in front of the others and was
walking beside his horse, when suddenly he found himself attacked
by four men. Larry was a powerful and determined fellow, and, well

10

knowing how to use his fists, in less than a minute two of the
scoundrels were laid senseless on the road from well delivered
" straight ones," and the others ran away up the hill in the direction
of Jephson. Larry shouted to catch them, which was done, and a
sound thrashing was administered. Thus were the four fellows
accounted for, but in a way they little anticipated, for when they
attacked Larry, although they thought he was alone, they did not
recognise him in the dark nor did they imagine a man equally good
with his fists was within a hundred yards in the person of " Sporting
Harry." The report of that encounter, with its results, spread
through the country, and there were no more attacks made upon
the hunting men.

I give the following instance of a hound's extraordinary powers
of finding his way home upon the authority of Johnny Ryan, under
whose immediate knowledge the occurrence took place. In about the
year 1850 Lord Waterford sent a draft of hounds from the Curragh-
more kennels to a friend of his in the co. Clare (I forget who).
The hounds were sent in a van four miles from the kennels to
Fiddown Station, thence in a horse-box over fifty miles by railway
to Limerick, from there across the Shannon and several miles
into the co. Clare to their destination. This journey of some
seventy miles was thus made in covered conveyances. Within
ten days one of the bitches found her way back to the kennels at
Curraghmore, having made the journey on foot. How or where she
crossed the river Shannon is unknown ; but unless she did so by
either of the bridges at Limerick or Castleconnell, which are some
ten miles apart, she must have swum across, and at all parts the
Shannon is wide and rapid.

Wherever "March 29, 1S59," occurs in a sportsman's diary, it
should be encircled with a mourning border, for on that day was
killed one of the greatest foxhunters that ever lived, and one of
the finest riders between the flags of his day or for many years after.

Yes, Henry, third Marquis of Waterford, known, as he always was and
always will be, as " The Marquis," was killed on that day, at a small
fence on to the road in the valley between Miltown and Corbally Hills,
in the co. Kilkenny.

I was hunting with his lordship that day, and although so many
years have passed since the appalling catastrophe, I remember vividly
all the lamentable circumstances, so I shall give a few particulars, the
accuracy of which may be thoroughly relied upon.

Lord Waterford's meet was at Castlemorres, the seat of his intimate
friend, the late Mr. John de Montmorency. A fox was found in
the demesne, which gave us a bad run to ground on the banks of the
stream under Glenbower Wood, not far from Tom Shea's house at
Mullinbeg. Lord Waterford then changed horses and trotted off to

11

draw Corbally, in the hopes of finding the fox that had given the
great run which I related at page 5. A fox was found there, but
whether he was the one wanted or not no one can tell. However, he
ran the same line exactly as that of the previous occasion as far as the
top of Miltown Hill, but then wheeled sh?.rp to the left, down the hill
and up that of Corbally.

The houads were hunting slowly, and had just recrossed the Kilmo-
ganny road, on to which was a low rotten fence, with a narrow shallow
grip on the landing or road side. It was when jumping this insignificant
obstacle that Mayboy, the horse Lord Waterford was riding, pecked
on landing, and threw him heavily on the top of his head on the hard
road. He never moved nor uttered a sound after his fall.

Of course, all the field pulled up, with the exception of a few who
happened to be in front at the time. Dr. O'Ryan was close to the
poor Marquis, and got to his side in a minute, but life had already
departed.

Many theories were given as to what caused death, among thena
apoplexy, but I think there is no doubt whatever that he broke his
neck, for the top of his hunting cap was bulged in, and there came a
bluish mark across the back of his neck soon after death. However,
the clearest explanation of the fall which I ever got was from Sir John
Leslie, and that only within the last two years, when he informed me
that this fine horseman was sufi'ering from acute lumbago at the time,
and was perfectly unable to sit a horse if he made any mistake. This
accounts for the catastrophe beyond all manner of doubt, and scatters
the theory of sudden apoplexy, which at all times appeared to me
absurd.

Lord Waterford was born on the 26th April, 1811, therefore he had
all but completed his forty-eighth year when he was killed.

His death, occurring as it did in the flower of his manhood, caused
more sensation, and I am sure more universal regret, than did any other
event for many a year before or after. His multitude of friends
mourned him as a brother. All sportsmen recognised the fact that
one of their greatest chiefs had been cut off", while the whole nation
lamented over the untimely death of " The Marquis."

Yes, he was indeed a universal favourite. His daring deeds, his
lively escapades, his fame as a foxhunter, and his brilliant horseman-
ship were known to everyone, while his generous disposition was ever
put to practical illustration. Truly, he was a rare specimen of manli-
ness, which, in addition to his deeds, his noble bearing and strikingly
handsome face plainly portrayed.

I don't believe there ever was in Ireland a larger funeral. It took
place on the 6th April, 1859. The number of those who attended
could be computed only in hundreds, and all came for the sole purpose
of doing reverence to the memory of their dead favourite.

Lord Waterford left no portrait or likeness after him except a minia-
ture which the Marchioness had. That gifted lady, however, produced

12

a very faithful likeness of him in bust portrait some time after his death,
a copy of which, neatly framed, with coronet on top, her ladyship pre-
sented, with her compliments, to each member of the Hunt who had
subscribed for and presented a pair of silver claret jugs to Lord Water-
ford in the year 1858.

Capt. liichard Elwes, at that time quartered with his regiment in
Waterford, and myself happened to be in front of the Marquis when
he got his fall, and, knowing nothing of the catastrophe, we went on
with the hounds. After a bad run over Corbally, by Templeorum, and
through Mountain Grove, the fox was killed on the side of Dowling
Hill. Elwes brought home the brush and gave it to Harry Jephson,
who was perhaps the greatest friend the Marquis then had in Waterford.
A few years after it came into my possession, where it remained until
the end of 1888, when I gave it to Lord Marcus Beresford as a
Christmas-box.

I have a catalogue of the sale of Lord Waterford's stud before me,
from which I condense the following, as it will be interesting to some
to compare the prices of that time with the present. It took place at
Ourraghmore on June 24 and 25, 1859.

Guineas.

33 thoroughbred brood mares, some with foal at foot 2,982

3 stallions, viz. : —

Gemma de Vergi 1,050

The Marquis..... 220

Lord George, bought in at 500

1,770

13 race and steeplechase horses 2,133

18 thoroughbred two-year-olds 1,551

23 thoroughbred yearlings 1,475

29 hunters (4 others given to Hunt) 3,348

Total of 119 horses 13,259

The residue of the pack, after Briscoe choosing the best 32 couple
consisted of 29 couple, and they fetched 128 guineas.

The highest prices given for the hunters were : —

Guineas.

The Rock, a great favourite Mr. Brown 300

Peacock (re-sold for 210gs.) Mr. Hamilton 230

Captain Lord Drogheda 230

Oberon Ditto 200

Johnny Mr. Brown 180

Sir Nick Colonel Brewster 150

Oberon afterwards won many steeplechases, carrying poor Dan
Meaney in the familiar "black and silver lace." Mayboy, the ewe-
necked, flit-ribbed, leggy brute that Lord Waterford was killed oflF,
was sold to Mr. Sewell for 91gs. I shall never forget the moan of
anguish given forth in hushed tone by the crowd when this cursed
chestnut was led into the ring.

This sale was very largely attended. Men from all parts of the
kingdom nd many from the Continent came either to buy or to see

13

this great stud before it was broken up. The prices realised were
considered to be very high at the time, but if such a stud was to be sold
now it would fetch at least five times the amount.

There was a great row raised after the sale when it was found that
the largest buyer, a Mr. Hamilton, was a madman unaccountable for
his actions, so the several horses knocked down to him, including
Gemma de Vergi, had to be re-sold soon after. They, however, fetched
a total pretty nearly the same as at the Curraghmore sale.

Among the brood mares were : The Deformed, bought by Mr. George
Bryan for 360gs. ; Juanita Perez, Mr. Weatherby, 350gs. ; Peri, Mr.
Bryan, 280gs. (this mare went subsequently to the Royal Stud, where
she produced Perinita and other good horses); Duchess de Guise,
210gs. ; Ariadne, 195gs. ; Queen Margaret, lOOgs. ; Ossifrage, lOOgs. ;
Kick up the Dust, lOogs. ; Sarah Ellis, lOOgs. ; Mag on the Wing,
Prism, Red Rose, Rosamond, Titania, Yesta, etc.

Among the race and steeplechase horses was found Bumble Bee, sold
to Captain Pack Beresford for 550gs., one of the famous " Bee family "
so well known at Ballymanus. Also Ace of Hearts, by Great Heart,
bought by Mr. W. J. H. Powell of Measgwynn, in South Wales, for
315gs. Ace of Hearts was the last horse that carried the Marquis' blue
jacket and black cap, which he did in the Grand National of 1859, a
week before his owner was killed. This horse in February, 1862, for
Mr. Powell achieved a record in steeplechase annals, when, with The
Rug, owned by Captain McCraith, he ran two dead heats of four
miles for the Carmarthenshire Steeplechase. Night coming on, the
owners agreed to divide.

Gemma de Vergi seemed an evil genius during the earlier part of
his career. He was bred by Cook at Rugeley. Cook was poisoned
in 1856 by Palmer, then owner of Gemma. Palmer was hanged. Lord
Waterford bought the horse at Palmer's sale ; he was killed. The
man who bought Gemma at the Curraghmore sale was a madman.
Sudden death or something untoward befell someone connected with
this horse at a subsequent sale, after which I lost sight of Gemma de
Vergi.

I compiled the foregoing, as I did the remainder of the history,
several months ago, but there has recently taken place an event
which bears such interesting appropriateness to this portion that I
must refer to it. Moreover doing so will show what a marvellous
increase has taken place in the value of Irish thoroughbred horses
since 1859.

At the Dublin Horse Show in August, 1892, which has just taken
place, the stud of the late Mr. William Brophy of Herbertstown, con-
sisting of thirteen lots, was sold by auction by Mr. Robert J. GofF.
This sale was, perhaps, the most extraordinary that ever took place in
Ireland. Apart from the prices realised, a record has been scored
which is not only without parallel, but it is likely to remain so. A
brood mare with foal at foot, her yearling, her two-year-old, and her

u

three-year-old were sold at the same time, and fetched a total of
10,850 guineas. Here are the particulars : —

Chrysalis (1876) by Lecturer out of Winged Bee, by Artil-
lery out of Queen Bee, by Harkaway out of Galea- Guineas.

vella Lord Marcus Bere-ford 2,600

Her filly foal by Philammon Mr. James Daly 1,750

Her yearling colt by Kendal Mr. W. Fulton 800

Laodamia, her two year-old filly, also by Kendal ditto 3,500

Chryfctabel, her three-year-old filly by Lyric or Kendal ditto 2,200

Total price realised for Chrysalis and her four youngsters 10,850

The other eight lots fetched 2,310

Total of thirteen lots 13.160

Bumble Bee, a three-year-old, referred to by me when treating
of Lord Waterford's sale, was by Lord Henry out of Queen Bee, by
Harkaway out of Calcavella. Thus we have the close consanguinity
which exists on the maternal side between her and this wonderful
brood mare Chrysalis, who, with her family, has just fetched the
extraordinary sum I have quoted, the dam of Bumble Bee being the
granddam of Chrysalis, with the famous Harkaway her sire. Need-
less to mention that Lord Marcus Beresford, to whom Chrysalis was
knocked down, is nephew to Henry, third Marquis of Waterford.

If prices of thoroughbreds in 1859 were the same as they are in
1892 what an enormous amount would Lord Waterford's stud have
then realised! His 119 horses, including 33 thoroughbred brood
mares (some with foals at foot), 3 stallions, 13 racehorses and 41
thoroughbred yearlings and two-year-olds, not to speak of 29 hunters,
fetched, in 1859, only 13,259 guineas. Mr. William Brophy's stud of
thirteen all told fetched, in 1892, 13,160 guineas ! !

Although this chapter purports to be a history of the Curraghmore
Hunt, it will not be out of place at the present stage, particularly
after treating of the Marquis' sale, to make reference to some of the
racing and steeplechase records of that nobleman. In doing so I must
needs make specific mention of his jockey, Johnny Ryan, who is
now (1892) stud-groom to the present Marquis, and to whom I shall
again allude when I come to treat of the last decade of the history
He came from a racing stable at the Curragh, entered the service of
Lord Waterford in 1842, and continued as first steeplechase and flat-
race jockey, also as second horseman, until his lordship's death in 1859.
During these seventeen years Ryan distinguished himself on the flat
and between the flags in the " light blue and black cap " to quite an
unparalleled degree. He rode a total of 130 races for Lord Waterford,
of which he won no less than 112, was second in five, and third in
three, the three third places being for the Liverpool Grand National.
Thus showing a record which I should say was never approached by
any other jockey, professional or otherwise, in the annals of racing or
steeplechasing.

Among the best horses which Ryan rode for Lord Waterford were

15

Lord George, The Marquis, Sir John, Warner, Henry, Duc-an-dhurras,
Cheroot, Augustine, Postillion, and Firefly. His best races were, per-
haps, the Autumn Steeplechase, at Liverpool, in 1849, which he won
on Sir John, beating Vain Hope, The Doctor, and fourteen others ; the
Metropolitan Steeplechase, at Epsom, in 1851, which he won on Lord
George, beating Maria Day, British Yeoman, Rendsburg, Mullingar,
Spectator, Springbuck, etc. ; the Epsom Hurdle Race in 1851, winning
on Lord George, with Vesta, Little Queen, Bedford, and four others
behind him ; the Rock Stakes at Cashel in 1852, on Warner, beating
Old Rake, Billy-the-Darter, Crutches, Adieu, etc. ; the Flat Race at
Cashel — same meeting — on Augustine, beating Warner, the horse he won
on the day before, Peg-the-Rake, Ranger, and Sphynx ; the Hurdle Race
at Howth in 1853, he won with The Marquis, beating Augustine, Venus,
Catlow, Dearest May, and Venison. Ryan also won finely-ridden races
on Cheroot at Tipperary, Postillion at Punchestown, Sir John at Cashel,
and on Lord George at the Curragh.

As it may be tiresome to my readers to hear more than the tithe of
this fine horseman's achievements under the " Beresford blue," I shall
cease further reference ; but what I have said is, I consider, quite
worthy of recording in a chapter dealing with the sport of Curraghmore,
while the record furnishes a connecting link between former and present
racing and riders.

John Ryan, the jockey, was no relative to his namesake, the
huntsman.

Second Section.— Henry W. Briscoe, Esq., Master, 1859-70.

Succession of John, fourth Marquis of Waterford— Meeting of the Hunt— His Handsome Offer
Accepted — Committee Formed, Mr. Briscoe selected as Master, Mr. Medlycott Hon.
Sec— Hunt started as a Subscription Pack— Liberal Subscriptions— Xew Arrangements
— Lord Bessborough — Briscoe chooses a Pack out of Lord Waterford's — The Brocklcsby
Lot— Hunters selected— Title of Hunt changed— Monetary and other arrangements—
Curraghmore Kennel Book— Villager— Extensively used— Good Results— Vigilant—
His Progeny— Splendid Strains in Curraghmore Blood— Kennels Bred from— Results-
Mr. Briscoe as an M.F.H.- Briscoe's start— Huntsman and Whips— John Duke— Johnny
Ryan as a Huntsman— Briscoe took the Horn— Dan Ryan— Wonderful Sport— Mr.
Glascott's Pamphlet— Sport in 1861-62— Four Great Runs— "The Aunefield Fox"—
Glascott's Concluding Remarks— A Contrast— Glascott as a Judge of Foxhunting—
More good Runs — Particulars of Some— A Beautiful Bit of Hunting— Mr. Joseph
Strangman, Secretary, vice Mr. Medlycott, resigned— Succession of the present Marquis
to the Title— Hunted with Briscoe— Never expressed a wish to take the Hounds—
Briscoe's illness— Had to Resign Mastership— Testimonial to Briscoe— Banquet.

Upon the death of Henry Lord Waterford his brother John
succeeded to the title as fourth Marquis. He, however, being a
clergyman, could not very well keep on the hounds as Master, so a
meeting of the gentlemen interested in the hunting was held in the
City of Waterford in the summer of 1859. At it the new Marquis
olFered to lend the county a pack of hounds to be selected from
his brother's kennel ; to make them a present of any four of the
hunters they chose, and in addition to give a large yearly subscrip-
tion. This generous proposal was accepted with acclamation by

16

the meeting, and a committee was formed consisting of the late Lord
Bessborough, Sir Robert Paul, the late Mr. Thomas Lalor, the late
Mr. David Malcomson, Mr. Joseph Strangraan, and a few others.

The late Mr. Henry Whitby Briscoe of Tinvane was unanimously
elected as our new Master, and Mr. John T. Medlycott of Rocketts
Castle kindly consented to undertake the duties of honorary secretary.
A list of subscribers was then opened and most liberal sums promised
by all present, Lords Waterford and Bessborough, with Messrs. Dav
George and Fred Malcomson, heading it with princely amounts.

Each gentleman who owned a fox-covert offered it free to the new
^Master. Lord Bessborough had several in the Kilkenny country,
which, by the arrangement with the late Lord Waterford, were
subject to a rental of fifty pounds a year to the Kilkenny Hunt. Lord
Bessborough, in addition to his subscription to the new fund, now
undertook to pay this rent, so that our Hunt might retain them.

Soon after this meeting and previous to the auction at Curragh-
more in June, Mr. Briscoe, as promised by Lord Waterford, selected
his pick of the Curraghmore hounds and four of the hunters. This
he did with the assistance of Johnny Ryan the huntsman, and chose
thirty-two out of the sixty couple which constituted the pack. The
first lot chosen by Briscoe was that of five couple and a half, a
reduction of the Brocklesby pack, which had been sent by Lord
Yarborough to Lord Waterford the very week he was killed, and
which the poor Marquis never even saw. His selection of the
hunters was Merryman, Sunshine, Cheasty, and Wall— horses suitable
in every way for the work they were to be continued at. The title
was then changed to that of " The Curraghmore Hunt," as Lord John,
in his position of a clergyman, did not wish the pack to be called by
his name.

Lord Henry had always given three or four days a week, but when
the Hunt was changed to a subscription pack the money available
did not enable Mr. Briscoe to have more than two days. So great
an extent of country not being now necessary, fresh arrangements
were made with the Kilkenny men, and they took back a portion of
the territory which had been lent to the late ]\[arquis, including
Wynne's Gorse, Kiltorcan, Castlemorres, and Killeen, all fine sporting
coverts.

The sum agreed to be given Mr. Briscoe for hunting the country
was £580 per annum, which, however, was subsequently raised to
£1,000 ; the fund in addition provided for keeping in order the coverts,
fowl and damage claims, and expended a lot of money in repairs of
the kennels and stabling at Tinvane, and started the new Master with
extra horses. The payment of field money which, of course, in Lord
Waterford's time was unknown, was then introduced, and this also
was given to Mr. Briscoe. Hounds and horses were then removed to
Tinvane.

I have before me the " Curraghmore Kennel Book," commencing in

17

1859 and continued down to end of 1881. It was compiled by the
present Lord Waterford, and started with the thirty- two couple of
hounds which Mr. Briscoe selected, including, of course, the Brocklesby
lot. This, as I said, consisted of five couple and a half, and it was
lucky for Briscoe it came at the time, for it gave him not alone several
good working hounds, but brought to the Curraghmore pack the bluest
foxhound blood in England. Among the lot was Villager, six years, by
Mr. Foljambe's Royster, out of Lord Yarborough's A'^aaity, a wonder-
fully bred dog and of about the best strain they ever had at Brocklesby.

It is to this hound that the Curraghmore in the greatest degree
owed their thorough-breeding, not alone when handed back by Mr.
Briscoe to the present Marquis in 1870, but even up to the time
when that nobleman was stopped hunting in Ireland in 1881. In
fact, when his lordship sold the two packs there was hardly a hound
in them which did not go back to Villager.

Briscoe bred a great deal from him, and also from a two year-
old hound of this lot called A^igilant, by Lord Yarborough's Pleader,
out of his Violet. The descendants of Vigilant did not, however,
turn out as well as Briscoe expected, for, after a generation or two,
they became noisy. He got a splendid hound out of Mermaid called
Mountebank, good looking and capital in his work. Briscoe bred
also from Mountebank, but all the strain had eventually to be got
rid of.

Vigilant and Villager were grandly shaped, and fit to show with
any stallion hounds in England, and they were remarkably good at
work. They were not, however, of a handsome colour, having a lot of
black, little white, and no tan except one small patch with which
Villager was adorned. Their progeny, however, were usually of the
beautiful Belvoir tan.

After carefully examining the pages of the old Kennel Book as
I have just done, I can't help admiring the splendid strains of
blood which were continuously brought into that pack by Henry
Lord Waterford, Mr. Briscoe, and the present Marquis during their
several years of office. Scarcely a single hound whose pedigree does
not relate to the following kennels :— Mr. Foljambe's, Lord Yar-
borough's, Lord Henry Bentinck's, Duke of Rutland's, Mr. Meynell's,
Lord Leconfield's, Lord Portsmouth's, Mr. Lane-Fox's, Lord (xal way's,
Mr. Watson's, The Milton, Lord Doneraile's, Duke of Grafton's, and
The Oakley. If ever blue foxhound blood was to be found, where
could a man look for it if not in the foregoing kennels, while judi-
ciously crossing that of the one with the other should, as it did in
this instance, produce a pack of foxhounds second to none other in
breeding.

Under those circumstances it is not surprising that with three
successive Masters of the calibre and capabilities of our?, the
Ourraghmore hounds should have shown a continuance of magnificent
«port.

18

The choice of Mr. Henry Briscoe as Master was most excellent,
for no man knew the duties all round better than he. He had kept
and hunted foxhounds of his own for several years previous to his
selling them to Lord AVaterford, and he always studied the working
of hounds during the many years he continuously hunted with the
Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Lord Waterford's packs. Briscoe rode to
hunt, and did not hunt to ride. He was in a word both theoretically
and practically qualitied in every way for the duties of M.F.H., but as
I shall devote a chapter entirely to that great foxhunter, I need
now say no more about him except so far as directly concerns the
subject of this chapter.

Briscoe started with Johnny Ryan as huntsman and Billy Barry a&
whipper-in, each of whom had served under Lord Waterford in their
respective capacities. Barry was, however, soon parted with, and his
place was filled by Harry Hardy, who in turn also changed and went
to Mr. Filgate, then and ever since Master of the Louth Foxhounds,
and with whom he has remained to the present day. Briscoe then
imported John Duke from an English southern pack, and things
worked most harmoniously for some years without further change ;
Ryan carrying the horn, with Duke whipping in to him.

Old Johnny was a capital huntsman, quick as lightning, but
never in a hurry. He was a brilliant rider to hounds, with one of
the neatest seats I ever saw and perfect hands ; he seldom used
his horn, and when he did he had but three blasts, each totally
distinct from the other — one long single note to draw hounds from
covert, one sharp quick touch to bring them to him when casting,
and a rattling double-double-double to get them away on their fox
and proclaim the end of a run. He had a melodious voice, but used
it also sparingly. After some years he gave up his post and went to
America.

Briscoe then took the horn himself and showed a continuance of
quite as good sport as we had with Ryan ; Duke whipped to Briscoe
also, and soon became first-rate at his work, he was a very fine
rider and had a powerful and capital voice. Dan Ryan, a son of
the huntsman, was soon after made second whip, and a right good
man he was ; and for many years he whipped to Duke, when he-
succeeded to the horn.

The Curraghmore hounds, under Mr. Briscoe, showed exceptionally
good sport. I don't think any other two-day-a-week pack in the
kingdom showed better within the same period, and, from what
I heard at the time, it quite equalled the magnificent sport shown by
Henry Lord Waterford in the previous decade of the Hunt.

It would be tedious and uninteresting to the general reader to have
to wade through accounts of foxhunts— -no matter how brilliant —
which took place so many years ago, particularly when they had not
taken part in them, so I shall not impose the task upon them, except
so far as to prove to demonstration that the sport was of the character
I say.

19

The better to do so I shall quote from a pamphlet written by Mr.
Glascott of Alderton, a man who constantly hunted with the third
Marquis and also with Briscoe, although he lived in the co. Wexford
and had the most inconvenient means for visiting us.

That gentleman took for his theme the sport of Mr. Briscoe's third
season only, but I can assure my readers that we had several still
better, and the one chosen is but a fair sample of the sport we had
from 1859 to 1870.

CUEEAGHMOEE HUNT, SeASON 18G1-62.

" Hounds were out sixty-eight days.

"Killed forty-one foxes and ran sixty-one to ground, thus account-
ing for one hundred and two foxes.

"They had twenty first-class runs of from thirty minutes upwards,
with many good things of from ten to twenty minutes, at such a pace
that only the light-weights and thoroughbreds could live in."

Mr. Glascott records the particulars of several of the above, which,
though highly interesting to one like myself who had the good fortune
to participate in most of them, would, as I said before, be tedious
to the general reader ; so I shall refer to only four, which were given by
the same fox, and are of extraordinary celebrity. They were all from
the Owning or Annefield portion of the Welch mountains, and over
beautiful lines far away into the Kilkenny hunting grounds, passing
through and far beyond those parts known as the Wynn's Gorse
and Kilmoganny country, and in one instance on to Callan and Kells.
This good fox, known as "The Annefield Fox," always beat the
hounds ; but I know in, at least, two of the runs he was relieved by
a fresh one. Anyway, it was the same fox which was found on the
four memorable occasions, and he gave us the cream of the cream
before he shifted the pride of leadership on to another good one.
What became of him I never could satisfactorily find out ; but I heard
he died in a wet drain, or was found dead near it, after the run of
11th April, 1862. Here are the particulars : —

17th Dec, 1861. From Annefield 1 hour 40 min,, 15 mile'.

28th Jan., 1862. ,, Talbot's Gorse* ... 4 ,, 5 ,, 28 ,,

24th March, 1862. ,, Annefield 1 ,, 28 ,, 14 „

11th April, 1862. ,, Talbofs Gorse ...2 „ 5 ,, 17 ,,

The record of such a season's sport with one pack of hounds, hunting-
only two days a week, as Mr. Glascott says, "deserves to be handed
down to our sons' sons." He concludes with these remarks : —

"The hunting hounds consist generally of twenty-five to thirty
couple, standing about 2-2h inches, of great length, bone, and muscle,
which on a near inspection surprises you, as looking at them side-
ways from a little distance as they step along to cover — brought
out as they are in condition fit to go — they appear light, lengthy

*Talbot's Gorse was only a small patch of furze ou Castletown hill, aud not a regular covert.

20

hounds. I cannot say what the kennel discipline is, but when brought
out they appear to me as near perfection as it is possible to bring
hounds. In the field, quietude and dependence upon themselves for
hunting is the order of the day, and with a fair scent and once clear
of the field they require little interference on the part of the hunts-
man. The club is, in every sense of the word, nobly supported, the
country well stocked with game ; harmony and good-feeling pervade
all classes, from the popular nobleman of the club to the humble
peasant."

This pamphlet of Mr. GUscott's was published in 1862, and truly
stated the happy relations which then and for many years after existed
between the Curraghmore Hunt and the farmers. What a direful
contrast with the state of things brought about by the Land League
only a few years after !

I never knew a man better able to judge the results of an M.F.H.'s
management than Mr. Glascott, although he never held that office ;
but he was a good man to hounds a? ever I saw, and, having his
eye always on them, and knowing what they were doing, he never
did harm, hard though he rode. I make these observations to show
how well qualified he was to judge of Mr. Briscoe's management, and
entitled to put that opinion in print. I may add that he was past
the meridian of life when he wrote the pamphlet, and had hunted
regularly ever since he was a boy.

1 did not keep a diary of my hunting, so I cannot fix the date of
some of the runs I am about to record, but I vouch for the accuracy
of the details.

December 30, 1862. From Glenbower, round GarrydufF Hill, by Tom
Shea's house of MuUinbeg into Carrigtruss ; across the covert without
checking to near Boolyglass ; to the right through Harristown, by
Lismatique Castle to Moonruha ; across the Harristown River, from
which the fox went as straight as a ruler for five miles to Rochestown
House, running the boundary headland of Killeen Gorse without
touching the cover. He was headed at Rochestown, so wheeling
to the left he crossed the Mullinavat River, and was going for Tory
Hill, when he was turned over in the open by that beautiful bitch
Barmaid, two miles from where he crossed the W. &, K. Railway.
14 miles — 1 hour 25 minutes. This was one of the finest foxhunts I
ever saw, and every hound was up — from Carrigtruss to the kill,
about 40 minutes, was clinking — the country before that was rough —
from Slievenamona, through Rathanny, by Carrigeen, through
Knockaderry, across the Dungarvan road at the Slate Quarries, up
the distressing hill of Guilcagh, by the Five Roads, and killed just
before getting into Baylough Woods. A magnificent run of some
eleven miles. Time, exactly sixty minutes. Only two men out of a
large field were within half a mile of the hounds when they killed
their fox. Toiling up the steep of Baylough they viewed him with
roached back and draggled brush gallantly striving to gain the

21

woodland, and right valiantly did these two men endeavour to save
the poor fellow, ^Master and huntsman being far away, but their
efforts were fruitless, for, scrambling over the second last fence from
the covert, he was pulled down.

From Curraghbaha to near Bonmahon, to the right, over a fiue
expanse of grass country (I forget the names of the townlands) cross-
ing the Stradbally River, at the time very flooded, and killed within
a field of Carrigmorna. About twelve miles. One hour ten minutes,
Mrs. Dick Roberts went this fine run like a bird on her famous
black horse, and was presented with the brush by Mr. Briscoe.

Met at Kilmacthomas ; found in Curraghbaha ; ran through Faha,
by Grouse Lodge to within two fields of Woodhouse ; bore to the
right along the sea coast to near Clonea Castle, then wheeled inland
to near Carrigmorna, to near Curraghbaha, through Faha again,
through Seafield, and to ground at Ballylaneen village ; hounds
running their fox in view for the last three fields, and were not
twenty yards from his brush when he got to ground. Fifteen miles
in one hour and thirty minutes, over a fine grass, but stiffly-fenced,
country. Duke, the huntsman, was the only man out of a large field
who rode this great hunt from find to finish. Lord Clanricarde went
well on a roan horse belonging to poor Dan Smithwick, and if these
men were now alive they would remember well this run.

I was witness of a beautiful bit of hunting in Briscoe's time by a
well-named bitch — Matchless — one of the hounds selected from Lord
Waterford's pack. It was on Listrolin Hill, where irregular single
walls built of loose stones abound. This bitch carried the line of her
fox along the top of one of these for over a hundred yards, giving
tongue all the time. The stones were laid singly on the top and
were so small and loose that they toppled off under her feet, and it
was with the greatest difiiculty she maintained her footing ; the body
of the pack contented themselves with looking at her as they flourished
along on both sides, knowing they need not on that occasion assist
her along her perilous path, but they very quickly took up the line
as soon as it left the wall.

Mr. Medlycott held the office of honorary secretary to the Hunt
for two or three years until about 1862, when Mr. Joseph Strangman
took over the duties, which he continued to perform to the end of
the history of the Hunt. Further reference will be made later on to
the great services rendered by that gentleman.

When the late Lord Huntingdon lived at Whitechurch and hunted
that part of the co. Water ford, he brought large contingents to our
meets at Gardenmorris, Kilmacthomas, and Newtown Chapel. In tip-
top style he did so. As far as Dungarvan he brought them on his
drag with his own team, then with four posters they came on to
Briscoe — the Fitzgeralds, Odells, Humbles, Furlong, Smith of Head-
borough, Maxwell of Mcore Hill, Victor Roche, William and Joha
Hunt, the Hudsons, cheery McDermot of the R.I.C., Dick and Mrs.

22

I^oberts, the Helys, and many others. These were the good times for
the Kilmacthomas folk. What a roaring trade John Walshe did at the
jolly little inn, and could we not get there the best of egg-flip and all
things equally good ? Ah's me !

The present Marquis of Waterford succeeded to the title on the
death of his father in 1866. He was then serving in the 1st Life
Guards, in which regiment he continued until 1869, when, as a
captain, he sold out and came to reside at Curraghmore. Whatever
may have been his wishes regarding the keeping of hounds, he never
even indirectly intimated he would be inclined to follow in the foot-
steps of his uncle, and take on the Curraghmore country. On the
contrary he was always an ardent and substantial supporter of
Briscoe, for whom he entertained the highest regard and admiration
both as a friend and sportsman, and he gladly hunted with him like
any other member. Through an unlooked-for incident, however, a
change in the Mastership became imperative, and then for the first
time was it known that Lord Waterford would be willing to take
upon himself the trouble and responsibilities attached to an M.F.H.

During the season of 1869-70, Mr. Briscoe got into a very bad state
of health, so much so that at the time there seemed very little chance
of the poor fellow's ultimate recovery, and both his medical advisers
and friends strongly recommended him to give up the hounds, which
necessarily entailed more work, care, and worry than he was then
physically fit for. Poor Briscoe was naturally loath to relinquish a
position he had so satisfactorily filled, and in which his heart
delighted ; it seemed to him like sinking suddenly into old age, and
being put aside on the shelf. However, prudence prevailed, and
he resigned, no doubt the more cheerfully from the knowledge
that his beloved hounds were to pass to one who would in every way
do them justice.

On retiring, Briscoe, who had somewhat recovered his health, was
presented with a very valuable testimonial by the members of the
Hunt and gentlemen who had partaken of his sport. The ceremony
took place at a banquet in the City of W^aterford, in the summer of
1870, at which the Marquis of Waterford presided.

Third Section.— John Henry (present) Marquis of Waterford,
Master 1870-81.

Natural that Lord Waterford should be the Head of the Curraghmore Hunt— His taking
office as M.F.H. —Got a Capital Start— Well-bred Pack— Good Workers— Imported
more Hounds— His Lordship as Judge of Hounds— As Judge of a Horse— His weight —
Began well— " Servants' Horses"— His Passion for Hunting— Apprenticeship— John
I»nke— Increase of Territory— Hunting Days increased— Kilkenny Hunt— John Going
—Boundary of the New Territories— Increase of Stud— Boundary of Lord Waterford's
country— Owned and acquired— Gr-at area— All Hunted fairly— Out-Stables— Descrip-
tion of Curraghmore country— Woodlands— New Gorse Coverts planted— Lord Water-
ford not yet satiified— Acquires Lord Huntingdon's country— Gave it up— The Ross

23

country— The Ballydurn country— Sport over them— Welch Hills— Pembrokestown,
Knockaderry— Mount Neil-Cloiiassey— E.oanmore— The Fences— The Going— Good
.Scent— The Cry of a Foxhound— Of the Cnrraghmore— Riot— Gorse Coverts- Carrig-
truss— Knockbrack -Ballydarn—Rathgormack—Ballyneale— Duke's Fall— Johnny Ryan
and Lord Waterford Hunt the Hounds— His Lordship Hunts both Packs— Duke recovers
—Resumes the Horn— His Lordship takes it again— Holds it till the end— Great Spoit
— His hard riding— His big weight— His good horses— Mr. Strangman as Secretary —
Did great service— Testimonial to him— Good man to Hounds— Farmers supported
Hunting- So did the Gentry— oS^o Game Preservers— Sir Robert Paul— Mr. Congreve—
Lord Bessborough— Mr. Ned Briscoe— Mr. Henry Bowers— Especial assistance given by
the two latter gentlemen— Hunting establishment at Curraghmore— Horses— Stud
Groom and Servants— The Kennels— Huntsman— Whips— Horses out each Hunting
Day— Going to the ^Sleet- Lord Waterford's Favourite Hunters— His Exploit over Rag-
dale Bottom— His Expenditure on Hunting — Author's opinion of the Curraghmore
Hounds— From 1859 to ISSl— His Lordship's Hunt Servants— Ourselves— A Meet at
Guilcagh Cross— Small Meets— All the better for Sport— Author's Remarks and Opinions
—Corroboration— Ladies Hunting— The Dowager Marchioness— Mrs. Dick Roberts and
others— Numbers greatly increased— Those who went best— The Dowager Lady Water-
ford's Hunting— Her First Run— Grey Mist— Her wonderful Powers of Endurance—
Her Riding — Her Pluck — Mens sana in corpore sano — Her Pilot — Her Favourite
Hunters— Lord Waterford's Marriage— Lady Waterford's love of Hunting— Her Lady-
ship as a Judge of Hounds— Her Riding— In the Field— Her Ladyship as "Master"-
Author's Opinion— Her Favourite Horses— Always went well— Duke of Connaught s
Visit to Curraghmore— Good Sport— Osborne's Picture of Curraghmore Hunt— As a
Work of Art— Presented to Lord Waterford— A Sad Memento— Those who Hunted with
Xord Waterford— A Long List— More Names— Another List— An Indiscretion— Author
goes in for it— Best :Meu of the Welter Weights— Best of the Middle— Best of the Light
—Best of them all— Mr. Tom Lalor— Captain Slacke— Officers— Good men from Tippe-
rary — Kilkenny— Limerick — Wexford —Some names given — Permanent visitors —
*' Little Melton "—Great benefit to tradesmen, etc.— Will Rawle— A good servant and
plucky fellow — Trophies "Nose Boards" at Curraghmore Kennels — Digging not
resorted to— Exceptional cases— Good Runs- Shown by Lord Waterford- Author in
some— Interest likely to be shown— Halcyon days— Rhapsody— Astonishing fact— No
blank days— No hunting diary— Some dates not given— Other details correct— Particu-
lars of Runs— Several pages— Running v. Hunting a Fox— Fine Hunting Run— Run
in a snowstorm — Exploit of Mr. Tom Lalor and the Author— The Flying Graces—
"Damson pie"— Difference in Packs of Hounds— Lethargy of some— Dash of the Curragh-
mores— Breaking up their Fox— Good Sport— Princely magnificence— Scattered right
and left^-Happy relationships- None now remain— Painful duty— Ungarnished truth
— Unpleasant manifestations — Outrages — Newtown Wood — Ruffianly mob — Lord
Waterford stoned— Hounds stabbed— Result— Meeting of Hunt called— Proceedings as
recorded by Irish Sportsman of the day— Lord Waterford gives up Hunting from
Curraghmore.

It seems natural that the Lords of Curraghmore, always famous
for their sporting proclivities, should be at the head of the foxhounds
of the country, and, owing to the circumstances I have just related,
it happened that the present Marquis, in the early part of 1870, took
that place. When taken over from Mr. Briscoe, the pack consisted
of about twenty-five or thirty couple of exceptionally well-bred
hounds ; they were first-class in their work, and gave Lord Waterford
a capital start. He had naturally a quick and accurate eye for a hound,
and spared no expense in procuring the best and most suitable blood
in England. His opportunities for getting good sires, owing to his
large circle of hunting friends, were greater than usually fall to the
lot of any Irish M.F.H., and, as the result showed, he, in a few years,
:got together a pack of nearly sixty couple of hounds, capable as
regards appearance, quality, and work of holding their own with the

24

best kennels in England. Moreover, in an incredibly short time his-
reputation as a judge was established.

As a judge of a horse and of the horses required for himself and
his servants he was equally successful. For a man riding seventeen
to eighteen stone it is no easy task to get hunters, no matter what
his means may be ; but Lord Waterford began well, and in a few^
years had collected a stud of well-bred heavy-weight horses which
could not be surpassed. Some of them were really marvels over the
country. He never believed in what is usually termed " servants*
horses." For a huntsman to show sport he considered the best horses
were necessary, consequently his men were as well mounted as
himself, the only difference being in the size of the animals,.
During the many years it was my privilege to hunt with him I can
safely say I never saw a wrongly shaped or badly behaved horse come
from his stable, and where all the good ones were found was frequently
a puzzle to me as it was to many others.

Passionately devoted as Lord Waterford was to hunting, he did not,
on assuming the command, fall into the error, committed by so many
young Masters, of fancying he was, without serving any apprenticeship,
at once competent for the duties of huntsman — he knew he should
study and learn. He began by appointing John Duke his huntsman ,-;
a very wise selection, for Duke knew the country, and had been tutored
by that fine old sportsman, Henry Briscoe ; he also had all the qualities
necessary for a huntsman, was an excellent horseman and quick, and
had a good voice.

During his heyday, which lasted many seasons, he hunted the-
hounds in tip-top style, and showed first-rate sport. I never saw a
man who could stick to hounds in the way he did ; wherever they
went he followed. He had very good hands, and did not meddle with
his horse beyond keeping him straight ; but he had not that graceful
seat which characterised the two Eyans.

Lord Waterford hunted three days a week for a couple of seasons,,
but finding the old country too circumscribed for that number, and
wishing to add another day a week, he came to a further arrangement
with the Kilkenny gentlemen by which they lent him all the southern
portion of their country — most of which is known as the Ross country
—in addition to the portion Briscoe hunted. The Tipperary Hunt,
then presided over by that good and genial sportsman the late Mr.
John Going, at the same time lent Lord Waterford their portion lying
north of Owning village as far as the river Anner with Slieve-na-mon>
mountain, and the river Suir as its other limit ; this we called the
Carrick country.

The addition of these two fine tracts to his already extensive
area gave Lord Waterford plenty of room to hunt the four days a
week he had so long wished for, and he lost no time in availing
himself of the opportunity, for having already increased his pack up
to some fifty couple, he had only to buy more horses for himself and
his men.

25

The Curraghmore country thus enlarged covered a very large area.

Taking as the four corners, say, Thorney Bridge on the river Anner,

the river Nore from a point nearest to Brownstown Wood, Dunmore

East, and Clonea Castle near Dungarvan, we have a point-to-point

measurement as follows : — ^-..,

Miles.

Thorney Bridge to the Nore tat Brownstown 26

Brownstown to Dunmore 23

Dunmore to Clonea Castle -J

Clonea Castle to Thorney Bridge '5^

This gives an area of something like 725 square miles. Nor does,
this survey take in adjacent outside parts, nor the undulation of the
country, which necessarily adds considerably to the area.

Vast as was that extent of country it was all huntable, and Lord
Waterford visited all parts fairly and with equal regularity. To enable
him to do so, he had to establish out-stables at Mullinavat, where
the horses were sent over night the days they hunted the far-ofif Ross
country, the hounds being vanned to and fro on hunting days.

The country I have described was in all respects eminently suitable
for foxhunting. We had large tracts of woodland in Curraghmore,
Baylough, Churchtown, Coolnarauck, and Gurteen, on the Waterford
side of the Suir, with Bessborough, Carrig-a-tubrid, Bowling, Cor-
bally. Owning, Kilcash, and, lastly, Newtown Wood, of disgraceful
memory, on the Kilkenny and Tipperary side. These gave every
facility for cubhunting, and afforded the finest strongholds for foxes.
Lord Waterford hunted the big woodlands on his by-days, which
tended in no small degree to drive foxes to the surrounding gorses,
few of which were ever drawn blank. Over the rest of the country
there were, of course, numerous gorse and other coverts, but Lord
Waterford had to plant several in addition, notably Weatherstown in
the Ross district ; Earlie's Gorse, between Carrick and Clonmel—
given by and called after that prince of good fellows and prime
sportsman the late lamented Earl Clonmell— Ormonde's Gorse,
situated between Snow Hill and Tory Hill, given by Lord Ormonde.
Then in the county Waterford he planted Kelly's Gorse in the
Dunmore district, Lady Waterford's Gorse near Kilmacthomas,
Carrig-a-nure between Ballyduff and Ballydurn, arid the late Mr.
Fred Malcomson planted Carrigeen near Gardenmorris.

Although he had this enormous territory, the love of foxhunting was
so insatiable in Lord Waterford that, in addition, he actually took up
the part west of Dungarvan which had been hitherto hunted by the
late Earl of Huntingdon when he was Lord Hastings, but this
accession not being satisfactory, he gave it up after hunting it and
showing good sport there for a season or two.

The district known as the Ross country extended from Snow Hill,
by Knockbrack, to Tullagher, round by the rivers Nore and Suir,
and covered nearly (if not quite) seventy square miles. The Ross
resembles the Ballydurn country, which is of much greater extent^

26

and situated in the co. Waterford. These two were nearly all of
grass, and old laid down ; the fields are fairly, but not over, large,
and are divided by big, sound, safe fences, every part of which is
negotiable, allowing hounds to carry a head and race abreast over,
while horses have equal liberty and the advantage of being able to
keep on better terms with the hounds than if the fields were larger,
fences smaller, and at times having but one or two jumpable places
in them.

In my experience I never saw a country I would prefer to ride over
to those of Pioss and Ballydurn. Yes, over them we used to have the
sport long ago ! The foxes were plenty, stout and straight ; the
country wild and not over-peopled or cattled ; and the coverts were
far apart. The old grass land nearly always, particularly in the Ross
country, carried a good scent ; so with a pack like the Curraghmore,
by Jove ! it was not surprising we had sport the like of which was
seldom equalled but never surpassed in any shire in England.

"We had, however, some rough portions in the old country,
notably along the Welch hills, and in parts of Pembrokestown and
Knockaderry ; but if they required a bit more careful riding and did
at times knock up a horse, we could aU the more appreciate the
lovely open grass which we immediately got into after leaving those
scrub-clad regions. Over these parts, by the way, hounds usually
raced, the stunted bracken, furze, and heather rendering scent all the
more powerful.

That about Mount Neil, which lies w^est of Kilmacow toAvards the
river Suir, required, I think, more judicious riding to get over safely
when hounds went hard than any other portion of Lord Waterford's
country. The fences were very straight with narrow tops, and had no
grips to guide a horse where to take off. Like all other parts it
■carried a capital scent. On the other hand, the Clonassey country,
and all that lying along the incline to the Welch mountains as far as
"Carrigtruss, was enclosed with small single fences, mostly low walls,
to get over which all one had to do with his horse was to " sit down
in the saddle and keep his head straight."'

The stiffest part in all Lord Waterford's region was that which lay
between Lane-Fox's Covert (three miles from the city of Waterford)
and the river Suir, round by Roanmore. It was, however, only of
some six square miles area, but if a man was carried by a new
purchase in safety over that little patch, he might place the most
implicit confidence in him wherever else he went.

Taking the old Curraghmore country all in all, the good and the
bad, I don't think there was a more sporting one to ride over in any
part of the kingdom. We had every possible description of fence to
negotiate except timber and water— the pastures were sound, and
afforded the best of going ; there was very little plough, and when it
was met with a hundred yards generally got us to its end ; and if
betimes we came to a portion of bog or otherwise awkward going it

27

only aflforded an opportunity for displaying the amount of " head "
possessed by those who essayed to stick to the tail of the hounds.

I may here remark that Waterford and Kilkenny are proverbial
for being scent-holding countries. In fact, I have heard men say,
who hunted with many packs, that the Curraghmore country carried
the best scent they ever experienced.

It has been said that the cry of hounds is the criterion of their
pace, for as a rule they reduce their cry in accordance with the
pace they go, and some run actually mute \vhen going hard. Not
so the old Curraghmore. Many a time has it been my good luck to
«ee them for miles racing the line of their fox, but their warbling
music sounded and resounded in my ears, ay, when fields in their
rear, and often was it my only guide to follow when that paragon
pack had raced clean out of sight. A noisy hound was never kept,
nor was one which when hunting did not throw his tongue.

They were also remarkable for their steadiness from riot. I have
seen hares cross the line of their fox, and, although within fifty
yards, not a hound would lift his head to them. It was the same in
the deer parks of Curraghmore and Faithlegg, venison never tempted
into riot those staunch and well-trained foxhounds.

We had some beautiful gorse coverts, and as they had been planted for
generations, they had attained an appearance and grandeur absolutely
natural. Could anything in the shape of a fox-covert surpass rugged
•Carrigtruss or charming Knockbrack, situated as both are — for they
are there still— in the centre of a wild surrounding country ? The then
carefully tended gorse grew thick and close in parts, while ragged
and stunted patches here and there permitted flashing views of Belvoir
tan as hounds quickly passed the bare places to draw the thick. These
two coverts were my especial favourites, for I could see the hounds
■work every bit of them, and the fox could always go away without
being headed.

Ballydurn, Rathgormack, and Ballyneale were also lovely coverts,
but did not afford the same facilities for seeing hounds draw as did
•Carrigtruss and Knockbrack.

In January, 1873, Duke got a very severe fall, which laid him up for
the remainder of the season. Lord Waterford then requisitioned old
Johnny Ryan, who had returned from America, to hunt temporarily
one pack, while he himself hunted the other. The work was too hard
for the old huntsman, and Duke, still suffering from the eftects of his
fall, was unable to resume the hunting in the following season. His
lordship, therefore, took both packs in hand, and hunted them
regularly four days a week all through the season 1874 75.

During the season 1875-76 the huntsman worked the bitch pack on
Mondays and Thursdays, while the Master handled the dog pack on
Tuesdays and Fridays, p.nd this arrangement was continued through
the following season of 1876-77.

Lord Waterford took up hunting both packs again in 1877-78, and

28

continued till the end, Duke becoming kennel huntsman. His lordship-
showed very excellent sport during the seasons he carried his owrt
horn, as is proven by the record further on, but, as I say, they are
only very few indeed of the fine runs we had with him.

He always rode over seventeen stone, and for some years eighteen
stone, but he was magnificently mounted, and his determined hard,
riding brought that disadvantage to a minimum. He was indeed
''a rum one to follow and bad one to beat." He had the good sense
to leave his hounds alone, and did not interfere with them by voic&
or horn until they had come completely to fault.

As I have already said, Mr. .Joseph Strangman succeeded Mr.
John Medlycott as hon. sec. to the Hunt in about the year 1862^
and continued in office to the end of the annals of this great fox-
hunting era. Xo man could have discharged the duties of hi&
onerous work with greater ability, tact, and energy than did Mr.
Strangman, in recognition of which the gentlemen of the Hunt
presented him with a valuable service of silver plate upon his-
marriage.

Besides being our hon. sec, he was for many years to be found
at all the favourite meets, but when hounds had got away with a
good scent on a straight fox, the usual place to find Strangman was
close in their wake. Like many others, he did not hunt with the
Curraghmore after his lordship was stopped at Newtown Wood in
October, 1881.

The present Lord Waterford was, like his uncle and Mr. Briscoe,
most fortunate in having all over his extensive territory a-
population imbued with true foxhunting proclivities. As in most
counties, many of the gentry did not participate actively in the
sport, but one and all preserved the foxes, and did their utmost to
further the grand old sport ; none more so than Mr. Congreve of
Mount Congreve, Lord Bessborough, and Sir Robert Paul. There
was not a single man in the country who reserved his coverts for
shooting in preference to having them disturbed by the hounds
drawing for a fox. The farmers all over the country were as eport-
loving as the gentry, and until they were demoralised by the evil
teaching of the Land League no community furthered the sport of
foxhunting more than did the peasantry residing over the Curragh-
more hunting domain.

Lord Waterford had two able assistants in looking after his country
in Kilkenny and Tipperary in Mr. Edward Briscoe of Harristown
and Mr. Henry Bowers of Owning. Next to those immediately con-
nected with the hounds we were indebted to those two gentlemen for
a great deal of the sport we enjoyed for many years, owing to their
knowledge and assiduity in looking after the foxes and coverts— not
alone in the winter, but in the summer, when vixens and cuba
require far more care and attention than they usually get. They
were relatives of Mr. Briscoe, the M.F.H., and, no doubt, owe most of
their education in foxlore to that able exponent.

29

The hunting establishment at Curraghmore, in the venatic reign
of the present Marquis, consisted, on an average, of thirteen hunters
for his own riding. All were up to eighteen stone, full of quality,
magnificent fencers, and able to carry him over any country to the
tail of the hounds, and to stay with them, no matter how hard or far
they ran. He had, as a rule, twenty-one for his huntsman and two
whippers-in ; while with those ridden by Lady Waterford, the car-
riage horses and young ones, eighty stalls in the Curraghmore stables
were kept constantly occupied.

The stud-groom was Johnny Ryan (no relative, however, of the
former huntsman), and he had under him between coachmen, second
horsemen, and helpers about forty men directly connected with the
stables. In the kennels were always from fifty to sixty couple of
hounds, with Duke, two whippers-in, feeder, and assistant.

Lord Waterford hunted his country in regal fashion and at great
expense, for no money was ever spared by him in doing a thing well
if he did it at all. He had always two, sometimes three, horses out
each day for his own riding. The huntsman and two whips had
each two a day. In addition to these, Lady Waterford had her own
two, and generally three or four more were sent for some of the
visitors who might be short of mounts. Thus some fourteen or fifteen
hunters were sent from Curraghmore every day his lordship hunted ;
not including, of course, the visitors' own horses. He usually drove
the party to the meet in his coach and four, but many times extra
traps had to be requisitioned. He always drove greys, the family
colour. As with the hunters, the carriage horses and hacks were just
the very best of their sort that money could buy or good judgment
select.

Out of such a large stable of horses, where all were exceptionally
good, it is difficult to name what might be considered the best, parti-
cularly when a period of eleven years has to be dealt with ; but I
should say the following were as near perfection as ever were horses
capable of carrying eighteen stone to hounds: — Irishman, Arthur,
Knockany, Heron, Mainspring, Callan, The Clown, a wonderful bay
horse from Galway whose name I forget, Zinganee, and Poulaphouca.
The latter horse, in January, 1885, jumped with Lord Waterford the
Ptagdale Bottom, in Leicestershire, covering twenty-six feet from
where he took off to where he landed. Of course I remember a great
many others which could gallop and stay under his lordship, but I
forget their names.

A very short way would go the average cost of foxhunting a
<30untry in maintaining an establishment such as this.

As is shown in another chapter the annual cost is estimated at
£650 for each day per week the hounds hunt. I am quite sure his
hunting cost Lord Waterford £1,000 a day, and as he hunted
regularly four days a week, with an occasional by-day, it would
come to over £4,000 a year, and that exclusive of the expense of
his own personal hunting and cost of horses for his own riding.

30

I have seen a great many packs of foxhounds both in the field and
on their flags, including some of those considered to be the best in
England ; but, without bias or partisanship, I must state that, as
far as my humble opinion goes, I never saw the equal of the Curragh-
more in a combination of breeding, shape, colour, and work.

As a great deal depended upon the young entry, of course some
years the pack looked better than others, but taking the hounds, say^
from when Mr. Briscoe got them in 1850 until the present Marquis
sold them in 1881, I am quite safe in stating that there were few
packs of foxhounds, perhaps not one, which held so unbroken a
record for breeding, shape, levelness, colour, work, and sport, as did
the pack whose history I am striving to give.

Needless to say the Hunt servants were well turned out in the
field, for a smarc Master makes smart men. Our own hunting toggery
was also improved even from what it was in Briscoe's time, for we got
the real Melton cut from the residents and visitors at Curraghmore,
substituting hats for caps, and we added thongs to our whips.

A meet say at Guilcagh Cross Roads, on a fine hunting day about
Christmas time, when Curraghmore would be full of company, was
indeed as perfect an exhibition of the sort as could be seen in any
other part of the world. Of course, numerically, our meets were very
small compared with some of those in the shires and other parts of
England ; as a rule sixty or eighty was about our number, but that
was all the better for sport. A crowd, as everyone knows, increases
the difficulties hounds and huntsmen have to contend with under
the best of circumstances, while many a good man endeavouring
to get away is blocked and shut out. Not so with us— everyone
could have a fair start, and, except upon rare and exceptional
occasions, it was his own or his horse's fault if a man did not get
away and remain on good terms with the pack.

It may be considered that some of my remarks and opinions are
extravagant, and that I am carried away by prejudice or inexpe-
rience ; but to those who cavil at them I would only remark, ask any-
one who has hunted regularly with the Curraghmore any time-
during the present Lord Waterford's Mastership, and who could ride
a foxhunt, whether I am exaggerating or not.

The only lady I remember hunting in Henry Lord Waterford's
time was Miss Smith wick of Kilkenny — now Mrs. Coghlan of
Dromina — and she went beautifully ; certainly none other rode ta
hounds then. In Briscoe's time, however, ladies began to come out,,
among the first being Mrs. Henry Lambert of Carnagh, co. Wexford,
and her sister. Miss Williams, and these two ladies could show our
best men the way across country, but none could do so better in later
years than the Dowager Marchioness of Waterford, mother of the
present Marquis, the late Mrs. Slacke, Mrs. Dick Roberts, Miss
Nugent-Humble, and the late Ladies Selina and Louisa Hastings.

During the present Lord Waterford's time the number of ladie?

' 31

who patronised the Hunt greatly increased. Those hunting regularly
and best over the country were the Marchioness of Waterford, the
Dowager Marchioness, Mrs. Dick Roberts, Miss Humble, Mrs. Bookey
of Clonmel, the late Mrs. Gandy, Miss Caroline Quin of Annerville,
Mrs. Magee, Miss Power of Mount Richard, Miss Bloomheld, Mrs.
GofF of Waterford. The Dowager Lady Waterford did not begin to
ride across country for several years after she first came out with the
hounds ; but once she began she ever after went as straight as any-
one, no matter how fast or how long the run might be. I saw her
ladyship jump her first fence, which was not far from Wynne's Gorse,
and from that to the end of a very good run into Castlemorres, she
went in the first tiight.

Her horses were, of course, perfect animals, and she knew well they
could always go where any other horse went. She had wonderful
pluck, and never required assistance. She, however, generally
selected a good "lead" (Lord Waterford usually), but never anyone
who was not in the very first flight. To her pilot Lady Waterford
was never the least inconvenience, nor did he often know until
after the run that he had been favoured with the distinction. The
horses I think which carried her best were Luna, Red Herring, The
Girl, Snufiy, Clear the Way ; also her favourite grey The Mist, on
which she rode her first hunt. She had the most wonderful powers
of enduring fatigue I ever saw in a woman. ISTo day was too long
for her, and no weather, except frost, kept her from hunting through-
out the season. She has enjoyed a life-long continuance of good
health, and never had even a headache. In the Dowager Marchioness
we have indeed exemplified mens sana in corpore sano.

Lord Waterford married in 1874 Lady Blanche Somerset, only
daughter of the Duke of Beaufort. With her ladyship's early training
at Badminton it is easy to understand that her heart was in horses,
hounds, and hunting. Not alone that, but she was an excellent
judge of all three. No woman in the kingdom was a better judge of
a foxhound, either of his points on the flags or of his work in the
field, and few men could teach her. Her ladyship rode beautifully
to hounds, and went as straight with the Curraghmore in her first
season as she had previously done with the Badminton, although
the former is very much more difficult to get over. She alwaj's
took her own line, her sole pilot being the hounds. She knew every
hound in the pack, and many times have I seen her turn them to
Duke or to Lord Waterford when no whip was up to assist in
the cast.

With due respect for her noble husband and for every other
M.F.H. I hunted with, in all truth and without adulation I will say
I never saw anyone manage a field of foxhunters as well as did the
present Marchioness of Waterford. Her ladyship understood hunting
and the duties of M.F.H. a vast deal better than most of those who
take that oflice, while of course a word or beckon from her had

32

tenfold more influence upon the field than could any coming from a
Master.

Her favourite horses were to be found, I think, among Anchor,
Enid, Mrs. Piiggs, and Zazelle, but I never saw her go much better
upon one horse than another. She always went well.

In the early part of 1879, and again in the winter following, H.R.H.
the Duke of Connaught paid a visit to Lord and Lady Waterford at
Curraghmore. During the next summer Mr. William Osborne,
carrying out instructions received from Mr. Cranfield of Dublin,
painted a meet at which the Duke of Connaught was present. It
was in the Long Meadow part of Curraghmore Park, in front of the
house on the mountain side, and he brought in portraits of most of
the gentlemen who usually hunted with Lord Waterford.

The artist produced a very fine work ; nearly all the likenesses are
faithful, while he succeeded in grouping the lot without undue
crowding and in their natural positions, and as Osborne is one
of the best painters of a foxhound in the kingdom, the hounds form
a remarkable feature in the picture, exceedingly good likenesses
having been made of most of them.

Plates were struck ofl' from the original painting and have been
widely circulated, so there is no necessity for my further describing it.

The gentlemen of the Hunt purchased the picture from Mr. Cran-
field and presented it to Lord Waterford in 1878. It has ever since
hung in a conspicuous place in the principal hall at Curraghmore,
and now presents a sad memento of what his great Hunt was in
happier days.

From the " key " before me I give the names, in the order they there
appear, as a list of those who usually hunted with Lord Waterford.

Frederick Power of Bellvue, Charles Gregory, Ptaymond de la Poer,
Miss Bloomfield, Sir Ptobert Paul, Lord V/illiam Beresford, Nicholas
A. Power of Bellvue, Ptichard Power of Tramore, William J. Paul,
Harry Pt. Sargent, Harry Courtenay, F. G. Bloomfield, Mrs. Bookey,
Earl of Bessborough, Patrick W. Power of Pembrokestown, Ptobert
O. Paul, E. N. Power of Tramore, Dowager Marchioness of Water-
ford, Henry W. Briscoe, L. G. Strangman, Lord Charles Beres-
ford, Lord Marcus Beresford, Captain Slacke, Ambrose Lambert,
Captain Cuffe, Captain Gandy^ C. E. Denny, Wray B. Palliser, Earl
of Donoughmore, Lord Delaval Beresford, Earl of Tyrone (a child on
his donkey), Marchioness of Waterford, Marquis of Waterford, Joseph
Strangman, Thomas Lalor, Captain Pennefather, Dr. O'Ryan, Joseph
O'Neill Power of Snowhill, James Mandeville, John Bell, Y.S., W.
G. D. GofF, Samuel Perry, Patrick Walshe, Arnold de la Poer, Miss
Yilliers Stuart, Thomas W. Anderson, D. K. Cummins, JohnH. Power
of Mount Richard, Octavian Mansfield, Benjamin Bunbury, John
Pender, Mrs. Gandy, William B. Mulcahy, Surgeon-Major Keogh,
with John Ryan (second horseman), John Duke (huntsman), Arthur
Wilson (first whip), Henry Mathews (second whip), and of course
the picture included H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.

33

The foregoing records the names of those who hunted regularly
with Lord Waterford, but other gentlemen deserve to be chronicled,
notably Ambrose Congreve of Mount Congreve, Edward Quin of
Shanakill, Joseph Stephenson of Fairbrook, Captain Harry Dawson
of Blenheim, John Medlycott of Rockett's Castle, Tatrick Mahon
Power of Faithlegg, Henry Morris of Bell Lake, Thomas Hunt of
Kockmount, Congreve Rogers of Tramore, John Maguire of Mount
Congreve, sporting Tom Widger and his five hard-riding sons, all of
CO. Waterford. Phen in co. Kilkenny we had Dawson Mil ward of
Tullagher, Thomas Spencer of Waterford, Pat. Henneberry of Ring-
ville, John Jones of Mullinabrow, and his sons John, Willie, and
Henry, Alec Anderson of Ballymountain, Edward Bowers of Clogga,
Dan. Osborne of Silverspring, John Walshe of Fanningstown, David
Coghlan of Cassawn, Pat Coghlan of South Lodge, the Quinlans of
Manganstown, John Hyland of Ballyneale, as also the two gentlemen
I have before alluded to, Henry Bowers and Ned Briscoe.

All the gentlemen whom I have in the last paragraph enumerated
gave the most substantial support to our old Hunt. Some of them
did not take active part in the field, but through their love of sport
and by zealous preservation of foxes enabled others to do so. Mr.
Osborne would have included the likeness of each in his picture, but
they would neither give him a sitting nor send a photograph.

As a rule it is as indiscreet to refer in print to any man who may
be considered better to hounds than his companions as it is to mention
who had the best of certain runs. Men go out to hunt to enjoy them-
selves, and to ride according as it suits their individual tastes ; it
must, therefore, be very objectionable to some who may have gone a
run well, and, at all events, to their own satisfaction, to see others
tracked up in the papers because they went better. We have quite
enough records of "competitive examination" without adding tha
hunting-field to the category. There are, however, exceptions to
every rule, and, in the face of my foregoing statement, I shall name
those who, in my opinion, were our best men.

Looking over the names of these gentlemen, some of whom I had
the pleasure of meeting for many years in the hunting-field, and were
dear friends of mine, and all of whom I have often seen going to
hounds, I will say that among those riding fifteen stone and upwards
none could touch the present Lord Waterford, or Wray Palliser, when
the latter was in his heyday, which was in Lord Henry's and Mr
Briscoe's time.

Among the middle-weight class riding about fourteen stone Sir
Robert Paul was one of the best men to hounds in the third Lord
Waterford's field, but he never hunted after Lady Paul's death in
1858. The late Henry Briscoe, Joseph Strangman, D. K. Cummins,
Johnny Medlycott, and William Mulcahy were first-rate men to
hounds, and were at all times able to keep the pace with the light-
weights.

u

Those riding under and up to, say, twelve stone we had : Lords
Charles, William, and Marcus Beresford, Captain Slacke, Wm. J. Paul,
Harry Courtenay, Robert and Charles Humble, the late Thomas Lalor,
Samuel Perry, and Thomas W. Anderson, eleven men whom I would
back to go to a pack of foxhounds against an equal number out of
any other Hunt in the kingdom.

Good as those men undoubtedly were there are two whom I must
select as being the best of all, and in naming the late Mr. Tom Lalor
and the present Captain Slacke I don't think I can cause jealousy.
And still narrowing the limit, I shall put Captain Slacke as the
better man of the two, for he could go well on a strange and half-
trained horse, while Mr. Lalor could not go on any except what he
was accustomed to, and that was perfect and brilliant hunters, but
when mounted on one of them even Slacke could seldom get before
him.

I have alluded only to those gentlemen whose portraits are given
in the Curraghmore picture, but we had many visitors, notably
officers quartered at Cahir, Carrick, and Waterford, who invariably
held their own with the Curraghmore, and among them I may
chronicle Colonel Tate, then a captain in the 12th Lancers ; Colonel
Wardrop, when he was a captain in the 3rd Dragoon Guards ; Colonel
Ward Bennett, then of the Inniskiiling Dragoons ; that best of good
fellows and deeply lamented, the late Capt. Clayton of the 9th
Lancers ; Mr. Elmhirst of the Carabineers ; Major Fred Amcotts of
the 5th Dragoon Guards, and others. Then from co. Tipperary
we had Captain Billie Quin, Hugh Baker, James Dobbyn, Willie
Riall, George and Tom Gough, Godfrey Philips, and others. Co.
Limerick sent us at times the Rev. William Gubbins and John
Gubbinp. From Kilkenny came Sir James Langrishe, the Smith-
wicks, Ralph Bunbury, Sir Richard Power, Major Connellan, Jerry
Nolan, Colonel Izod, and many others when the meet was at their
side of the Suir. Years ago strong contingents used to come from
Wexford, William Glascott and his son "Jim," Maurice Knox,
Henry Lambert, and Wat Breen. Latterly, however, few came from
there except when the meet was in the Ross country, and then
they were well represented by James Maconchy and the Deanes of
Stokestown. All those visitors whom I have named were nailing
good men to hounds.

Visitors rented quarters and stabling in Waterford, Piltown, Port-
law, but principally in Carrick-on-Suir, which latter was quite a
little Melton in the hunting season. From these gentlemen it is
needless to say a great deal of lucrative employment was derived
by the poorer classes, and a vast deal of money was expended among
the car proprietors and tradespeople of the above towns.

The last first-whip 1 recollect at Curraghmore was that most
excellent and thoroughly reliable servant. Will Rawle, whose father
was Master of the Berkhamsted Staghounds for years. When

35

Mr. Springfield was Master, Rawle hunted and showed good sport,
but above all he proved himself to be a determined plucky fellow
upon many occasions during that troublous time.

The trophies of foxhunting are by no means a reliable record of
the sport shown by a pack of hounds, but there are still to be seen
at the kennels of Curraghmore boards on which are nailed the noses
of foxes killed during many seasons of the present Marquis's time.
What the number is does not signify, but I will say that they
were all killed in sportsmanlike style, for neither in the present Lord
Waterford's time, nor in that of his uncle's or Mr, Briscoe's, was
"digging" ever resorted to unless under most exceptional and
thoroughly reasonable circumstances. When a fox had beaten the
Curraghmore Hounds to ground, he was left to do so again. Needless
to say a terrier was never seen in the ranks of ^Aa^ pack.

It will, I think, astonish not a few of my readers to hear that
I cannot recall to mind our having more than three hlanh days durinrj
JSriscoe's time, and I swear there were not six! The Curraghmore
Hounds had only one blank day during the eleven years Lord Waterford
ivas Master^ and that was when he was not out, but it was so wet.
the hounds went home at one o'clock without drawing a covert where
they would have been certain to find.

I shall now proceed to give short particulars of a few of the many-
great runs we had while the present Marquis was Master, the greater
number of which were shown by himself while he carried his own,
horn and hunted his own hounds. Happy I am to add that I saw a
good many of them, though not all. I venture to hope some
interest will be taken in hearing of what was done within compara-
tively a few years, particularly as the account may probably be
read by those who partook of the sport we had in the halcyon,
days of Curraghmore and who can bear me out in stating that the
few accounts of foxhunts which follow these remarks but poorly,
describe the average doings of the Curraghmore previous to the
sport being stopped in 1881. Yes the fine, ay brilliant, runs we had
in those days can be counted by the dozen.

Like his uncle, the present Lord Waterford neglected to keep a
diary of his hunting. This seems extraordinary, for, again like him,
he is most particular in having accounts and records kept in minute
detail. I kept one for a few years, but it recorded only the sport
which took place on the days I was out, and unfortunately I did not
keep it regularly, and discontinued it many years ago. From these
facts I am unable, as I was with some of Briscoe's, to fix some of
the dates, but the other details are critically correct.

We had a run in January, 1871, from Knockbrack almost straight
to Brownstown without a check, although the hounds ran through
the little gorse of Busherstown, a point to point of some six miles
distance run fully eight miles, all grass and stiff fencing ; time,
forty minutes.

36

No doubt this was a very brilliant gallop, and lacked only a kill in
the open to classify it as a jyerfect foxhunt ; but a well-known gentle-
man who was on a visit at Curraghmore at the time, and who for
years had hunted as a rule five and six days a week with some of the
crack packs of the English shires, told me the day after that he
never saw so fine a foxhunt in his life, nor had he heard of its equal
in England for a long time. And when I told him as a matter of fact
that we had had two or three runs that season just as fine as the one
under discussion, and that we expected to have even better before
the end, I don't think he credited me, but he might have done so.

November 11, 1873 : Carrigeen, two miles straight for Knockaderry,
to the right through Carrigphilip, Ballytobin, and Shanaclune to
within half a mile of Dunhill Castle, then to the right through
Ballynageera and Savagetown, across the Waterford and Kiln road at
the old police barracks, and straight up to Carrigeen again, through
the little gorse without a check and straight for Slievenamoona,
the hounds running into their fox in the middle of the field next
Eathanny covert. Distance by six-inch Ordnance map, eleven miles ;
time, fifty- seven minutes. This good fox ran until he died, for he
dropped dead before the hounds ran into him.

February 24, 1871 : Gardenmorris, through Carrigeen, by Carrig-
philip bog, through Knockaderry and across what is now the middle
of the reservoir, by Mr. Christmas' school-house, through Pembrokes-
town and Butlerstown, and killed in the open at Old Court. Eighteen
miles ; one hour forty minutes. A point to point of nine miles.

It occurred to me at the time that I never before saw so many out
of a small field ride so fairly all through as fine a run as this was.
Up to Butlerstown, within a mile of the finish, ten or twelve men
continued well with the hounds, and at least six or seven saw the fox
killed. A few days after I found an explanation of this. It was at
that time a habit of mine, when I had the chance, to walk, as soon
after as possible, the line of any exceptionally fine run that I might
have ridden. Accordingly, I walked the one in question. Strange,
but true, along it all I did not find a fence which could stop any man
who had the slightest inclination to ride until I arrived at Butlers-
town. After that I found some big ones, particularly after crossing
the Dungarvan road. Several men that day took for a time the
" pride of place," but I don't think anyone held it as long as the late
and deeply lamented Captain William Quin of Loughloher on his
grey Chasseur d'Afrique, but the horse never recovered the effects.
Father "SVilliam Gubbins of Kilmallock also went well.

Soon after the Old Court run, we had one from Knockbrack to near
MuUinahone, then a wide sweep towards Carrig-a-Xurragh, by Cat's
Bock, to the base of Tory Hill. Leaving it on the right, the fox went
two miles as if for Clonassey, then wheeled down to near Dunkit.
Here, I think, he lost his bearings, for although well ahead he never
tried any of the many places he might have got to ground in about

37

the quarries, but headed for Bishop's Hall, beside the ruins of which,
in a grass field, he was pulled down. Sixteen miles ; one hour thirty
minutes. Miss Stubber (now Lady Stalbridge) went brilliantly
through this fine but trying run. She was alone up at the kill,
having fairly pounded the few then with the hounds at the big fence
into Bishop's Hall. Ungallant, no doubt, but so chagrined did I
feel at having been planted by a lady, I went off home without
looking at the fox being broken up, although he was killed within
twenty yards of me !

Perhaps the best run which the Curraghmore had in the present
Marquis's time was that had on the 9th December, 1873, when they
met at Tullagher in the Ross country. Found in Brownstown, ran to
Weatherstown, to within two fields of Knockbrack ; on towards Tory
Hill, leaving it on the right, to Cat's Rock. Here the fox was seen
dead-beat, toiling up the side of that steep gorge, but he gained Gal-
way's Covert, where he got safely to ground. Distance, twenty-two
miles ; point to point, eleven miles ; time, two hours twenty minutes.
The only men who rode this fine run from end to end were Lord
Waterford on Irishman, Captain Slacke on Crocus, Duke on Quinine,
and Mr. Arbuthnot, a visitor at Curraghmore, on a horse of Lord
Waterford's called The Cure.

Not, perhaps, as fine as that just referred to, but a wonderful and
magnificent run was had from Mount Neil to Tory Hill, when Lord
Waterford carried the horn. Point to point the distance is eight
miles ; line run over, eleven to twelve miles ; time, one hour and
ten minutes. There was only one check. Tory Hill being so far away
from where a fox was likely to run that day the earths were not
stopped, so he got to ground.

We had exceptionally good sport under circumstances very adverse
as well as favourable.

Any hounds possessed of ordinary nose power, if they have fairly
good shoulders and feet, can run a fox when there happens to be a
good scent, but give me the pack of hounds that can hunt their fox
upon a bad scenting day, and he a long way ahead, over an extent of
rough and poor scenting country intersected by numerous cart-tracks
and pathways along which the fox runs and suddenly turns or doubles
out of, getting thereby still farther ahead, but by steady and deter-
mined hunting the pack sticks to its fox and accounts for him in
sporting style after a long and arduous chase.

I think the finest exhibition of that class of hunting which I ever
saw was towards the end of Briscoe's or begi nning of the presen
Marquis's time, when the Curraghmore found their fox in Clo-
nassey and hunted him without ever changing on to another along
the line of the Welch mountains till they ran him to ground in a
rock near Birch wood, running as they did over Listrolin, Milltown,
and Garryduff Hills, and through the coverts of Carrig-a-tubrid,
Corbally, Glenbower, Owning, and Birch wood. This was a splendid

8S

hunting run, but to be appreciated only by those who rode to hunt,
for the country was rough and hilly, though the pace was fair. It
was, however, rather too much of a good thing — about two hours
and thirty minutes — and very distressing to the few horses that
•went it. Point to point over eight miles, hills and line making up
fully sixteen miles.

Early in Briscoe's time, about Christmas, 'Gl, a fox took us from
Carrigtruss as straight as he could go into Castlemorres, with a
blazing scent and in the teeth of a sjiowstorm — about live miles. I
forget the time, but it was as fast a run as ever I saw. The snow
began to fall just as the fox went away, but so heavy did it come
down that the country was white when we got to the end of this
short but splendid spin. Hounds could not hunt a yard after getting
into Castlemorres woodlands.

Again I remember a curious, but very different, sort of run, which
we had in, I think, 18G9. Three hounds got away close to their fox
out of Ballydurn, while the body of the pack was hunting in covert.
Mr. Briscoe shouted to the late Mr. Tom Lalor and myself to stop
them. This we manfully essayed to do, but to accomplish which we
should have had to get to their heads. This, after going as hard as
our horses could carry us for f ally a mile, we found to be an utter
impossibility, for they were simply racing. When we found we could
not get to their heads, poor Lalor and I thought we might as well try
to stick to their tails, so ding-dong we clapped after the flying Graces.
They raced their fox to the fence of Duckett's Wood, but so pressed
was he that he had to change his point, which was evidently Curragh-
more, and wheeled sharp to the left, going through Whitestown,
leaving Clonea Village to the right, and slap up to the foot of the
Comeraghs, where, not a hundred yards in front of these three match-
less bitches, he got to ground under Crotty's Eock. The distance
this couple and a half ran their fox was between seven and eight
miles, and at a pace which I don't think could have been exceeded in
speed by hounds, but I did not take the time. There was not the
slightest hesitation, for they ran the whole time as if they were in
view. These beauties were two fields ahead of Lalor for the last two
miles, and I was a field behind him.

From our lofty position on the side of the mountain we could see
the body of the pack and its followers hunting our line. When they
came up to us in process of time, by .Jove ! we caught it hot and heavy
for having gone away with three hounds before the body had
got up I I am very sure Lord Waterford remembers the incident
well, for although he left the administration of "damson pie" to
Briscoe, who was then Master, I have a notion his lordship would
have liked to have added a little juice to the aftercourse, but he
considerately restrained himself ! That was all mighty fine, but I
am very sure that there were not two men out, including both his
lordship and Briscoe, who would not have done precisely what Lalor
and I were abused for if they had been in our places that same day !

39

We see at times a great difference in the way packs of foxhounds
carry themselves and the dash they go with ; not alone that, but
there is often a marked difference in the way packs break up a fox.

I have seen some show lethargy even when apparently in good
health and condition, and of a good scenting day ; others when thrown
into covert, particularly if it were of gorse, would not half draw it,
hounds following each other in straggling order along the pathways ;
then, when the fox had gone away, they would ran or hunt the line
v.'Ithout that dash and fling which is so essential to the foxhound,
many of the pack relying entirely upon a few of their fellows to do
the work. I have also been up at a kill with certain packs, and
was surprised at the want of fire shov/n at what should have been
to them an exciting time, several hounds not caring whether they
partook or not of the feast !

Not so the old Curraghmore during any time of its three Masters.
Even on a bad scenting day, close and relaxing, they always
evinced fire and dash as they jauntingly jogged along in their
thoroughly-disciplined throng. No matter how thick, strong, or
tangled a gorse covert might be, as soon as these hounds entered it
they all spread, every one taking his own part. Then to see how this
paragon pack would fling out of covert in a body, crashing as they did
through or over the fence like the first rush of a mountain torrent.
Along the line of their fox, possessed of equal pace, each hound strove
for leadership, so that the head this pack almost invariably carried
was the admiration of all who hunted with them. Perhaps the best
time to see their courage and spirit was when they had pulled down
their fox. The blood of the victim seemed to raise that of the hounds
to such a pitch that to take the fox from them was a danger of the
highest degree for anyone other than the Hunt servants. If, how-
ever, the carcase was not recovered within a minute or two, there
would be nothing left for trophies beyond the mangled head. How
they had accounted for their ivx would, however, be seen clearly from
every hound, for, with hackles up, each invariably took good care that
he got his share of what he had so ably assisted in bringing to hand.

The greatest calamity that ever befel the Curraghmore Hunt was
of course the death, in March, 1859, of Henry Lord Waterford ; but
the second, and happily only other, was that which I have now the
unpleasant duty of recording, and I do so in plain ungarnished truth,
so that it may be handed down to posterity.

During the season 1880-81 unpleasant manifestations began to be
shown in many ways against the hunting by certain sections of the
farmers in different districts of the Hunt, and it soon became apparent
that hunting would not be as pleasant in the near future as it had
been for so long in the past. The season 1880-81, however, pulled

40

through, but not without outrages more or less malignant. It was
not until the following season was about to commence that matters
reached the climax.

On the 6th October, 1881, while cubhunting in Xewtown Wood,
not far from Slievenamon Mountain, Lord Waterford, with his
hounds, servants, and the few gentlemen, including the late Mr.
Thomas Lalor, the owner of the covert, were attacked by a mob
numbering over two hundred, and absolutely stoned out of it, while
some of the hounds were run through Avith pitchforks.

The ruffians who composed this mob were not residents in the
locality, nor had they any interest or claim to the land. They were
all strangers, and came from afar ; but they must have had accom-
plices among the local peasantry, for bells rang out in various
quarters as Lord Waterford and his hounds were seen approaching,
such being the means commonly adopted at the time in Ireland for
summoning crowds for disorderly action.

This determined, cowardly, and atrocious outrage of course brought
the consideration of future hunting in the Curraghmore country to
an issue. Lord Waterford immediately called a meeting of the sup-
porters of the Hunt, and it was held in the City of Waterford a few
days afterwards.

At this meeting the late Earl of Bessborough presided, and to it
Lord Waterford related what had occurred.

The Irish Sportsman had a special reporter present, and in its next
issue that paper gave an exhaustive account of the proceedings. In
years to come, as well as at present, that report will be interesting,
and as the speeches were taken in shorthand there is no doubt as to
their correctness. I shall therefore reproduce it to show hereafter
how the evil advice of self-interested, self-elected, but well-paid,
agitators stirred up our people to wage war against a nobleman who
spent lavishly his money in the country, drove him from it, destroyed
our sport, and ruined half the people in the neighbourhood.

In thus handing down to posterity this infamous record I wish it to
be understood that I do so entirely from a sporting point of view and
in no way political. If people have grievances they can have them
adjusted by constitutional means in other places besides the hunting
field.

LORD WATERFORD AND THE CURRAGHMORE HOUNDS
STOPPED HUNTING !

Important Meeting of Members of the Hunt.

From Irish Sportsman of loth October^ 1881.
"In consequence of Lord Waterford and his field having been
stopped hunting at Xewtown on the 6th inst., and of the outrage com-
mitted upon them, his lordship called a meeting of the members of

41

the Hunt, which assembled at the Imperial Hotel, Waterford, on the
11th inst. It was largely attended by the gentry and nobility of the
county and neighbourhood, a few of whose names we append, as also
a detailed account of the proceedings, with a verbatim report of the
speeches taken in shorthand by our special correspondent. Elsewhere
we refer to the lamentable occurrence, but here we merely report the
proceedings of this never-to-be-forgotten meeting. Among those wha
responded to his lordship's circular were [Here followed the names
of nearly eighty gentlemen, representing, as they did, all creeds and
politics, nearly all of whom have already been mentioned. — Author].

"Lord Bessborough having taken the chair, after being duly voted
to it, the Secretary (Mr. J. Strangman) read several letters of apology
from members and others expressing their regret for not being within
reach of Waterford to attend the meeting in time.

" The Chairman said : My Lord Waterford and Gentlemen,— As it
is your wish that I should take the chair, I do so with deep regret
that it should be necessary, and with sorrow that such an event
should have happened in this country as has led to this meeting being
called by Lord Waterford. (Hear, hear.) I will say no more just
now, but \vill give way to Lord Waterford, who will now address the
meeting. (Applause.)

"Lord Waterford, who on rising was received with the most
enthusiastic applause, said : My Lord Bessborough and Gentlemen, —
I have asked you to meet me here to-day to take into consideration
the continuance of foxhunting in this country during the present
winter. Up to this unfortunate year— a year which, I think, is the
blackest that has ever passed over this unfortunate country — (hear,,
hear)— I believe that all Irishmen, irrespective of creed, class,
politics, or anything else, were joined together and united on one
subject at any rate, and that was the sport afforded therein by fox-
hunting. (Hear, hear.) I am sorry to say that, owing to the teachings-
of the Land League, who have engendered such a terribly bad feeling
in this country, certain branches have passed resolutions to put
down foxhunting in this country, and have been able to carry out
this resolution in certain parts of the neighbourhood. On Thursday
last we met at Newtown Wood on the property of my friend Mr. Lalor.
We had a couple of hours' good hunting there ; but after some time
we heard the chapel bells begin to ring, horns were blown on the
surrounding hills, and an assemblage of people collected. They
gathered round the wood and made a tremendous noise by yelling
and hooting. I was able to continue the hunt, however, for a short
time, and then the crowd entered upon Mr. Lalor's property and
pelted, not only myself, but, I am sorry to say, other gentlemen of
the Hunt. (Shame.) Some of the hounds were seriously injured
by stabs from pitchforks. I then thought it was better to blow the
hounds out of covert, which I did, and went home. Along our way
the fields were lined with people who hooted and pelted us, but at

42

the same time kept us at a safe distance. "We then proceeded home,
and I thought it best to do so, as I perceived that hunting under such
circumstances had become impossible. (Hear, hear.) 1 next con-
sidered it my duty to call this meeting, and to return to you the
trust you placed in my hands, now over eleven years ago, of hunting
this country. I have held the position of Master of the Hounds here
during that time, and endeavoured to give you sport, and to keep up
that splendid old sport of foxhunting in this neighbourhood. (Hear,
hear, and applause.) I took it up shortly after the death of my
father, and continued it till the death of our dear old friend Henry
Briscoe, whose funeral we attended with so much sorrow yesterday,
who had shown us such sport in this country ; and, long after this
generation has passed awaj^ his name will be remembered and kept
alive as that of a fine old Irish sportsman. (Hear, and applause.) It
is a singularly curious thing that he should have passed away on the
very day after the death-knell of his favourite sport that he loved so
well had been sounded in the country. (Hear, hear.) Passing from
that I will now say a word on what stares me plainly in the face, but
which I must meet much against my will, and that is to give over
hunting. I do so with deep regret and with strong reluctance, not)
I assure you, so much on my own account as on account of the many
poor people that will be thrown out of employment, and for the sake
of those many and dear friends that have shared with me for so many
years the pleasures of the chase, and from whom I have received so
much kindness and support. For myself I feel it the more on account
of the many ties it will sever, and also for the fact that it will put
down the splendid old system that was so long maintained — the
splendid old sport of foxhunting— in this part of the country ; a
sport which I may say has been the mainspring of social life amongst
us. (Hear, hear.) I say this is my chief sorrow, because I consider
that hunting would be, from the present state of the country, any-
thing but pleasant occupation during this winter, and, so far as I
can see, for some time to time ; for it is impossible to carry on the
sport of foxhunting except you be supported by the united efforts
and consent of every class in the country. (Hear, hear )

" Gentlemen, I can only say I shall carry away with me many
recollections of the happy meetings we have had, and in the words of
the Kilkenny hunting song.

Good sport I have bad,

Good fellows I've met.

(Applause.) I now beg to say that with regard to the hounds, I
shall not be able to sell them till the spring of the year, and I shall
be happy — if you think there will be any possibility of continuing
the sport from time to time among yourselves— I shall be most happy
to hand you over a pack of hounds, and give you every support in
my power. I return you, again and again, my most sincere thanks
for the kindness and support you have bestowed on me, and now beg
to tender you my resignation. (Applause.)

4.3

"Sir Robert Paul, Bart., then came forward amid applause to
address the meeting. He said : My Lord Bessborough, my Lord
Waterford, and Gentlemen,— I have got, I may say, a sad task to
perform, and that is to propose this resolution : ' That this meeting
of the members of the Curraghmore Hunt, called together by the
Marquis of Waterford, having heard the statement now made to
them by his lordship, desire to express to him in the strongest
manner their great sorrow at the unexpected and unhappy event
described in his speech, and their indignation at the ungenerous and
cowardly treatment to which he and his friends and his hounds have
been subjected.' This, my lord, is the resolution which I have the
sad task of proposing. On looking round upon this meeting the first
feeling that strikes me is that there is no other object, no other
business, no other matter of any kind whatever, that would bring
together so many men of different lines of thought, so many men of
different classes, as the object for which we are assembled. (Hear,
hear.) If it were a meeting of landlords and their friends, we should
have a few of that class. If it were a meeting of tenant farmers, we
should have a number of that class. If it were a meeting of mer-
chants, we should have a few of that class. But when it is the
members and friends of a Hunt of which Lord Waterford was the
Master, we find a gatheririg of men of different classes, creeds, and
opinions, who on no other business could be found so numerous.
(Hear, and applause.) My lord, I have always said that hunting,
after all, was only an amusement, but, after all, it goes a great
length. Hunting brings together people in the prime of life and
in youth, people of different sets of principles, of different reli-
gions, of different lines of thought. They meet together, and feel
for each other a mutual kindness and affection. (Hear, hear.) And
although their old fathers may be at home taking different lines
of politics and different sides on various subjects, their sons are
brought together on the hunting field in that class of fellowship
which will make them good friends and kindly neighbours. (Hear,
and applause.) Now this is the sort of thing which has existed in
this country for a long time. ( Hear, hear.) I recollect, for I am an old
member, although I have given up the present pursuit, but I have
it in my heart — (cheers)— I remember, my lord, your uncle, the
late Henry Marquis of Waterford— (cheers)— when the hounds were
given up to him by the gentlemen of the committee — (cheers)— and
for many a long day he presided at the meetings of the Curraghmore
Foxhounds. I have descendants of my own who feel as I do, but I
do not look forward to them for the same happiness, the same pleasant
times that I have enjoyed myself in connection with the chase. This
is the first time, my lord, at which a general break up has become so
very apparent. (Hear, hear.) And now, my lord, there is one phase
of this matter which demands your very serious recognition. About
this time twelvemonth — not much longer— this thing began with the

44

sin of a most outrageous murder. From that time the system has
gone on ; outrage after outrage has been perpetrated, and I fear it
is not even now culminated. This movement, in short, is most
un-Irish and most contrary to the nature of ever^'- true Irishman.
We know every man has his good nature and his bad nature, and we
know that the promoters of this wicked agitation know the bad parts
of men and they know their good ones too ; but it is only the bad
parts that this agitation is working upon and developing. (Hear,
hear.) They know all their weaknesses and all their failings, and to
make their weaknesses and their failings the more apparent is what
they are trying to do. (Hear, hear.) They think it was a great
victory for them to be able to draw out the minimum of their vice,
to make them attack the poor unfortunate and unoffending hounds,
and to make them insult the man who had done more good for them
and shown more kindness towards them than any other in this
country. (Applause.) We deeply regret, my lord, the decision to
which you have come — (hear, hear) — but I for one must admit you
have judged rightly. But so far as hunting is concerned, and much
as I love the hunt, there is another consideration which we regret
far more than the breaking up of it, and which will be far more
lamented with a great number of men, and, my lord, I would appeal
to you to consider that there is another and far greater honour, a far
higher duty for you than even to be Master of the Curraghmore
Hounds. Hitherto, as the representative of a noble house, and as
Lord of Curraghmore, you have done your duty well— (hear, hear,
and loud applause)— and I would not, for any insult of the kind that
has been offered, for any obstruction such as this, or for two, or three^
or four events of the kind, be driven from the grand position you
have taken. (Applause.) Consider, my lord, that your being in
Curraghmore and fulfilling your duty there as you have done, has
been a great obstruction to the system of agrarian outrage that is
now passing over the country. (Hear, hear.) My lord, it is to get you
out of it that they have done all this. (Hear, hear.) I beg of you and
again beg of you, not to do otherwise than remain where you are.
(Loud applause.) Go to hunt where you like, but return sometimes
to Curraghmore. (Hear, and applause.) To encourage those among
whom you have always been recognised as the leader and mainstay
of the Constitutional party with which you have been allied is your
first duty. (Cheers.) I beg now to move this resolution.

"Mr. Bloomfield seconded the resolution. He denounced in strong
terms the gross and cowardly insult that had been offered to Lord
Waterford, and the attack which had been made on his hounds on
Thursday last. Sir Robert Paul had well said it would be a triumph
to the party to see the man who had been every man's neighbour and
every man's best friend driven out of this country. He sincerely
trusted, with Sir Robert Paul, that his lordship would not allow any
such proceeding to drive him from the country. He had lived long

45

among them and tried to do his duty well, and he had pleasure in
being present to see this great and influential meeting, and to add
his mite to the general expression of good feeling by seconding the
resolution.

" The Chairman said in putting this resolution : I should like to
say a few words. You are all aware I cannot make a speech or
speak as a foxhunter ; but I should say from my old recollection,
and from my knowledge of foxhunting men, I should be exceedingly
sorry to see it abolished in this county ; and from the part I have
taken in such sports in days gone by, I can fully understand and
appreciate the feeling that has arisen, and will arise, toward those
who have been the cause of, and those who have taken part in, this
outrage. But I do not believe, I cannot believe, that the people of
the country generally would like to see such a proceeding repeated
as that which took place on Thursday last. (Hear, hear.) As to the
political events which are going on in the country, I believe they had
little to do with that outrage. I believe it must have been instigated
by others who brought the men who took part in it fi^om a distance
to perpetrate the outrage. I do not think Lord Waterford is wrong
in the course he has decided upon. After such an insult as was
offered to him, I do not think he could continue to hunt this country,
and therefore I think the members of the Hunt should accept his
resignation. You are a body of hunting gentlemen, and you know
what course to take, I think it would be a matter of deep regret to
see the Hunt permanently broken up ; but for one occasion the effect
must be good instead of bad ; it will open the eyes of the people to
the loss that would ensue upon the abolition of foxhunting in the
country. The farmer will feel it by the drop he will experience in
prices, and the horse-breeder will feel it in his business. I have
taken some part in hunting— a very small part— I have taken part in
it in this way, I have gone to see the chase, and took up a stand at
some point from which I could see a great deal of what was going on ;
I have been among the crowds, and have heard nothing but good
feeling towards the hunt and towards those that took part in it, and
I think it strange that all this good feeling should have changed, and
that it should have changed in a single year. (Hear, hear.) I do not
think it is the people of this neighbourhood that have done all this ;
but, if the people of the neighbourhood do not exert themselves to
prevent it, it must be taken for granted that they are parties to it.
(Hear, hear.) I shall now put the resolution.

" The resolution was carried amid acclamation.

" Mr. Lalor proposed the next resolution as follows : * That v/hilst
submitting to the justice of Lord Waterford's decision as to the
impossibility of carrying on at present the hunting of the country,
this meeting sincerely trusts that his lordship will not in any other
way sever his connection with their county, but will still continue at
this crisis to reside at Curraghmore.' My lord, it is my painful duty

46

to propose this second resolution, and I never got up to speak with
greater regret than on the present occasion. ( Hear, hear.) I remember
how these hounds were handed over by the father of the present
Lord Waterford to the present committee. (Hear.) He also handed
over to us four hunters, a noble subscription, and the right to the use
of all his coverts, and from that day to the present his noble son has
done everything he could to promote the sport in the county. (Hear^
and applause.) But, my lord, the sport itself was a small thing in
comparison with the good feeling that these hounds promoted amongst
all classes, all creeds, and men of all principles. (Hear, hear ) No
matter whether the partaker in the sf)ort was a peasant or a peer, a
Tory or a Radical, a Protestant or a Catholic, it was the sport of the
many. If a man fell at a fence, it was never asked who he is or what
he is, but every man galloped to raise him up and to enquire if he
was hurt. Some men fear the Land League will follow this up. I
regret exceedingly that all that we loved so much should in so
short a time be broken through. It was an outrage I did not think
possible. In this part of the country it was not thought possible
that anything of the kind could occur. There was no cause what-
ever for it. (Hear, hear.) The hounds hunted in the wood. No
man followed them over any field of any man who did not want his
field trampled on. What annoyed me more than anything else was
that I could not recognise any man in the crowd, that no people
were there whom we knew. There was a few belonging to the neigh-
bourhood, but they kept out of the way of people who would know
them. But there was no doubt an outrage was committed on that
day. I believe the people who committed it came from seven or
eight miles distance. They knew they were not known, and hence
they conducted themselves in a very outrageous manner. They did
injure some of the hounds. Not alone that, but they threw stones.
I don't believe they wanted to seriously hurt any man, but it was a
demonstration that could not be mistaken, for it was indeed the
death-knell of hunting in this country. Lord Waterford, like his
uncle, has lived all his life in Curraghmore, he has spent his money
tiere — (hear, hear)— he has offered to come to see us, to give us as fine
a pack of hounds as are in the world, to give us a handsome sub-
scription, and to encourage us in every way, if we can see our way
to hunt the county. (Cheers.) But 1 speak for myself, and I think
I may answer for every man in this room, that none of us will go out
to hunt in this county without his lordship. (Great cheering, and
" Certainly not.") I love sport as well as any man— (hear, hear) —
but I do say that I would rather never see a hunt again than to
see it without him. (Applause.) Therefore I would say that we
cannot accept his lordship's generous offer, and therefore beg leave to
propose this resolution. But before I conclude I have to say one word,
and I will say it. I do say that that demonstration on Thursday last
was not personal to his lordship any more than to any other man in

47

the field. (Hear, hear.) I do say the people of the county feel well
towards Lord Waterford, and every man in this room should take
the insult as much to himself as Lord Waterford. (Hear, hear.)

" Mr. A. Denny, in seconding the resolution, said he was somewhat
out of place amongst a number of hunting gentlemen, but that was no
matter. The question came to this, would Lord Waterford reside
among us or not ? It became a very serious question to every citizen
and every country gentleman to take into his consideration. He
heartily concurred in the resolution proposed by Mr. Lalor. No doubt
Lord Waterford had formed a right resolution with regard to hunting,
but he hoped he would not allow what had happened to drive him
from his home, or from among his many fast friends. (Cheers.) They
all deplored and denounced the conduct complained of, but he hoped
it would not have the effect of driving his lordship from among us,
and thereby weakening our small garrison that has stood so firm, and
which he did so much to uphold and encourage in this country.
(Applause )

" Mr. Wray Palliser proposed the third resolution, as follows :
*That this meeting ako desires to express their deep gratitude to
Lord Waterford for having for the last eleven years carried on the
hunting of this country at his own, and a great expense, and for
having during that time shown such excellent sport, and they hope
that there will be soon again among all classes a good feeling both in
their business and amusements.'

" Mr. Spencer seconded the resolution, which was passed with much
enthusiasm.

"Lord Waterford said : My Lord Bessborough and Gentlemen, —
I have heard the three resolutions which have just been proposed and
passed, and I thank you most sincerely for the way in which you have
passed them, and to the gentlemen who spoke for the terms in which
they have moved and seconded them. With regard to the last one,
I must say it has ever been to me a source of the very greatest plea-
sure to hunt this country, and I only wish we could continue to do
so. With regard to the other two, I may say I have no intention that
any organization whatever should drive me out of the country per-
manently. (Cheers.) I may go to England to hunt during the winter,
but'I mean to carry on Curraghmore much the same as it has been
carried on hei-etofore. (Cheers.) I am determined too that I, for one,
will not turn my back on the enemy ; and I am quite certain that,
along with you, gentlemen, we shall soon see better times dawn on
this unfortunate country. With regard to one remark made by Lord
Bessborough, that I had resigned the Hunt because I was insulted on
Thursday last, that was a slight mistake on the part of my friend
Lord Bessborough. I should not resign it on that account, or for
many insults — I hold your interests and your pleasures too dearly
at heart for that— but I resign because 1 feel convinced it could not
be carried on. I recognised the significance of the organised mob

48

that met [in Newtown Wood. I met that organised mob on the
Friday before, which I believe was got up by a Land Leaguer at my
gate (by name Peter Wall), but he spent his time in hiding himself
behind a hedge. (Laughter.) My reason for giving up hunting this
county is, that I find it impossible to carry it on. With regard to the
remarks of Mr. Lalor, I hope you will consider your decision, and if
it be possible to carry on the hunting you should consid 3r not only
yourselves, but your friends. You should look forward to the fact
that thousands are interested in its being kept together, and that
others who come after us will be served as well as ourselves, and
should look forward to the fact that my son should have some sport
in the county where he will reside. (Hear, hear.) I think you should
get up subscriptions and keep up foxhunting in the county ; and, no
matter whether I am there or not, I can only repeat again my deep
and sincere thanks to you for your great kindness to me on this and
on every occasion. (Loud applause.)

"Sir Robert Paul, Bart., having been called to the second chair,
" Lord Waterf ord proposed a vote of thanks, in a speech of some
length, to Mr. Josh. Strangman, D.L., the Secretary of the Curragh-
raore Hunt, who had acted in that capacity for twenty years, and to
Mr. Edward Briscoe and Mr. Henry Bowers for the great kindness
and assistance he had uniformly experienced at their hands in
looking after the country. To Mr. Harry Sargent's able management
of the annual Hunt Steeplechase Lord Waterford also bore emphatic

testimony. •, . ,

" Mr. Medlycott seconded the resolution, which was passed amidst

applause.

"Mr. Strangman thanked his lordship, and said he would rather
act as Secretary for twenty years more than to see such an unhappy
termination to his labours. He was only sorry the Hunt was not to
continue.

'' Mr. Henry Bowers and Mr. Briscoe briefly responded, as did also
Mr. Sargent.

"A vote of thanks to the noble Chairman for attending and
presiding concluded the proceedings.

"A private meeting of the Stewards of the Curraghmore Hunt
Races was afterwards held, and it was decided not to hold the races
next year." ^

The present Marquis of Waterford's Mastership thus ended at the
beginning of the season 1881-82. By a curious coincidence, his reign
of office was for j ust eleven years— the same period as that of his
predecessor, Mr. Briscoe.

49

Fourth Section.— Thomas O. Springfield, Esq., Master, 1882-84.

Concluding ivith additional matter and Opinions rjiven hy the Author.

Lord Waterford to Hunt in England— Hunted from Badminton— Curraghmore closed-
Servants discharged— No Hunting— Bitch Pack retained— Dog Pack sold— Lord Lons-
dale- Another Hunt Meeting— What happened— Munificent offer bj' Lord Waterford —
Different opinions— Sporting Speech by his Lordship— Result— Mr. Springfield chosen
Master— Tinvane— Will Rawle— Kennett— The Curraghmore again a Subscription Pack
—Lamentable contrast— Opposition resumed— Gaultier v. other places— Mr. Patrick
Wall of Creilan— His Father— Malignant Obstructionists— Worse and worse— Insults
to Ladies— Hunt attacked— Armed mobs— On the P'ences— Howling and yelling— ^Mobs.
charged— Fences taken— Cowardly gangs— Poisoning the Hounds— Contrast— Another
curious fact— Lowest classes— Ballinaboola— Great escape of the Pack from total annihi-
lation—Another Hunt Meeting— All further idea of Hunting relinquished— Hounds to
be returned to Lord Waterford— Last day the Curraghmore Hounds drew a Covert— Mr.
Springfield as Master— Will Rawle as Huntsman- His courage and determination-
Unparalleled opposition— Banquet to Springfield— A sorrowful company— Sale of the
Dog Pack- Full particulars— Ditto Bitch Pack— Remarks on both Packs— Table
of Masters of the Curraghmore— Table of Huntsmen— Notable Whippers-iu— Long^
Reference to.

Author makes further Reference— Lord and Lady Waterford Hunting in England— Where^
they Hunted— Lord Waterford's accident — The House of Lords— Master of the Euck-
hounds— Authentic details of the accident— Its results— From beginning to present
time— Lord Waterford and Racing— Curraghmore Hunt Steeplechases instituted —
Ballydnrn—Williamstown— Their duration— The Stakes— Modesty of the Author —
First Red Coat Race— An Event in it — The Greatest Event in the Annals of the-
Meeting— " The Brothers' Race "—Detailed Particulars— From Start to Finish— The
Scene on the Course— John Ryan, Stud Groom- His Services— Lord Waterford a re-
sident Iiish nobleman— Paradoxical working— The Land League— Its greatest stum-
bling block —The Lords of Waterford and their Tenantry — Sedition — Agitation — Fox-
hunting, why assailed — Lord Waterford, why selected — Deplorable result — Particulars .
thereof— Establishing a Pack of Foxhounds v. Stud of Hunters— Author's long
dialogue thereon— Few Thoroughbred Packs— Indifferently-bred Packs— They show
sport— And should be supported— What we want is Sport— The Irish Tenant Farmers •
—Author's long acquaintance with— Love of sport home-spun in them— Demoralised
solely by evil teaching— By the lowest scum of society— Gaultier a noble example-
Mr. Patrick Wall again — "At the same time" — Why Author denounces the Land
League in these pages— Land League brought Politics into the Hunting Field— Sport
knows no politics —The curtain drops— Accuracy of dates and data vouched for by the
Author — Those published by others incorrect — Personal and peculiar advantages of
the Author— Feelings of Author while compiling this long History.

Immediately after the meeting just alluded to Lord Waterford^
made arrangements to hunt in England for the future. He and Lady
Waterford remained at Curraghmore, and did not hunt until after
Christmas, 1881 ; they then went to Badminton and finished the
season with the Duke of Beaufort.

Of course Curraghmore was shut up, and the servants, with many
of the stablemen, were discharged.

The hounds did not hunt at all in the season 1881-82, after the-
atrocity in Xewtown Wood.

Lord Waterford sold the dog pack immediately after the outrage, but
cherishing a hope that perhaps the agitation against country
gen 1 imen which was rampant in Ireland at the time might quiet
down, kept on the bitches, on the chance of hunting being resumed
the following season. Lord Lonsdale was at that time Master of the:

E

50

North Pytchley, and Lord Waterford lent them to him for the
remainder of the season, and first-rate sport they showed the
Englishmen.

In the summer of 1882 a meeting was held in Waterford to consider
the advisability of resuming hunting. At it everj^one expressed the
wish that Lord Waterford should remain at Curraghmore and continue
as heretofore, but this his lordship steadfastly refused to do, but
offered to lend the gentry his pack of bitches, which had been
returned, and to give £500 a year towards the hunting if the gentry
would undertake it.

There were different opinions expressed by those present as
to resuming unless Lord Waterford partook in the sport as of old.
Many said that they would not hunt in Waterford again as long as
his lordship was prevented, but that they would subscribe to the
Hunt for the sake of sport ; others said they would neither hunt nor
subscribe, as doing so meant disrespect to the nobleman who had so
long and magnificently maintained the sport, and who had received
disgraceful treatment ; others were willing to try what could be done,
at all events for a time.

Lord Waterford, in a fine sporting speech, impressed upon all
present that it was his particular wish that another attempt to hunt
should at all events be made, and that while he appreciated the
fine feeling which actuated those present in their expressions regard-
ing the resumption of the sport, he would personally wish to see the
hunting go on, even though he would not partake in it.

After a very lengthened discussion it was finally agreed to begin
hunting again, but this decision was arrived at only after Lord
Waterford's emphatic request that the attempt should be made.

Mr. Thomas Springfield was chosen Master, it being deemed more
politic to elect a gentleman unconnected with the country than one
of long residence therein.

The stables and kennels at Tinvane were then put into repair, and
the hounds and horses were moved thereto from Curraghmore.

Will Rawle, who had been first whip to Lord Waterford for some
of the last seasons, was appointed huntsman, with Charles Kennett
and Charles Fleming to whip in to him.

Thus did the Curraghmore again lapse into a subscription pack
with " field-money." Their hunting days were reduced from four and
five to two a week.

Mr. Springfield turned out his servants smartly, and mounted them
'well. His meets were, however, a lamentable contrast in point of
numbers to those we were accustomed to in Lord Waterford's time.
Those gentlemen who at the meeting expressed their determination
never to hunt except with Lord Waterford adhered thereto, and
many others followed their example.

Directly hunting recommenced, so did opposition thereto manifest
itself.

51

To few parts except the Gaultier country could Mr. Springfield
"bring the hounds without experiencing unpleasantness of one sort or
another, while to Rathgormack, Kilmacthomas, and Ballydurn he
dared not go at all.

With the exception of Mr. Patrick Francis Wall of Credan, the
farmers in Gaultier remained loyal to the sport all through. That
man and his father, Mr. Peter Wall, who held a farm from Lord
Waterford, just alongside Curraghmore demesne, were among the
most malignant obstructionists in the country throughout these
troublous times.

Things got worse and worse, and hunting with the Curraghmore
became, from a service of sport and pleasure, that of difficulty and
absolute danger.

Crowds numbering from fifty to two hundred would assemble at
some of the meets, jeering, hooting, and insulting alike both ladies
and gentlemen.

These scoundrels attacked our Hunt even upon the public road,
and many times did so luheyi the hounds were in the act of drawing
-coverts belonging to Lord Waterford, the farms surrounding lohich ivere
in the hands of men icho had no objection whatever to our riding over
■their land.

Ofttimes did the mob, each member of which was armed with
stick, pitchfork, or other weapon, range themselves three and four
deep on top of some wide bank adjoining the covert where hounds
were drawing, and by howling, yelling, blowing horns, and every
means in their power strive to prevent the sport being carried on.

On several occasions hounds got away with their fox, leaving the
garrisoned rampart between them and the field, so that to follow we
were obliged to charge and take the fence by storm. This was
done many times, but when the cowardly rascals saw five or six
men coming full gallop at thein with clubbed crops, a gap in the ranks
was precipitately opened and over we went, not, however, without,
as a rule, being able to administer a " back cut " en passa7it.

Gentlemen returning singly or in small parties from hunting were
often set upon by these gangs, and they had to fly or fight for their
lives.

Strange to say, the opposition and obstruction was not experienced
universally all over the country. Some coverts could be drawn
•quietly enough, to wit, Ballyneale, while, two miles off, Rathgormack
and Kilmacthomas dare not be approached. Neither could Ballydurn
be drawn, although it ivas Lord Waterford's oivn proper tg.

Another curious fact remains, that the opposition to the hunting
was not as a rule carried on by those farmers who owned the land
surrounding the coverts, nor even by those whose land had to be
ridden over in a run. It came principally from those of the very
lowest class, and, generally speaking, the mobs were composed of
parties living far away from the scene of their outrages.

52

Although that was not the sort of amusement men went to hunt
for, I don't think the gentlemen of the Curraghmore would have
allowed these hirelings to stop their hunting if they had confined their
outrages to themselves alone. This they did not do, but upon many
occasions attempts were made to poison the hounds. Mr. Springfield
was ever vigilant, and took measures to get information beforehand,
so with the use of stratagems he was enabled, as a rule, to frustrate
these base attempts. Several times, however, hounds picked up
poisoned meat along the roads and in covert. Springfield and his
men always came out well supplied with emetics ; so directly a hound'
showed symptoms, one was given him on the spot. By this means
many were saved, but from the effects of the poison they did not
recover for months, and several lost all their hair.

The pack had a great escape one evening — Fiddown Bridge, a quarter
of a mile in length, had strewn all along it poisoned meat. Hurrying
out of a heavy storm which was raging, the hounds were trotted
very fast across the bridge and had not time to get their heads down.
Thus they escaped.

The most determined and serious attempt of all was made on
the 25th of March, 1884, when the total annihilation of the pack was
prevented only by the merest chance and another piece of good luck.
Ballinaboola, a low-lying covert of about ten acres, had over 100
pieces of poisoned meat put into it when everyone knew it would be
drawn. Mr. Springfield had actually brought the hounds to within
a few fields on his way to draw it when he found the country so
submerged in water owing to a heavy rainfall, that he changed his
mind, and went off elsewhere. He became informed of the escape he
had, and immediately laid the case before his Committee.

Accordingly a general meeting of the Hunt was called, and the
outrage at Ballinaboola having been explained, it was there and
then determined that no further attempts to hunt should be made,
and that the hounds should be returned to Lord Waterford. For the
Curraghmore gentlemen would not again risk the destruction of such
a valuable pack, knowing that sooner or later the ruffianly object of
its destruction would be attained, despite all measures of prevention.

Thus the 25th of March, 1884, was the last day a covert was drawn-
by the Curraghmore.

Mr. Thomas Springfield was a keen and ardent sportsman, and
showed exceedingly good sport during his two seasons' Mastership —
seasons unparalleled in the annals of foxhunting for difiiculty
and opposition. He strove manfully against all, and showed
indomitable pluck throughout. Will llawle did his work well, and
showed equal courage and determination. He was always as fore-
most in charging the mobs of miscreants as he was in riding to his
hounds.

The season 1882-83 was very bad for scent, and the weather was^
terribly broken, so, with the troubles caused by the Land League^
Springfield's sport was not good.

53

The season 1883-84 was an exceptionally brilliant one, and this
•despite all opposition. Scent was good, but the month of January
•vvas very wild, and upon two occasions Mr. Springfield was driven
home by bad weather. In seventy-five days twenty-one and a half
brace of foxes were killed and thirty brace run to ground, all accounted
for in fair and sportsmanlike manner.

On the 8th February, 1884, was a run which takes its position
among the best the Curraghmore ever had. It was from Coolnamuck,
over that fine tract of country, leaving Mothel Village close on the
right, straight to the Racecourse by the Carrick Gate, where the fox
was headed. He then turned and ran back to Coolnamuck, and was
killed in Mill Vale. Time, one hour, without the slightest check what-
ever. When taken from the hounds the fox was so stiff that Rawle
set him on his legs, and he stood like a block of wood.

The Hunt entertained Mr. Springfield at dinner in Waterford soon
after the hunting was given up. Lord Waterford presided, and
although everything was supplied of the best, and the company was
composed of the cheeriest fellows, who occasionally enlivened the
proceedings with song and story, never was there a dinner where real
enjoyment was less felt than at this, the last of our old Hunt.

The hounds having been returned to Lord Waterford, he sent them
at once to Eagland for safety preparatory to selling them.

The Curraghmore dog pack was brought to the hammer in
Tattersall's yard at Rugby in November, 1881.

The entered hounds numbered twenty-five and a half couple, and
were put up in lots of one couple, one and a half couple, and two
•couple, and fetched from lOgs. to ISOgs. a lot ; the amount totalling
755gs. There were eighteen and a half couple of unentered
puppies, which were put up in one and a half and two couple lots.
One and a half couple were given to Lord Cuilford by Lord
Waterford, and the remaining seventeen were knocked down at
from 5gs. to 30gs. a lot, making 160gs. for the unentered hounds,
•or a total of 915gs. for the whole forty-four couple.

The highest price was obtained for lot 8, consisting of one and
a half couple, which were knocked down to Mr. Russell, after a spirited
•competition, at 150gs. They were Samson, 5 years, by Lord Coventry's
Rummager, by his Vampire, dam Speedy, by Milton Seaman, by Milton
JForester ; Villager, 3 years, by Gallant, by Bramham Dreadnought, by
3Ir. Chaplin's Damper, dam Vanquish, by Bramham Guider, by their
Gamer ; Regent, 2 years, by Milton Rifleman, by their Sultan, dam
Redwing, by Lord Coventry's Rummager, by his Vampire.

The bitch pack was sold by auction also at Rugby, and the sale
took place on the 16th May, 1885. The entire pack, old and
unentered, and a few dog puppies, was offered for sale in twenty-five
lots of one and a half and two couple each ; they comprised thirty-
•eight and a half couple, and realised the sum of 904gs. One lot —
Graceful, by Milton Richmond ; Rosebud, by Brocklesby Glider ; and

5-4

Wary, by Milton Messmate — before the hammer fell, reached 135gs.
The other lots ranged from lOgs. to VOgs. each.

Table of the Two Sales.

Dog Pack of 44 couple 915 gs. or £960 15s.

Bitch ,, 38^ ,, 904 ,, 949 4s.

Total... 821 ^, 1819 „ £1,909 19f».

Thus were the famous Curraghmore hounds scattered all over
England just when they had attained the zenith of their fame and
excellence. And through following the doctrines preached by the
mj^-midons of the Land League the evil-disposed portion of the people
of Lord Waterford's country annihilated there, perhaps for ever, the
noble sport of foxhunting !

Xo doubt alcove was a great price, and ranks, with few exceptions,
alongside the highest foxhounds ever sold for ; but it must be borne
in mind that these were two packs of perfectly pure-bred foxhounds,
all well trained and excellent workers, not a faulty hound among
them, all level, and all of the Belvoir tan. I therefore do not think
Lord Waterford's hounds fetched as much as they were worth.

It may be convenient here to have a table of the names of those
who hunted the Curraghmore hounds from their establishment in
1844 till the Hunt was broken up exactly forty years afterwards.

Chronological Table of Mastees of the Cureaghmore Hunt.

Term of
Office.

Master.

Title of the Hunt.

1844-59

1859-70.
1870-81.

1881-82.

1882-84.

Henry , third Marquis of Water-
ford.

Henry Briscoe.

John Henry, fifth Marquis of
Waterford.

No hunting.

Thomas Springfield.

Lord Waterford's Foxhounds,.

The Curraghmore Hunt.
The Curraghmore.

Do.

Chronological Table of Huntsmen.

Years.

Days a Week.

Huntsman.

1844-64.

3

John Ryan.

1864-G9.

2

Henry Briscoe.

1869 to Jan., 1873.

3 and 4

John Duke.

Jan., 1873, to end

4

r

Lord Waterford. Dog Pack.

of Season.

\

John Ryan. Bitch Pack.

1873-74.

4

Lord Waterford. Botli Packs.

1874-76.

4

John Duke. Do.

1876-77.

4

(

Lord Waterford. Dog Pack.

\

John Duke. Bitch Pack.

1877-81.

4

Lord Waterford. Both Packs.

1881-82.

No hunting?

this season.

1882-84.

O

Will Rawle.

55

Of course there were many whippers-in whose names can't be
remembered, but among the best who whipped in to Johnny Ryan, in
the third Marquis's time, were Tom Clancey, Ned Bolger, Tom Ryan
(father of Tom and William, the famous steeplechase jockeys in the
*' seventies " and '' eighties "), and, lastly, Billy Barry, whom I remem-
ber well. He was a capital rider and cheery fellow, with a most mag-
nificent musical voice, but he much preferred to be close to the body
of the pack when running their fox, than to wait to get on tail hounds.

Dickey Cooney did second whip for a few years in Briscoe's time,
and was very smart in his work, but he got too heavy. Duke, im-
ported by Briscoe from England in 1860, was the best whipper-in I
ever saw. He got tail hounds out of covert so quickly, generally
without leaving one behind, that he had them clapped on to the body,
directly at the first check, if he did not nick them in before-
hand. A good whipper-in does not always make a good huntsman, but
Duke was an exception— he was both. Dan Ryan, son of Johnny the
huntsman, whipped-in during the last year or two of Briscoe's time.
He and Billy Quinn whipped to Duke in the present Lord A¥aterford's
first few years, and they were both exceptionally good men, Quinn
promising, at one time, to graduate into an accomplished huntsman.
Next to Duke I think Arthur Wilson was the best whip I ever saw
with the Curraghmore. He was taken out of the stables on an emer-
gency to fill the place of a whip who was summarily discharged.
Wilson soon showed aptitude for the duties, and quickly rose from
second to first whip, and, as such, served Lord Waterford for three
season?. He subsequently left Curraghmore, and, after being
with the Fife, under Mr. Anstruther Thompson, and with the
Belvoir, under Frank Gillard, he became huntsman to the York and
Ainsty, and is now huntsman to the Atherstone. Will Rawle was the
last first v/hip of the Curraghmore in the present Lord Waterford's
time, and, from his ability, but more so^from his staunch reliability
he was promoted to the horn when Mr. Springfield took the Master-
ship in 1882, and, as I have elsewhere shown, he acquitted himself
well. He married one of the youngest of Mr. Henry Briscoe's daugh-
ters, and is now huntsman of Lord Fitzhardinge's pack, the Berkeley.
Charles Kennett, Charles Fleming, and George Southwell whipped
to Rawle in Springfield's time ; the latter succeeded Fleming in the
last season.

Thus we see what was the sport had with the old Curraghmore but
a few years ago. Thus have T recorded the princely magnificence
with which Lord Waterford hunted his country. Thus is shown
what an amount of money was scattered right and left out of the
pockets of the rich men into those of the poorer classes. Thus is
recorded the happy— oh, how happy !— relationship which for genera-
tions existed among all classes in our peaceful sport-loving community.

All that state of things has been changed, and nothing now remains
but its history !

56

Having traced the record proper, I shall now make reference to
events and circumstances which, although not exactly a portion of it,
relate directly to the Curraghmore Hunt.

After finishing the season 1881-82 with the Badminton, Lord and
Lady AVaterford for the succeeding three seasons hunted respectively
in Lincolnshire, Cheshire, and Leicestershire.

For that of 1882-83 they rented Little Brocklesby, which is situated
quite close to Lord Yarborough's kennels, and therefrom had hunting
five and six days a week.

In Cheshire, for the season 1883-84, they hunted from Hampton,
near Malpas, a capital centre from which they could get the Xorth
and South Cheshire, Sir Watkin Wynn's, and the North Stafibrdshire
Bounds.

Xext season they went to Leicestershire, to Quenby Hall, close to
Billesden Coplow, a house, curiously enough, situated within two
miles of Lowesby Hall, Sir Frederick Fowke's place, which was
rented by Henry Lord Waterford when he hunted in Leicestershire
in the "thirties." It was in the dining-room of Lowesby that he
jumped a five-barred gate on Don Juan, in front of a blazing fire, for
a wager, after dinner. The dining-room is still just as it was at the
time of this exploit, and the actual gate is still kept in the coach-
liouse by Sir Frederick Fowke.

Towards the close of the season 1884-85, while hunting with the
Cottesmore, Lord Waterford met with a most serious accident, the
results of which have been melancholy and disastrous in the extreme.
For over seven years has that great foxhunter been prostrated, during
most of which period he has suffered intense pain. This accident was
the more unfortunate as he was making his mark in the House of Lords
and fast rising in rank as a statesman. Enfeebled as he was, he has
been able on many occasions during his illness to take active jDart in
the debates, and in doing so he has always been permitted to address
the House seated.

He is looked upon as a great authority on all Irish questions, and
if it had not been for his accident he would certainly have held an
important ofiice in Lord Salisbury's Government. He was Master of
the Buckhounds in 1885-86, but the duties had to be performed by
his brother. Lord Charles Beresford.

An account of this accident has not hitherto been laid before the
public in full and true form. I shall therefore relate the circum-
stances minutely, which I am enabled to do, having been favoured
by Lord Waterford with the particulars.

The Cottesmore hounds had found in Ouston Wood and got away
■with a good fox. Lord Waterford, on a horse he was trying belonging
to Mr. Henry Chaplin, rather a hard puller, got a capital start. After
going some distance a gateway appeared in front, the gate having
been propped open with a forked stick. The hounds were running
very hard at the time, and the pace of his lordship was proportional.

57

He was riding for the gateway intending to gallop through, b^t
unfortunately, just as he came within fifteen or twenty yards of it,
a frightened sheep hit the gate M'ith its horns and knocked the prop
away, and, beautifully hung as most Leicestershire gates are, it began
at once to close. He knew that it was impossible to pull up within
the distance, but, although the gate was too high to be jumped, he
•was in hopes that the tremendous pace at which he was going would
liave carried him bang through it. Unfortunately it did not close
sufficiently quick, and it caught the horse on the shoulder in front of
Lord Waterford's knee, shutting the horse in and sending him with
Jiis chest against the post with such force that, although as thick as
a man's body, it was snapped off short at the ground. His lordship,
to prevent his legs being broken against the post, threw his feet out
of the stirrups ; there was therefore nothing to lessen the force of the
€ollision, which was simply tremendous. In addition, he caught his
foot in the gate and was pulled off, but, strange to say, he did not at
the time feel much hurt, and he was able to finish the run.

He rode back to Tilton, and that evening made a long speech at
■a political meeting for Lord John Manners, the present Duke of
Hutland, who then represented that constituency. The fall took place
upon a Tuesday. Lord Waterford hunted with the Belvoir on
Wednesday,'and with Sir Bache Cunard's Hounds on Thursday, and it
was not until that evening, when returning from a very good day's
sport, that he suddenly found his legs, from his waist down, had lost
nearly all sensation. It was an exceedingly cold evening, so he
believed he had got a chill, but he did not for a moment dream that
his back was injured. He went out again upon Friday, with the
Quorn and never rode better in his life. He had perfect power in his
legs, but he had no sensation in them. On Saturday morning he saw
his medical man, who arrived when his lordship was half dressed to
go out hunting again. The doctor at once said that by reason of the
terrific shock he had received three days before he had sustained
.seyere concussion of the spine and injured the sensory nerves of his
spinal cord.

From that injury Lord Waterford has ever since suffered. He was
six months confined to bed, and to the sofa for four years. During
that long period he at frequent intervals suffered great pain, some-
times for a fortnight or three weeks together, and, in the early stage,
much longer. The treatment which has done him most good is that
of the actual cautery. This has been applied down the spine some
thirty or forty times. In other words, thus often has he been fired
with a red-hot iron exactly as a horse is.

Of late he has been making a gradual improvement, and he is now
able to drive himself about and to walk at a time 300 or 400 yards ;
this, until now (the summer of 1892), he has never been able to do
since he met with the accident. He now enjoys excellent health,
and better still it is to know that a total recovery is looked forward
to with confidence by his medical attendants.

58

It is strange that with such an uncle and such brothers Lord*
Waterford never cared for racing, but on the contrary he hates it.
However, in 1870, the first year of his Mastership, he instituted the
Curraghmore Hunt Steeplechases, purely to give a day or two's
sport to the farmers of his hunting country. They were held at
Ballydurn for that and the next year. That fixture was, however,
inconvenient, and a more suitable course was selected in 1872, at
Williamstown, near the City of Waterford, and over it our annual
festival was held until the hunting was stopped.

The Stakes ranged from i'50 to £300 and for some years the
Meeting was a two days affair. As it was I who had the practical
management under Lord Waterford's direction, it is not for me to
speak much of it, but its success and popularity are well known in
history. Sufiice it now to say that it afi:brded sport and amuseuient,.
while it caused annually a circulation of money in the City of Water-
ford and its neighbourhood of thousands upon thousands of pounds.

As I say in my chapter on Hunting, it was the Curraghmore that
revived red-coat racing in Ireland, and it was on the 1st May,,

1873, we had our first scivey in pink between the flags at Williams-
town. Oh, what sport it was ! How well do I remember the brilliant
way old Mainsail carried me over our beautiful natural course, and
how he would have won, only for Captain Slacke on Crocus and
Jimmy Dobbyn on J.P. going before us at the finish ! The good old
horse had the wrong man up that day, and no mistake.

This chapter and my allusion to the Curraghmore meetings would
indeed be incomplete were I to omit the particulars of a race which
caused more interest in our county than ever did another before
or since, and^which will be remembered during the existence of every-
one who was alive at the time within fifty miles of Waterford.

This was "The Brothers' Eace," and it took place on the SOih ApriU

1874, at the annual meeting of the Curraghmore Hunt Steeplechases,
Lords Charles, William, and Marcus Beresford had a sweepstakes of

100 sovs. each, p.p., three miles, over the Williamstown Course, twelv^e
stone each, owners up. Lord Charles rode Nightwalker, a black
thoroughbred horse, and bred by Billy Power, the sporting tenant
of the course ; Lord William rode Woodlark, a grey mare ; and Lord
Marcus was on a bay gelding called The Weasel. They eajh wore the
Beresford Blue, Lord Charles with the ancestral black cap, while the
others had white and blue caps as distinguishing emblems.

No racecourse in Ireland, except Punchestown and Fairyhouse,
ever had more people on it than Williamstown had on that, the most
memorable day in its annals. Old men and women who had never
before seen a race came fifty miles to see the Brothers' Ptace. Xot a
person, except the too aged and incapacitated, was in a farmhouse
within ten miles of the course, while the city was as deserted as if
plague-stricken— all, all flocked to Williamstown. Excitement rose
to boiling pitch as the three brothers filed out of the enclosure and

59

did the preliminary. I fancy now I see them jogging side by side to
the starting post, where poor Tom Waters awaited them, ready
with ensign in hand to send them on their journey. The only
delay was while he delivered a short but sporting speech to these
grand lads, when away they went, boot to boot. The pace was a
cracker from the start, but none made the running more than
another, for all three were girth to girth most of the journey, and
at no time did two lengths divide the first and last till just before
the finish. Yes, every post they made a winning-post ; and ding-dong
did they go at each other, though, of course, riding like sportsmen.
Fence after fence was charged and cleared by them locked together,
and it was not till Nightwalker was beaten, just before the last
fence, they separated. A determined struggle between Woodlark
and The Weasel then ensued ; and, after a desperate finish, old Judge
Hunter gave the verdict to the former "by a short head."

Never was seen a better race of its class, nor was any ever ridden-
more determinedly for victory. The scene of excitement on Williams-
town Course during and after it beggars description. Not a mouth
was shut or a voice lower than its highest pitch.

The Meeting held on the 5th May, 1881, ended the Curraghmore
Hunt Steeplechases.

Among all his servants I don't suppose Lord Waterford ever had a
better one than " Johnny Ryan the Jock." We had to designate him
by that term to distinguish him from his namesake the huntsman.
Ryan was steeplechase jockey and second horseman to the third
Marquis, then he became grcom to the fourth Marquis, and was after-
wards for some years second horseman to the present Lord Waterford,
and for the last five or six years of his lordship's hunting he held the
onerous and responsible position of stud-groom. Whether it was
ov^er the Curraghmore country, in Leicester, Lincoln, or Chester
shires, Johnny Ryan sent his horses to the meet so fit and well, that,.
with his own determined hard riding, Lord Waterford was always
to the front, whether the run was fast, or long, or both. Yes, he was
the very best stud-groom his lordship ever had, and the fact of his
being continuously in the service of the Curraghmore family for over
half a century speaks volumes for his integrity. He was a very fine
horseman, with one of the neatest seats I ever saw, and particularly
good at teaching a young hunter his business.

Curraghmore, his hounds, horses, and hunting had such attractions
for Lord Waterford that he spent nine or ten months out of the year
in his ancestral abode, while the Marchioness preferred her home and
its attendant pursuits and vocations to any place of pleasure she was
ever in. As a consequence, Curraghmore was nearly always full of
guests, so that upon hunting, employment of labour, and entertain-
ment the Marquis expended a very large sum of money annually in
the county during the time he was allowed to remain there.

By a somewhat paradoxical working out of a means by which am

60

injury may be done personally to a man, the Land League has pre-
vented his lordship spending that money annually for over ten years
(in perpetuity, for that matter), with the result that he is now a
richer man by a very considerable amount !

The greatest stumbling-block the Land League had in formulating
its scheme for despoiling the landlords of Ireland was Osgood landlord,
while, of course, their greatest stand-by was the bad. Xow it is a
matter of history, and we have only to go to the tenant farmers who
held land under them to prove it, that the Poers and Beresfords of
■Curraghmore were always paragon landlords. Their land was let at
a fair rent, which enabled the tenant to live and thrive out of it to
such an extent that contentment ^preme reigned over the Curragh-
more estates down to the time the tenants got demoralised by the
Land League. It is a fact that evictions were unknown there until,
in 1881, demoralisation had taken such tirm hold of the property
that it became absolutely necessary for the landlord to assert his
rights in a few cases.

With this state existing, there was the most cordial relationship
between the various Lords of Curraghmore and their tenantry, and
with no one of his predecessors was this more observable than with
Tthe present Marquis.

But sedition began to be sown all over Ireland in 1879, which, budding
into agitation in 1880, and springing into full bloom in 1881, enabled
the prime movers to decide who were first to be made examples of
from their point of view.

Foxhunting, they knew, was one of the great attractions Irish
country gentlemen had to their homes, and the object of the Land
League being banishment of the landlords, they attacked that sport.
They fixed upon Lord Waterford as the first victim, chiefly on account
of his high social position in the country ; secondly, because of his
being a good landlord, and as such impeding their progress of spolia-
tion ; and thirdly, his was the premier pack of hounds in Ireland.
It being maintained and hunted by himself, its disruption the Land
League considered would most strongly exhibit the power of their
organisation, and at the same time emphasise their malignity more
than in the case of a subscription pack.

Yes, the Land League worked out their wicked will with a ven-
;geance, but with what a deplorable result — not alone to the sport we
all enjoyed, and which many of the very members of its branches
often joined in and were always welcome to, but to the poorer classes,
^nd to local traders generally ! !

Furthermore, not one pemv/ of rent ivas reduced therebi/ / /

Waterford, from being one of the most flourishing and social cities in
Ireland, has since the time I allude to retrograded in the most deplor-
able degree.

There is no hunting and no e&tiblishment at Curraghmore now;
no racing at Williamstovvn ; no visitors coming to the small towns,

61

and none of the expenditure among the gentry which took place long-
ago consequent upon the hunting. What that monetary loss is to the
Waterford community it is impossible to estimate, but I put it down
some years ago, when the figures were fresh in my mind, at something^
like sixty thousand a year !

The races brought about an enormous circulation of money.
Between £2,000 and £3,000 a year was disbursed by myself alone, and
I was enabled to fix the amount paid in fares to carmen for driving
visitors to and from the course at over £200 a day — the distance
being a mile.

It is a great mistake to think that a pack of foxhounds, well bred
and good workers, can be got together as easily as a stud of hunters.
It takes a man a long lifetime to bring to iierfection one pack, not to^
speak of two, if he has to start with drafts from ordinary kennels,
and neither money, sagacity, nor assistance will hurry the process.

That fact should be borne in mind before any old-established pack
of foxhounds is given up.

Although perhaps only in a suggestive manner pertaining to this
chapter, I may be permitted to give a few reasons for what I have
just stated, and show how difficult it is to get together a pack even of
moderate pretensions, while it is a simjDle impossibility to get one
like the Curraghmore except under circumstances similar to Lord
Waterford's.

It may astonish not a few to know that out of the many packs of
foxhounds which are in England and Ireland, the kennels from which
an M.F.H. such as Lord Waterford or Henry Briscoe would breed could
be counted almost upon a man's fingers.

No doubt many indifferently-bred packs show capital sport — even
packs badly shaped and uneven do so oftentimes — and if a man
wants to keep hounds it is a vast deal better for him to have such
than not to have any at all. If the packs which are indifferently bred
and shaped were to be done away with in England it would, indeed,
be a bad day for the nation.

Ingenuous youth, and all ye who asjoire to have the decoration of
"M.F.H." after your names, don't for one moment be carried away
with the idea that, even possessed as you may be of a great command
of money, you will get together a pack of foxhounds, even of the
most ordinary excellence, in a hurry, and to suit the country you
want them to hunt.

If a man wants to establish a pack of foxhounds where none have
already been, he has of necessity to do so by purchase or by begging.
By neither process will he get anything from another man's kennel
except the refuse, for no man in his born senses would think of giving
even his own brother the best, or even moderately, good liounds. Well,,
then, after expending a very considerable amount upon buying or
otherwise getting together his pack — say forty couple— all entered^
and from one to four years old, I am well within the mark whert

62

I state that there will not be found live couple out of the forty that
will be reasonably satisfactory, and out of that five I am very sure
there won't be one couple perfect as regsirdsjjomts, work, and breeding.

No, the only way to get a pack of foxhounds together with any
degree of satisfaction and within a reasonable time is to buy one
ready-made. But then, where is such to be found ? and, if found,
will the hounds suit the country they are required for 1

Of course it is best to breed hounds as highly as opportunity offers,
to train them properly, to draft carefully, so that the pack may be
level and run together. But a badly-bred lot — unsteady, uneven in
height, and unequal in pace — if they can run and hunt a fox, assuredly
they have a right to be supported, and the man who keeps such in
preference to keeping none deserves all praise. A scratch and badly-
managed pack will at times, if they have good hid; show better sport
than the best bred and best managed pack in England will ivithout
good luck.

My readers will kindly observe that I have been dealing in this
chapter with a pack of hounds which was of the highest class ; and
while I have described it with enthusiasm I am in no way prejudiced
against packs which are not as fortunate as the Curraghmore was.

What we want is Sport, and we should strive to hare it by any
and all honourable means.

I have known the tenant-farmer classes over many parts of Ireland
ever since I was a boy (particularly those residing in the hunting
■country of the Curraghmore), and I had, up to within the last few
years, frequent opportunities of friendly intercourse with them while
hunting, shooting, and fishing. With that experience it is with
pleasure I record the fact that I never met a man in all my expeditions
who ever expressed the slightest antipathy to hunting or any other
branch of sport ; on the contrary, one and all appeared to be innate
siDortsmen, inheriting the title from their forefathers, in what I may
call "home-spun" fashion. I furthermore record as my firm con-
viction that our fine body of Irish peasantry would never have turned
against foxhunting had they not been contaminated by the doctrines
of the Land League, promulgated as those doctrines were by a few
individuals here and there who by nature were ill-disposed to every-
thing that was good, and who, through their own idleness and bad
conduct, had lost any property they might ever have possessed.
These derelicts of society, as is the case in all revolutions, seized the
ojDportunity of agitation to create a rupture, knowing that nothing
could make them worse off* than they were while, perhaps, some change
might make them a trifle better.

I am, therefore, quite confident that the opposition shown to
hunting, not alone over Lord Waterford's country, but over all others
where it appeared in Ireland, was the result of bad teaching, and
■enforced by coercion, but was never the spontaneous outcome of the
farmers' feelings. It was therefore monstrous that those poor people
should have been led astray and thus demoralised.

crs

In proof of what I state I again refer to the conduct pursued by
the tenant-farmers residing in Gaultier. This was a large section of
Lord Waterford's country, and therein he possessed an estate held
by well-contented tenants, yet no obstruction whatever was given
to hunting. The farmers therein were left to themselves, and
were nut contaminated by Land League agents. Mr. Patrick Wall
of Credan, to whom I referred before, was not a tenant of Lord
Waterford, and although he strove to feed disaffection in that district,
he miserably failed. Well would it have been for our country at
large if the other tenant-farmers had acted like those of Gaultier.

At the same time I must state that as the opposition to our hunting
was first instituted by only a few individuals, well known to be but
the malcontents of the neighbourhood, the majority should have
dealt summarily with them, and in the most forcible fashion shown
them that the sport-loving community was not to be coerced into
doing what was repugnant to their feelings. More especially was it
their duty to have done so from the fact that to sustain the hunting
and other sports was the only way they had of showing gratitude to
the gentry from whom they had received great and substantial kind-
ness, and that at times when such was much needed by many of them.

In denouncing as I have done the Land League, I do so only as
regards its action in molesting the prime sport of our nation. That
body has as much right to its political opinions as I and others who
•differ from it toto ccdo. This is a free country, and every man may
hold and support whatever principles he chooses — political, religious,
or other — so long as he does not interfere with the privileges of his
neighbour. Sport knows no politics, no religion, no party. The
field of sport is open to all. The hunting card invites everyone, and
to its meets everyone is welcome, no matter who or what he is.
Nothing is required of him when he comes out to hunt, except that
he will behave himself like a sportsman.

I -now bring my history of Lord Waterford's Hunt to its final
close.

In laying before the public the Annals of the Four Masters, I do
so with the assurance that all the details are absolutely correct.
I might have alluded to other events, but being unable to do so with
critical accuracy as to dates and details, I eliminated them altogether.

I have seen in print from time to time records of this Hunt, but
many of the dates and some of the details are lamentably incorrect,
'This may be excusable in the compilers from the fact that they were
not possessed of the personal knowledge, with other peculiar
advantages and facilities which I have had.

In the compilation I derived pleasure, tempered at times by sad
recollections of the periods ending with the "seventies" — while dealing
with later years sorrowjul alone have been my feelings.

64

CHAPTER II.
HUNTING.

Times Changed— Opposition to Hunting in Ireland— Farmers' Sufferance- Mufti v. Fox-
hunting Uniform— M.F.H.'s and Colonels of Regiments' Duty thereon— Horses and
Fodder 'from, Stallions for, the Farmers— Damage Claims— Puppy Show, Dinner, and
Dance— Men hunt to enjoy themselves— Masters too hard at times— M.F.H.'s Memo*
randum to his Field— Hunt See's Memo. : Eate of Subscriptions— Few come out to
At(/!<— Master's boiler bursts— Good Books on Hunting— Decrease in Irish, Increase in
English, Hunting— Galloping Snobs— Farmers' Forbearance— Eed-coat Races— Curragh-
more Hunt Rsd-coat R,ace -Result of Red-coat Races in Ireland— Loss to Waterford—
Westmeath and Co. Down Red-coat Races— iS"orth of Ireland Sportsmen— Ward Hunt
Lawyers— Mr. ISathaniel Morton— Mr. Hanway's System of Training Horses— Long-
shanked Spurs— Late Mr. William Quin's Idea— Lord Marcus Beresfoi d and his Spurs —
Harrieis as a School for Venery— All can hunt who wish it- Author's Egotistical
Anecdotes— TTgly Visions — Advice.

Let it not be imagined I am about to enter into the details of the
science of hunting, either generally or in particular, for if I did,
perhaps I should be found lamentably ignorant of the glorious
subject. I shall merely state my notions of how the finest sport
under the sun might be made even more universally popular than it
is— how to perpetuate the sport, and, in a special chapter, as its
importance deserves, will show what national superiority hunting
has over every other institution of the kingdom excepting religion
and education.

Tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis. But though times have
changed since I hunted, time has not changed my love of hunting (or
for any kind of sport, for that matter), and although I can no longer
participate in its enjoyment, I feel as deep an interest in it now as I
did years ago, when that interest was second to few men's in the
world.

Deprive him of horses and hounds if you will,

A foxhunter once is a foxhunter still.

With these egotistical remarks by way of excuse I shall strive to
deal with our national pastime. In doing so I fear I can add little or
nothing to what has already been written scores of times by far abler
pens than mine, but as these essays came from, of course, the best
authorities in the world, I can do no harm if I repeat some of them,,
while giving ideas of my own, particularly in times like the present,
when new ideas are being put forth everywhere, and when " change
and decay in [nearly] all around I see."

The lesson we have learned in Ireland during the past few years
should show us how easy it is to put an end to hunting, and stimulate
us all the more to popularise and sustain it. This is my reason for
making the remarks I do in this chai^ter. Every true Irishman is a
sportsman, and it would be as difficult for him to change his love for

65

hunting as it would be for woman to change her love for her first-
born. The opposition shown to hunting in Ireland during the past
few years was the result of bad advice, but was never the spontaneous
outcome of the farmers' feelings ; and I have reason to know that it
is the general, almost universal, regret of every farmer residing in
places where it was stopped that the sport was ever interfered with.

Thus far rhapsody, now for reason. There is no concealing the
fact that hunting can be carried on only under sufferance from the
farmers ; and when we consider the amount of damage and incon-
venience sustained by them, through the following of the king of
sports, every consideration should be shown them, and everything
possible done to compensate them ; not necessarily altogether with
money, for there are other and, in many instances, far more effective
means. This, I fear, is not at all times nor in all hunts done as much
as it should be, nor is the noble sport popularised in the eyes of the
non-hunting community to the extent ft might be.

I think it is a grave mistake for men to hunt iyi mufti. Nothing
tended more in old times to make hunting popular than the sight of
a I'ed coat and well turned-out breeches and top-boots. The labourer
in the field, the housemaid at the window, the schoolboy at his desk,
the child with his toys, and everyone else, looked up from their work
to see a man so equipped pass by. Is it to be supposed that a man
clad in a drab covert coat Avith tweed breeches and leggings com-
mands the same curiosity or admiration % No, indeed, he does not,
and, of course, the pursuit he is folloiving suffers accordingly in estima-
tion. It is all very well for a certain class to affect nonchalance, and
to say they can, as no doubt tliey do, ride as hard and as straight in
the garb of a groom as they could in the orthodox uniform worn by
their fathers ; but there is a very prodigious and highly important
class of the community who would come out to hunt if they could
sport the bright colours, without which, the immortal Jorrocks says,
there w^ould not be many foxhunters (speaking, of course, of fifty
years ago). These men like to be in the fashion, but seeing tliat
mufti is adopted for the hunting-field, they stay at home, not having
in them as deep-seated a love of the sport as the leaders of the fashion.

It is decidedly my firm conviction that it is the duty of all Masters
of Foxhounds to intimate to those who hunt with them that they
should adopt the uniform of a foxhunter. Furthermore, colonels of
regiments should enforce the same upon their ofiicers. Why is the
uniform of a soldier made so showingly becoming ? Simply to popu-
larise the service of arms. The red coat of the foxhunter has
precisely the same effect upon foxhunting.

Masters of Hounds, and those who hunt with them, should make it
a general rule to buy their horses and the requisite fodder, etc., direct
from the farmer, in preference to buying them from dealers ; yes,
and pay even more for them.

Thoroughbred stallions should be kept in all hunting countries for

F

66

the free service of mares belonging to the farruers of the district
those most likely to beget weight-carrying hunters, of course, being
selected. Let the gentry pay if they use them, but let the farmers
have their service gratis.

Compensation for the loss of poultry and damage done to crops
and fences is, we all know, requisite ; but it is seldom meted out
sufficiently nor ^vith the promptitude advisable. Bis dat qui cito dat.
The money, too, should be sent to the recipients, instead of requiring
them to come for it, at further cost, inconvenience, and loss of time.
Of this many Hunts are neglectful.

Great imposition, however, at times is practised by claimants for
compensation, and, no matter what vigilance may be used, equal
distribution cannot at all times be made. It has been suggested by
experienced authorities upon the subject that if claims were leftmore to
the farmers themselves for settlement they would be the more readily
adjusted, and at less expense to the Hunt, but on this I offer no opinion.
No doubt it would work well among the higher class and best-off, but
it might not work so well among the poorer and less fastidious as to
the rights of meum and tuum. However, be that as it may, there
is no duty of a Hunt so difficult, troublesome, and unpleasant as
adjusting " damage claims" ; it should therefore be left to the com-
mittee, and not imposed on the Master.

I think a great deal could be avoided if M.F.H.'s were to have an
annual puppy show just before cubhunting. To it should be invited
the heads of each family of farmers within the limits of the country
hunted over by the pack. The puppies lately in from walk should
be judged by competent parties unconnected udth the country, and
prizes given for the three best dogs and three best bitches. After
the adjudication, all should be invited to a good, substantial dinner
presided over by the Master, and supported by some of the leading
and most popular members of the Hunt. To it should also be
invited the Hunt servants, as well as the gamekeepers and earth-
stoppers of the country. In the evening the female members of the
farmers' families, with their brothers, should be invited to a dance,
winding up with a supper to all.

No doubt this would cost a considerable sum of money, but
I am convinced a good deal of it would be got back by many
claims for poultry and damages being either waived altogether
or more easily dealt with. Beyond doubt, however, such an enter-
tainment annually would popularise the Hunt among the peasantry
and farmers in a manner no other means could excel. It has been
a habit with several Hunts in England for years, and Mr. Burke
has instituted the practice into the Tipperary country. Others, both
in Ireland and England, should follow the example.

Damage done to the fences and property of small farmers should
be repaired, as soon and as often as it occurs, by a staff of labourers
under a trustworthy overseer employed by the Hunt specially for

67

the purpose. It is always better thus to remove causes of complaint
than to wait until complaints are made. At the same time, wherever
existing systems work harmoniously, by no manner of means should
they be changed.

Wire — that ogre of the foxhunter — will have to be dealt with, and
in my opinion the only effectual way is to come to an arrangement
with the farmers by which the gentlemen, at their own expense, will
be permitted in the autumn to take down every strand of the
villainous impediment, substitute wooden paling during the winter,
and replace the wire in the spring.

What is required, if we want to perpetuate hunting, is to prevent
friction with the farmers ; and that can always be done best by
courteous off-handedness on the part of those adjusting claims, who,
if they are popular and have tact, can accomplish their ends with
satisfaction to all parties.

The days for haughty overbearance are over, and different tactics
from the past must be adopted in the future both as regards
hunting and everything else. There is no use talking of the expense.
If foxhunting is to be had it must be paid for, and as the late Mr.
Sam Reynell used to say long ago, "foxhunting can only be
sustained upon the sufferance of the farmers."

Men go out to hunt to enjoy themselves according to their own
ideas of enjoyment, and as long as they do not interfere with the
sport of the day, or do unnecessary damage, they should be allowed to
enjoy themselves in their own fashion, whether they be swells or
sweeps, peers or peasants. There are times, however, when Masters
of Hounds are too hard upon some of their field, and blame them for
doing things which, from his point of view, are very bad, but which
have been very often, nearly always, done through ignorance.

Not long ago I saw recorded what struck me as an excellent
idea ; it was this : — Let the Master have printed instructions
and requests as to hunting circulated through his country, to be
hung up in hotels, livery stables, etc., so that all who go out with
his hounds may have a rudimentary idea at all events of what
was expected and the reason iv/iy. Now as these pages will cir-
culate among men who hunt, some of whom may be a bit verdant
as regards venatic law and principles, no matter how ardent their
love may be for the sport, I venture to compile a notification such as I
allude to, and, to employ some of the amusing phraseology of dear old
Jorrocks, " if by so doing I shall spread the great light of sporting
knowledge among ingenuous youth, then will this day henceforth
remain red-lettered in the mental calendar of my existence ! "

" The Hon. Horner Hunter, M.F.H., with best compliments of the
season, invites the attention of all who hunt with the Gorso Covert
Foxhounds to the following memoranda, which he has drawn up for
their guidance and instruction, and without their observance of ^l^hich
he cannot succeed in showing them the sport he is desirous of doing.

"Huntsman's Hall, Christmas, 1893."

68

1. Utmost civility and courtesy to farmers are particularly enjoined upon
all occasions.

2. Horses and all their requirements for food should be bought from the
farmers whenever practicable, instead of from the dealers, even if at a higher
price.

3. Exceptional damage done while hunting, no matter how unintentional,
or assistance rendered by the farming or labouring class, should hQ promptly
and liberally p>aidfor.

4. Do not ride over new grass, or seeds, or jump fences unnecessarily.
Headlands are alwaj's the soundest going, and generally nearest the line of
the fox, while the corners of the fields have often the easiest fencing, except
where there happens to be a cattle pond.

0. Gentlemen are requested to come out in scarlet or black coats, ^^dth
oi-thodox breeches and top-boots, and not in drab coats, breeches and
leggings. The former is the uniform of a foxhunter, and what has materially
aided in making the pursuit the most popular of all British sports, while the
substitution of the latter is certain to injure it.

6. INIeets are arranged by the Master for the general convenience of the
members and the hunting of the country ; it is therefore expected that the
meets will be the rendezvous, and that no one, for his own individual con-
venience, will go to coverts which are likely to be drawn first. Such a
practice attracts foot -people, creates noise, and results in foxes being
disturbed, whereby good runs are often lost. If it be persisted in, the Master
will draw elsewhere when he finds it has taken place.

7. There is ample time for gossiping on the road to and from huuLing, at
the meet, and going from covert to covert, but directly the hounds approach
a covert, and until the run is over, nothing should occupy a sportsman's
attention but the sport in which he is engaged, and that generally requires
all his " doing" and never requires his talking.

8. While the covert is being drawn the field should stay together, in what-
ever position pointed out b}^ the Master, and should avoid moving about, as
well as talking.

9. When a fox goes away, do not make the least noise till he has gone so
far as you can in the time " count twenty " (as Mr. Jorrocks tells us). Then
gallop to where he has broken, and give a loud, clear "Gone away." This
instruction is particularly for young foxhunters (though many an old one
transgresses on such occasions), for they imagine that whenever they see a
fox they should shout ; just as the young Irishman of fifty years ago, going
to his first fair, following his father's advice, should, wherever he saw a
head, hit it ! A fox is essentially a nervous, stealthy, crafty animal, and
likes to get awaj^ unknown and unseen, and if he thinks he has done so he
will gain courage and go away ; but if he knows he i3 seen, he loses heart,
and in all probability turns back to covert, and the run is spoiled.

10. Ajyrojws to the last paragraph, if you happen to be close to where a
fox is breaking covert or crossing a ride in covert, do not stir a muscle of
your body ; and if you are to leeward of him, ten to one he will not mind
you if you are not unduly exposed lo view, or, if he thinks you do not see
him, he will go his way ; but the least motion will attract his keen and
always ready eye, or, if you are to windward of him, his equally sensitive
nose will betray your presence, and back he goes.

69

11. Bear in mind that M^hen it is necessary for you to halloa a fox away
you should do so from the spot he broke covert, and whenever you have to
tally one in or out of covert, do so from where he luas when you last saw
him. The huntsman then brings his hounds to the right place without
delay, whereas, if you shout from where you were standing at the tiihe —
perhaps half a mile away — an obvious and at times most disastrous delay is
occasioned. It is to the fox and not to you the hounds are to be brought.

12. If more than one fox is afoot, do not tally or halloa any hut the hunted
one, and, if you are not perfectly certain, do not shout at all, more particularly
after the fox has been hunted for some time. Nothing is more baneful to
hunting than changing from the hunted to a fresh fox.

13. Let hounds get well away with their fox from covert and settle to the
scent before you follow them. If the scent be bad, do not go within a
hundred yards of them ; they need all the room they can get to work the
line out, and they cannot get away from you. When scent is good and they
are racing on good terms with their fox over a good line and his point
several miles distant, then

If your horse be well bred and in blooming condition,

Both up to the country and up to your weight,
Oh, then give the reins to your youthful ambition,

Sit down in youi' saddle and keep his head straight !

Kemember also that there is a vast difference betwe n hounds getting well
a -^ ay with a fox and getting away well with him.

14. Do not interfere with hoands at a check, unless requested to do so by
the Master or huntsman. If asked to turn a hound, get beyond him, so as
to get him betiveen you and the huntsman, before you try to do so. Never
gallop after him till you have got beyond him, or he will gallop away from
you.

15. Do not crowd a huntsman when he is making a cast or interfere with
him by making suggestions ; doing so, unless you have actually seen the
fox, distracts his attention from what he is much better able to form an
opinion on than you are, gets the hounds' heads up, and the smell of your
horse's sweat spoils the scent.

16. Do not hurry hounds running along a lane. A fox likes running a
lonesome lane, but often makes a sharp turn out of it, and of course hounds,
if pressed, will overrun the scent, and a good run is often spoiled thereby.

17. Do not jump into a road unless hounds have carried the scent up,
down, or across it, or until they have done so. Foxes often resort to dodges
when they come to a road, and hounds then must be left to themselves,
more almost than when in any other difficulty.

18. Do not bring your horse near the pack when breaking up a fox.
The smell of the blood will often make the quietest horse kick a hound, and
if he does it is sure to be a good one, if not the best in the pack !

19. Last, but not least, never buy a fox. Nothing encourages stealing like
having a market for the stolen, and foxes offered for sale are nearly always
stolen from some country, and generally from the very country in which
they are afterwards offered for sale. It is much better to tell the fellow
who brings you a fox to buy to knock his brains out than to give him even
sixpence for it.

70

Then, if the Hunt happens to be a subscription pack, might be
added the following notice from the Committee ; for the Master
should have nothing to do with the collection of subscriptions ; that
should be left to the Committee, Secretary, or Treasurer : —

The Committee of the Gorse Covert Foxhounds begs to impress upon those
who hunt with the pack that it cannot be maintained M-ithout heavy-
expenditure ; therefore it is expected that each ladj^ and gentleman will
subscribe liberally to the fund, and pay the subscription to the Treasurer
punctually every first of September, when contracts for the coming season
have to be entered upon.

It should also be borne in mind that even if through any cause residents
in the country may be temporarily prevented from hunting, they should
continue their snhscription, for they must remember the same expenditure
has to be kept up, whether they hunt or not.

By Order of the Com. Gorse Covert Foxhounds.

Thomas Tally-ho, Hon. Sec.

Now if the foregoing simple rules and observations, with the
explanations, were to be fully dinned into the heads of the hunting
community, I am convinced they would be generally followed, and
would thus make the duties of M.F.H. and huntsman comparatively
easy, while the followers of the chase would enjoy all the more sport,
and, best of all, the " pastime of princes " would perhaps never cease
to be the " glory of youth, consolation of age, sublimest of ecstacies
under the sun."

I\Iost Hunts, I think, can boast of having some followers, more or
less, who like to hunt but don't like to subscribe to the fund, and
what is worse, indulge those propensities. Now, to those gentle-
men I should convey the information — and that, too, without any
meal in my mouth — that if they hunt they must subscribe. Of course,
there are scores of cases in which exceptions should be made —
good sportsmen who can only barely aiford to keep a horse or two,
and such like, and men who in other ways aid and assist the sport ;
and on no account whatever should a farmer be allowed to subscribe,
for he gives enough without having to give money.

Of course, it has to be left optional to a man what he subscribes,
but I think it might very well be calculated at £5 for each day per
week he hunts; i.e., a one-day -a-week-man should subscribe £5 a year,
a two-day-a week £10, and so on. Should he favour more Hunts than
one with his presence he should subscribe proportionately to them all.

Of course, landed proprietors and those with other standing and
position in the county should subscribe much more largely, and
that, too, whether they hunt or not, are residents or absentees.
Everyone of means, whether he be county or city man, should feel
proud of his county Hunt, and show that pride by sustaining it with
his money. When I shall have shown in a following chapter what a
prodigious national advantage hunting is to our kingdom, it should

71

need little more to convince men without even any sporting pro-
clivities that they should support hunting by every means in their
power.

As I said before, there are many and diverse reasons that induce
men to take the field — I cannot say to hunt— and to quote from
Jorrocks (p. 244 of " Handley Cross "), " how warious are the motive
that draw men to the kiver-side. Some come to see, others to be
seen ; some for the ride out, others for the ride 'ome ; some for
happetites, some for 'ealth ; some to get away from their wives, and
a few to hunt."

Yes, truly, only a few to hunt ! Only a few out of a large field,
perhaps two hundred to five hundred, who know anything about
what they are engaged in, with all the rest caring little or knowing
nothing about it. Is it therefore to be wondered at that the boiler
of the Master's temper at times bursts with tremendous force,
scattering scalding steam right and left among the offending and
unruly crowd % No, indeed, it is not ; and every allowance should
be made for such explosions, for he, being " one pure concentrated
essence of hunting," with nervous anxiety for the safety of his hounds,
and his sole object in view being to show a good day's sport, would
be more than human if he could, or even would, put up with the
aggravation he is so continuously subjected to by a host of ignora-
muses mad with excitement !

However excusable it may be at times for a Master of Hounds to
use strong language, it would, of course, be better that he should not
do so, and there are many Masters who, no matter what the pro-
vocation, never resort to it. To prevent the effect we must remove
the cause, and that is most readily done by initiating possible
offenders into the mysteries of hunting usage and science by means
of some such practical lessons and explanations, as I have endeavoured
to give. This is all the more necessary in these days of reformation,
and when the company in the hunting-field, like many other institu-
tions, is of a different character to that of years gone by.

Men need a course of instruction in hunting quite as much as
they do upon any other subject — a great deal more than upon
many. But they seldom or ever get such instruction, hence most
of the harm they do arises from ignorance ; but they get blown-up
by the Master all the same, and, like the whipper-in of old, get
damned if they do this, and damned if they do that, until at last they
are damned if they know what to do !

How many men who hunt continually, and who think they are
fond of it, ever read a book like Beckford's " Thoughts upon Hunt-
ing," or Delme Radcliffe's " Noble Science," with the view of learning
theory ? They may read " Jorrocks " or " Soapy Sponge," but do so
simply because these books are written in an amusing strain ; but
they are quite oblivious of the fact that almost every chapter, and
sometimes every page of the chapter, gives sound practical advice

72

and information — the former book as to hunting, and the latter as
to riding to hounds, for the author, the late Mr. Robert Smith Surtees,
of Hamsterley Hall, Durham, was a houndsman, a horseman, and a
sportsman, but he was not a hard rider.

I have already said enough about the deplorable events which have
occurred within the past few years in many of our Irish hunting-
countries, events which have had the effect of reducing some of the
Hunts from first-class to mediocrity, and of quite annihilating others ;
but the lamentable fact remains that hunting in Ireland is now not
nearly what it was before the insane agitation arose against it. Not
so in merry England, and to English hunting the following remarks
chiefly apply.

By the statistics I shall quote presently it will be seen that within
the past nine years the packs of hounds in England have greatly
increased, which shows that hunting is more popular in that country
now than it has been, perhaps, since Beckford's time. From this very
popularity, I fear, arises the danger threatening our national sport.
I am not by any means singular in so thinking. The late Col.
Bromley-Davenport, one of the finest all-round sportsmen England
ever produced, put his fears on the subject plainly in his charmingly-
written book " Sport," and very many others coincide with him.

I allude to the numbers of men who come long distances by rail
from non-hunting districts to hunt with some of the crack packs.
Many of them, no doubt, are keen sportsmen, and do as little harm
individually as is possible for any man riding to hounds ; but there
are a great many who are not sportsmen, who know nothing about
hunting, and who, as the author of " Sport" puts it, are "unable to
distinguish seeds from switch, or turnips from tares," who, through
ignorance or ill-manners, do damage to fences and newly laid-down
fields, and as compensation they give insolence and insult to the
farmers and labourers ; for they never subscribe either to damage or
Hunt funds, and, being total strangers, "arrive by train and so
depart, leaving broken fences and damaged crops as the only trace
of their visit. These are the evils which may lead to the decadence
of foxhunting."

Farmers show extraordinary forbearance, and their toleration is
beyond all praise, but continuance of that forbearance cannot be
expected in the face of such wanton mischief done by strangers,
particularly in times like these, when their farming accounts show
loss oftener than profit. It therefore behoves all Masters of Hounds
and genuine sportsmen, including the good men who come from a
distance, to put a stop to these inroads of galloping snobs before it
be too late. Most assuredly, were I Master of the Hunt they came
to, I would ride up to each and all of them and order them out
of the field, and if they did not obey me I would take the hounds
home.

The hunting season in every district should, I think, wind up with

73

red-coat point-to-point races, such as was introduced, in 1873, by the
Curraghmore, and which have since been the fashion with the
Kildares, and I am happy to see they are becoming the custom with
most packs in Ireland. These races should be jealously restricted
to the members of the Hunt and gentlemen hunting with it, with
absolute exclusion of the regular racehorse, professional racegoer,
and bookmaker.

To effect this, I do not think a much better programme could be
adopted than one on the lines of our own old Curraghmore Red-
coat Kace, which was a race within a race. The system was some-
what as follows : — A sweepstake of £5 each, p.p., for horses the bond
fide property of subscribers to the covert fund and regularly hunted
with the Curraghmore Hounds during the past season and up to
within a fortnight of the meeting, and that had never won a steeple-
chase value £30 or started for one of £100 ; to be ridden by those
qualified to enter a horse, provided he never rode the winner of a
steeplechase value £100; weights, 13st. and list. 71b.; four miles,
over a sporting country ; to be ridden in full foxhunting costume,
with tall hats and red coats ; the riders of list. 71b. to wear a wide
white band round the left arm. Conditions : If the race be won by
a horse carrying 13st., he takes all the stakes ; if by a horse carrying
list. 71b., the stakes to be divided between him and the first 13st.
horse ; at least five horses in each class the property of different
owners to start, or the conditions will be changed or race declared
void at the discretion of the stewards.

The principle was to confine the race to absolute hunters, regularly
kept at work through the season, and not thrown by for the purpose
of the race, to be ridden by novices between the flags ; and as each
man mounted himself according to his weight for the purpose of
going straight to hounds, the weights were chosen as being about
the average of the light and heavy men. Of course, if the entries
admit of it, there could be separate races for the light and welters.

In addition there should be, at least, two races for farmers of the
country, for their own bond fide horses, to be ridden by themselves or
sons, or by members of the Hunt qualified for the red-coat race,
but not by professionals.

No doubt the professional racing man looks upon that sort of thing
as a farce, and takes no interest in it ; but that genus seeks for gain,
not glory, on the racecourse, and if red-coat races be kept unpopular
according to the professional turfite's ideas, and they be not favoured
even with his presence, so much the better for all parties.

I wish to see point-to-point races popular all over the country.
The peasantry attend them in large numbers, and come long distances
to do so, reminding one of "auld lang syne," and undoubtedly
beneficial results to the hunting of their respective countries must
ensue.

Lady friends sometimes object to young fellows riding steeple-

74

chases, and are quite nervous at the idea of their donning a silk
jacket ; but they have no such feelings as regards a hunt, and when
they get up in a red coat for the point-to-point race no objection
is made, as it is looked at it in the light of a hunt.

As we get old we get prosy, and like to talk of ourselves ; so I beg
the reader to excuse my egotism in stating that it was I who drew
out the first article for a red-coat race which appeared in any
programme in Ireland in recent years. It was for our Curraghmore
Meeting advertised for February, 1873, but, a severe frost setting
in, the meeting had to be postponed to the following May. In the
meantime the Ward Hunt adopted our idea, and it was at Fairy-
house, in the spring of 1873, that the first was run ; but had it not
been for the frost the Curraghmore would have taken the lead, as
it most assuredly did in publishing the article. In fact, I proposed
the same race to Lord Waterford and the other stewards two years
before, but it was not adopted.

Since then these races have become every year more popular, and
they are now the wind-up of the season with several Hunts.

Ah, me ! many a man in my own old city of Waterford, ay, and
for twenty miles around, regrets the loss of his annual outing over
old Williamstown, of which he was robbed by those who stopped the
Curraghmore Hounds.

What a jolly little meeting was that of Westmeath in the spring of
1890, re-establishing as it did old Newbrook, where the popular Lord
Greville and other members of his Hunt dispensed hospitality right
and left, and showed a good day's sport to the hunting farmers. The
only fault was the artificial course. This could be remedied in future
by having the red-coat races run outside the artificial track, taking
in the old natural fences.

Earlier in that season I had the luck to be in the North of Ireland,
where I attended such another meeting held near Bangor, co. Down.
Sporting Lord Londonderry got it up, and it was restricted to the
gentlemen and farmers who hunted with the Down Staghounds and
Harriers. He gave a silver cup each for the light-weight and heavy-
weights, and cash prizes were given for the farmers' races. There
was neither entrance fee nor stakes. Unlike Newbrook the course
was perfectly natural, and formed a circle nearer five than four miles,
with turns that required a man to use his head, for there were but
few flags, while the fences demanded both a good horse and a good
man to negotiate them. Nearly twenty started for each of the red-
coat races, and while we saw in neither horse nor jockey aspirants to
Grand National laurels, every man did his best to win, which we do
not always see even in the Grand National.

Now this Northern sporting event deserves more than passing
description. In all parts of Ireland, except Ulster, we have fox-
hounds and harriers, not forgetting, of course, the world-renowned
Ward Union Staghounds ; therefore it is but natural that through

75

Munster, Leiiister, and Connaught we should find hundreds of sports-
men only too anxious, after their hunting season has ended, to make
their dehut between the flags or from point-to-point. But, let me ask,
what Hunt is there south of the Boyne— ay, or any two of them —
which will send forty horses on the same day to compete in a scurry
for two cups '? Yet, as I have said, the co. Down sportsmen did so.

With very few packs of hounds in the North, or other induce-
ments for sport, I met many a sportsman there, and found them even
keener than the Southerner. Lots of good fellows from the Bann
Water and other places emigrate southwards in the winter, like the
swallows, and skim over the broad plains of Meath and Kildare at the
tail of the hounds, with very few (and at times no one) before them.

The Ward Hunt, however, can beat all creation in producing
sporting lawyers. While in most countries the limbs of the law are
generally innocent of sporting proclivities, our Dublin barristers and
attorneys come in force to swell the meets of the Ward when within
twenty miles of the metropolis, and nearly always when an unusually
fine run is being had over the broad acres of that terribly stiif
country, the leading men are members of the bar or solicitors. As a
wind up of the season it is quite usual to have a point-to-point race
between the two representatives of litigation, where wig-and-gown,
and " all that and those " ride hard at each other. God preserve me
from law, but if I had to engage in it, give me sporting advocates such
as the Dublin lawyers.

At Ballymena, Mr. Nathaniel Morton has a stud of hunters which,
for quality, action, manners, and breeding, I seldom see excelled.
He is a gentleman horsedealer, in addition to being an eminent mer-
chant in Antrim, and a sportsman besides. He shows his horses
loose, either in a large yard or under a long covered ride, well tanned,
and where they are put, or rather put themselves, for they are not
ridden, over a gorse hurdle, which is raised over five feet for some,
and which they clear with a good six inches to spare. I was
greatly interested in this performance, and feel convinced that the
way to see a horse use himself to perfection is to let him do so with-
out a rider, whether it be in any of his paces or over fences. Mr.
Morton, however, gives every trial of his horses, and an intending
buyer can see them ridden by a groom, or he can ride them himself.

Mr. William Hanway, a large farmer in the county Kildare, trains
his racehorses by letting them loose in a big field, and setting collie
dogs after them to make them gallop, a performance both horses and
dogs enjoy so much that they get plenty of it. By this means he
does away with the strain on their legs consequent upon carrying a
rider, and has them so fit that for years they have either won or got
placed in the Farmers' Race at Punchestown, and with his horse John
Kane similarly trained, he won the Conyngham Cup in 1885.

Writing about horses being let loose and to themselves reminds
me of what I consider a very dangerous fashion which has crept into

76

the hunting-field of late years — that of wearing long-shanked spurs,
ome being straight, making the danger still more pronounced.
Now, to my ideas, no new innovation upon our old fashions is more
objectionable and dangerous. Men throw horses very much oftener
than horses throw men. Nine out of ten falls may be assigned to the
rider's hands and heels. That good authority, old Mr. William Quin
of Loughloher, told me once, "When you jump into a field, fix upon
the place you will jump out of it, and go straight for it ; steady your
horse when within a few strides of the fence, to get his hind legs
under him, and then leave the rest to his own honour I" Yes, if you
want to get safely over a country the less you meddle with your horse
while fencing the better ; it is therefore manifest that the shorter
your spurs are the less likelihood there is of touching him uninten-
tionally, and no matter how short they are, a man will do so at times
when he gets a shake, even though he be an accomplished rider. A
man with a bad seat actually excoriates the shoulders of his horse with
long-shanked spurs even when galloping. For my part I always
wore spurs with which I could touch my horse only with grea^
difiiculty. In his advice to " ingenuous youths," that renowned and
practical workman, Mr. Jorrocks, says of spurs, " the less they use
them the better."

I remember once extricating Lord Marcus Beresford from an awk-
ward and dangerous predicament into which he got, owing to one of
these infernal spurs. The horse he was riding gave him a fall, and ii«
got hung up by the leg in a complicated entanglement of boot, girth,
and stirrup-iron, which were all kept skewered together by his long-
shanked spur. But for the docility of old Bed Herring the results
might have been very serious to Lord Marcus, for he could not have
liberated himself.

Though I said in the opening lines of this chapter that I did not
mean to enter into the scientific mysteries of hunting, I will just giva
a hint. Nothing can teach a man the real science of hunting better
than carefully watching a pack of beagles or harriers hunting a hare
if they he lejt entirely to themselves. With foxhounds many things
distract a man's attention, and as there are times when all his energy
and faculties must be centered in himself and his horse, he cannot
learn very much, but with the " thistle- whippers " it is dififerent.
When a man takes his Bachelor degree with harriers he soon
qualifies as Master of Arts with foxhounds, if not as a Senior Fellow.

I go with my friend Jorrocks, whose sound, sensible sayings I quote
so very often, where he says that " all men who wish to do so can
hunt," even upon very limited incomes, but they must deprive them-
selves of other enjoyment, and be content to ride a screw, and turn
out less smartly than others. The privilege of riding in breeches
and leggings should be allowed to the poor but sporting fellows who
elect to adopt this laudable method. With that garb, however, I
think a pot hat should be worn, but it must suit the man. By the

77

way, how characteristic of a man is his hat, and the way he wears it ;
it is nearly as indicative of his character as his eye.

In fact a man, if he has the will, can do most things he has a
taste for. I remember, when I was a boy in London, learning the
business of wine merchant, my father allowed me very liberal pocket
money, out of which, however, I had to pay for my mid-day dinner
in the city. After a while, I found these dinners made sad inroads
upon ray allowance, and that, after paying tailors' and other bills, I
had very little " to carry over " for amusement ; and, as my great
ambition was to learn to box and to drive tandem, I had to devise
some modus operandi, for I would not trespass further upon my good
father's liberality. My plan was this : I ate a tremendous breakfast
at eight a.m., and an equally substantial supper at ten p.m. at the
house of a good old aunt, where I lived ; but instead of spending 2s.
or 2s. 6d. on my dinner, at " Baker's," in Change Alley, or " Joe's," in
Finch Lane, I dined off twopenny worth of bread-and-cheese and a
])ennyworth of beer at an eating-house. I must confess, however,
that the capital dinner my aunt gave every Sunday, and any to which
I was invited during the week, suffered severe punishment from my
healthy appetite. Now this deprivation (a very mal a j^'i'opos term,
by the way, when comparing grub with sport at the age of eighteen)
enabled me to save some 12s. or 14s. a week, which additional surplus
left me quite enough to enter into arrangements with Nat Langham
and a swell jobmaster in Piccadilly — I forget his name now — the one
to teach me "the noble art of self-defence," and the other how to
drive one horse before the other. By steady attendance upon " old
Nat" from six to eight nightly, I soon became tolerably handy
with the gloves ; and as I spent every Saturday afternoon and any
odd hours I could get away during the week with the head lad of the
stables, it was not very long before I was equally handy with the
ribbons, so that after about six months I was honoured by Nat's intro-
ducing me to a distinguished audience at the Mitre Tavern, as " a new
Corinthian novice," and right proud I was on the occasion ! My other
mentor was equally good ; in fact, as regards my pocket, very much
better, for he often gave me a tandem gratis to show them off in the
Park on a summer's Saturday afternoon. Reader,7orgiYe this egotistic
digression, but the pen refuses to leave unrecorded what memory
recalls with such mingled feelings of pleasure and regret. Ay, and
I now remember that by doing without dinners I had an odd day
now and again with the Surrey Staghounds and West Kent Fox-
hounds. What pleasure would it give me now to remember dinners
I ate over thirty years ago ! But I have a great deal of pleasure in
thinking of the " rounds " at Old Nat's, and the rounds of the Park
in those heedless, happy days,

I agree entirely with Colonel Davenport's concluding remarks in
the chapter on foxhunting in his splendid book entitled "Sport,"
and " ugly visions sometimes haunt me " too — visions of a time coming

78

when not only our national sports, but many other British institu-
tions, may be supplanted, or possibly be uprooted altogether, through
fanatical ideas of " humanitarian morality " and advanced opinions
culminating in socialism and communistic disposal of all men's pro-
perty.

Those days may be far off, and as we cannot " pierce the veil of
the future " we should be ever vigilant and take preventive measures.
This book treats solely with sport, so to those alone who, from
mistaken notions of humanity, or other more or less righteous
motives, strive to interfere with our national sports, I would say
that without hunting the whole breed of foxes would, within a few
years, be ruthlessly swept off the face of the three kingdoms by
poison or other means, and none of the money shortly to be alluded
to would be spent in this country, for men would then go abroad for
amusement. While, as it is, foxes are well cared for during the whole
course of their lives, except during the very short time they are
being hunted ; and when they are killed, the means are infinitely
more merciful than those of trap or poison. Shooting and fishing,
too, afford an easier death to birds and fishes than that dealt them by
their natural enemies or the net.

If the ultra-righteous people to whom I address these remarks
were to wage war against those who practise the diabolical cruelty
of cock and dog fighting, badger-baiting, rabbit-coursing and trap-
pigeon shooting, etc., or engage in the pernicious habits of gambling
or tippling, they would undertake a better work. But let them
leave the national sports of our country to sportsmen.

It is all very well for these good people to say that the money
which is spent upon sport should be devoted to the relief of those
people in the country who have none of the luxuries and few of the
necessaries of life. Very righteous remark. But does not every
shilling spent on sport go into the pockets of people, many hundreds
of whom would be without the necessaries of life if sport was given
up in Britain ?

I now leave this phase of my subject with the hope that what I
have written may be of some utility, and that no one, not even the
young men who come from a distance to hunt, will take offence at my
remarks. In the next chapter I shall endeavour to show how
important hunting, as an institution, is to the nation from a monetary
point of view, as distinguishable from its sporting aspect.

79

CHAPTER III.

^THAT HUNTING IS TO THE NATION.

Author's Letter in 1875— Accurate Calculations— Author's Letter of 1881— Criticism Courted—
Refutation Defied— Cost of Hunting— Table of Same— Cost of Keeping Hunters-
Hunting Establishments, Value of— Annual Cost— Table of Same— Stupendous Amount
— Author's Dogmatism— His Defiance Repeated— But Explanation Given— Cost of
Feeding Hounds— Farmers' Co-operation— English and Irish Farmers and Yeomen-
Innate Sportsmen— Farmers Get the Money— The Little Red Rover- Poetical Advice
to Farmei-s— Result of Stoppage of Hunting— Importance of these Facts and Figures-
Leading Periodical's Opinion in 1881— Table of Packs, 1881-1890— England v. Ireland-
Why ?— A Mistake in the Press.

As far back as November, 1875, I published a letter on this subject
in the Irish Sjoortsmcm. The calculations I made were reproduced in
many other sporting and daily papers at the time, and though they
have been quoted very often since, I have never heard their accuracy
questioned. The calculations could not, however, be upset, for they
were based upon the accurately-kept accounts of several first and
second class hunting establishments — fox, hare, and stag hounds —
which I was allowed to inspect, and also upon what I know myself
on the subject.

I reproduced the calculation in the second edition of my " Recipes''
«arly in 1881, but when the agitation against hunting began in
Ireland towards the end of that year I went much deeper into the
subject, and published letters, signed " The Fox," in the Freeman^
Journal and other papers, which received vastly more attention
than the others. The first letter dealt only with first and second
class establishments, but that of the autumn, 1881, included many
smaller packs, and in consequence the estimated average cost was
reduced considerably.

It is necessary to give this explanation in order to explain the
alteration in some of my figures, and I want to be as explicit as
possible.

The following calculation is based upon proper and economical
management, without providing for waste or extravagance. Stupen-
dous though the figures undoubtedly are, and although they can be
approximate only, I confidently lay them before the public as being
under rather than over the mark. I court criticism and defy refuta-
tion, and do so without apprehension.

Previous to 1860 the yearly cost of keeping foxhounds was calcu-
lated at a little under £500 for each day they hunted in the week ;
that is, a pack which hunted two days a week would cost a little
under £1,000 a year. From 1860 to 1870 this sum amounted to ove

80

£600, and now I am quite certain £650 a day does not cover all the
expenses of foxhunting a country. Staghounds can be kept for £550
a day, as they have fewer incidental expenses, though the deer cost a
great deal. Harriers can be kept for £200 a day. Hunts in the field
three or five days a week are proportionately more expensive than
those hunting four or six days.

To foxhunt a country in the style Lord Waterford did the
Curraghmore, or as his father-in-law, the Duke of Beaufort, does
the Badminton, would cost annually, at the least, a thousand pounds
a day for each day a week they hunt.

According to the returns given for 1890, the packs of hounds and
the number of days per week they hunt are as stated in the
following

Table showing the Cost of Hunting the various Countries in
THE United Kingdom, including that of the Master.

Description.

Num-
ber of
Packs.

Couple
Hounds.

Cost per

day
a week.

Yearly
Cost.

Staghounds—

English

13
3

162
16

103
25
10

319

85

6,120
532

1,694
417
300

26

8

473
42

215

52
20

£

553
)i

650

5J

200
400

£
14,300

Irish

4,400

Foxhoimds—
English and Scotch

307,450

Irish

27,300

Harriers-
En o"lish and Scotch

43,000

Irish

10,400
8,000

Packs not in list, say

Total

332

9,467

836

—

414,850

This makes the annual cost of 332 Hunts to be £414,850. Let us
call them in round numbers 330 packs. Each Hunt has an average
field of, say, 100 hunting men, each of whom has, say, three horses
in his stable. That gives us 99,000 hunters. These cost fifteen
shillings a week per annum to keep, which amounts to a total of
£3,861,000. We can, therefore, put down the bare cost of maintain-
ing the Hunts and keeping the hunters of the United Kingdom at
over four millions and a quarter per annum ; and this prodigious
sum includes none of the " extras " contingent upon hunting, such
as mansions and houses taken for the hunting season, entertaining
friends, covert hacks, and carriage horses, travelling expenses, red
coats, top-boots and breeches, or the many gratuities which render
the generosity of hunting men proverbial.

To make a correct valuation of hunting establishments is a task

81

even greater than that of attempting to arrive ab the annual cost of
hunting a country or the keep of the hunters ; but let me essay it.

Put the 99,000 private hunters down at £100 apiece (a very low
average, in view of the fact that many are worth from £200 to £500
each, and few are of less value than £70), and we have £9,900,000 as
their value. The 330 Hunts have from twenty to eighty couple of
hounds in their kennels, so if we value each pack at, say, £700
all round (also a low figure ; Lord Waterford's kennel sold for £1,910
a few years ago), we have £231,000 as the value of the hounds. Each
Hunt has, on the average, say, ten servants' horses (a ridiculously low-
average, considering some Hunts have thirty horses for the men),
worth, say, £50 apiece, that? is £165,000, or £396,000 as the value of the
hounds and servants' horses belonging to the 330 packs.

The foregoing shows that we have 33,000 private hunting stables,
and 330 stables for the Hunts ; so, placing the value of saddlery,
horse-clothing, stable furniture, etc., at the low estimate of £25 all
round, we have £833,250 as the aggregate. The cost of renewing,
repairs, etc., is included in the other estimates.

For convenience, and as a companion to the former table, I append
the following, which shows

The Value of Hunting Establishments of the United Kingdom
AND their Annual Cost of Maintenance.

;

1 1 ^1

Total
Value.

Annual
Cost of
Main-
tenance.

Private hunters

£
99,000 100
3,300 1 50
330 700

£

9,900,000

165,000

231,000

833,250

£
3,861,000

Hunt servants' ditto

Packs of hounds (9,467 couple)

1 414,850

Included
above.

Saddlery, clothing, etc., in stables

33,330

25

Total, 102,300 hunters, 330 packs

...

11,129,250

4,275,850

Now this result shows us that the hunting establishments of the
United Kingdom are of a marketable value of nearly eleven millions
one hundred and thirty thousand pounds sterling, while their main-
tenance, as I have said before, requires an annual expenditure of
a good deal over four millions and a quarter !

Was I wrong in styling the figures stupendous ? or in stating that
hunting did more for the nation than any other institution, bar
religion and education ? No, I was not. Neither am I wrong in
firmly asserting that, astounding as the amounts appear, they are
very far short of the absolutely correct amount spent on hunting in
the British Isles.

82

Some people may, perhaps, accept the return as incorrect, but
again I defy anyone to prove one single item to be over the mark.
However, as I want this subject to be thoroughly understood, and
my readers and the public to have confidence in the correctness of
the returns, I will give a simple example, the accuracy of which any-
one can test, and by consulting a Master of Hounds or Hunt secretary
it is very easy to find out whether I am correct or not in my other
figures.

All dogs the size of a foxhound, if kept in kennel and properly fed
for hard work, will cost about Is. 6d. a week to feed (I don't allude
to one or two dogs, which may be fed very well and conditioned on
the refuse of the kitchen, which but for them would be given away
or thrown into the manure pit). Now, 9,467 couple means 18,934
hounds — say ] 8,900 for the sake of simplicity ; these, at Is. 6d. each,
cost just £1,417 a week to feed. Xearly £73,700 a year for only
feeding our hounds ! Again, the man who keeps an account of all
his hunting expenses knows that each day he goes out with the
hounds costs him about £3, and to keep the cost at that figure he
must hunt each horse he has pretty nearly three days a fortnight.
If he has to go long distances by train, that sum must be increased
proportionately. I know I am jDrolix on this subject, hut I want to
impress these important fcicts upon the inihlic.

We are able to invest this vast amount of money in hunting, and
to keep the annual cost in steady circulation ; and we shall be able
to do so for generations to come if the farmers will continue to us
their permission to hunt over their lands, their forbearance in respect
to damage done, their assistance in preserving foxes and hares, and —
a requisite as important as any — if they will give up the use of wire
on their fences J and as palings.

The farmers and yeomen of England are as fine specimens of
manhood as can be found in any land, and so are the farmers of
Ireland if let alone. Farmers are nearly all born sportsmen, not with
an outward veneering like many of those who think themselves
higher up in the social scale, but with true, innate, and deep-seated
love of sport.

Of course there are some without that inheritance, who, from selfish
motives or warped conceptions of what is for the general good, do
not approve of hunting or of any sport ; but, thank heaven, they are
in the very, very small minority. But even they must admit the
fact that of the colossal sums I have quoted nearly every shilling
Hnds its way, directly or indirectly, into the jmckets of the farminrf
class ; and that upon the little red rover of the hazel eye and russet-
brown brush they must look as the sole representative of more
sport than all the other wild beasts, birds, and fishes of the world
put together. Yes, it is the fox, with the assistance of the hare and
the deer, that calls forth all this vast yearly exi)enditure of money.

I

83

Attend, ye farmers, to my tale,
And, as ye mend tlie broken rail,
Reflect with pleasure on the sport
That lures your landlord from the court
To live and spend his rents among-
The country-folk from whom they sprang.
And should his horse, with trampling feet,
Do damage to your tender wheat,
By you, perhaps, that horse was bred,
And yours the oats on which he's fed ;
Ah ! then restrain your rising ire,
Nor rashly damn the hunting squire.

If hunting were stopped, there would follow from the rural
districts of England an exodus that would inflict upon its yeomen
the loss not only of all the money spent on hunting, but of a ^^ast
l^roportion of the other outlays of country gentlemen.

I hope my readers share my opinion of the importance of the
matters with which I have dealt in this chapter. The facts and
figures I have given possess a significance the recognition of which
will do more for hunting than all the rhapsody or reason put forth
in a dozen books,

A leading periodical, when reproducing the estimate I gave in
1881, adds : " These figures, which no sophistry can dispute and no
method of statement darken, show with marked evidence the value
hunting is to the kingdom, when we know this vast amount of money
finds its way into the pockets of the farmers and tradesmen without
leaving any profit, but, on the contrary, an unremunerative outlay to
the sportsman," etc.

We engage in commercial, agricultural, and other undertakings,
and though we thus spend large sums on labour, etc., we do so with
the direct and sole purpose of making 7iioney. But a sportsman faces
endless expenditure for no return whatever save a scurry across
country ; this is a fact to be borne in mind by the detractors of
sport.

In conclusion I give a comparative table of the packs of hounds in
the United Kingdom in 1881 and in 1890, taken from the same
authority as the former tables : —

1881. 1890.

Packs. Packs.

Staghounds —

English 12 13

Irish .». 5 3

Foxhounds —

English and Scotch 143 162

Irish 19 16

Harriers —

English and Scotch 75 103

Irish 52 25

This shows that England and Scotland have increased their
hunting establishments witliin the past nine years by one pack of

84

staghouncls, nineteen packs of foxhounds, and twenty-eight packs of
harriers ; while Ireland, within the same suggestive period, has
decreased hers by two packs of staghounds, three packs of foxhounds,
and twenty-seven packs of harriers. Xot alone that, but some of the
packs still hunting in Ireland are but shadows of what they once
were. Why ? Echo answers, " Why 1"

P.S. — The foregoing chapter appeared as an article from me in the
columns of Land and Water in February, 1892. At the Brocklesby
Puppy Show, held in the following summer. Lord Yarborough did
me the honour of quoting my figures, but although his lordship
stated distinctly the source from which he took them, the jDapers all
over the country gave to Lord Yarborough the credit of compiling
them.

\

85

CHAPTER IV.

FOXES.

Hen houses —Lambs— Natural Food— What to feed Foxes on— Worms— Vermifuge— Little
trouble preserving Foxes— Vixen teaching Cubs— Vixen's care of Cubs— Vixens'
breeding places— Country Gentlemen's duty towards Foxes— Relief to M.F.H.— Mr.
Ned Briscoe and Mr. Henry Bowers— Activity and Shapes of a Fox— His Foot v. a
Dogs— His endurance v. a Foxhound's— Buying Foxes— M.F.H. buying Foxes-
Mountain Dog Foxes— Crossing Breeds— Greyhound Fox—" Long, Limber, and Grey "
—Author's Admiration of the Fox— A V'exed Question— Docking Foxes — Au Anecdote.

Very little is kno>vn of the nature of foxes ; and still less is it
known how easy it is to prevent their doing damage.

If the door posts or windows of the hen house be occasionally rubbed
with tar, no fox will go near it ; or better still, burn a little assafcetida
therein, and a fox will not go within a mile of it, even if he is starving.
The smell made by this process is objectionable ; but it is a capital
way of preventing a fox going to ground in a dangerous earth or
one that cannot be easily stopped.

If a piece of tape be tied round the neck of a lamb no fox
will go near it. In no case will he take a lamb unless it be a poor,
weakly one, and unprotected by the ewe, as it is too troublesome
and heavy to be carried off ; and if the mother were there she would
drive him away. Ninety-nine out of a hundred of the lambs which
are laid to the foxes' charge are really killed by cur dogs.

The food a fox likes most is of the plainest kind —such as rabbits,
rats, mice, frogs, beetles, crows, blackberries, hurts, also fish; and the
more decayed the meat and fish the better he likes it ; rotten fish,
however, gives them the mange, as we learn from the number of
mangy foxes found at times near the seaside.

Now, if foxes are regularly fed with rabbits, crows, rats, and mice,
which at all times are easily procured, they will seldom, if ever, attack
game or poultry, and, in fact, will do little or no damage. Care must
be taken, however, not to make them too comfortable at home, for if
they be they will not travel, and therefore can't gain that knowledge
of the country which is so essential to good runs. A fox is naturally
a lazy fellow, and seldom travels far except in search of food and in
the clicketing season.

AVe seldom hear of a fox having worms, which is attributable to the
fact of his living so much upon animals which have furry skins ; and
for this reason I recommend the skin of a rabbit to be mixed occa-
sionally in dogs' food to act as about the very best vermifuge.

When it is remembered that the fox provides the attraction which
induces gentlemen to stay in the country and spend on hunting the
millions of money I have already referred to, we should zealously

86

protect and preserve him ; particularly when by taking the little
trouble I have mentioned we can make him as inoffensive as a kitten,
and more so than a cat.

Nothing is more interesting in its way than the sight of a vixen
tending her cubs. On a fine day she brings them out of the earth
and plays with them as a bitch does with her puppies; but at the
least sign of danger she and the youngsters disappear. As they grow
older and hardier she teaches them to tear up their food, and
will bring home a half -killed crow or rabbit to furnish an object
lesson, and see then how the little fellows growl and fight over the
prey ! Finally she brings them out at night, and shows them all the
earths and places in the vicinity where they can go to ground in
moments of danger. As soon as the cubs can take care of themselves
she leaves them to do so.

A litter was once brought out near my house. I took great delight in
watching the cubs morning and ev-ening, and repeatedly saw the vixen,
after a game of romps, hunt in the young ones before going off herself
on a foray ; but no sooner were they driven in than they would re-
appear and try to follow her. Then she would regularly cuflf them
with her paw, and even bite them, and, having sent them back to bed,
would remain about the earth till she saw they were not likely to
come out again.

Vixens, though such cunning animals, often lay up their cubs in
most exposed and dangerous places. I have known one to breed three
years in succession in the old flue of a greenhouse. When a litter
is found to be in a dangerous place it should be carefully disturbed,
and the mother will then move her family to safer quarters. Some-
times a vixen will have two nurseries, Avhich she will use alternately,
and, seeing the marks at both, a keeper often calculates upon having
two litters instead of one. If cubs be laid up near to a dwelling-
house, the vixen very often becomes extremely vicious, and will
attack women and children even without being molested by them.
But, strange to say, she will not take poultry from that place, nor will
she allow the cubs when they get hardy to do similar damage.
Another of the many instances of the craftiness of the species.

A great many people think that there is little or nothing to be
done about hunting from the "last day of the season" till the
following cubhunting. They are very wrong in such ideas. The
day after the last of the season is the first of the next with the Master
and Hunt servants, and so it should he with country gentlemen ovming
or living near fox coverts.

Vixens lay ujd generally between early March and May, during
which time, and until the cubs get hardy, they require careful looking
after, both to prevent their being worried and to have them well fed.
If a vixen finds plenty of food laid for her near where she has her
cubs she will not visit hen roosts or do damage, neither will she have
occasion to leave the cubs in search of food, but can stay at home and

87

protect them. It should be the pleasure of men living in the country
to personally look after these matters, and not expect the M.F.H. to
do so ; besides, when going through the country they have grand
opportunities for friendly chats with the farmers and their families.

The two best men I ever knew for looking after a foxhunting
country were Mr. Ned Briscoe of Harristown and Mr. Henry Bower.s
of Owning, in the county Kilkenny. Neither hunted, but the delight
of each was to look after the earth-stopping and coverts in the
winter, and the vixens and cubs in the summer, and to these two
sportsmen was the Curraghmore Hunt deeply indebted for a great
deal of the good sport it had during the eleven years of ^Ir. Henry
Briscoe's Mastership, and the like period of Lord Waterford's. In
fact, next to the Master and huntsman, I always looked upon
them as the most useful men we had in the whole Curraghmore
Hunt. Besides knowing what to do and how to do it, they liked
doing it, and did it.

I think the fox is of all animals the most active and supple of body.
Unarmed though he be with the claws on which the cat so largely
depends for her agile movements, he can jump and climb nearly as
well ; while he can turn and twist himself in the smallest space and
into any shape short of a knot. It is curious, however, that the shape
of his foot differs so essentially from what we recognise as the
shape best calculated to fit a dog for the endurance of long and hard
work. A fox's foot is flat and down-at-the-toes, while a dog's should
be quite the reverse. Still, that grand and game little animal is
often able to beat for miles over a country the best pack of hounds,
handicapped as he often is with a belly full of food, eaten, perhaps,
only a few hours before he is found, and never in what is called
"condition." Oh, what a shame it is (except under very few and
exceptional conditions) to dig a fox out and give him to the hounds
when the gallant little fellow has got to ground after beating his
forty pursuers fairly and squarely above it ! To me it was always
the most Cockney, hair-dresser and grocer sort of business to see a
terrier as an adjunct to a pack of foxhounds.

Apart from the sport he gives, and money he keeps in circulation,
I really think the fox is the most to be admired of all wild animals.
His perfect symmetry of shape, lovely colour, and bewitchingly
roguish eye ahvays charmed me ; while activity, inherent courage,
sagacity, and endurance are the highest attributes of even the
human race.

Buying foxes is, as I said elsewhere, a very wrong thing for any
man to do. The chances are the fox brought to be sold has been
stolen in the very country wherein he is offered for sale ; if not, he
has been stolen from some other country. In either case, he should
not be bought.

Masters of Foxhounds have, of course, at times to buy foxes to
re-stock portions of their country ; but when this is necessary they

88

should see that tlieir importations come from a bond fide non-hunting
country. It will not do that the foxes are taken from parts of
a country which are not hunted, for we in Ireland all know that foxes
bred and living in wild, rocky mountains come down to the lowlands
to forage, and in the spring travel far into the interior ; and when
old mountain dog foxes are then and there found they give runs as
straight as a ruler to their rocky fastnesses ; generally speaking, the
very best of the season.

Xo one should buy a fox except the M.F.H., and he only after
he has used every precaution to ensure its having been taken from
some place which is at least thirty miles from where a foxhound
draws.

The breed of foxes, like that of all animals, needs to be crossed, and
it is highly desirable that imported vixens and dogs should be turned
down at times throughout a country. The straightest running and
stoutest breed is " the greyhound " — generally, if not always, got in
wild mountain districts ; but he is, I fear, a bit mischievous at times.
Thick-set, short-necked, foxes are bad, and so are foreigners. " Long,
limber, and grey" is the sort to give good runs. And everyone
knows that the early spring is the best time to turn down foxes in a
strange country.

As to foxes being alike to dogs under certain similar circumstances
there is great difference of oi^inion. The relation of two incidents
which came directly under my own notice may enable my readers to
form their own judgment. For my own part I infer therefrom that
the pairs were overtaken under conditions which made separation
or flight impossible to them.

The Curraghmore Hounds, in the spring of the year, about 1865,
had hunted a fox for some miles over the Bessborough country, and
finally ran him into Gortrush. They carried the scent to the middle
of the wood, and there they killed two foxes in the same spot. I
saw the dead bodies at the time. One was a dog, the other a vixen,
and both were quite clean, and with no appearance of having been
hunted. About the year 1884, again in the early spring time, the
Dungarvan train, in daylight, ran over and killed two foxes in the
same spot, near Kilmeadan. Their mangled bodies were brought to
Waterford, where I saw them next day, and there was sufficient
evidence to show that they also were of different gender.

Men who pay attention to hunting know that a fox, when he runs
through a heavy country, gathers in his brush a lot of wet and mud —
the weight of this handicaps him terribly, and tends, at times more
than the hounds, to jDull him down. It therefore often occurred to
me that it might not be a bad plan to " dock " a fox whenever the
chance offered. Xo doubt to lose what Xature gave for a good and
specitic purpose would cause him, at least, inconvenience, particularly
when he had to make a quick turn or exert unusual activity. True,
also, a fox deprived of his brush would not alone look awfully bad,

89

but lots of times, when at a distance, he would be taken for a hare.
Worst of all he would have taken from him that which has been the
ilex inimitable during the annals of foxhunting as the trophy of
prowess. Nevertheless a bob-tailed fox will take a deal more killing
than the fellow with a brush.

I remember in 1858 Lord Waterford's hounds ran a fox to ground
near Killeen. The earth-stopper. Tommy Knockmore, took him out,
cut oft' half his brush and then let him go. (A week after he gave
me the i^iece docked off, and I have it still.) For five or six seasons
after did that fox give us capital runs, and, resorting to Killeen, he
became, by reason of the "finds," a regular annuity to old Tom,
Many a time I saw him going away with his stump stuck straight
up in the most grotesque style. He was the bane of Briscoe and
Johnny Ryan, for there was no killing him, and I think he must
have died of old age. We called him Bobbie.

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CHAPTER V.
HORSE-BRIlEDING.

Clippings from Authors Scrap-book— Horses of the Ancients— Early Horse-breeding-
Curious Act of Parliament -Stallions 150 years ago— Origin of the Thoroughbred-
Authors Interest in the Subject— His Experience— Theoretical rather than Practical-
Irish Horses— Government Stallions— Local Horse Shows— Ball's Bridge Show-
Inverse Eatio — Mares— Dams of Great Horses— " Nicking "—La Fleche— Steeple-
chasers and Hunters— " Jumping Blood "—Authors Experience of Thoroughbred
Hunters— Suitabilit}- of Mare to Horse— Physiology— Suggestions— In-and-out Eun-
ning— Malpractice— Breeder to Blame— Xot the Trainer or Jockey— Ciceroues— Dis-
organisation of System— A Code for the Farmer— Ould Plan of Training— Grumbling-
Old Fairs— Dublin Horse Show— Clonmel and Moy Fairs— ^lagnificent Hunters in
Plenty— Irish Dealers— Stud Farms— Good Mares— Mr. Hutton— Increase of Thorough-
bred Sires— How to Improve the Mares— List of Stud Farms— All First-class— Fees for
Service— Knockany and Bruree— Mr. John Gubbins— A Great Establishment— Captain
StamerGubbins — Lucas—Xenophon— Victor— Umpire— Solon— Ireland better off than
ever— Lackaday !— Exportation of Good Horses and Mares— Positive Insanity— Free
Trade— Protective Measures— Our Horses and the Foreigners— Our Colonies— Stock-
well -Other Good Eesults from Stud Farms— A Tribute to great Sportsmen— Their
names— A Stud of Horses and a Kennel of Foxhounds -A Bad Example— Strange
Notions of an Owner— Everything Bad— Points of a Brood Mare— Author's Opinion-
Watercress and La Fleche— Eoyal Dublin Society— Dublin Horse Show— A Short
History— Great Irish Institution— Leading Spirits— Samuel Ussher Eoberts— James
Talbot Power— James O'Eeilly— The Society and the Show Xon-Political— The Section
which Supports them— Real Patriots— Dear Old Ireland 1

Fkom my scrap-book I take some of the following particulars of the
ancient history of our horses.

The earliest allusion to the horse is where Anak, about 1590 B.C.,
found mules in the wilderness, the progeny of the horse and the ass.
About 1500 B.C. horses were used in warfare. Early in the Christian
era we find that Julius Ciesir, when he invaded Britain, was opposed by
" immense bodies of horsemen," and later on that Boadicea harangued
her army from her war chariot, and in it led her famous charge against
the Koman General Suetonius. Unfortunately for my purpose there
was no Weatherby in those days, so what breed the horses were or
what they were like I can't conveniently state. Doubtless they were
good, and answered well their purpose.

In the reign of Henry VIII. it would appear that horses were beginning
to deteriorate in size and strength, owing probably to incestuous
breeding, for it was enacted (32 Henry VIII., c. 13) " that no person shall
put on any forest, chase, moor, heath, common, or waste any stoned
horse above the age of two year not being fifteen hands high."

It was not until the year 1616 that improvement in the breed
of horses began to be systematically pursued in Great Britain. We read
that James I. then gave oOOgs. to Mr. Markham for a stallion he
had imported from Arabia, but a prejudice set in against the horse
because he was not a success as a racer, and he was not much

91

bred from. In Queen Anne's reign we find the " Darley Arabian," a
horse bred on the desert of Palmyra, and imported from Aleppo by
Mr. Darley. His progeny are described as being " unequalled for
beauty, speed, and strength." From this horse first sprung our thorough-
breds. Next we have the Godolphin, but he was said to be a Barb and
not an Arabian. He lived to be twenty-nine years old and died in 1753.

In 1752 there were sixty thoroughbred stallions standing in various
parts of England. The fees were then very moderate compared to now-
Cronootes headed the list at 28gs. Bolton Starling was next at 8g>\,
while others varied from 1 to 3gs. Eight of these were imported
Arabians, and it is owing to them and well selected Barbarys that Great
Britain now reigns supreme in the production of the best breed of
horses in the world.

Although I bred many a setter and pointer, as well as other
dogs, I never bred a horse in my life. Nevertheless, I took the deepest
interest in horse-breeding, but more in the hunter than the thorough-
bred class. Any ideas I may have formed are, therefore, so theoretical
I am not going to put many of them into print.

Of course, I have been shown over many breeding establishments,
English as well as Irish ; and at our Dublin Horse Show I see hundreds
of hunters with lords and ladies of the harem which are considered
worthy representatives of their classes, while at Newmarket, the
Curragh, and other head-quarters of the thoroughbred I have seen
racehorses innumerable from the yearling upwards.

At all these places I listen to what is said about breeding by others
who, from long practical experience, ought to know what they are
talking about. The theories put forward by some are, however, so at
variance with those laid down by others that I am fain to try to form
an opinion of my own.

Lacking, therefore, as I do all practical experience, and possessing
only this thin veneering of theoretical knowledge on the subject, I am
not going to try and teach practical breeders their business ; but I will
venture upon some remarks which I trust won't be taken as altogether
puerile.

We in Ireland are justly famous for our horses, but I think by taking
a little more trouble we might become much more so. Our climate
is suitable for rearing horses hardy. Our soil is to a great extent of a
limestone nature, which is the best for producing bone. We feed our
young ones well, but do not pamper them, leaving them out in the air
and to the elements more than do the English breeders, whereby they
grow up all the more healthy, and we train them to perfection.

Of late years our breed of horses has been greatly improved by the
introduction all over the country of those thoroughbred stallions
provided by Government, and whose service can be obtained by farmers
at a nominal figure.

Local shows have also done an immensity of good, while that held
at Ball's Bridge is quite the greatest and best exhibition of the sort in

92

the whole world. The finest specimens of every class, except the cart
horse, are there exhibited.

I don't think we pay as much attention as we oaght to the breeding
and conformation of our mares. As long as some of us can breed a foal
got by a thoroughbred horse, we don't much care what the mare is like.
This is a subject which should occupy the consideration of the Royal
Dublin Society, and doubtless it will do so.

For my part, I think it would be a better plan to produce foals from
fine, big, roomy thoroughbred mares, well-shaped and tempered, and got
by half-bred stallions, than is the present and more popular idea of
proceeding by quite the reverse method.

I think it is decidedly a bad plan to breed from a mare that has been
worked unduly hard when she was young. So also is it to breed from
either horse or mare that is not well-shaped, no matter what might be
their pedigree or even performance.

I am not well versed in the pedigrees of horses, and I have not time
to search them up, but it strikes me from memory that mares which
have been first-class on the Turf do not, as a rule, throw progeny of
equal merit, and that it is mares either unknown to fame or of little
value that have dropped most of our great horses.

Who knows but the hard work which good mares must endure in
early training produces bad effects on their offspring ? Anyway I think
the great thing is to get strains that will " nick," and when a man
finds a sire to which his mare has foaled a good horse, it seems very
foolish to change her to another, except by way of experiment. Yet
such is constantly done.

We all wish good luck at the stud to the beautiful and clinking La
Fleche ; but it will be interesting to watch if she will throw anything^
nearly as good as herself even if mated to Orme.

If a man goes in for breeding steeplechasers or hunters, undoubtedly
his best plan is to select sires and mares which possess jumping blood,,
just as a " milking bull " is looked for by the proprietor of a dairy.

The breeding we want in hunters is one parent thoroughbred, the
other half-bred, but both to be stout-hearted.

Except for racing purposes, to maintain horses in perfectly pure
blood is not necessary. In steeplechases a horse with a stain in his
pedigree will win as often as the thoroughbred, while we all know
a half-bred hunter is a customer more cut-and-come-again than the
pure bred, and he makes a much better hack.

I had only three thoroughbred hunters in my life, and they were the
most unsatisfactory horses I ever owned. One, by Giraldus, was a
lovely conveyance to hounds for three or four miles, but that was the
length of his tether. Another, by Charles XII., I could never get to
the end of, and by himself he was a grand performer, but in company
he was a lunatic, and gave me some terrible falls. The third was a
very good horse, and a picture to look at, but he was a delicate brute,
and could come out only once a fortnight, yet he was got by Bird-

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catcher, of whom he was the image, even to the grey hairs. The
Charles XII. horse could trot fifteen miles an hour, but he was a
tremendous paller and most unpleasant hack. The other two were
about the best to stumble on a road I ever saw.

No doubt the majority of our farmers take trouble to properly
mate their mares, but there are many who trust everything to good
luck. No matter what the mare may be, she will be sent by some of
them to the nearest horse Avhose service can be had at the lowest price,
totally regardless of whether he is suitable or not. While both one and
other are generally in an overworked state.

We all know that the main principles of the physiological law apply
to animals of the lower order equally as they do to mankind, and that
sound offspring is more likely to come from robust and healthy parents
than from delicate ones.

Physiology, however, has taught us more, and for many a long year has
•established the fact that the ^tate of the system existing in the parents
at the precise time of conception has a most material effect upon the
progeny ; and that even in the case of those naturally and habitually
sound, if, at that time, they suffer from disarrangement of system, or of
temper, the offspring will most likely be affected thereby. It is also
well known regarding muciparous animals, such as the dog, that the
first conception in the female has an influence upon those subsequent :
in short, that the female is likely, in all future conceptions, to "throw
back " to the first impregnation. The same rule applies to uniparous
animals, but necessarily the effect is not so frequently discerned.
^ These are facts proved by science, and are therefore incontrovertible.
Unfortunately, they are not generally known, and those who are
aware of them give little heed thereto. Among ordinary horse-breeders
not one in a thousand ever even heard of these great principles of Nature
which are the very foundation of their calling. It is therefore highly
important they should enlighten themselves upon the subject, for unless
their system be based upon the observance of the principles by which
Nature governs procreation, success can't be relied on, nor will it ensue
except by mere chance and good luck.

It is manifest, therefore, that breeders of thoroughbred horses
should use very great judgment and discrimination in the selection of
the first sire they put their mares to. Furthermore, a man should
satisfy himself that the mare he breeds from was not stinted in the
first instance to any other than a horse of desirable breed. For my
own part if I were in the business I would not give a £5 note for
a thoroughbred mare for breeding purposes that had her ^/z /'s^ foal by
a cart or common-bred sire.

In racing we hear a deal about what is called in-and-out running,
and at times very strong comments are made. No doubt it is caused
occasionally by malpractice, but I am convinced a lot of it is caused
by disease, the result of non-observance of Nature's laws by those who
bred either the horse himself or some of his immediate progenitors.

94

Suffering from these inherent disorders, a horse can never be relied
upon to run systematically in the same form. Generally the disease
is latent and can't be discerned, much less traced ; but all of a sudden,
and without apparent reason, he will go amiss. It is therefore wrong to
blame a trainer or jockey for a horse running in-and-out, unless there
is direct evidence of dishonesty.

It is also well for the public to know, especially those critics and
would-be cicerones who at times air themselves in the press, that a
horse is not a barrel-organ, which as long as it be ground will repeat
the same tunes. They should remember if they ever knew, or learn
if they don't know, that horses are in their constitution like men, and
equally liable to sudden disorganisation of system by indigestion, loss
of sleep, nervousness, change of habitation, diet, and even change of
water. That being the case with all horses, no matter how sound they
may be by nature, it is manifest that those unfortunates which suffer
from organic troubles born ia them are all the less to be depended
upon. Is it, therefore, more difficult to understand a horse being fit
one day and unfit the next, or unfit one month and fit the next, than a
man being so 1

To the experienced and extensive horse-breeder I don't presume to
suggest anything, but to the ordinary tenant-farmer who goes in for
breeding a weight-carrying hunter or other good class of horse I would
submit the following code: (a) Don't let your mare be stinted in the^rs^
instance by any other than a well-bred horse, (b) Never breed from a
mare that has had her first foal by a common bred horse, (c) Breed
only from well-bred, useful, sound, and well-shaped mares, that have
not been overworked as a tsvo or three year old, or kept long in
training, and bear in mind that height does not always imply size.
(d) Select for your mare a horse which from breeding, conformation,
temper, etc., etc., she is most suitable for. (e) Don't put her to him
w^hen she is in a state of lassitude, bad temper, or suffering from
disease, eveti though of a temporary nature. (/) The horse should at
the time of service be equally free from such, {g) Never breed from
either mare or horse which is afflicted with roaring, or other hereditary
disease. (A) While carrying her foal give your mare plenty of exercise
but no hard work, and feed her well, {i) Feed well also the foal from
the time he is able to eat, remembering the old saying that " the be^t
of a horse goes in at his mouth."

If these rules, so simple and so easily carried out, were to be observed
systematically by our farmers, I am very sure the best possible results
would follow.

As to training their young horses, all the Irish farmers have to do is
to stick to the ould 2jlan, and if the English were to adopt it they
would not find it a bad one.

We are at times too fond of grumbling, and the habit usually tends
to lead us into the idea that certaiu thirgs are not existing in as good
state as they were formerly. This is exemplified in horse-breeding.

/

95

Many entertain the idea that neither the quality nor the number of
horses bred in Ireland at present is up to the standard of, say, thirty
years ago. I do not coincide with that opinion. I think we have, on
the whole, as good class of hunter as ever we had ; certainly he is better
bred, and I think we breed as many as ever we did.

No doubt the once great fairs of Rossallagh, Castledermot, Cahirmee,
Spansill Hill, Limerick, Ballinasloe, etc., are not cow what they were ;
but that is caused by the growth of the Dublin Horse Show. Bali's
Bridge has become a gigantic horse fair as well as show, and men prefer
holding over for it valuable animals rather than sending them to the
country fairs. On the other hand, while the old annual fairs have
retrograded, Clomnel in the south, instituted years ago by my friend
Mr. John Bell, as a monthly horse fair, is, I believe, as great as ever it
was ; while Moy in the north, for three days in every month, is a gigantic
market. At the latter are found often over a thousand horses, but I
can't say they are of high-class or likely to make good hunters. The
north of Ireland men do not go in for that class of horse nearly as much
as the southern. I daresay, however, within the next few years
we shall see in that respect a great improvement in Ulster through
means of the Government stallions.

Seeing the magnificent hunters which are picked up in large quantities
in Ireland by dealers like Messrs. Daly, Widger, Morton, McDonald,
O'Brien, Donovan, D'Arcy, and several others, it is ridiculous to say
we have not still as fine hunters in abundance as ever we had. That
we have — and the prices realised are far higher than they were when I
was a boy, while the following facts'prove that our horses all round are
much better bred now than they were then.

In old times the only place the Irish hunter was to be found was
among the farmers. To a great extent such is still the case, and long
may it be so. But of late years stud farms have sprung up in many
parts of Ireland, and although the primary object of their proprietors
is to produce thoroughbred racehorses, in many of them are now found
tip-top hunters, half-bred, thoroughbred, or with only a stain in their
pedigree. By means of these centres great good has accrued, inasmuch
as care is there taken that the 7iiares hred from are the right sort.

Mr. Hutton and his brother, of Ligamaddy, county Down, think
nothing of giving l,000gs. for the brood mare they wish to breed from,
nor will any fee stop them from mating her with the sire they deem
most suitable.

Forty years ago a thoroughbred stallion let to farmers' mares to pro-
duce hunters was practically unknown in Ireland. It was only since then
they have become plentiful, and I think I am safe in saying Mr. Briscoe
of Tinvane was one of the first men who introduced the system. Now
we have more than three hundred thoroughbred sires scattered over the
country, a great proportion of which are sound and free from hereditary
disease, while the most of them are fully qualified to beget useful
progeny, and the fees for service are moderate.

96

Manifestly it would be to their own advantage, as well as to the
public, if the owners of these stallions used supervision over the mares
they allow to their horses, for the reputation of the sire cannot be either
made or maintained if the mares be of a bad class, while, if unsuitable
mares could not get sarved by well-bred sires, they as a class would
soon ba relegated. Most of our stallions are the property of gentlemen
of means, who have the interest of our horse-breeding at heart, and it
is from them the example should come, the following of which would
develop more generally the improvement which I maintain has of late
years come over Irish horse-breeding.

I have no list by me, so I can jot down only as they occur to me the
l^roprietors of our Irish Stud Farms, and of necessity I must omit some.
However, here follows a goodly number :—

Mr. William Pallin of Athgarvan, Mr. James Daly of Clonsilla, Mrs.
Anderson of Ballymoney, Mr. John Gubbins of Knockany, ^Ir. John
Hutton of Ligamaddy, Mr. K J. Corbally of Rathbeal, Mr. Hillier of
Castleknock, Mr. Charles Blake of Heath House, Mr. William Brophy
of Herbertstown, Mr. ^lat Maher of Ballinkeele, Mr. R. X. Talbot
of Grennan, Mr. J. C. Murphy of Oberstown, Capt. Greer of Crotans-
town, Lord Greville of Clonhugh, Sir Charles Coote of Ballyfinn, Mr.
John Reese of Civility Farm, Mr. B. B. Trench of Loughton, Mr. J.
O'C. Murphy of Breemount, Mr. William Dunne of Bally manus, Messrs.
Widger of Waterford, Mr. Davies of Kilcock, Mr. R. C. Dawson of
Cloughran, and Mr. Edmond Smithwick of Kilcreene.

With the exception of the establishments of Messrs. Dunne, Gubbins,
Maher, and Brophy, I don't think any of the above were in existence
twenty years ago ; while many of them can't count ten anniversaries.
They nearly all rank as first class, and many of them have no superior
in England. In them are from five or six to a score or more brood
mares, some half, but mostly thoroughbred, and all possessing every
essential for dropping stout foals.

Mr. Gubbins, at Knockany, co. Limerick, has Kendal, by Bend Or,
standing at 200g3. a mare. Mr. Pallin for the service of Favo and
Mr. Murphy for Boulevard get 50gs., while Mr. Gordon for Ben
Battle gets 30gs. The other sires in these various studs are let out
to thorough and half bred mares at from 5g3. to 20gs. Then we have
the Government thoroughbred sires standing at £1 a mare to farmers,
and distributed all over the country, together with those other stud
farms which I can't call to memory. Of course there are also many
men w^ho, although their establishments may not be very extensive,
have several useful mares and also thoroughbred stallions. This speaks
volumes for the facility which Irish breeders now have for getting at
good blood. When, therefore, they flourished so well in the past,
what must not be expected of them in the future ?

The stud farms at Knockany and Bruree owned by my friend Mr.
John Gubbins are the most extensive in Ireland, and few are more so
in England. The Knockany Stud was established in 1866 by his elder

97

brother, the late Captain Stamer Gubbins. Some fifteen years after the
present owner enlarged the establishment at Knockany, as well as that
of Bruree, and started a pack of staghounds at the latter place, where
he then resided. He laid out an enormous sum of money upon both, the
one as a stud farm, the other as a hunting establishment, and intended
to live permanently at his native place. O wing, however, to the out-
rageous conduct of the Land League he was obliged to leave the country,
and has since then lived in England, Bruree being turned into an extra
stud farm.

The Iruh Sportsman gives an exhaustive account of these establish-
ments, from which I see that no less than six thoroughbred stallions are
located there for stud purposes, viz., Kendal, May Boy, Lentulus,
Ashplant, Ambergate, and Butterscotch. The brood mares number
twenty-two and are sired by Solon, Springfield, Petrarch, Rosicrucian,
Uncas, Barcaldine, Xenophon, Hermit, Galopin, Ben Battle, Coltness,
Hampton, May Boy, Philanftion, Victor, and Lord Gough — all out of
thoroughbred dams. It would, I think, be hard to find such
a collection of matrons in any one establishment.

I remember some five-and-twenty years ago, when Captain Gubbins
had at Knockany Uncas, by Stockwell, and Xenophon, by Canary, the
fees charged for their service were to gentlemen £10, to farmers half
that sum ; yet these stallions were about the most useful we have
had in Ireland within my memory. Their fame would have been even
greater had they been let to no mare other than of good class, but their
popular owner was so generous and noble-hearted he could refuse
nothing, so every mare sent was served whether she was bad or good.

After the death of their owner Uncas and Xenophon were sold to go
to England, whereupon their fees were raised to 25gs., and subsequently
still higher.

In those days we had other great sires in Victor, Umpire, and Solon,
owned respectively by Mr. Harris of Kilmallock, Mr. Ryan of the
Curragh, and Mr. Cashman of Donadea ; but they stood at 15g^.
and 20gs. I don't think any other five stallions did more good to
Irish breeding during the past forty years. From them descended
alike flat-racers, steeplechasers, and hunters of the very first merit.
Luckily their blood is still plentiful in Ireland.

With all these facts before us I cannot see how any man can think
Ireland is not infinitely better off as a horse-breeding country than
ever it was.

Lackaday ! we are not as rich as the Saxons, and cannot afford to refuse
selling to them most of our good horses. Were it otherwise we would
have in Ireland to-day Ilex, Why Not, Cloister, Barcaldine, Bendigo,
Roy Neil, Tibbie Shells, Roman Oak, Philammon, Kilwarlin, and a
dozen more which, as Irish horses have been for the whole century,
are mines of wealth in the mother country.

Worst of all is selling out of Ireland the good brood mares. Even
to England they should not be sent. As to selling them or first-class

H

98

stallions to go abroad, the law should prohibit, from all parts of the
kingdom, such positive insanity !

To allow the practice is to permit an outrage against the common
weal surpassed in enormity only by that of allowing our great agri-
cultural community to be ruined by admitting to this country, free of
duty, foreign meat and bread stuflF. The farmer is the backbone of
our nation, and the wily foreigner covets greedily our good horses.
It behoves, therefore, both Lords and Commons to adopt protective
measures before the one gets broken or the cupidity of the other be
gratified.

As the system exists at present, England is for the foreigners not
alone the nursery, but the school from which they can choose their
horses. John Bull expends, yearly, a prodigious amount of money,
subsidised as it is by large grants from Government, upon breeding
horses. He takes all the trouble and incurs all the risks. Then when
we have produced horses or mares of phenomenal excellence, which,
having passed through the dangerous part of their career, are sound
and ready-made for stud purposes, over comes some continental
gentleman and takes out of the country the very animals we should be
the most desirous ourselves to retain ! No doubt very large sums are
paid for them, but prices equally good can be obtained from our own
countrymen, and by selling to them we get the eggs and keep the
goose.

To our colonies some of our good horses and mares should be sold,
but to the foreigner, most assuredly, I would give nothing except of
third or fourth rate class. Elsewhere I allude to the fact that the
great Stockwell escaped from transportation only by a fluke.

I look to these stud farms for other good results besides improve-
ment in our horse-breeding. Steeplechases over a natural country, by
reason of red-coat point-to-point races, are becoming popular again, and
as the proprietors of these farms are all sportsmen, with good position
and ample means, they, by their influence and with plenty of horses
at command, may, in time, bring back to the old style our grand sport.

When dealing with Steeplechase Reform, in reply to a letter of Lord
Howth's in April, 1891, I gave as one of the reasons for the decadence
in the sport that we had no men now in Ireland who bred, reared,
trained, and raced their horses from their own stables, such as we had in
my younger days, and I then gave the names of those I remember doing
so— all of whom were contemporaries in racing. In tribute to the memory
of those fine sportsmen I reproduce the list, and I trust that before many
years we shall have a number quite as great, following the good old
example. Here it is : — " Lords Howth, St. Lawrence, Clanricarde,
Waterf ord, Rossmore, and Drogheda ; the Courtenays, Quins, McCraiths,
De Burghos, Russells, Gubbins, Aylmers, Sadliers, Bryans, Forsters,
Ainslies, Bernards, Moores, Manserghs, Masseys, Magranes, Crokers,
Prestons, Westenras, Hoeys, Gartlanes, Goughs, Longs, Harpers, Dunnes,
Powers, Studdarts, Persses, Naughtons, Stackpools, and O'Ryans ; while

99

racing tenant-farmers were to be found over almost every county in
Irdand; the Cummins, Coghlans, Powers, Talbots, Hawkshaws, Mahers,
Whelans, Ivers, and scores of others."

To go carefully over a stud of good horses or a kennel of first-rate
foxhounds, where everything is done properly, is to me a source of
great enjoyment, and I never lose an opportunity.

I have visited many such establishments, and, as I said before, I
strive at each to gain information. Some, of course, are kept in much
better style than others, and naturally a uniformity of quality is not
found in the animals. However, with only one exception, I found the
stud farms, both in England and Ireland, all that could be reasonably
desired. As an example of how things should not be done, and to show
what opinions are held by some horse-breeders, I shall describe the
place I take exception to. I was shown over it by the proprietor, and
it was very extensive.

As I always do, I asked the owner's opinion as to breeding, shape,
crosses, etc. He told me that, of course, all depended upon luck (what
does not '0 ; that horses of every shape won races, and for his part he
did not care what a mare's shape was, he would breed from her if she
came from a lucky or " fashionable " strain ; her yearling, if got by
a favourite stallion, would sell well at Newmarket or Doncaster, even
though deficient in shape. Like that famous parrot, I said nothing,
though I was thinking a lot, as I went regularly through some twenty
boxes, containing brood mares, or mares and foals, and looked over
nearly as many yearlings in the paddocks.

Everything I saw was bad. Old tumble-down stabling, dirt and
untidiness everywhere ; the mares and foals were housed in badly -
ventilated, overcrowded stalls or sheds. The hay in the rick which
supplied the racks was most inferior in quality, and quite musty,
while the bedding was of furze, ferns, and rushes in such a beastly state
of dirt that it seemed in proper condition for top-dressing a field.

This practical breeder seemed to consider that the bone and con-
dition of his animals should be easily seen, and certainly I give him
credit for carrying out the idea with uniformity, for in every one of
the forty odd animals, the one was high and the other low.

No doubt they were purely bred, and all are in the Stud-book, but,
as I have said, they were badly cared for, and from their looks were
badly fed, nor was one of them what could be called a really true-
shaped animal, not even the two stallions he had.

I trust there is no other such establishment in the kingdom, for I do
not think it could be possible to rear any horse, much less a thoroughbred,
sound and healthy, at such a place. Yet it and its owner are well-
known, and the prices got at Tattersall's sales for yearlings sent
therefrom show at times a very good average.

Astonished at the bad shapes of some of the brood mares, I asked
the pedigree of one with a miserable foal at foot. This turned out to
be one of the purest strains of the fashionable blood this breeder so

100

much appreciated, and he had bred from her for three or four seasons.
Pretending to be struck by the particularly high tint of cerulean blue
which circulated through this mare's blood, I took out my pocket-
book as if to copy it, but in reality to take down what I thought
of her shapes. Here is the entry : " Big head, ewe neck, straight
shoulders over long cannon-bone legs, pretty good ribs and centre
piece, narrow across the loins, her propelling power being from hind
quarters short from hip to hock, and long from hock to heel. Though
ten years old, her feet are some of the smallest I ever saw, and very
shelly. She looks half starved." I was told this mare won great
races in good company, and I took it for granted she did.

I need not say that I did not hold the opinion of this breeder in any
way. I am very sure that an ill-shaped yearling would command only
a poor price at either private or public sale, no matter how full of running
blood its pedigree might be. No doubt the matron described had won
good races, and I am aware that leggy horses are often the speediest,
and that length from hip to hock is not necessary over short cuts.
Racehorses that are moulded on hunter lines, which stand on short legs,
are sometimes slow, but nine good racehorses out of ten are certainly
good-looking, though what is known as a " three-cornered devil " will
occasionally win races.

This breeder would have been correct if he had said that in no breed
of horses is there to be found so much bone in proportion to flesh as
in the English or Irish thoroughbred, and that horses of every class
and size won races. Look at Watercress, a great raking horse
nearly seventeen hands high, and likely to grow into an animal capable
of carrying any weight ; he is able to win a five-furlong sprint in the
best company, and can get away from the slips as fast as can his tiny
but tidy stable-companion, the gazelle-like La Fleche, the best mare we
have seen in England for many a year.

To the Royal Dublin Society are we indebted for the Dublin Horse
Show held annually, in August, at Ball's Bridge. I shall, therefore,
give a short history of the Institution. The better to effect my purpose
I reproduce from the IrUh Times, some of what it says when dealing
with the Show held on the 22nd to 25th August, 1893 :—

The Royal Dublin Society is the oldest institution of its kind in the
Avorld, having been established as far back as 1731, in which j'ear fourteen
citizens of Dublin met in the rooms of the Philosophical Society, Trinity
College, to consider in what way they could "best promote improvements
of all kinds." Those who attended at the meeting were Judge Ward, Sir
Thomas Molyneux, Thomas Upton, John Prall, Richard Warburton, Rev.
Dr. AVhitcomb, Dr. Stephens, Dr. Magnaten, Dr. Madden, Dr. Lehunte,
Thomas Prior, Arthur Dobbs, William Maple, and William Walton, and on
June 2oth, 1731, which was the date of their meeting, it was agreed to form
a Society, to be called "The Dublin Society for improving husbandry,
manufactures, and other useful arts and sciences." To trace the history
.of the Royal Dublin Society from its inception down to the present day,

101

uring- v/hicli period it has effected a wonderful amount of good, would
ccupy more space than could be given in the columns of a newspaper. Nor
is it necessary in this instance except as relates to the Horse Show. We
may state, however, that Arthur Young- in his " Tour in Ireland," published
in 1780, says : — " Great lionour is due to Ireland for having given birth to
the Dublin Society, which has the undisinited merit of being the father of
all the similar societies now existing in Europe." Towards the end of 1867
or early in 1868 the project of holding a horse show on an extensive scale
was mooted, for long before was seen that horse-breeding was one of the
great industries and resources of the country, and the upshot of the move-
ment was that a committee of the Royal Agricultural Society, which had
been formed for the purpose of holding a " National Horse Show," obtained
permission from the Royal Dublin Society to hold the Show on the premises
of the latter in Kiklare-street, and there and then the Royal Dublin Society
undertook an annual horse exhibition, and appointed a committee consisting
of twenty-five members to carry out the project. Without money nothing
can be done. Money was the obstacle in this case. It was forthcoming in
the shape of a public subscription, which appeal met with a liberal response.
In addition the Council voted £100 to the fund. The first Show was held
in Kildare-street on July 28, 29, and 30, 1868, when the entries numbered
368. At the time the promoters deemed this a huge success. And so it
was for an initial attempt, yet how diminutive do the figures read compared
with yesterday's totals. The payments for admission amounted to £583,
which affords proof of the fact that from the outset the idea of a National
Horse Show caught on with, at first, the Irish people, and subsequently
with those resident in distant parts — even in foreign parts. There are, no
doubt, some who will, after glancing over these remarks, say, " Oh, we
knew all this before ; tell us something we don't know." On the other
hand there are thousands — strangers to our city — who are not acquainted
with the history of Ball's Bridge Shows, who are ignorant of the importance
of Irish horse-breeding, and the benefits that follow not merely Ball's
Bridge, but provincial shows. AYell, the gate money taken at the first
venture was £583, and since then it has grown and developed so rapidly
that it is now not a head or a neck, but a Sackville-street in front of any
other similar institution in the world. There is only one horse show in the
world — Ball's Bridge. None other can with it compare. In the inaugural
year, that is in 1868, the value of the prizes given was no less than £470.
We have here evidence of liberal treatment from the outset. Large as that
sum appeared at the time it was small as contrasted with the £1,729 to be
doled out on the present occasion, exclusive of numerous valuable cups.
The last show was held at Kildare-street in 1880, and in that j^ear the
entries numbered exactly 600. The growth of the show was so great that
its promoters were compelled to look for new grounds, which were found at
Ball's Bridge, fifteen acres of land having been purchased from Lord Pem-
broke, but even this was found insufficient, and ten additional acres were
purchased. Still the requirements of the show grew on so steadily and
rapidly that in 1891 a further extension of space was found necessaiy, and
additional ground was purchased from Lord Pembroke, making a total area
of thirty-eight acres, the buildings on which cover five acres, and represent
an expenditure of £50,000. The permanent halls and stables at Ball's
Bridge now provide comfortable accommodation in the waj' of stalls and

/

103

loose boxes for 1,350 horses, ami now a branch of railway has been run on ,
to the front of the premises. This, we need not say, is a great boon to
exhibitors, as it saves them the risk and bother of getting valuable young
horses full of exuberant spirits through the crowded streets of the metropolis.
In the first show held at BalFs Bridge there were only 589 competitors in
the various classes, while the attendance— ascertained for the first time —
was 17,736. Then, in 1882 there were 694 entries, with an attendance of
14,973 ; in 1883 there were 733 entries, and 19,980 visitors ; in 1884 the
entries numbered 806, while 26,558 persons paid for admission, and the
latter attendance was not reached again until 1887, when the entries stood
at 950, and the attendance reached 26,244. In 1888 the entries totalled
1,051, while the attendance reached 32,534 ; in 1889 the figures were— entries
1,075, attendance 36,711; in 1890 — entries 1,324, attendance 43,438; in
1891— entries 1,322, attendance 46,083; in 1892— entries 1,304, attendance
53,547, or nearly four times larger than it was eleven years ago. These
figures prove the yearly increasing popularity of the Show, which has
become quite an international gathering so far as the visitors are concerned.
The entries this year are 1,200, or about a hundred less than last year. The
trivial falling off can be accounted for in this waj-. Numbers of provincial
shows have been held throughout Ireland during the past few months, and
the dealers purchased scores of high- class horses which would otherwise
come to Ball's Bridge. Again, owners of middliog or rubbishy horses must
have learned by this time that Dublin is the wrong place to bring them to
at very considerable cost. Some years ago it was nothing unusual to see a
lot of moderate horses in a big class, but this is certainly becoming a thing
of the past. There is no gainsaying the fact that as well as "licking
creation," as our friends across the Atlantic would say — as regards our
great equine gathering we can defy all competitors so far as the production
of weight-carrying hunters— a fairly large number of which we saw and
admired j'esterday — is concerned. There are a number of causes to account
for this. In the first place we are blessed with an even temperature in our
climate, as there are no sudden transitions from heat to cold or vice versa.
The soil is for the greater part a limestone one, and it is a well-known fact
that on no other soil will young horses develop so much bone. Undoubtedly,
the Royal Dublin Society has effected a great deal of good in its laudable
efforts to improve the breeding of hunters in this country, and it is evident
that if it received adequate financial aid from the Government, it could
do a lot more in the waj' of improving the breeds of hunters, remounts, and
useful horses. Another gaeat good eftected by the Society was that it
has educated the people into the importance of breeding from sound
stallions.

With every member of the executive committee doing his best to
promote the interests of this great Irish institution, and bringing our
Horse Show to the proud position it holds, and where among the
members perfect harmony has always prevailed, to make mention of
one more than another, perhaps, may not be fair. But, as in all bodies
consisting of so many members, some few must, of necessity, take the
lead, I don't think I can be found fault with when I name among the
for^.most my old friend and townsman Mr. Samuel Ussher Roberts

103

with Messrs. James Talbot Power and James O'Reilly. To these gen-
tlemen is the nation at large, and Ireland in particular, indebted for the
success which has attended the Dublin Horse Show. It was by reason
of their ability, sound practical judgment, and thorough knowledge of
the requirements that the principal improvements were brought about.
While in carrying out the details of the working their powers, both
administrative and executive, never tired.

The Royal Dublin Society has ever been non-political and non-
sectarian, and, needless to say, nothing pertaining to "party" is
associated with the Dublin Horse Show. Withal, it is a curious fact,
and one suggestive to an eminent degree, that throughout the long
history of the Society and the comparatively short history of the Show,
both one and other have been supported solely by that section of Irish-
men which all along represented wealth, social position, and adherence
to constitutional principle.

Patriots, in the only real and true meaning, have the members of that
section always proved themselves to be, and may dawn never open the
day on which they will be supplanted in my own dear old country !

\

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CHAPTER VI.

THE BUYING AND CARE OF A HUNTER.

Theoretical Instruction Useless— "An Eye "—A Verse— Buy from a Dealer— But better
Buy from the Farmers— Buy when you see what suits you— Horses go well in all
shapes— Author's Horse, The Squire— Well "balanced" Horse— Minting—Head and
Neck— Hint to Verdant Green— Would-be Sporting Artists— Wine and Horses— Judges
of Horses— Medium Class— Long Tails— High Class— Daly, Darcey, Widger, McDonald-
Judges of Wine— An Extract— Care of a Hunter- Only for Owners of Small Studs—
Jorrocks— Construction of Stable— Clothing— Clean Litter— Feeding— Buying Oats, etc.
—Buy from Farmers direct— Storing Oats— Watering Horses— Staling— Drink during a
Hun and after Work— Jogging Home— Stable Preparation for Horse Hunting— Treat-
ment after Hunting— Doing him up— How to Feed him— Horse's Temperaments-
Natural V. Artificial State— Long Fasting— Wash his Yard— Exercise— Physicking—
Firing, Blistering, etc.— Sea Sand, Turf Mould, etc.— Summer Treatment— Preparing
for Hunting— Beans— Condition— Ages of Grand National Winners— Aged Hunters —
Comparative Age of Horse and Man— Clipping— Shoeing— Different Sorts of Hoofs—
The Frogs— Contraction— Corns— Pressure on Soles or Bars— Removing a Shoe-
Ignorant Smith's V. Nature's Law— Cats, Goats, and Dogs in Stable— Hard Pullers
— Bits— Ladies' "Hands"— The Groom— A Tip on Lunging— Readers' v. Author's
Experience— A few Useful Recipes.

HoA\' to choose a horse is a matter upon which no man can instruct
another unless the pupil has naturally an eye for form ; if he has
not, he need not expect ever to be able to buy on his own judgment,
except by chance, a horse that will please him, or turn out well. No
one can be taught on paper how to judge or choose a horse, it would be
as easy to teach him on paper to ride or drive. Nor will experience
much help a man who has not the natural "eye." I have known men,
though having dealings with horses all their lives — ay, Masters of
Hounds, too — who knew very little about their points (or those of a hound
either).

Everyone knows a horse should have sloping shoulders, good legs,
back, and loins, quarters well let down and be well topped — in fact,
everything good ; but let me see the man who can teach in a book what
these essentials are. Fancy a lexicographical definition of "well-
ribbed-up " !

A head like a snake, and a skin like a mouse,
An eye like a woman, bright, gentle acd brown ;

With loins and a back that would carry a house,
And quarters to lift him smack over a town !

Unless a man is a good judge and has plenty of money I am of opinion
he will suit himself better, more cheaply, and with far less trouble
by entrusting the purchase to a respectable horsedealer than he will by
trying to pick up what he wants (or thinks he wants) himself. Let him
go to his dealer and tell him what he requires, and the price he is
prepared to pay ; then depend upon it he will not long remain unsuited-

105

A dealer knows every horse in the country, and, being a good and
practised judge, will not buy anything but a " useful ons," which he can
do 20 per cent, cheaper than the tyro, or even the gentleman who knows
a horse. This leaves the dealer a profit sufficient to enable him to sell
to his customer at or under the price the latter would have had to pay
the original owner. Then, again the buyer has only to go to the dealer's
yard to suit himself, instead of going about the country or to a lot of fairs ;
and if he does not like his purchase the dealer will, as a rule, exchange
it until he is suited. A man buying his horse in this way obtains the
benefit of the matured judgment of the professional, plus whatever
gumption he himself may possess.

At the same time, a man who is a good judge and knows w^hat he
wants should, as a return for the sport he allows so many to enjoy, buy
his horses direct from the farmer whenever he can, and, as I said in a
former chapter, pay liberally. ^loreover, he will have a better chance
of ascertaining correctly the breeding, for the chances are the farmer
has bred the horse.

When a regular hunting man, with good means, sees a horse that suit&
him he should buy him, even though he may not actually want him.
He may not be able to get one when he does, and it takes a long time^
sometimes, to get off selling condition and get on that required for
hunting.

Horses go well in nearly all shapes. The best I ever had was
apparently very deficient in some points. He had beautiful shoulders,
and trotted /rom them with grand even knee action, but he was a trifle
calf-kneed. He had great depth of heart, but ran slack behind the girth,
which gave him a " tucked-up " appearance when in hunting condition ;
and his back was only fairly good. His quarters were not equal to his
shoulders, but they were well let down, and he had grand ragged hips.
His hind action was decidedly not good in trotting, but like many
another good one his hocks nearly touched each other in that gait, but
when he galloped the hindlegs came well to the front, giving powerful
impetus, and when changing on our big Irish doubles he kept them
wide apart, which gave a fulcrum equally powerful. He was wonderfully
game, with a grand constitution, and he loved his work. No matter
how hard was the day before, he would come out of his stable the next
morning prancing and neighing. He was got by Full-cry, a thorough-
bred horse by old Harkaway, and out of a mare by Priam, winner of
either the Derby or St. Leger, a pedigree which, perhaps, made up for
his deficiency of shape. He carried me for seventeen seasons, I paid only
£45 for him, and he was called The Squire.

We have all had in our time our " favourite hunter," but, like other
favourites, he to a great many does harm. If a man through pre-
ferential riding gets unduly accustomed to one horse, he often finds it
difficult to go as well upon others, and in many instances loses
his nerve altogether when put on a strange mount, although he
may go like a bird on the horse he is accustomed to. I would therefore

106

advise men having small studs to change them fretiuently, and those
with large ones to ride each horse in his turn.

A horse should be what is called well "balanced" — i.e.^ his middle-
piece, hind and fore quarters should all be as nearly as possible of
same dimensions. I have heard that Landseer made three equal ovals
on his canvas before drawing a horse, and then filled in. I have a
notion that a horse so proportioned, with his shoulders sloping and his
quarters well let down, would be just about as safe a conveyance over
a country, or returning home tired along a rough road on a dark night,
as most men need wish to possess — provided, of course, that he had good
manners.

If I were to name a horse the most perfect in shape which I have
ever seen I should name ^Ir. A^yner's Minting. In that great horse is
depicted what true shape and perfect "balance" is. If he were to
be dissected from the point of the shoulder to the elbow, and from the
point of the hip to the stifle, there would be left the three portions of
his body as equal in weight as perhaps are those of any other horse at
present in the kingdom. He stands 16 hands lin., measures 9iin.
under the knee, and girths 6ft. 4in. He is up to 17st. with hounds and
his weight averages lie wt. 2qrs. From his breeding and his own prowess
he is, of course, eminently calculated to beget racehorses of the first
water, provided the mares put to him be of the right sort, and from his
conformation no horse which I ever saw appeared to me more fitted to
beget weight-carrying hunters.

I like a horse with plenty of room in the gullet and a head loosely set-
on, sufficiently to allow the fore and middle fingers to be run down
between the jawbone and neck. At the same time, this sort of head
must not be set on a neck unduly long in the windpipe, for, if it is,
the chances of roaring and ultimate broken-wind are greatly increased.

Without attempting to describe the good points of a horse, let me
advise " ingenuous youth " to keep clear of a horse with a light mouth,
ewe neck, and straight shoulders, particularly if he possess strong
propelling power, has white in his eye, and is, say, a chestnut. The
verdant sportsman is not, however, to take it that a heavy mouth,
ram neck, and crooked shoulders are desirable simply because they are
the opposite of those points against which I caution him !

No matter how clever an artist may be with brush or pencil, he
cannot make a proper portrait of a horse unless he be a good judge of
his points ; neither can he paint or draw any sporting subject without
a practical knowledge of it, as many of the ghastly productions of the
day so eloquently prove. How can a man draw a coach and four without
knowing how the horses should be tackled ? And if he puts a man on
the box, how can he represent him unless he can drive himself ? If
possible, the cloven foot is shown more strikingly when a landlubber
attempts a sailing scene or a Frenchman a fox-hunt. The man who at
present is about the very best painter of a hound in the kingdom owes
his reputation to having been taught the true formation of a foxhound

107

by one of the best judges of hounds in England upon the flags of his own
kennels in Yorkshire.

There exists a somewhat curious similitude of principle observable
in the buying of a horse and buying of a man's wine. Most men think
they know all about horses and wine, whereas a really good judge of
either, much less of both, is seldom met with. There are many classes of
horse and kinds of wine, with various qualities in each sort, the price for
the higher being run up at times far beyond their value. Men, although
they may not be good judges all round, generally know pretty well what
wine and what horse will suit them in the class they generally use, but
to do so they must have a correct palate for the one and a correct eye
for the other.

A Master of Hounds, used to buying ready-made 15st. hunters, to
carry himself, at from £100 to £200, and 12st. horses to carry his
men, at half the money, w^ill acquire an eye for those two particular
stamps, and be able to pick out very accurately what he wants ; but
ask him to choose the best colt out of a drove of " long tails," or the
one which will make the best weight-carrier out of a number of half
trained, out-of-condition four-year-olds, and he may be quite at sea.
The same man may be quite as much out of his element among a lot of
really very high class hunters. He will be lost in admiration of their
symmetrical shapes, their even action and perfect manners ; while, if
he sees them schooled, he. can at once pick out the best performer.
But let him price these horses for the market. How can he tell, when
they are all so apparently perfect, which is the one worth £250 and the
one worth, maybe, £500 ? But ask Mr. James Daly, Mr. Giles Darcey,
Mr. John Widger, or Mr. Edward McDonald to look at them, and
they will very soon classify them, simply because their natural eye for
form has been trained by long experience of this class of horse. So
it is with dealers who buy the yearlings and the youngsters ; no
matter how unkempt and untrimmed, they can pick the best. And,
perhaps, the man who buys the finished hunter, fit for Rugby or Leicester,
may " put his foot in it " when he goes among the soft ones.

So precisely it is with wine : the man who is accustomed to a certain
class will, if he has a correct palate, tell correctly enough which among
the lot is the best value ; but if put out of the class to which he
is accustomed, he will be in just the same fog as the man among the
horses. Still we often hear men accustomed only to beer and whisky
pass judgment upon high-class claret and champagne. Even a
merchant accustomed only to select wines in their crude state can
know nothing about the fine old matured stuff, unless he is in the
habit of using it at his own dinner table.

Since writing the foregoing I read in The Horsehreedcr a practical
and sensible article upon choosing a horse, so I reproduce it.
Hints on Horses.

Some men are said to be born with an eye for a horse, some to have an
instinctive idea of sliape, but this is the exception, and, as a rule, study is

108

necessary to all in order to acquire sufficient judgment to be relied on.
Experience is too often bought by loss and disappointment.

"When you meet a horse tliat at first sight appears suitable to your
purpose, showing the general character and qualifications, and having
ascertained his price, made conditions as to soundness, and tested his
movements in the manner I advise, you may proceed to

The Look all Over.

Here I will introduce one of my most important golden rules, which
buyers should commit to memory : —

A horse's power and value must be measured by his weakest points.

A well-known writer reminds us that " tlie strength of a chain depends
upon its weakest link," and this is truly applicable to the horse, whose
worth must be estimated by his weakest point. Xo matter what a horse's
performances, appearances, or merits may otherwise be, you must reject
him for one bad fault. Horses are usually selected for their good points,
prominently brought forward by the seller. This is the mistake, and the
trap into which the best judges, being carried away by a horse's superior
merits, too often fall. Then, in looking at a horse with the eye of a pur-
chaser, you must seek first for his defects, not perfections, which, though
unusual, is the safest course to pursue.

A horse takes two looks. The first or general look, by which you take
in at a glance his outline and character, directs the centre of vision about
the top of the shoulder or withers ; symmetry and good conformation,
economy of power, and harmony in his component parts, being what you
should look for. This first look should give you a fair impression of the
horse's height, power, bone, breeding, and quality, as also his length and
breadth, the first being essential to speed, the latter to endurance. A
horse should be well proportioned, with an equal balance of power all
round. If a horse has a long, powerful, or ponderous forehand, he
requires correspondingly powerful hind quarters, which if light, the
propelling engine not being equal to its work, the machine soon breaks
down. On the other hand, if the fore legs are weak, they will soon give
way under the excessiv^e propulsion of powerful hind quarters. The duty
of the fore quarters is simply to support the equilibrium of the machine.
As is often the case, a horse may have good fore and hind quarters, yet
have a defective or light " middle piece " or boiler which supplies the steam
that cann<jt be got up without a good firebox to hold the fuel, and a horse
with a light carcase is generally a bad feeder, and cannot stand work. The
utility, then, of the equus cahallus depends upon his symmetry and well-
balanced conformation.

A horse should stand well, and much of the character of his movements
may be judged even while he is at rest. As he stands he walks, and as he
walks he gallops. The weight of the body should be evenly di^stributed
over the liml)S, and the forelegs so placed that a perpendicular line erected
at the point of the toe should touch the point of the shoulder. The hind
legs ought to be well under the body, but not too far in or over-weighted,
impeding their freedom of action. As it is so important to observe if a
horse stands well and firmly on his legs, he should be placed for this
purpose on level ground and allowed to stand naturally, not as they are

109

usually shown with the fore legs in an elevated position, and made to
stretch. Dealers, grooms, and showmen in sale yards invariably adopt this
show pose, not always to a horse's advantage, particularly when he is
" calf-kneed " and his hind legs are naturally "too far away from him." It
is a mode of disguising such defects as straight fore legs, being ' ' baker-
kneed," or standing over, and hooked hocks, etc. This position is deceptively
complimentary to a horse naturally low before, giving him better carriage
and forehand, making him appear to cover more ground, taking from his
height if leggy, lowering the hips, and thus raising the loins, levelling the
back, and making the shoulders look more oblic|ue. A horse can in this
way be got to measure at least an inch under his true height, an imposition
sometimes recoursed to in selling horses to match, etc. You must therefore
insist upon a horse being allowed to stand naturally, when his very attitude
and the position of his legs may betray his weakness, and point at once to
well-known diseases and malformations that will render further inspection
unnecessary.

I now come to describe how to take care of a hunter, a matter much
easier dealt with than choosing him.

My observations on this subject are only intended for the ioforma-
tioQ of owners of small studs, such as I once had myself. I would not
presume to make suggestions to a swell with a large stud, and still less
to that greater swell — his stud- groom !

Jorrocks tells us it was either Walter Scott or little Bartley the boot-
maker who said that " there w^as no young man wot would not rather
have a himputation on his morality than on his 'ossmanship," and goes
OQ to remark, " and yet how few there are wot really know anything about
the matter. Oh, but if hignorance be bliss 'ow 'appy must they be ! "

While allowing the grand old fellow his own rate of discount for
exaggeration, we can, of course, knock off from the above assertion
a large percentage, but even then we shall have a big balance. I don't
assume to know as much as other people about horses or how to take
care of them better, but not being quite as big a dunce as the friends
of Jorrocks appear to have been, I may be permitted to say a few words
about care of hunters, and as I had two or more at a time for nearly
five-and-twenty years, was always my own stud-groom, had them well
and fit, and seldom employed a veterinary surgeon, my methods of treat-
ment could not have been bad.

I always kept my horses in roomy boxes, about 14ft. square and as
many high (if 20ft. high so much the better, as they cannot have too
much air and ventilation). Box stalls of greater area, than 14ft. square
are dangerous, for they give room for gambolling, in which a horse,
when fresh, indulges, and so often slips up. Be careful to avoid
draughts, and equally so to supply a constant current of fresh air.
Have your stable floor so constructed that the urine will flow off at
once. Don't overclothe horses, but, of course, have them warmly
clothed in winter after clipping, while exercising the same care to
ensure plenty of good, dry, clean litter.

110

Feed regularly— ravenous horses three times a day, the delicate
four times. Give each as much good sweet old oats as he will eat,
and when doing strong work a large handful of crushed two-year-old
beans in each feed. A mash of bran, potatoes, or turnips should be
given twice a week to keep their bowels right ; very little hay, and
that of the best. Don't give more at a feed than the horse will eat
and finish with a relish. Try to make each horse, when in hard work,
eat on an average at least 14lbs. of oats a day. Give every day one or
two raw carrots whole, not chopped.

Salt, to assist digestion, is as requisite to animals as it is to mankind,
hence they should be supplied with it ; therefore keep alwaj^s a piece
of rock-salt in the manger for your horse to lick.

I think well-saved hay of the previous summer may be given after
Christmas, as old dried-up stufif has no nourishment in it. Oats should
always be from six to eighteen months old, and should be quite sweet.
The former season's oats may be given in April. If you have to buy
from dealers, lay in your supply about June or July, before the new
corn comes to market, or you run the risk of getting the new mixed
with the old. Be sure it is fresh threshed, and not kiln-dried, and let
it be turned well from one end of the loft to the other, at least once
a week, and always have plenty of fresh air about it. It should not be
heaped more than six inches deep, or it will get musty. But the best
plan if you do not grow it yourself is to buy the oats from the farmer,
and let him send it to you fresh threshed from the stack as you
want it.

I seldom see hay what I call properly saved — that is, before it has
lost all its greenness, and ivhile the sap is in it. Farmers are fearful
of its " heating " after having been ricked, and, therefore, they leave
it until it has got quite dried up before bringing it to the haggard ;
whereas, if proper care and trouble were taken to have the meadows cut
only in hot weather, and then save the hay quickly, our horses would
have it nice and sweet even when it would be two years old.

Let a horse have water always in his stable to drink when he likes.
Nothing is so unnatural, and consequently bad, as to let him get
ravenously thirsty, and then suddenly charge his stomach to excess.
Let him take what he desires before leaving the stable w^hen going
to hunt. This will be perhaps nine or ten o'clock, and as he will not
have a run much before twelve, or maybe one or two o'clock, it will
be all absorbed long before then. Let him take a few "go downs" of
water during the day, or during a long run, just to refresh him. Let
him stale as often as he likes while out, and if he does not do so bring
him under cover and spread straw under him, or otherwise induce him,
for many horses will not stale out of doors.

When the day's hunting is over, if you have a long ride home, go
to a farmhouse and make your horse a good big drink of flour or ground
oatmeal and water. If he is very beat slip half a glass of whisky into it
while he is drinking. If you put it in beforehand and he smells it he

Ill

will not take it. Do not give liim ivJiole oatmeal, for if not steeped
beforehand it is likely to give colic. Then jog him home at five miles
an hour. Nothing is worse than walking him slowly or trotting him
fast after a long, hard day, unless it be to leave him shivering in the
cold while you go into a friend's house to regale yourself.

Before twelve o'clock on a hunting day let your man jout a quart of
good old oatenmeal into a bucket, and on it pour as much hoillnri
water as it will take up ; put a cover over the bucket and leave it beside
a fire till the horse comes home. Let the man also put a feed of oats
into another bucket, with as much hoiliiuj water as it will take up,
cover over the oats with dry bran about four or five inches deep, and
leave it also beside the fire till the horse returns.

Directly the horse comes home have cold water put to the bucket of
oatenmeal, and let him take a good drink of strong gruel, not lukewarm,
as some people give it, which is -as little refreshing to a thirsty horse as
it is to a thirsty man, but with the chill only taken off. When the
man goes for the gruel he should take advantage of the opportunity to
mix up the bran and oats well together, and let them soak till the
horse is ready for them. Then, leaving his saddle on, let him be washed
down from head to foot as quickly as possible. Scrape the heavy wet
ofi" immediately and put on his clothing and bandages, but don't wisp
or further clean him till next day. Let him eat hay during this pro-
ceeding. In fifteen or twenty minutes he will be quite dry ; then let
the clothes be removed and dry ones put on, but do not take off the
saddle till the perspiration has comijletely dried up.

All this should be done in a spare stall. When finished, bring the
horse into his box-stall well and deeply littered with fresh clean
wheaten straw, let him roll if he will, and drink from the bucket in the
stall as much water as he chooses, and then give him the scalded oats
and bran. Put on dry bandages, and, if late, leave him to rest for the
night. It is a bad thing to overload a horse's stomach after a long
day's fast, therefore, unless he comes home early, I would give him only
the one meal at night. He will feed all the better next day.

A smart groom will, by adopting this method, have his horse com-
fortably done up for the night half an hour after he comes in, unless
he is a fretful beast that " breaks out."

If a horse does not eat the scalded oats readily, give him a mash
of boiled potatoes, which he is sure to eat. When fatigued, and after
long fasting, he will not eat hard dry oats with nearly the same relish
nor will he digest it so well as the nice warm soft preparation w^hich I
describe. If he has endured cold or wet, flaxseed well steeped for four
or five hours, and mixed with his mash, is a capital preventive against
coughs.

There are, of course, horses of such peculiar temperament and fasti-
dious taste that the foregoing treatment may not exactly suit, but they
are the exception.

Though a horse can drink a great deal at a time when very thirsty

112

and absorbs the water rapidly into his system, his stomach is very small)
and cannot contain much food, but this he digests very quickly also. In
his natural state he would be constantly feeding, but in the artificial
or unnatural state of training or hunting condition, we have to act as
best we can to lessen the evils attendant thereon. Anyway the more he
eats the more work he will do. I think the /anting consequent upon
a long day's hunting much more frequently knocks up a horse than the
actual icork he does.

A horse's yard should be drawn, and it, with the sheath, washed
with soft soap and warm water once a fortnight. Allowing this part
to accumulate dirt often impedes free discharge of urine, and conse-
quently causes kidney derangement.

Physicking is old-fashioned, and often much overdone. If a horse's
feeding and exercise be properly attended to, very little physic, as a rule,
is necessary. Of course, at times it is required; for instance, if an
accident suddenly throws him out of work, and his usual routine is
upset, or if he gets surfeited in any way, he probably will require a
light purgative. When it becomes necessary to physic, the horse should
be carefully " prepared " with bran or other mashes, and he should not
get the purgative ball witil his dung has hecome soft, when a much
smaller dose of aloes produces a better effect, with less injury.

As soon as the hunting season is over, look to your horse's legs, mth
a view to firing, blistering, or charging where such is required, but don't
follow the old plan of blistering and charging when it is not required.
If you fire a horse he should have at least three months' rest from any
severe work, to give him a fair chance of coming round again. Those not
fired or blistered should have their regular long walking exercise in the
cool early mornings.

Sea sand, or dry turf -mould, is very good for a horse to stand on in
the day time in summer, as it serves the feet. Some people recommend
the bare pavement, but I never tried it.

Give from 7 to 10 lbs. of oats a day ; 10 or 12 lbs. of hay and some
nice fresh clover or grass as soon as it can be got. They may get this
up to the end of July. A hunter shoidd never he let out of condition.
I don't think he can be got back under two years, if once allowed to fall
completely off. He is unlike a dog, which can be got into the best and
hardest condition in a few months. For that reason it is obvious a
hunter should never be turned out on grass.

Light harness work in a four-wheeled trap, where the weight won't
come on his fore-legs, will do a sound-legged hunter good in summer ;
and gentle ploughing or harrowing in light ground will serve " dickey "
legs. No carting or two-wheeled work. Towards the end of July
knock off the grass, reduce the daily allowance of hay, and increase the
oats and exercise. Long walking, and trotting up hill in deep ground,
with an occasional pipe-opener in clothing — but little galloping is
required — will get him fit and well by the first week in November.
Don't give your hunter long days before Christmas, but try to have him

113

back in his stable by three or four o'clock, thus getting him into his
work by degrees. A severe run or long, fatiguing day before a horse is
quite fit does more harm than five such when he is fit.

Don't give beans till he begins regular hunting, as they are very
stimulating and heating ; they should be given crashed and never be
less than two years old.

Of all the requisites for getting through a long and severe run with
hounds, there is nothing more essential to the horse than condition.
It takes a long time to get him thoroughly fit, hence it is that as a
rule horses under five years old are seldom found at the end of a severe
run, simply because those younger have nob had sufficient time to get
into tip-top condition ; they crack up when the pinch comes, no
matter how game, clever, or well-bred they may be, or despite how
artistically they may be ridden. The Grand National, since it was
established in 1839, has never been won by a four-year-old, was won
only four times by a five-year-old, and twelve times by a six-year-old.
How foolish, therefore, is a man when he thinks he can have satisfac-
tion with a horse, not to speak of a stud, which he buys just before
the hunting season — unless he happens to buy out of a stable of old-
seasoned horses, which, obviously, he seldom gets the chance of.

There are a great many, and first-flight men too, who don't care
about riding seasoned hunters, but my experience has shown me that
it is after he has become " aged " that a horse attains his prime. It
is then he has taken his degree with hounds, and it is then, after years
of good hard feeding, he has acquired the condition requisite to carry
him through a trying run and sustain a long day's fasting.

I think the age of a horse may, like a man's, be divided into seven
stages, and I compare the two as follows : —

Foals and 4-year-olds to children and schoolboys
Horses of 4 to 5 years old to youths of 18 to 20

5 to 6

to

men

of 20 to 25

6 to 7

,,

25 to 30

7 toll

,,

30 to 40

11 to 15

,,

40 to 60

15 to 20

,,

60 to SO

A man for hard work is in his prime between the age of 30 and 40,
a horse from 7 to 11, provided that each have had fair play in their
youth.

Of course hunters must be clipped, but the hair to above the knees
and hocks should be left on to protect the legs from injury. So should
the part under the saddle. Then if the saddle fits, is properly stufifed,
and a leather-cloth used, the danger of sore backs is reduced to a
minimum, provided the saddle be not removed till the perspiration
has completely dried up.

Shoeing is a source of great trouble at times, and there is nothing
to which a man should pay more attention, for there is not one

I

114

farrier in twenty who knows anything about the proper principle of
horse-shoeing.

On no account must a smith be allowed to pare the frog or cut out the
angles between it and the bars. This they are always fond of doing,
for the purpose, as they say, of "opening the heeL^," and so prevent con-
traction ! Nothing causes contraction so much as this very operation.
Neither should they be permitted to apply a rasp to the outside of
the hoof, and with still greater care must the sole be saved from their
villainous knife. Nature provides horn for the protection of the foot
against accidents, hence the stronger and thicker it grows the better,
and the frog is there to lessen concussion ; thus if a clumsy, ignorant
smith cuts and pares them away to make his job look neat and clean,
of course he weakens what Nature means to be strong, and thereby
does great injury. Depend upon it, contraction, corns, and disease in
the foot are almost invariably caused by shoeing.

Horses' hoofs, as everyone knows, vary greatly in shape and in sub-
tance, but, with the exception of the shelly and brittle hoof, I think one
may be just as sound and good as another, provided it is as Nature, not
shoeing, has given it to the horse. The brittle, shelly hoof must be made
tough and strong by such applications as Clark's Hoplemuroma, or it
will be a fruitful source of trouble and annoyance, by reason of casting
shoes and so making bad worse. The " muley " foot is said to be the
most liable to concussion, to generate navicular and other disease, and
is most susceptible of contraction ; therefore plenty of room must be
given at the heel so that the frog, by ability to perform its natural
function, will be enabled to counterbalance the eflfects of the natural
deformity (so to speak) of the " muley foot." The flat, splay foot should
be guarded against pressure of the shoe on the sole, by carefully bevel-
ling the shoe. The large, round, tough, strong hoof, which is neither
flat nor "muley," is the most easily managed, and nothing but gross
ignorance or negligence will bring about corns or disease, or render it
liable to cast shoes.

To sum up : — Never allow the smith to touch either sole or frog with
a knife, except merely to pare off jagged pieces and to remove grit ; let
him fit the shoe to the foot, not the foot to the shoe ; don't let him allow
the shoe to rest on or press any part of the sole or bars, but bear on the
outside crust only, and let the frog come nearly to the ground. When
removing a shoe have the clenches of the old nails carefully cut of, and
let the shoe be gently drawn — not wrenched — off.

Horses used for heavy draught or fast driving should have shoes to
come only three-quarters along the hoof, leaving the growth of the frogs
perfectly uncontrolled. The result will be the horses will seldom fall,
and can travel in absolute safety over ice ; particularly going down hill,
as the frog can then act to best advantage. Hunters during the summer
should be shod in like manner.

Horses hate to be alone, and as they are very fond of cats keep a few
always about the stables, but never let dogs or goats there, for the

115

smell of either is most injurious to a horse. It is an awfully bad plan
to have kennels near stables, yet we often find them there.

Many a horse pulls hard and is nearly uncontrollable in a curb,
whereas in a plain or twisted snaffle a child might ride him. However,
few horses will pull if they are not pulled. No saying is truer about
this noble, but oft-abused animal than that " every horse has his own
bridle " ; experience should, therefore, soon teach in which he goes best ;
out I would, be very careful how I let servants ride a tender-mouthed
horse in a curb. They can do less harm to his mouth with a plain
snaffle than any other bit, so let such be used at exercise. A net
sold for the purpose to put over the nose is an excellent check on a
hard-pulling horse, so is a bit made of leather rolled to resemble a
snaffle. It is, however, men's hands, as a rule, that make horses
pull. They seldom pull with ladies, who have hands so much lighter
than men.

I must add a word or two relative to the ultra desideratum of a
hunting stable — that is, the Groom. No matter how vigilant the master
may be, he will never have his horses well cared or turned out
as he would wish them to be unless he has a thoroughly reliable and
conscientious man to look after them. In small hunting stables, where
the master superintends things himself and understands the details, it is
not absolutely necessary that the groom should be a master of arts, but
it is highly requisite that he should be trustworthy in all things and
carry out his master's instructions. Neither is it necessary that he
should be a good horseman. On the contrary, all that is required of an
ordinary groom, in the riding line, is to have light hands and to be able
to prevent a horse kicking him off at exercise. The less he likes or knows
about riding over a country the better ; that is his master's prerogative.
Do not bother, either, about your groom being a teetotaler, for scarcely
any are such, and a servant requires, and is as much entitled to, his beer
and grog in moderation as his master. Be satisfied if you find he is
abstemious in liquor, is not easily affected by drink, and never gets
drunk on duty. Of course he must be intelligent, smart, fond of his
horses, and take a pride in bringing them out fit and well. He should
always keep his eyes and ears wide open and his mouth close shut, and
he must do what he is told. When a master of moderate means gets
hold of a man like this to look after his hunters, he should appreciate
and treat him properly, so that, apart from higher considerations, he
may retain his services ; for servants nowadays are not found with
righteous propensities, or who take an interest in their employers, as
easily as they were some two or three decades ago.

I will here give a tip as to lunging a stubborn horse over fences. It
is not generally known in this country, but it is in Australia. Put on
a saddle and bridle with a plain snaffld ; pat the reins under the stirrup
leathers ; fasten the irons in their place by passing a strap through each
and under the belly ; get a strong but light rope, about twenty-five
yards long, double it in two, and in the middle make a loop sufficiently

116

large to pass over the horse's tail and form a crupper ; around the loop
serve cloth or leather, to prevent chafing. Make a knot in the doubled
rope so as to meet the back of the saddle ; pass the rope ends through
each stirrup-iron and the rings of the snaffle ; then go in front of the
horse with the two ends of the rope in your hand. By very little
manipulation you will see what power you have over him, and that in
no way can his mouth be interfered with, while he must keep his head
straight and follow you wherever you wish to pull him. A man behind
with a long whip forms a useful auxiliary. I give a rough illustration
of what I describe. The dotted lines show the tackle.

Xo doubt many of my readers know far more about horses and their
management than I do, but experience has taught me that, consistently
with the unnatural state in which, of necessity, we have to keep them,
the more closely we follow the laws of Xature the better. The more air
we give them, the more attention we pay to their food, exercise, and
shoeing, and the less pampering they get, the more work we shall get out
of them. If ive feed and care for them j^roperbj, ive can ivork them
hard.

To the hunting man accidents are the bane of his season. Eemedies
simple in their compound are ofttimes more effective than those made
of ingredients which require a Latin dictionary to translate, and the
veterinary Encyclopaidia Medica to explain the nature of. I shall
therefore conclude this chapter by giving a few recipes which, although
simple and easily made up, I can vouch, after many years' experience,
possess extraordinary curative properties.

For Wounds, be they incised or lacerated, and no matter how deep
or dangerous— unless the tendons be cut across — the following lotion
w411 cure them :— Blue-stone, ^oz. ; sugar of lead, ^oz. ; well ground
together and mixed in a quarter of a pint of vinegar with a pint of rain-
water. First cleanse the cut thoroughly, and then apply the above two
or three times a day, shaking it beforehand and letting it ivell into the
wound. A bandage is not to be applied, as the wound will heal from
the bottom, finally closing in, and will leave little, if any, mark. A
bottle of this stuff should be kept constantly in every stable, for in the
kingdom there is not a better cure for cuts.

For Mud Fever, Ceacked Heels, and Theush :— A tablespoonful
of sugar of lead mixed well in a mortar with a tumblerful of glycerine.
Apply well with a sponge ; in twelve hours wash it off with soft soap.
If necessary, in a day or two, apply again. This for Chilblains is
also an excellent recipe.

For Sprains of the joints or Steains of the sinews : — First rub
well with spirits of turpentine, as soon after the injury as possible,
then apply as a poultice, hot, a strong curd, produced from boiling
milk poured upon finely powdered alum — first straining off the
whey. To be renewed night and morning. This is alike good for
man and horse. Clark's "Neurasthenipponskelesteriso ' for strains of
the back sinews or "breaks down" is marvellous, and should also be

117

kept ready in all hunting and racing stables. To avoid spelling out
the awful Greek, " Neuras." is sufficient to write for.

For an ordinary Cough give ten drops of tincture of belladonna in
half a pint of water at night, and ten drops of tincture of bryonia in
half a pint of water in the morning— both times fasting. Be careful in
measuring , as they are poisons. Let the horse drink water in which
lime has been dissolved. Hay should not be given to a horse while he
is coughing, but he should get his regular walking exercise and not be
cooped up.

For a Breast or Back Scalded by the collar or saddle : — Sugar of
lead, one tablespoonful, mixed with half a pint of vinegar and a pint of
water. Bathe often, and leave constantly on the part a piece of linen
saturated in the lotion.

For Warbles either of the following applied same as the latter
recipe : — Tincture of arnica, ^oz. ; mixed in half a pint of warm water.
Or, sal almonia, 2oz. ; vinegar, one pint ; spirits of turpentine, half a
wineglassful ; sweet oil, quarter of a wineglassful.

For Burns or Scalds whether for man or animal :— Rub or pour
spirits of turpentine over the part immediately after the accident.
Instead of smarting, as most people would imagine, it gives instanta-
neous relief, and renders further remedies the more effective.

For Brittle Feet, as I said before, Clark's " Hoplemuroma."

To prevent Crib-bitinci remove the crib and all else the horse can
lay hold of. Feed him out of a bucket, to be taken away when he has
finished.

To Stop Bleeding wash well with either spirits of turpentine or
whisky. If they can't be got, plaster the cut over with pig dung, and
bind it on with a handkerchief.

For Warts : — White arsenic, l|oz. ; yellow arsenic, Hoz. ; cream of
tartar, loz. ; hog's lard, 2ozs. ; made into an ointment and applied twice
a day.

For Capped Hocks, Big Knees, etc. :— Equal parts of strong spirits
of ammonia, turpentine, and sweet oil, rubbed in like a blister.

To renovate a covert coat or make Waterproof any Cloth: — Sugar
of lead, h\h. ; powdered alum, Mb. ; dissolved in a bucket of soft water.
Stir well up and leave it to get clear, then pour into another bucket ;
put the coat in and let it steep for twenty-four hours. Allow it to dry
without wringing.

To make Waterproof and keep Soft Top Boots, or any other boots,
have them well rubbed over with common castor oil once a month.
The application does not interfere with the subsequent polishing.

To take Stains out of a Red Coat : — Half an ounce of oxalic acid
dissolved in a pint of water. First sponge the stains out, then add
another half pint of water and sponge the coat all over. Don't make
the solution stronger or it will hum out the stains.

If a man gets a bad fall he should take a hot bath directly he gets
home, after which, if bruised or stiff, he should rub spirits of turpentine

118

well into the part while the pores are open. When going to bed take
two blue pills and a purgative early next morniEg.

For Eheumatism, Lumbago, etc., also Gout, see ShootiDg chapter.

As a substitute for Sticking Plastek the inside skin of a raw egg
will answer all the purposes, while for a Boil, where it can be readily
applied, there is no application more soothing or beneficial than the
skin of an egg.

The foregoing remedies were included with others in a little pamphlet
entitled "A Few Recipes Useful to Country Gentlemen," which I
published some years ago, and which ran into two editions.

119

CHAPTER YII.

THE LATE HENRY AV. BRISCOE, ESQ., D.L., M.E.H.

Reference to Briscoe in the Curraghmore History— The Author's Mentor— His Birth—
Tinvane— His Father— His Crest— T. CD.— His Man-iage— His Father's Harriers— His
Foxhunting the Welch Mountains— His Right to that Country— How Hunted— Good
Sport— Sale of his Pack to Lord Waterford— The Kilkenny Hunt— Mr. Briscoe as a
Eider to Hounds— As a Judge of Hunting— Briscoe's Recovery to Health in 1870—
Chosen Master of the Kilkennys— Dissensions in that Hunt— How he Healed them— As
Master of the Kilkennys — Sport shown — Errors cox'rected by Author — Briscoe as M.F.H.
— Particulars of his various Qualifications — Long reference— Briscoe in Society — How
Appreciated by the Ladies— Among his Own Family— D.L. and J. P.— As a Country
Gentleman— His Sound Judgment— He first Imported Thoroughbred Stallions— Their
Kames— Their Success— Not fond of Racing— As a Shot— His Breed of Pointers— His
Faults— jSTo Vices— Never Drank at Night— Never Gambled— His Jealousy— Hatred of
Smoking— Great Friend of the Author— Author's Mode of Humouring him— How he got
Information— Where got— When got— Results— Author's enjoyment at Tinvane—
Sunday-school— Foxhound Kennels— Author's notion upon them in general— The
Tinvane Kennels- Compared with Swell Kennels— Construction of Kennels— Briscoe's
Popularity— His Good Health— His last Illness— His Death— His Age— His Funeral—
—Melancholy Coincidence— Briscoe and Foxhunting in Waterford died together— Too
True— A Verse to his Memory— Peace to his Manes !

I HAVE had necessarily to make reference to Mr. Henry Briscoe in my
history of the Curraghmore Hunt, I shall, however, devote a chapter
of my book to further mention of the man from whom I learned the
little 1 know of the rudiments of the noble science of foxhunting, and
under whom, while Master of the Curraghmore, I enjoyed such
magnificent sport during the eleven best years of my life. Besides, he
was for many years, and up to his death, one of my most intimate
friends. However, what will be a better reason to my readers for
giving this biography is that, to the foxhunting community of his time,
he was a brilliant light, and well known as an M.F.H.

Henry Whitby Briscoe, D.L. and J. P., was born on September 29, 1809.
He came from a good old stock (as we say in Ireland), who for generations
owned the Tinvane estates, and resided at the old hall which is
situated about a mile and a half from Carrick-on-Suir, on the
immediate confines between counties Tipperary and Kilkenny. His
father was a great sportsman of the old school, and loved coursing to
a degree, while his breed of greyhounds was quite famous. I refer to the
fact to bring in the curious coincidence that the crest of the family
is a greyhound running with a hare in his mouth.

The subject of ray chapter as Fellow Commoner took his degree with
honours in Trinity College, Dublin. He succeeded to the property upon
the death of his father in about 18.32, and soon afterwards married
Deborah, eldest daughter of Mr. Shaw of Annefield.

From his boyhood he was passionately fond of field sports. His
father kept a pack of harriers, which were taken in hand by young

120

Henry almost as soon as he was able to sit on a horse, but hares
were not his ambition, and he soon bred the harriers into foxhounds,
and took to the more exalted degree of venery. He hunted the Welch
mountains and their neighbourhood for several years, but I don't know
whether he had the prescriptive right in himself, or got leave to hunt it
from the first Sir John Power of Kilfane. Probably the latter, for
Sir John then owned the Kilkenny Hounds, and had the foxhunting
right to the country, inasmuch as he had established the pack early in
the present century ; moreover, Sir John was a contemporary of Briscoe's
father.

Anyway, Briscoe hunted the parts I have named. He had no enclosed
coverts, but along the tops and sides of the hills were wild, natural
patches of gorse and heather, in which foxes in abundance took shelter.
Briscoe hunted early in the mornings, so his hounds generally struck
the drag which they had to hunt to his lair before they actually found
their fox, and there is no doubt that from these natural fastnesses he
showed great sport. Owing to the limited extent of his country and
the skill with which he handled his hounds, together with their own
good qualities, foxes after a time became scarce along the Welch
mountains, and Briscoe was glad at times to let them have a shy at a
hare when one was started.

Soon after Henry Lord Waterford commenced hunting from
Curraghmore, he bought Mr, Briscoe's pack, and took up his country.
From that time forward Briscoe was a constant follower of Lord
Waterford's and the Kilkenny Hounds, and he became a leading
member of the Kilkenny Club.

As I said in the Curraghmore chapter, he rode to liunt^ and his whole
soul was in the hounds and their working. He simply used his horse
as a means to an end, but so effectually that he was always with the
hounds, whether they went a splitter of fifteen minutes or worked
through a long run. The consequence was, he soon became as
good an authority on hunting as was the second Sir John Power, who
had then succeeded his father, and was considered the best gentleman
huntsman of the day.

To avoid repetition I must refer my readers to the second section of
my chapter on the Curraghmore Hunt for the portion of Mr. Briscoe's
history from 1859 to 1870, during which period he was Master of that
pack, but had to resign in consequence of ill-health.

It so happened that in 1870 the Kilkenny Hounds were without a
Master, and for some few years there existed unpleasant circumstances
connected with that Hunt, owing to social and other dissensions among
some of the leading members.

Directly it was known that Briscoe had given up the Curraghmore,
the Kilkenny gentlemen invited him to take office with them. They
one and all recognised the fact that no man could be found more likely
to bring about a reunion between the dissentient parties, for he was
alike popular with botb, and had not espoused either side in the

121

•quarrel ; moreover, they knew how well qualified he was to fill the role
of M.F.H.

Briscoe, having made a wonderful, and entirely unexpected, recovery
of his health, accepted the invitation, and became Master of the
Kilkenny s in the summer of 1870. In doing so, he undertook both a
delicate and a most difficult duty, for not alone existed the strife I have
alluded to, but the horses, hounds, and country were in a very bad way.
However, from his thorough knowledge of the duties, he soon
reformed the stud, pack, and country, and by adopting judicious
measures and applying them with tact and discretion he soon healed all
social sores. The consequence was that within a very few seasons he
-brought back the Kilkenny Hunt to as grand a standard of unity,
sociability, and sport as it had ever attained in its halcyon days under
the Powers of Kilfane.

I can't give many particulars of his reign in Kilkenny as I was not
as nearly connected with that Hunt as I was with the Curraghmore ;
but I can say that the sport shown by him was quite as good as what
he showed in our country.

I wish here to correct an error I saw some time ago in print, where it
was stated that Mr. Briscoe had John Duke with him in the Kilkennys.
He never had. He brought Duke to the Curraghmores from England
in 1860, and he never left them. John Tydd was the Kilkenny hunts-
man, and a very good one too.

Briscoe held office in Kilkenny until his death in 1881, a period of
eleven years, exactly the same as he held the Curraghmore.

In some of the duties pertaining to the qualification for M.F. H. many
men have been superior to Briscoe. There have been gentlemen who
could hunt a pack of foxhounds with greater ability, others were better
judges of hounds, others were finer riders and could select a hunter with
better judgment. And there were masters who had a better knack of
managing an unruly field. But taking ^?^ gloho the duties, it may with
safety be said that few men have ever been found who, all-round, were
as highly qualified for a Master of Foxhounds as was Henry Briscoe.

Without being facile iwincein in any one detail, he was admittedly
first class in them all. He was an excellent judge of hounds, particularly
those best adapted for stud purposes. These he mated upon such
scientific and calculative principles that his crosses, as a rule, so nicked
that the progeny generally turned out superior in shape and work to
their parents. He used only the best strains from the best bred packs
in England. A well-shaped hound, no matter how good in his work,
unless he possessed undeniably good blood, would not be bred from at
Tinvane, The puppies were always selected with good judgment, while
no man could train a young entry better.

As a huntsman, Briscoe could handle hounds as well as most pro-
fessionals, and it was accorded by those qualified to judge that with
few exceptions he was the best gentleman huntsman of either his day
•or before it. Assuredly from 18G0 until his death no gentleman that I

122

ever saw, except Mr. Kobert Watson, could bunt hounds like him.
Impatient as he was in many things, he never was so while carrying the
horn. Carefully would he draw his coverts, and never would leave a
fox behind him ; but directly the fox had gone away then wjuld he
have the hounds got out with all expedition.

During a run he never interfered with them until they had shown
themselves in absolute need of assistance. He would then take them in
hand, and with a judicious cast, quickly made, would generally set them
right. With a bad scent Briscoe was remarkable for the perseverance
with which he followed up his fox ; never would he leave ofi" until
completely run out of scent or darkness came on. The consequence
was his hounds were self-reliant and hard-working, and accounted for
nearly every fox they found. When a fox had beaten them fairly to
ground he was left there; no spade or terrier would be resorted to
except under peculiar circumstances, his hounds getting plenty of
blood by fair sportsmanlike means. That he fed and conditioned his
hounds to perfection was in evidence dail3^ for they returned to their
kennels at all times with their sterns up. No fox was too good for them,
no day too long.

Briscoe was an excellent judge of a hunter, whether he required him
for his own use or that of his servants, or with a view to turning an
honest penny upon him, while his stable management was quite on a
par with that of his kennel.

In none of the foregoing qualifications, for an M.F.H., did he shine
brighter than at the meet, or jogging from cover to cover. His hearty,
genial manner made everyone happy. He was always in good humour
and ready with a story appropriate to the subject discussed, while quick
repartee was a special phase of his jovial conversation. At the same
time, when necessity required it, he could give a fellow " a dressing "
that he would not readily forget, for he was — as all masters of hounds
should be — a strict disciplinarian, and insisted upon men behaving
themselves, and not interfering with the sport which they and others
had come to enjoy.

Amongst the peasantry, also, his cordiality made him the greatest
favourite, and they would do more for him for nothing than they would
do for, perhaps, any other man in the country for money. Around
the festive board the dear old fellow was ever the nucleus of the
merriest portion of the party, and when we got him to sing The
Cruiskeen Lawn, and after that, in the drawing-room, to dance The
Foxhunters' Jig, he was, indeed, the personification of a real old Irish
gentleman. Jolly as he was ia the dining-room, and appreciated there
by the men, he was still more so in the drawing-room, and propor-
tionately more appreciated by the ladies. " Laugh and be fat, hunt
and be happy," was his motto.

L^nlike other public favourites, he was as pleasing in his manners
and conversation in his own house, amidst his large family, as he was
everywhere else. I don't think I ever admired him more than upon the

123

frequent occasions of my joining the early Sunday dinner at Tinvane,
■with good Mrs. Briscoe presiding. In that house in these good old
days was to be seen indeed a united and Happy family.

Like most popular and well-known men, the Squire of Tinvane was
seldom dubbed " Mister." Everyone, high and low, called him " Henry
Briscoe."

He was a Deputy-Lieutenant, and, for more than one county, a
Justice of the Peace. He was a most useful country gentleman, a pains-
taking, impartial magistrate, and at our local Horse Shows he always
took a leading part. In fact, he was in a continued series of useful
rural work, which his sound judgment and experience eminently
qualified him to undertake and carry out.

No man of his means in his day— and few with greater means — did
as much towards the improvement of the breed of Irish horses. He
was the first in his part of the country who imported thoroughbred
stallions likely to beget hunters. These he let to farmers' mares
at a nominal sum, buying the produce whenever a suitable or likely
young one offered — a course it would be well if many M.F.H.s of the
present day followed. As I have already said in another chapter,
Greatheart, Red Hart, Legatee, Confessor, Hospodar, Glenmasson,
Umpire, and others were of his importation. They all got good cattle,
while some of the produce, under both silk and scarlet, turned out quite
celebrated. The strains, particularly those of Greatheart and Confessor,
are still looked for.

Briscoe was not fond of racing. He attended all local meetings,
just as he would any gathering or party got up for amusement, but
more for the sake of meeting his friends than to see the sport. When
a young man he rode a few steeplechases, but only where the riders
were confined to men of his own social standing.

He was a good, steady shot, and he had for m^any years a breed
of pointers of rare quality, the strain of which was at Tinvane for
nearly half a century.

He was neither a fisherman or exponent of any other branch of
sport.

He was always a temperate man. During the " hunt week " in
Kilkenny, described elsewhere, instead of sitting up with his com-
panions over their wine, or spending the night in gambling, he would
slip off to bed long before midnight. He habitually kept early hours.
Nine to ten o'clock was usually his hour for bed, while daylight in
winter and shortly after in summer saw him in his stables or kennel.
He never betted, much less gambled. I don't think he knew a game
with cards, and certainly he could not play billiards, and he hated
smoking with intensity.

Briscoe had his fads and his faults, like other people ; but, unlike
others, he had no vices. He was not fond of imparting his knowledge
to others, being very jealous of it, nor could he brook contradiction or
opposition on subjects upon which he considered he was better informed

124

than other?. In fact, he was dictatorial in debate and determined in
having his opinions adopted by others, and seldom would he adopt
theirs. This propensity rendered him, as he certainly was, imperious in
manner, although courteous and affable, but second fiddle he could
play to no man.

Although many years my senior, we were always the greatest
friends, and he told me a lot more about hunting than I think he ever
did to anyone else. I had, however, to humour him, and at times to
employ stratagems to get out of him what I wanted. No plan
succeeded better than to make what I knew was a palpably wrong
remark. Immediately my poor soul would be consigned to Avernus,
and my body likened to a sanguinary donkey's, but I cared not for body
or soul so long as I drew from old Henry the shapes which constituted
the perfect foxhound or the weight-carrying hunter. This, through
the means of my idiotic remarks, I generally did, either by descriptive
dialogue, or, better still, by practical illustration on the flags of the
kennels and in the stables.

For many years my Sundays were generally spent with him. When
church was over I accompanied the family to Tinvane, and after an
early dinner the remainder of the evening was spent among the hounds
and horses. Under the apple-trees in the old orchard, " and the bust-
ling pack at my feet," many a lesson was given me by him, and from
such a mentor it was not difficult to learn something about the shapes
of a foxhound and the theory of working him.

Never did I enjoy interviews with anyone more than I did those
with my dear and genial friend, nor shall I ever do so again.

Since the now long-past period of these, my Sunday-school visits to
Tinvane, I have seen a great many kennels, and a great many packs
of foxhounds. I shall, therefore, put on paper what has occurred to
me with regard to the construction of kennels in general and those for
foxhounds in particular.

It strikes me that a lot of unnecessary trouble and expense is at times
gone to in building kennels. Of course, as with most things, it is nicer
to have them fitted smartly than otherwise ; but I am pretty certain
that expensive adornments are not necessary adjuncts to the well-being
of a pack of hounds. Take, for instance, the old kennels at Tinvane. In
them hounds enjoyed the very best of good health, and from them
showed the very best of sport. Yet every detail, though perfect in
its principle, was of the simplest description, and, like the Irishman's
cabin, "with not a single thing for show." I know many others fitted
up with all sorts of grandeur and even luxury for the hounds, but
lamentably deficient in the all-important principle — sanitary arrange-
ments—with the result that in them kennel lameness and other dis-
orders are constantly to be found, while in the field the work of the
occupants is by no means first-rate nor is good sport shown.

The great thing for kennels is to have them built upon stiff clay or
rock, with a southern or south-western aspect, good drainage, with

1:25

large and lofty lodging rooms. Ground damp must be prevented.
Water should he carefully looked to, for some sorts engender disease
in hounds, and all sorts will cause rheumatism if conveyed any distance
through leaden pipes. The flags must be of a quick-drying description.

I leave for the last the most important item of all — ventilation.
That should be provided for upon the recognised principle of letting
in the fresh air from the bottom, and the foul escape at the top. In
doing so every precaution must be taken against draughts from the
influx, while the outlet should be close up to the ceiling or to the
ridge, according as the lodging rooms be ceiled or open to the roof.

Unless hounds are housed in pure air, manifestly their sense of smell
mtist get impaired, with a result obvious to everyone. Men, except
those grossly ignorant, must know what I say is correct with regard
to the ventilation of kennels, but the fact remains that seldom is the
principle carried out.

If kennels be contrived on the principle I have named, the get-up
may be plain and unpretending ; but if they are not, all the painting
and plastering in England won't make them healthy.

I have been shown over kennels the lodging-houses of which had
the walls covered with porcelain and the floors with tiling equal to
marble, but the stench from want of ventilation was unbearable. In
one place — and very swell, too — the only means for letting in the
fresh air and out the foul was through one great hole in the wall
bored halfway hetiveen the floor and the ceiling, and the feeder tcld
me that in cold weather he stuffed it up with a wisp of straw !

Except the illness he suffered from which occasioned his giving up the
Curraghmore Hounds, Briscoe enjoyed singularly good health until just
a few months before his death.

As he was starting to attend the Curraghmore Hunt Steeplechases
in the spring of 1881 he was seized with a heavy cold. This he could
not get rid of, and he passed into rapid consumption, which carried him
off at Tinvane on the Tth of October following, when he had just com-
pleted his seventy-second year. As may be supposed his funeral was
largely attended by all classes. The cortege of cars and carriages
extended in unbroken line for over a mile, while many followed on foot
and on horseback. It was attended numerously by farmers, a fact
which testified emphatically to Briscoe's popularity, for he died at a
time when the peasant population of the country was in a state of
agitation against the gentry, perhaps greater than at any other period
of that troublous era. Albeit hundreds of the peasantry who desired
to attend the funeral, were deterred by reason of their fear of the Land
League !

By a fctrange and melancholy coincidence, this fine old Irish sports-
man died exactly on the day following that upon which the Curraghmore
hounds were stopped hunting in Newtown Wood, about four miles
from Tinvane, by the villainous mob, as minutely described in the
Curraghmore chapter.

126

I made tlie remark, while standing at his graveside in Fiddown
Churchyard, that " Henry Briscoe and our foxhunting died and were
buried at the same time." Alas, too true has that remark proved !

Had this great foxhunter lived to see what was in store for the
sport he loved so well, and in particular for the Hunt he had done so
much for and was so proud of, I verily believe the sight would in itself
have killed the grand old fellow. Happily he was spared the ordeal.

By altering a line I can apply one of Warburton's poems to my
friend : —

Oh dear Henry Briscoe— how cheery

To ride by your side in a ran ;
Whether midnight or morn, never Aveary
Of revel, and frolic, and fun.

When we laid this good fellow the tomb in
His grave was not mocked with a bust.

But his favourite evergreen blooming,
Shall spring and overshadow his dust.

Peace ba to his manes, and may the sods for ever lie lightly o'er the
grave of Henry Briscoe !

12'

CHAPTER VIIJ.
STEEPLECHASING.

The Birthplace of Steeplechasing— Pounding Matches— Ancient History— Curious Records-
Old Englisli— Ross and Douglas— Clinker and Radical— The Grand National— Irisli
Winners —Author's Love of Steeplechasing— His Experience— Old Times— Cashel—
Tipperary— Newcastle— Stand-houses— Dressing— The Courses— How Kept— Results
—Selection of Courses— Riders' Costume— Farmers' Colours— Our Dress— Festivity-
Betting— Mullins and his Wife— Roulette and Hazard—" The Hells "— " Old Bones ''—
" Handicapping "— Those who Attended — Ladies— Farmers— Enthusiasm— Tents-
Drink— Shocking Scenes— The Plates— Honour and Glory— The Limerick Drag Hunt
—Gentlemen Jockeys— Captain Tempest and Dan Meaney— The Pace Then and Now-
Present Arrrangements— Compared in Detail with the Past— Is Steeplechasing Better
off ?— Lord Howth's Letter— Author's Reply— A Means to an End— Inferior Purposes
—Irish Steeplechasers Olden and Nowadays—" Mr. Armstrong"— Schooling— " Patent
Safety"— A Querj-— "A Qualified Hunter "—Hunters' Flat Races— Old Rulers and •
Mentors— Hurdle Racing— Author's Opinion— Who is Who now ?— What the Farmers
Like— Natural Courses, not Artificial— Curraghmore—Tramore— Mr. Martin Murphy-
Mr. Thomas G. Waters— His Kindheartedness— His Motives— A Good Sportsman —
MonumentstohisMemory—I.N.H.S.Committee—TakesAction—APity— Cork Park—
"RegulationFence"— Increase of Meetings— "GateMoney" Meetings— Author'sNotlons
—^port the Pole star— Author gets Tired at Last- Blurts out—" Hunters," Bless the
Mark !— Present System— I. N.H.S. Committee Again— Should be Supported— Corin-
thian Columns— Censors and Reformers— More to be Done— Our Rulers— A Suggestion
—Our Authorities must be Supported— What to Do— In a Nutshell— Pleasanter Topics
—Author Runs Riot— The Better to get off a Rough Line— A Horse's Stride— 15 feet of
Water— 20 feet— How Jumped— Painters and Pictures— Galloping— How to be Con-
vinced—Funny Illustrations— Nose and Feet — Landseer— The Forge- A Drake
Quacks !— " Hark back ! "— Punchestown and Fairyhouse— Aintree and Sandown—
They should be Copied— The Regulation Fence— How to Make One— To Lay out a
Course— The Punchestown Double— An Artificial Double— A Natural One— Do Horses
go as Fast now as Formerly ?— The Question carefully dealt with— Woodbrook's
Grand National— Subject entered into fully— Grand National from 1843 to 1889—
Tables of Comparison— Argued out— Real Steeplechase Courses— Not Billiard Tables
—No comparison— A Grand National Winner— The Press in Old Times— The Irish
Sportsman— Mr. William Dunbar— Manfully Maintained Sport— Now what do we see ?
—Daily Sporting Papers— Good old BelVs Life—K Record in Telegraphy— Mr. Charles
Barrington and Malahide— Lord Manners and Seaman. Postscript— Cloi&Xer' & Grand
National of 1893.

That Ireland is the birthplace of steeplechasing there can be no
doubt ; in fact, the right of title has never been questioned. Tradition
hands down, and is backed up by family records, that the sport existed
in some parts of Ireland, and absolutely flourished in Connaught, long
before the beginning of the present century. I have heard men relate
what their fathers told them they saw at steeplechases in Clare,
Galway, and Roscommon " twinty years afore the rebellion of '98." *

Steeplechases seem to have sprung from "pounding matches," a sport
much in vogue among Irish gentry early in the last century, and
continued to be until long after the beginning of the present. I often

■*Tlie Irish peasants, even up to quite recently, took their dates from
some great historic event.

128

heard them described when I was a boy. The diversion consisted in
two men riding a match against each other over some terribly stiff
country until one was brought to a standstill. The rules were simple.
One man was to follow the other wherever he went. Lots were drawn
to decide which was to take the lead at starting. This the rider
retained until his horse fell or baulked. In case of a fall the other
man was bound to follow in the same place, but when a baulk gave
him the lead, it was optional for him to go at another place. Thus the
match continued until one pounded the other. Large sums usually
changed hands over these matches, and as the most difficult country
was chosen, terrible accidents often occurred. Matches of this sort
were known to have decided which of two rivals was to claim the hand
of the lady they were in love with — the fair one agreeing to abide the
result and take for better or worse the winner !

Necessarily this pounding business was done at a very slow pace and
without any line of country being laid out. Eventually the idea was
conceived, in the middle of the last century, to ride at best pace across
country from one point to another, the winning post being near to
some tower or steeple which could be seen from the start, perhaps five
or six miles away, and no other guide or beacon was allowed, hence
was derived the name steeplechase.

There appeared in an English magazine not long ago an article
giving interesting records of Irish steeplechasing when in its infancy,
and from it I learn that the oldest record Avhich is authentic is a
MS. in the possession of the O'Briens of Dromoland, County Limerick,
which gives particulars of a match in 1752, between Mr. O'Callaghan
and Mr. Edmund Blake, over four and a half miles of country. The
course was from the Church of Buttevant, with the spire of St. Leger
Church for a winning-post.

Perhaps the earliest reference found in print is in the first volume
of the old Sporting Magazine, where it records an appeal made to the
Turf Club to determine a dispute upon a race at Ballyshannon, held
on January .3, 1793. The report runs thus : "Four horses started for
one hundred guineas, twenty-five guineas a side; one of the horses
was to carry a featherweight — that is, the lightest weight procurable —
and was ridden by a small boy. In the race each was to leap a wall
six feet high. The first from the post was the horse carrying the
featherweight. When he came to the wall he was stopped by the boy,
who, with great dexterity, alighted, turned the horse over, climbed
the wall himself to the other side, mounted again, and came in first to
the winning post. Another horse and his rider got over clear ^ but the
other two baulked the wall. On it being contended that the boy lost
because he dismounted at the wall, it was decided that as the horse
which he rode had only to carry featherweight, the saddle was sufficient,
and the race was awarded to him."

It appears also to have been the practice about this time in " all
hunters' plates run for in Ireland to have a four-foot fence, with a

129

four-foot drain to cross twice in each heat." Another old letter relates
how the writer " had seen two Irish horses in a race leap a river which
measured twenty-two feet clear."

One hundred years ago, unless the owner entered his horse in person,
it was necessary in Ireland to swear an affidavit to prove the qualifi-
cation of a hunter. This is copy of a form used : " I, Walter Butler,
of Cregg, Gent., maketh Oath, and sayeth that a bay gelded horse,
called Kasper, which deponent [by his servant] now offers to enter, and
run for the hunter's Plate, at Galway, never started for either Match or
Plate [but a fair hunter's Plate], and has been actually used as a huater,
at the last season, and not only to get the name, but really as a hunter ;
nor has he been in sweats with an intention to run, but only from Lady
Day last." They were more particular then about the qualification of
hunters than we are now.

The first regular steeplechase in Ireland was got up in 1803, but no
authentic record has been kept of it.

A six days' meeting used to take place over the Annagh course at
Westport in the early years of the century. The stewards were the
Marquis of Sligo and Mr. Martin Blake, while the late Mr. Hunter's
father was judge. The late Marquis of Sligo was a great sportsman.
It was he who bred the famous Waxy, Langar, and other horses, and it
was he who presented to our Turf Club the Sligo Whip. The present
Earl of Sligo has lived out of Ireland for several years, and his splendid
castle, on the borders of Clew Bay, is tenanted by a caretaker.

On St. Patrick's Day, 1813, a memorable meeting took place at Eath-
crogan, in the county Roscommon. "The distance was six miles, over
six walls, five feet high, and several yawning ditches. It was weight
for age, the stakes being one hundred guineas. The runners were:
Mr. G. Harkans' Young Blacklegs, 4 years ; Mr. W. French's mare by
Swordsman, 5 years ; Mr. J. French's Peter Finnerty, G years ; Mr.
Plunkett's Baronyboy, 8 years ; Mr. B. Blake's Merryman, 5 years :.
and Mr. J. French's Wellington, 5 years. The latter was favourite at
starting, and there was an excellent race between him and Young
Blacklegs for the first five miles, when Wellington refused, and
Young Blacklegs won easily; the mare by Swordsman was second."

About 1815 the all-important question of weight seems to have
come up for consideration, for in a four mile 'chase at Dungarvan, for
a plate of fifty guineas, we find the horses carried twelve stone each.
Another contest at Lismore is described as "a regular tumble-down
race." The winner, Mr. Foley's Brown Bess, fell four times, while the
horse which came in third had been down no less than six times. "In
all," the report says, '" there were twelve falls, but no one was killed.
Betting even at starting that there would be six falls."

Galway, ever since the time the Eastern men were driven into
Connaughtby Cromwell, has furnished hard riderij. In all parts of the
country are still to be seen places where Burkes, Blakes, Bodkins, and
Martins rode over, either for a wager, in a pounding match, or steeple-

K

130

chase, and surely some of them are appalling. John Dennis on
Alhambra did marvels, and so did the famous Giles Eyre, who first
started the " Galway Blazers."

These and others of "The Tribes," together with the Marquis of
Clanricarde, were the men at the head of Irish steeplechasing up till
the forties, when Henry Lord Waterford came to Curraghmore and
taking the lead of everyone, brought the sport under a proper system.
Lord Clanricarde, like Lord Sligo, is, miserahile dictu, succeeded by an
absentee, and Portumna Castle is also teuantless !

After making this short reference to the infant days of steeple-
chasing, and before dealing with the sport as it has existed during my
own time, I must say something about the English.

In 1819 the sport was in full swing in England, and was described in
a magazine of the day as " a sort of racing for which the Paddies are
particularly famous, and in which, unless the rider has pluck and his
nag goodness, they cannot expect to get home."

Another Englishman of that period writes that "steeplechasing,
a system of horsemanship dangerous in the extreme, has become a
favourite amusement with the young fox-hunters of the day."

At the Derby of 1825 Lord Kennedy betted Captain Horatio Ross
£1,000 level that he would find a man in Scotland who would beat him
in a steeplechase. Horses were not named at all ! Subsequently his
lordship laid Ross £2,000 to £1,000 on the event, which bets were
vastly added to as the day approached. The match came off on 30th
March, 1826. The course was from Barkly Holt to Billesden Coplow,
in the Quorn country, just four miles. Terms : Not to go more than a
hundred yards on a road or through a gateway. Captain Douglas was
the man Lord Kennedy selected, and his lordship went to enormous
expense in purchasing horses for the match. At last he fixed upon
Radical, a famous hunter, belonging to Mr. Thomas Assheton
Smith, for which he paid 400gs. Captain Ross had no horse of
his own sufficiently good, but he was so popular that every stud in
Melton was placed at his disposal to choose from. He selected Clinker,
a thoroughbred by Clinker, dam by Clasher out of Lily of the Valley,
by Eclipse (I can't resist the temptation of showing that he had
Irish blood in his veins !), and he belonged to Mr. Francis Holyoake.
Clinker won the match by half a mile, and did the journey, as taken
by stop-watch, in 11^ minutes — a great performance, as the country
was very hilly.

Before the race Lord Kennedy proposed to Captain Ross that, " as
such an enormous sum was pending on the match, both between them-
selves and others, he thought it advisable that they should start with
as few openings for a wrangle as possible ; that in a flat- race crossing
or jostling was not allowed, but that in this match he thought it would
be best that the riders should do just as they pleased." To this Ross
replied, " In short, I understand that we may ride over each other and
kill each other if we can." " Just so," responded his lordship.

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I shall now give verbatim Captain Ross's account of the match,
as he wrote it to a friend many years after. " Odd enough the first
jump was a five-barred gate. I lay with Clinker's head about opposite
to Douglas' knee. When within forty or fifty yards of the gate I saw
clearly that Eadical meant to refuse, so, recollecting the bargain, I
held Clinker well in hand. Radical, as I expected, when close to the
gate turned right across Clinker. I stuck the spurs in, knocked
Douglas over the gate, and sent Radical heels over head but lying on
this side of it. Douglas did not lose his horse, for the rein was fastened
to his wrist, and he was soon mounted again, but it finished the
match eflfectually. I turned round, jumped the corner of the fence,
and gained such a lead that he never caught me again. I suppose, in
these days, killing a man in that way would be brought in as ' wilful
murder'; not so in 1826 : the verdict then would have been 'justifiable
homicide.' "

This match created a great deal of interest at the time, as it was the
first race across country which people had seen, and many came to it
from all parts of the kingdom.

Clinker was one of the most brilliant hunters in England, and after
the match was bought by Captain Ross from Mr. Holyoake for GOOgs.
He was carried gloriously over Leicestershire for several seasons by
that famous horse, and had but one fall with him.

Irish horses, although accustomed to a very different country, have
throughout history made fame over English steeplechase courses.

The Liverpool Grand National was first started in 1839, but I am
not able to record how the initial attempt was supported by my
countrymen. In 1840 thirteen horses started for that race, of which
no less than six were Irish, Mr. Barry's Arthur, ridden by Mr. William
Macdonagh, and Mr. John Power's Valentine, ridden by himself,
running second and third. It was from the last-named horse the
far-famed brook took its name. A solid built wall five feet high then
stood where the water-jump now is. This Mr. Power backed himself
heavily to be first over. He won his wager, but thereby lost the race.
Such a cracker did he lead them that ten out of the thirteen fell at it.

Since then there have been but few Grand Nationals in which Irish-
men did not take part, while it was won by horses bred in Ireland as
follows : —

Matthew, the property of Mr. John Courtenay, of Ballyedmond, was
the first to win it, and this he did in 1847, beating a field of twenty-
eight. Abd-el-Kader won consecutively in 1850 and '51, the first year
beating thirty-two, the largest field that ever started for the race.
Wanderer won in 1855, and so did Anatis in 1860. Huntsman in 1862
won in the shortest time recorded, 9min. 30sec. In this race poor
Joe Wynne, riding O'Connell, was killed at the fence before the
water-jump, the same which proved fatal a few years after to one of
the finest gentleman riders of the day, Mr. George Ede ( " Mr. Ed wards " ).

We had then a spell of bad luck, and no Irish horse caught the

132

judge's eye until Cortolvin, bred by Mr. Michael Dunne of Ballymanus,
did so with list. 13lb. in 1867. This is the highest weight ever carried
first past the post in the Xational up to and including 1892, The
little Lamb won the next year, and again in 1871. After that for
eight years our horses could do no better than run into places, but then
came their turn, and for four years in succession we carried away
the blue ribbon : The Liberator in 1879, Empress 1880, Woodbrook
1881, and Seaman in 1882.

By the way, what grand Irish parentage The Liberator had, and
what a rattling ring there is in it— by Daniel O'Connell out of Mary
O'Toole ! He was owned and ridden by that fine horseman, my friend
Mr. Garrett Moore.

We had then to wait for five years until Gamecock in 1887 brought
us again to the front. After that, from 1889 to '91, we won off the reel
with Frigate, Ilex, and Comeaway.

Thus out of fifty-three races have the Irish horses a record of seven-
teen wins, while they ran into places no end of times. *

Thus far for ancient history, now for the modern.

I never owned a racehorse, and am not likely to do so ; but I truly
love racing, and, like most Irishmen, I love steeplechasing still more.
But the change has been so marvellous since I was a boy I feel con-
strained to describe it.

Having been a regular race-going man for over thirty years, I have
attended nearly every meeting of importance in Ireland, and have seen
a great number in England. I never missed a Punchestown since
its re-formation in 1861, and for the twelve years of its existence I
managed our old Curraghmore meeting. I make these remarks to show
that I may fairly claim to know something about the subject I am
now going to tackle.

In old times our meetings in Ireland were got up and carried out
in very rough-and-ready style. Those long established, like Cashel,
Tipperary, and Newcastle, had permanent stone stand-houses, but of the
most primitive construction, resembling lime kilns, and not much
larger. Indeed, I think the big hill overlooking Newcastle did duty
for its grand stand. They had no dressing-rooms ; the jockeys dressed
in a tent or the open air, and were weighed in the latter without a
particle of shelter.

Piiders generally came to the meeting wearing their jackets, boots, and
breeches under their ordinary clothes, so that they had only to pull off
the latter to be ready to weigh out. I remember dressing — or rather
T^fzdressing— for a steeplechase under the lee side of a fence, in a
storm of wind and rain, while a friend held an umbrella over me !

The courses were laid out over a perfectly natural country; not
a single sod or stone would be removed nor a fence trimmed, and there
was no levelling of places where the going was bad. In fact, with the

* See postscript for Cloister's win in 1893.

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exception of the three meetings named, courses would be laid out a few
days beforehand, and nothing further done but put up the flags on
the morning of the races. In many places the courses were '" out and
home ;" z>., after going half the distance the horses were turned round
a post and raced back over the same line.

As a means for keeping the fences between the flags clear for the
horses to jump, each had to be guarded by half a dozen men armed
with sticks, and as badges of authority they sported hatbands of
coloured calico. The run-home was protected only by ropes fastened
loosely to rickety posts, and although the stewards and hunt servants,
mounted and with long-lashed whips, strove manfully to keep it clear,
the spectators crowded the course, and only when the horses were upon
them divided, leaving a narrow lane to the winning post.

Needless to say that, having to deal with a multitude of country folk,
some of whom at times were a bit unruly, and others more or less
under the influence of bad drink, keeping either the fences or the run-
home as clear as they should be was an impossibility. As soon as the
leading horses passed everyone closed in, unmindful of those behind,
which had either to charge the crowd or be pulled up. I saw many
a man ridden over, nearly all were hurt, while some were killed out-
right. Collisions between the racing horses and those ridden by the
stewards and servants, causing terrible disasters, were also of fre-
quent occurrence.

Previous to the seventies the get-up of our gentlemen-riders could not
well be called smart. Hiding between flags was so little their custom
they did not consider racing boots and breeches necessary adjuncts to
their wardrobes, so when they donned the silk, those used for hunting,
topped with the velvet cap, constituted their rig-out. We all
hunted in caps in those days, and when requisitioned for a race they
were sometimes covered by a lady of the family with red, white, or
blue silk, and sometimes the whole tricolour. This rig certainly looked
very "chalk," and widely different from the Newmarket cut of our pre-
sent Corinthian jockeys. In farmers' races it was 6 to 4 on "green jacket
and black cap," being the colours of the riders. Now green is the excep-
tion, and the jockeys in these races are equipped very much smarter
than they used to be.

In those days we dressed going to races in our worst clothes. The
only man who went in Ascot style was the late Captain Billy Quin, and
we used to laugh at him ! It was not until the ladies patronised racing
that we donned broadcloth and " toppers."

Somehow in olden times we made races an occasion for festivity, and
the licence very often exceeded proper limits. No doubt it was because
we had so few meetings, for nowadays, when racing can be had every
week in the year, and often every day in the week, no one ever thinks
of indulging in the " pleasures of the table" more on those occasions
than any other. The Race Ordinary, invariably held at the best hotel
in the town, presided over by the leading steward, and patronised by

134

his fellows, is now unheard of. Directly the last race is over away
home everyone hurries.

Betting was not carried on to any extent on Irish courses five-and
thirty years ago — in fact, I can remember only one bookmaker at our
Southern meetings. He was named Mullins, and was often assisted by
his wife ; and even they had not sufficient betting to occupy all their
time, so they worked a roulette-table as well.

Although betting was not much in vogue, except among the gentry,
roulette and hazard were immensely popular. These games were played
openly in the enclosure and also at the hotels every night as long as
the meeting lasted. Very large sums were lost and won, but only
by the upper classes of society. The keepers of the "hells," as the
gaming-places were very appropriately called, found their vocation so
lucrative that they paid high fees to the race executive and hotel
proprietors for the privilege of playing. £100 was a common sum at a
small country meeting, while £500 was for many a year the annual
stipend paid by " Old Bones " to the Punchestown fund.

Another fashionable game, was that called *' handicapping." A rum
old game it was. What a mart it created for the exchange of every
conceivable commodity a man might, or might 7iot, be possessed of !
A fellow's horse or his house, his watch or his wardrobe might be " chal-
lenged," but, by the unique principle of the game he might, if he had
sufficient acumen, attain double the value of the article by judicious
appreciation of " the award," and at the same time retain his property
in the end ! What various degrees of satisfaction were felt by men ia
the morning consequent upon the result of their " opening" or " sporting,"
*' holding " or " not holding," the night before ! Truly, this intellectual
game conduced eminently towards sharpening up the wits of a youngster
and improving his powers of rapid mental calculation. I could not
refrain from some allusion to this extraordinary game of the bygone era,
but I must return to my subject.

The people who attended these old-fashioned race-meetings were of a
class quite different from that of the present day. The stand-houses and
enclosures were all very small, and the sum paid for admission never
exceeded 5s. The accommodation, however, was quite sufficient, as no
one went to the stand-houses except the local gentry and those who
came from a distance. Ladies were never seen inside them. The few
who did attend always drove in their carriages, from which they never
stirred. On the other hand country people attended in their thousands.
The run-home was lined with a solid mass of spectators, while every
fence and vantage ground was thronged with frieze-coated farmers,
their sons, and labourers. Within a ten-mile radius of the course not
one of them could be found at home, except those too ill or too old.
Wherever was a fence more formidable than the others there would
congregate the crowd in greatest numbers. Every man evinced the
keenest interest in the sport, which was intensified when a neighbour's
horse ran, and if he won the excitement culminated in frenzy.

135

There were tents, as there are now, but in much greater numbers, and
in them was very bad drink sold — liquor so adulterated and pernicious
that those who partook of it were rendered simply mad. Shocking
scenes resulted and terrible fights took place. At times when faction
met faction a regular battle was fought, particularly at races in the
counties Limerick and Tipperary, within which, by the way, most of the
Southern meetings were held.

Long ago a £50 plate was considered a biggish affair, and for it we
had often fifteen or twenty of the best horses in Ireland competing —
ay, and journeying 100 miles by road for the purpose. No horse-boxes
on railways theo. Except the Tradesmen's at Newcastle, the Rock
Stakes at Cashel, and the Barronstown Plate at Tipperary, which were
the most important events in Ireland, there were then very few worth
£100. Neither had we flat or hurdle races at our steeplechase meetings.

Men who raced in those days did so for sport, for honour and for
glory. As a rule they were well-to-do, and did not seek to supplement
their incomes by either the stakes or gambling on the Turf.

I well remember the Limerick Drag Hunt, run April 23, 1860, when
thirty-seven of us, on hand fide hunters, started for fifty sovereigns,
five miles, over the beautiful country of Fedamore and Boherard in that
county, in full fox-hunting costume, 12 stone each. Some of us came
over one hundred miles for the gallop, and we considered ourselves
well repaid, for it was a clinker and no mistake ! By some means the
line to be run over became known to some of the local people, and they
having horses entered, and there being no other as suitable, the stewards
considered it fairest to show it to all of us. As this was a "line,"
indeed, just five miles, straight as a ruler from start to finish, we were
shown over it backwards, from the winning to the starting post. We
got permission that, should the hounds check, or not go fast enough
before us, we were to make the best of our way to the winning-post ;
therefore, I need not say the unlucky hounds were overridden in the
first half-mile (I remember my horse landing over a high stone wall
on one — he never moved after !), and we made a downright steeplechase
of it to the finish. Almost all our gentlemen riders took part in this
scurry ; and racing men like Captains Shaw, Trocke, and M'Craith,
with Sir Richard de Burgho and sporting Pat Russell, rode steeple-
chasers, but they carried penalties. I, in the name of " Mr. Thomas,"
rode a very good horse, called the Blind Vet, belonging to poor Larry
Dobbyn, V.S., of Waterford, and he had only three before him when
Mr. Ivers won on The Knight. Happy, and yet sad, recollection ! Ego-
tistical though it be, I can't help relating the event.

There were very few races for gentlemen in the days I speak of.
Occasionally we had one, usually called the Corinthian Cup, but no
horse except a regular hunter was qualified, and he was, as often as not,
ridden by his owner. We had only some five or six " gentlemen jockeys "
in Ireland then — I mean those who rode regular races— but it was
customary for them to pay a professional for standing down when

136

they got up, and if this was not done habitually things were made
unpleasant for the amateur during the running. Poor Captain Shaw
found this to his cost in many a race, till finally and fatally he found
it at Youghal.

I think it was Captain Tempest who I saw give Dan Meaney £10 for
the mount on Blind Harper, at Cashel, for the Rock Stakes, and, as
well as I can remember, the plucky and popular officer won. He, and
perhaps three or four more, were the only soldiers who could ride a
steeplechase at the time I refer to.

Notwithstanding the stiff fences which were in every Irish steeple-
chase course twenty or thirty years ago, I maintain, no doubt against
the better opinion of many others, that the pace was as good then as it
is now. Anyway, the horses went as hard as they could lay legs to
ground, being, of course, steadied to a certain extent at the formidable
fortifications they had to face ; and as the horses of olden time were as
good as, if not a vast deal better than those of to-day, what I say cannot
be far wrong.

Now, let us contrast the state of former steeplechase affairs, as I have
endeavoured to describe them, with what they are at present.

Our stand-houses are excellently constructed, fitted with every con-
venience, and many are luxuriously so. Well-constructed palings keep
the run-home as clear as at Epsom for the Derby; nicely trimmed, pretty
little hedgerows made of privet, furze, or laurel, so as not to hurt the
horses' legs if they gallop through instead of over them, are the fences
we often see, and galloping throvrjh is invited by the method of planting.
These are in some courses diversified by diminutive mounds of clay, with
a narrow shallow dry ditch on the landing side, so that horses may clear
them from field to field without increasing the length of their galloping
stride, or rising more than a foot and a half. To be sure, we have the
conventional "gallery " jump in front of the grand stand in the shape of
a brook so graphically described by Bromley-Davenport as a

Shallow-dug pan, with a hurdle to screen it,
That cock-tail imposture, the steeplechase brook !

Gentlemen jockeys come now, in some instances attended by valets,
bringing portmanteaus stuffed with as many changes of clothes as would
suffice a man for a tour. They dress in comfortable rooms, and come
forth adorned for the fray, smart as the Newmarket professionals.

Our stand-houses and enclosures cover twenty times more ground
than the old ones, and they are not one whit too big for the multitudes
at 10s. to 15s. a head. We have scores of betting men at every meeting,
and they have hundreds to bet with them ; but we have neither roulette
nor hazard — at least, not to be seen.

Within the enclosures we have crowds of all classes, from the appren
tice and junior clerk to the principals of every business under the sun.
These, together with the gentry, nearly all bet upon every race, and a
great many of them heavily. Ladies come in numbers little short of the

137

men, and many of them also indulge in betting, and at times to large
amounts.

Outside the enclosures is a contrast just as great. Scarcely one small
farmer or labourer is to be seen, and this refers to big steeplechase
meetings (bar the two I am going to name) as well as to the small
provincials. Many attribute this to the decrease in the peasant popula-
tion, but though that may have something to do with it, the true cause
is discoverable elsewhere, as I shall endeavour to explain. Anyway it
gets rid of the tents to a great degree ; and, as far as they are concerned,
a very good job.

Punchestown and Fairy House attract a very fair contingent of the
farming class, but let me inform my readers these are the only steeple-
chase meetings in Ireland lohere the courses are natural^ and where they
are practically the same as they were in the days of Brunette, Blueskin,
and New Broom.

Excepting them, at nearly all our steeplechase meetings are flat and
hurdle races. Stakes are given of from £100 to £500, and Leopards-
town has added one of £1,000 ; but the fields of horses for them are not
nearly as large as we had for the old £50 and £60 plates, nor are they of
as good a class. Men run horses now for gain and not for glory. They
don't patronise the Turf to support it with their incomes, but only to make
incomes out of it. A fifty sovereign stake would not now bring forty
horses from long distances to compete in a friendly scurry over five
miles of a natural sporting country.

N"ow we have far-and-away more "gentlemen" than professional
jockeys, and consequently more races confined to gentlemen riders,
while the amateur can ride in any race — handicap or other — without
let or hindrance. This brings about the fact that our present gentlemen
jocks are as good as any, and better than most, professionals, while a
great many of the best are officers in the army. Moreover, there are five
times as many race meetings in Ireland now as there were before the
seventies.

Having stated both sides of the question as regards past and present
steeplechasing as fairly and correctly as I can, let me, for information
sake, ask the question. Is steeplechasing in Ireland on a better or worse
footing than it was, say, thirty years ago ? As I cannot argue out the
subject with my readers, I must have recourse to a sort of desultory
dialogue, mixed up with suggestive questions and my own opinion.
I shall however deal with the subject straight, and as fairly as I can.

Of course, it goes without saying that the not only desirable, but
absolutely requisite improvements in stand-house and course-keeping
arrangements, are as much an advance upon the old, as are railway upon
past coaching arrangements. To these improvements, too, let us not
forget w^e owe the presence of the ladies at our race meetings. But that
is not the question, however close it might lie to it. We have to consider
steeplechasing pure and simple.

A great deal has been written within the last few years upon the

13S

sport in all its moods and tenses, and nearly all the scribes took a
fling at what they call the " open grave."

The Earl of Howth contributed an article in Baihjs Magazine of
February, 1891, under the heading of "Steeplechase Reform," in which
he dealt with the subject in a form of question and answer. Thinking
his lordship was too hard upon our Irish National Hunt Steeplechase
Committee, and not being in accord with some of his ideas, I ventured a
reply in the following issue of Baily. My article in that magazine was
very condensed, but I replied at much greater length in the Irish
Sportsman of March 28, 1891.

The letters are too long to reproduce in these pages, but I shall give
in substance, my reply to his lordship.

Steeplechasing was once considered to be a means to an end J
viz., to stimulate men to improve the breed and stamina of hunters.
That end has long since been attained, for we have had for many
years as perfect hunters, well bred, and up to weight aa I conceive it
is possible to breed or make them. While this happy result may not be
attributable entirely to steeplechasing, no one can gainsay that it has
had a vast deal to do with it. I am of opinion, however, that having
gained its primary object, the grand old institution, like many others,
has been turned to very different and vastly inferior purposes.

Thirty to forty years ago most Irish steeplechase horses were up to
at least 13st. with hounds ; and though the weights in handicaps were,
I think, lower than at present, the weights for age were often higher,
while the courses were seldom under three miles, and often longer.
Now we see wretched weeds not up to lOst. with harriers, and good for
nothing but what they are used for, running in some of our principal
steeplechases. These, by judicious "placing "and an occasional mount
given to " Mr. Armstrong," bring grist to their owner's mill, but seldom
do they " improve the breed or stamina of the horse," or exhibit the
latter quality in themselves. But if we go a bit farther back, to the
time when races were decided by the barbaric custom of heats, the
comparison between past and present 'chasing simply ends.

The big natural courses of old days required careful and continued
schooling, and until a horse was a perfect fencer he dared not face the
old steeplechase course with any idea of getting safely over it. This
schooling, if a horse had an easy temper and was properly handled,
often qualified him as a " patent safety " with hounds.

May I ask if the schooling requisite for many of our present steeple-
chasers to safely negotiate what I have, perhaps profanely, described
as " pretty little hedgerows," qualifies them as perfect hunters 1

In my young days no horse was considered qualified for a hunters'
race till he carried his owner regularly and safely to hounds for at least
the greater part of one season, and of course we never rode horses till
they were over four years old, and seldom till they were five off. Now
a horse if seen a few times at a meet can get a certificate to run as
" a hunter " !

139

To an old fogey like myself it does seem difficult to understand what
useful result can be produced by allowing hunters to run against each
other on the Jlat. Except the Brighton Downs, I know no country over
which we can follow hounds without fencing. Oh ! were our old rulers
and mentors of chase and 'chasing to look up and see what is now going
on, methinks they would go back and contentedly remain where they are !

I always looked upon hurdle-racing as an iniquitous institution.
What practical use is it or can it be ? It is hybrid and serves no good
purpose, and affords only an opportunity for gambling additional to the
many which exist, and that over a lot of devils which are as worthless
for flat-racing as they are for steeplechasing.

Most of the multitudes who now attend races don't care a jot for the
sport ; they come only to bet and for the outing. They would rather
stay at home at their desk or counter and back some " tip " than go
without having a bet on him, to see that horse run. Take from the
stands at Punchestown and Leopardstown the ladies and the commercial
element, the one coming to see and to be seen, the other to gamble, and
a very sparse attendance will be left, but among it will be found the
sjyortsmen.

The farmers, as a rule, have not as yet succumbed to the infatuation
of betting, and still like to see a good steeplechase over a natural coun-
try ; but they would not give a pin to see one over the cock-pit courses
of modern days, with their abominable abortions of fences. Therefore
they stay away, even if living within a few miles of these artificial
hippodromes. On the other hand, they always go to the point-to-point
races, to Fairyhouse, and to Punchestown, where, with good sport, they
see racing over natural fences. This proves that, notwithstanding a
great reduction in the peasant population, there are many in the country
still who could go to races if they cared ; and that the f alling-off in their
attendance at country meetings is not wholly attributable to emi-
gration, although many people contend it is.

I speak about this from personal experience. To our old Curragh-
more meeting, held annually over the almost natural course at
Williamstown, every farmer, with his wife, daughters, sons, and
labourers, crowded, lining the fences and every vantage ground in their
thousands, same as was done thirty years before at Cashel and Barrons-
town, ay, and they would come many a mile by rail and road for the
purpose. Not so to a neighbouring meeting, quite as well carried out
in its way, but with an artificial course ; to that few of the farmers
would go, dismissing the bare suggestion, as scores of them have done
to myself, with the observation, " I would not be bothered looking at the
like'M

Tramore is the meeting I allude to. Since then Mr. Martin Murphy
has done everything to make it first class, except to provide a natural
country, which is impossible, and it is now among the racing community
and townspeople one of the most fashionable meetings in Ireland ; but
the farmers don't attend, even though they have now no Williamstown.

140

I am well aware it was the late Mr. Thomas G. Waters who laid
out these new courses and remodelled the old. In doing so he was
actuated by the purest motive — viz., a Mdsh to prevent the accidents
which, just about that time, were of unusual frequency. ^Ir. Waters
was a man of peculiarly tender heart, and could never bear to see
anything hurt, much less the horse, of which he was so fond, or the
Irish steeplechase rider, of whom he was so proud. He was there-
fore, the more easily convinced in his own mind that our old courses
were too stiff. He was partly right in this, for some of them were —
notably Newcastle, where that famous mare Kate Fisher, and, I think,
three other horses were killed at one meeting alone, a series of disasters
which brought about an outburst of abuse of Irish 'chasing in the
English Press. It would have been better, however, had he adopted
less drastic measures ; and had he foreseen the effects his wholesale
cutting-down was destined to have upon our steeplechasing, he would
have been more sparing with the spade and pickaxe, while equally
merciful to horse and jockey, for never was there a better sportsman m
Ireland than my old friend Tom Waters.

It is, however, fair to his memory to state that the sporting press of
Ireland were silent during the remodelling of the courses ; nor did we
hear a word of complaint from owners, trainers, or jockeys. On the
contrary, the last-named three, as a rule, approved of the reformation.
I should also mention that heavy betting began just at the time Mr.
Waters commenced work, and who knows but there might have been
some who were very glad to look on and see courses made the
-easier 1 To bring off " a good thing " over the old natural courses
was very uncertain ; perhaps therefore, they thought it the best
policy not to express the opinions they really held on the subject as
regards $,port.

Although Waters cut the fences down, it was he who built up the
stand-houses and introduced all the improvements we now enjoy ; for
which ladies, jockeys, owners, pressmen, and all others connected with
racing owe him a debt of gratitude.

Eight glad am I to see that our Irish National Hunt Steeplechase
Committee has at last taken action in the matter, and has issued mandates
that the size of the jumps must be increased. It is a pity such a step
was not taken long ago. It is a greater pity that it did not veto the
wholesale cutting-down system directly they saw Cork Park — which
was the first circus of the kind — and forbid laying out courses on such
lines.

In their recent action I think a mistake was made in laying down a
hard-and-fast rule for all steeplechase courses. I am thoroughly in
accord with their idea of having one somewhat formidable jump, such
as the so-called "regulation fence," in every two miles, but I would have
the formation of every course dictated by the natural lie of the country,
utilising every safe fence, thus giving diversitj'- of jumps with artificials
as few as possible. The position for the regulation fence should be

141

adapted to the course, and left to the discretion of the official inspector,
and not to rule and measurement.

We have now a great many more steeplechase meetings in Ireland
than we used to have, but most of them are small affairs. Whether
that increase has proved beneficial or otherwise I can't well say. But
as regards those meetings which have sprung up and are carried on as
commercial affairs, I certainly am not in favour of. The principle is so
at variance with that on which meetings in my day were promoted,
probably I don't understand it sufficiently. Those such as Baldoyle,
Leopardstown, and Cork Park, being near to large cities, may do well
enough, but to have the "gate money" business extended to the
country I think would do a great deal of harm.

I feel that our farmers and country traders should be afforded the
opportunity of seeing a steeplechase as often as possible, and thus keep
alive in them the love of the old sport. For that reason assuredly I
would not allosv any more courses to be enclosed, but would give
people free access same as of yore.

Our Irish National Steeplechase Committee, like other corporations-
who have to frame rules which will be alike effective and popular, have
a hard task at times. Sport, however, is the only star they should steer
for. To assist a number of people to make money by means of starting a
race meeting on limited liabilitjs or other such principle, should not for
one moment occupy their consideration, unless it be clearly shown that
good results to sport will follow.

When dealing with Lord Howth's letter already alluded to, I referred
to matters which, in my opinion, caused a great deal of the injury
which steeplechasing has in late years sustained, notably where I
stated that we have not now men in Ireland to support steeplechasing
of the same calibre as the old.

Even when I was a young man, not to speak of for many years pre-
viously, we had all over Ireland noblemen and gentry of good meauF,.
who not alone bred and reared steeplechase horses, but trained and
raced them from their own stables, and rarely were any gent to a public
trainer. As well as my memory serves me, Mr. John Hubert Moore,
when residing at Jockey Hall on the Curragh, was the first man to
whom horses were sent to be trained for cross-country work, and oce
of his first patrons was Captain John F. Montgomery, familiarly called
" Ptufus." Whether it was that the young men, being less well-off, were
less sporting than the old, or that they considered their horses could be
done more justice to in a public stable than their own, certain it is that
since early in the sixties men have given up by degrees home-training.
It is not for me to say which was the best plan, but of this I am
positive that we had better sport with better horses under the old
system.

In some of our big crack training stables we have some few good
steeplechasers owned by a few good sportsmen ; but, with all due
respect to owners, I would submit that, while there is no doubt about

142

the high standing of some, the ability of others, and the general recti-
tude of the whole, there is a lamentable falling off in the body as
compared with that of former days.

At page 98 I made mention of the men who supported steeplechasing
thirty and forty years ago, and, in drawing a comparison, I feel assured
that the present men will not feel aggrieved, but, on the contrary, will
accept as a fact what must be as palpable to themselves as it is to me.

This is the more to be regretted when it is equally evident that Irish
trainers, as a class, are now very much better than they used to be.

The names I gave were those who, in my own time, bred, reared,
trained, and raced their own horses from their own stables. Not alone
that, but nearly the whole lot were racing at the same time and for
many years in Ireland, and they were all independent men.

There maybe others, but the only man whom I can call to mind that now
races on the lines of the men I named, is my old friend Mr. Mat. Maher,
of Ballinkeel, whom I have already mentioned as an example to follow.
That gentleman, assisted by his brother. Captain George Maher, can not
only breed and rear a racehorse, but can train him and bring him out fit
to win in the best company, alike over a flat or flagged course. This he
has many times proved, but never more emphatically than in the case of
the gallant Frigate, who, trained by the brothers, ran into second place
for the Grand National no less than three times, and eventually won it
by beating nineteen others in 1889. She carried list. 4lbs., and doing
the journey in 10 min. 1 sec, she beat the average weight and time of
that race by exactly 5lbs. and 31 seconds. Good old Frigate was born
at Ballinkeel, from Gunboat and Fair Maid of Kent, both of whom
were also bred by Mr. Maher.

That is a record which very few owners of the present day can
lay claim to, but lots of the old fellows could, at least to equally great.

Many ovations have I seen given to winners of races, but never aught
like that given to Frigate when she won the National. The old mare
had run for it no less than five times ; once she was knocked down, and
her performance upon the other occasions is recorded above. Piunning
so continually in such consistently good form made her a favourite
with everyone, down to the very newsboys in Liverpool and bargemen
at Aintree. She ran subsequently, but was again knocked down.

"When the old pillars of our sport died or ceased racing, orders went
forth to Mr. Waters for the pick and spade, the bill-hook and scalping
shears to hack and to hew the natural courses, which were sacred
from harm in the old men's days. Then came into fashion the artificial
courses, which are the great and leading light to the destruction
of steeplechasing, and with them the extinction of the old and
useful " half-bred " — so called because he had a stain in his pedigree,
and could not be traced in direct line to Flying Childers.

Of course we all admit the great advantages of thorough-breeding, but
I can't help thinking that for steeplechasing and hunting, the relegation
of the " half-bred " is a mistake.

143

Again, while I admit that public trainers, as a rule, bring horses to the
post in better condition than do the private men, I am of the most
decided opinion that the sport would be better sustained and maintained
by having our horses for steeplechasing trained at home. Thereby
would be created sporting emulation and rivalry among owners other
than that which they have on a racecourse.

Our gentry now are not nearly so well ofif as they used to be, and they
can't do things they once did, nor can they do almost anything in the
same style.

Deplorable, also, is the fact that they don't now look upon steeple-
chasing, as a branch of sport, in the same light as did their forefathers.

To bring back to our gentry their old incomes is an impossibility, but
to regenerate in them the love of steeplechasing is by no means
impossible ; on the contrary all that is needed is to bring hack to
steepleclmsing its original system.

I am now tired of this dissertation, and so I am sure will be my
readers, so I shall not bother myself or them with further remarks or
comparisons, but will blurt out that I am firmly of opinion that, as
far as steeplechasing is concerned, the love of sport is fast giving way
to the love of gain. Owners don't care a fig now for winning a race,
except in so far as they gain by it ; and they would rather lose a race
and thereby make money, than win the race and get nothing. Horses
are used now as machines for gambling, and not, as of old, as winners
of glory to their owners ; nor is steeplechasing any longer an institution
for improving the breed and stamina of the hunter ; on the contrary
"hunters" — bless the mark! — are now expected to improve steeple-
chasing.

How long the present system will last time alone can tell, but my
opinion is the grand old sport is fast going down hill. It is not, how-
ever, too late to put on the skid, and if the authorities would do so with-
out any more delay perhaps the upset of the coach may be prevented.

I need not say I hold our I.X.H.S. Committee in the greatest esteem,
and would, in every way in my power, support them. It is, therefore,
painful to me to hear that body spoken of in the disrespectful manner
some sections of the press and public at times adopt. It is a body of
gentlemen in whom everyone should place confidence, and to whose
decisions all should bow. Without such a body to regulate our steeple-
chasing, constituted as it must be with absolute power, the sport would
soon fall to the ground, precisely as did the prize-ring of England when
the Corinthian columns were taken from under it. Censors and Vv^ould-
be reformers should bear this in mind.

During the past few years our Steeplechase Committee have efi'ected
some great improvements, both in their legislature and the way meet-
ings are conducted, but there remains a lot more for them to do —
luckily, however, not as much as have the Turf and Jockey Clubs.

We in Ireland are fortunate in having as rulers of our racing and
steeplechasing a body of men, young and practical in their ideas.

They graduated under predecessors remarkable for sound judgment, to
which they gave effect with energy and foresight, grappling as well as they
could with every difficulty that lay in their way. With that example before
them, and being now possessed of the experience which the others had
to acquire, our present rulers are in a better way to bring about reform
than were those who went before them. They, however, have been
brought up in the old school, and no matter how practical men may be,
after being engaged at the same business for a certain time they are prone
to get into the one groove and can only see out of their own glasses.
Nowadays that won't do. Men, while preserving intact their righteous
principles, must go with the times, and to keep their place they must
import new blood.

I think, therefore, that both our Turf and Steeplechase Clubs would
do well to admit as members, representatives from the training and
riding fraternity.

I have thus given an account of how steeplechasing was conducted
long ago, and how it now goes on. My own opinions I have also
stated plainly, and now I put together in a nutshell what I think ought
to be done, with the courage of their convictions, by both the English
and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committees. Of course, a great
many good judges will disagree with me, and I admit that some of
my proposals are fraught with difficulty and may perhaps be now
impracticable, but I flatter myself that others of them are reasonable
and should be adopted, even though apparently difficult to tackle.

If, however, our authorities are to take action and perhaps have to
adopt drastic measures, they will have to be si ipported by the general
public, for there is no doubt that great opposition will at first be given
by parties who think alone of their own interest and care naught for
sport. After a time that would all subside, and the fine sport of
steeplechasing might possibly regain the position it held in olden time.

Make the fences stiff but safe. Have no steeplechase under two and
a half miles. Encourage three and four miles by making the longer
the race the bigger the stake. Have no flat or hurdle races for hunters.
Have hunters' steeplechases for hunter's only. Encourage point-to-
point steeplechases over a perfectly natural country for regular chasers
as well as hunters. Don't allow any horse to start for a hunters' steeple-
chase until he is five years old. Give liberal allowance to home-trained
horses. Reduce the present number of meetings. Allow no addition
to "gate money" meetings, and, whenever the chance comes, shut up
those existing. Encourage natural and oppose artificial courses.
Last, but not least, bring influence upon employers to veto betting
among those they employ.

I now leave this section of my chapter and proceed to others more
pleasant to deal with.

A horse of average size will clear, in his stride at full gallop, about
twenty-two feet, but put before him fifteen feet of water, level with the
banks, without a guard, and then see how difficult it will be to

145

make him take it in stroke, and when he does take it, see what
a catapult effort he makes to clear it. If the water be twenty feet-
wide, and he lands clear without baulk or fall, it will be a feat to be
talked of for a whole season, yet the distance is less than what he
covers in his ordinary stride. This phenomenon is caused, of course, by
the fact that when approaching a jump at a gallop a horse will always
shorten his stride, and collecting his hind legs well under him will spring
when all four are close together, and thus is produced the jerk we feel. It
is even betting that a seasoned hunter, although well able for twenty-four
feet, will not jump twelve feet of water without in some way disturbing,
it. A young one, full of impetuosity, will, but the old one won't.

The position in which horses and dogs are drawn, when galloping, is
perfectly unnatural, and one it is absolutely impossible for them, even'
for the hundredth part of a second, to be in. Never can both fore
legs and both hind legs be extended at the same time ; one foot must
always be on the ground, except when the animal is travelling through
the air in the act of jumping, and even then the legs can never be^
spreadeagled as they are usually represented in a picture. When, how-
ever, an artist draws a horse in position at all resembling the proper —
with legs doubled up and crossing each other— what a horrible effect it
has, simply because we are not accustomed to that style, nor is the real
position as discernible in the object as is the imaginary elongation. To
become convinced on the subject one has only to observe attentively
how a horse's legs move when he is in a slow canter — they go through
precisely the same action when galloping, only, of course, quicker.

Artists, like poets, seem to take a licence ; anyway, they sometimes
produce funny illustrations. As a rule, when painting or drawing a
horse galloping, they will show his fore-feet a long way in front of his-
nose, oblivious of the fact that his nose is always foremost, and the feet
can never extend beyond it.

Even the great Landseer occasionally used his brush upside down.
In his picture of the forge, which has been copied oftener than perhaps
any other, the horse is placed with his head to the light, which necessi-
tates the poor smith to do his work in the dark! In other pictures^
where he shows wild fowl, we see the mallard with his mouth open-
evidently in the act of quacking, and the ducks with theirs shut.
Surely every old woman knows that a drake never quacks, while a
duck is continually doing so. These sort of mistakes are unpardonable,
and spoil the whole picture in the eye of the man who knows what
is what, even though he be no judge of the picture as a work of art,,
and unable himself to draw a line on canvas.

I find I have run riot and got altogether off the line of my chapter.
Perhaps all the better for getting my readers off the very rough line-
they have followed me over previous pages. However, I must hark
back to the proper scent.

As I said before, Punchestown and Fairyhouse are the only real
steeplechase courses we now have in Ireland, for the fences are all
natural, and the tracks have almost every description of fence. They

L

146

therefore require both jumping and riding, for none but a horse
thoroughly schooled can get over them in safety.

In England there are Aintree, Sandown, and other courses with
fences stiff enough to test the best horse and man, and we have
Leopardstown modelled on the lines of Sandown, though not as stiff
as Aintree. The fences in all these courses are artificial, and lack the
zest of the old naturals, but they sufficiently answer the purpose for
which steeplechasing was originally and properly intended ; and if the
old sport is to be saved from perdition, both the English and Irish
head-quarters should forthwith command that all other courses shall be
constructed equally stiff.

Our Irish horses run so often now at English meetings, it was good
and wise of the Leopardstown executive to construct a course upon the
English lines ; and it was equally so of our I.X.H.S.C. to institute
the regulation fence, which, if made with the hedge, is precisely like
Kome of the Aintree and other English fences. It was considerate,
however, of them to leave it optional with executives to have this fence
either a bank or hedge ; for to most Irish horses the former is the easier,
a hedge with wide grip and rail in front being very uncommon in Ireland.

But what an amount of talking and writing there was against this same
regulation fence when it was first introduced ; principally by people
who were as capable of forming a correct opinion on the subject as they
were of riding over the fence itself. That has now, naturally, all
subsided, and men have schooled their horses so that the "ghastly
grave," when made and located properly, is negotiated as safely as any
other fence in the race.

By the way, does it appear to those who have to construct a regula-
tion fence of the " bank " character that it is simply a single bank,
with a grip of 6ft. wide and 4ft. deep in front, and that any ordinary
double can be utilised by filling up the off-side in a slant from outside
the grip to the top of the fence ? There was not much trouble in con-
verting the up-fence at the top turn past the stand at Punchestown
into a regulation fence — ^just half an hour's work for a man with a spade
to widen the grip to 6ft. This had to be done to conform with the
rule that a fence 3ft. high, with a 6ft. grii) in front, should b 3 in every
two miles of a course — the natural doubles doing the duty over the
remainder of grand old Punchestown.

It is not everybody who can lay out a steeplechase course to be raced
over with reasonable safety. Few indeed can do so, and a most extra-
ordinary fact is that very often the best rider over the course when laid
out is the worst man to lay it out. This has been demonstrated many times.

About the very best gentleman jockey of the present day, in reply
to a question I asked him lately as to the height of the double into
the Herd's Garden at Punchestown, and which he had ridden over at
least one hundred times, said it was five feet high, and would have
bet me a tenner on it had I allowed him. Now, the fact is, the actual
height of that fence from the edge of the grip on the take-off to where
the horses land on top is about 2ft. 9in., certainly under 3ft. This

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147

statement will astonish many, and few will credit it ; but let them go
and measure the fence — meanwhile don't bet I am wrong.

I mention this to show how little is known about a steeplechase
course, even by those who would be expected to know. I need not say
my object is not to depreciate " the double" at Punchestown for testing
a horse's capability for jumping or a man's capability for riding, for we
all know it is fully equal to the task. Its dimensions are as nearly as
possible : — Grip on take-off, 6ft. 6in. wide, 3ft. deep. Height of fence from
take-off, 2ft. 9in. Width on top, 6ft. 6in. Drop, 4ft. Grip on landing
«ide, 4ft. wide. This I show more clearly by the annexed section.

I have asked many people what the height was, and no one ever
said it was under four feet, while some said it was over six feet. The
fact is, an optical illusion is occasioned by men's eyes catching the
bottom of the grip as they approach the fence, and then taking the
height from that depth as they stand on the edge, oblivious of the
fact that the horses don't jump from out of the grip— at all events,
until they have first fallen into it.

The fence is now j^recisely as it has been for the past twenty years.
In about 1870 it was lowered Sin. or 4in., as may still be seen by the
•cutting on the top.

An artificial double should never be allowed on a steeplechase track,
for the simple reason that not one man in a thousand knows how to
construct it properly.

In a natural double the great thing is to have the top slanting
upwards, so that a horse can see the width, and that he has to put his
feet on it. There should be a somewhat sharp incline for 4ft. or 5ft.
up to the edge of the taking off grip, so as to give the horse a better
purchase with his hind hoofs ; in fact, to enable him the readier to get
his hind legs under him. The width of the grip should never be less
than 6ft. to 6ft. 6in. ; while the top should be the same. Nothing like
making a horse take off well away from an up-jump when going fast.
If a double be less than 6ft. wide on top, horses will try to fly it,
^hich generally creates an awkward complication of them and their
riders in the next field. If the grips of the Punchestown doubles were
•only 3ft. or 4ft. wide, half the men and horses would be killed over
ihem. About the best fence of the sort I ever saw was on the old
Fethard course in co. Tipperary. It was fully 7ft. wide on top, with a
grip before it of over 6ft., but it was not 2ft. high. Horses must change
on a fence like that, and then there is seldom a mistake made.

It is only a matter of opinion whether horses go faster or slower over
a steeplechase course now than they did in former years ; for no man
can make a positive statement in the matter. I was always of opinion
they went as fast long ago as they do now. They were ridden as fast
as they could go then, and they are ridden as fasc as they can go now,
while no one can deny that steep'echase horses were bett r as a class in
former days than they are at present.

To strengthen this argument I tabulated from the official returns a
.statement in 1881, soon a^ter the Grand National, and it appeared at

148

the time in a letter of mine comparing present and past steeplechasing^.
It dealt only with the fourteen horses which won that race carrying
list, and over up to 1881, compared with that year's winner, Woodbrook,
carrying list. 3lbs.

I reproduced the table in Land and Water in the spring of 1892,
and it showed plainly that Woodbrook's was the worst performance
of the lot. Some of the others would have won almost before he had
got to the racecourse the second time ; while Bourlon in 1854, carrying
9ibs. more and doing the course in Imin. 51sec. shorter time, would have
galloped out of his sight altogether. Again, Woodbrook, ridden out
to the last pound, beat a field of only thirteen horses, the smallest,,
except to, up two 1881, the average being twenty-one. No doubt he
won in a storm of wind and rain, but it is highly probable that some
of the others won the race in weather quite as bad. In Woodbrook's-
year the fences were, I think, trimmed lower than usual.

I shall now enter further into this interesting question of the relative-
pace of our steeplechasers past and present. For that purpose I shall
deal with the Liverpool Grand National up to 1890, from the time it
became a handicap, nearly half a century back, and to show that the
course has been practically always the same I shall first describe it.

The race was first run in 1839, and the line of the course was never
altered until about '89, when the run-home was changed from the
five-furlong post, but the distance, four miles and a half, was never
altered. A few years before, some of the original fences were cleared
away and artificial ones, quite as stiff", put in better places. It is the habit
with some people to state that the fences at Aintree were in old times
much stifFer than they now are. They could not have been, for if they
were they would have been simply unjumpable. A stream intersected
the course and formed Becher's and Valentine's Brooks, but although
that is no longer in existence, and the brooks are dry, these fences are
as formidable as ever. The dreadful stone wall opposite the St?.nd was
removed a great many years ago, and the water jump substituted.

In selecting the Grand National for my data I consider I am dealing
with the best cross-country horses of their respective times.

avekage weight and time of the winners of the liverpool
Grand National from 1843 to 1889 (inclusive), taken in
DECADES, from the detailed record given in " The Sporting
Chronicle Annual " for 1892 :—

Winner;? carrying
less than 1 1 st.

Winners carrying
list, and upwards.

Average of the
Decade.

TheForties

Weisht.
No. St. "lb.
2 ' 10 9
9 10 0
7 1 10 4^
5 : 10 8i
4,10 7

Time,
min sec
12 19i
10 14^
10 50
10 16
10 15

Weight.

No. St. lb.

5 11 8

1 11 12

3 .11 6

5 i 11 7

6 j 11 2

Time,
min sec
11 4

9 59
10 29
10 18
10 45

Weight.
St. lb.
11 1^
10 13

10 12

11 1
lOllJ

Time,
min sec
11 42

„ Fifties

10 7
10 40

,, Seventies

,, Eighties

10 17
10 30

Average of the 41
years

[27]! 10 6

10 47

[20]! 11 7

10 31

[47]

10 13^

10 39

149

In order of merit I would place the performances as follows :-

Best ..

Second
Third ..
Fourth
Fifth ..

Winners carrying less than
list.

^Yinners carrying list, and
over.

Weight.

Time. |

St. lb.

mm sec

The Seventies

10 8i

1016

,, Eighties

10 7

1015

,, Sixties

10 4i

10 50

,, Fifties

10 0

10141

,, Forties

10 9

1219i

Weight.;

St. lb. 1

Tlie Fifties

11 12

,, Seventies

11 7

,, Sixties

11 6

, , Forties

11 8

, , Eighties

11 2

rime.

min sec

9 59

10 18

10 29

11 4
10 45

I admit the light weights do not sustain my argument, for by further
comparison we find the Forties are much below the average, for,
although with the highest weight, the time is a long way the slowest.
However, the average is entirely spoiled by the exceptionally bad
time of Discount in 1844, viz., 14mm. Probably there is a mistake,
for it is 2min. lOsec. longer than any other ever recorded. If it be
incorrect,' and putting it at, say, llmin. {i.e., 13sec. over the average
of the light-weight lot), we would have the Forties, with lOst. 9lba.,
lOmin. 50sec., which would beat the average well, and be nearly as good
as the Seventies and Eighties. The Fifties are also below the average,
considering the light weight ; the Sixties are a fair average ; the Seven-
ties beat the average well ; and so do the Eighties.

The high-weight class gives strong support to my theory, as is shown
thus : the Forties are somewhat below the average ; the Fifties beat into
fits all record up to 1891 ; the Sixties are a good average; the Seventies
beat the average ; the Eighties are a long way leloiv the average.

No doubt there was only one horse, Bourton, who won in the Fifties
carrying list, or over. But his was a record and no mistake, for, with
list. 12lbs. (within lib. of Cortolvin, who carried the highest winning
weight in Grand National history), he won the race of 1854 in 9min.
69sec.

Comeaway's win in 1891, meritorious as it was, equals only that of
Bourton in 1854:— just forty years ago. Both horses carried list. 12lbs.
and did the journey in 9min. 59sec., which gives them alike the best
winning records of the Grand National.

I have gone into those abstruse, and perhaps to some people unin-
teresting, calculations for the purpose of confronting the many who,
with dogmatic assurance, denounce the pace of steeplechasers of old in
comparison with that of the present day.

Of course we all know that time calculation is unreliable. The only
way to find out the relative merit of horses is to try them against each
other. An authentic time-record is, however, very much more to be
depended upon than any man's opinion, particularly when based only
upon memory. Making, therefore, all due allowance for whatever
defect there may be in a system such as the above, and in the absence
of any other more reliable, I think my table, showing a record of half-
a-century's racing, fairly proves my assertion that horses, able to carry
weight, went as fast long ago over a long steeplechase as they do now.

150

Be it well understood 1 speak only of real steeplechase courses, such
as Aintree, Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, and Sandown ; 1
certainly do not allude to billiard-table courses, like Cork Park, which
have been introduced of late years with their two-mile races, for suchr
in my opinion, are not steeplechases at all. Anyhow we cannot com-
pare them, for horses long ago were never raced over such places.

Assuredly the steeplechasers of the present day lack the stamina and
staying powers of the old ones, and if they go as fast it is because they
have light, smooth, and level courses. A sorry time would they have
over the old heavy and uneven fields where speed and endurance were
maintained. Speed over flat, artificial ground, but without endurance^
is the usual order of to-day.

No doubt there are some few exceptions ; for instance, Eoyal Meath,
Cloister, and Cornea way. They are quite capable of stretching the neck
of any horse that ever went a steeplechase. But are they not all
Irishmen ?

Some short time ago I cut from a newspaper a notice which I intended
to reproduce in these pages, for it appeared to me to be about the best
on the subject I ever read. It was a description of the sort of horse
best calculated to win a Grand National. Unfortunately I mislaid the
cutting and I forget what paper it came from. However, in substance
it was as follows : The horse we want for a long steeplechase like the
Grand National is one that can keep going on after he is beaten. The
pace at which that race is run and the severity of the course causes the
unsound and unfit horses to crack up, even if they don't fall, before half
the journey is gone. It is only then that the real struggle leg ins. By
degrees others drop off beaten. One horse, how^ever, has been going
great guns and bang in front all the way until within a mile of home.
He is well bred, well "balanced," in perfect condition, gallops with
freedom, jumps without undue loss of power, and he is well ridden.
However, when coming along the canal he feels the pinch, and at the
racecourse he shows clear evidence of being beaten. His place is taken
by another horse full of running, and who then appears to have the
race at his mercy. Nevertheless the other keeps pegging away after
him. The leader, equally well ridden, has not the same high creden-
tials as the other, and before the last hurdle is reached he, too, gets
beaten, and through some loose screw, shuts up within the next
hundred yards hopelessly so. Then comes on our struggling friend and
gamely wins his race, although he was beaten half a mile before the
other horse.

When making comparisons between past and present steeplechase
arrangements, I overlooked one item, possibly from the fact that a
comparison could not be drawn. I speak of the reporter for the Press.

Thirty years ago the proprietor of an Irish newspaper never dreamt
of sending a representative to our meetings, and when reference was
given it was in very skeleton style. In like manner were all branches
of sport neglected by the Press. Needless to remark we had no journal
devoted solely to sport, while in England there were only The Field

151

and BelCs Life. The English Press, outside these papers, and a few-
magazines, gave as little heed to the sports of our country as did the
Irish.

My friend the late Mr. William Dunbar of Dublin saw the want in
Ireland, and in the year 1869 started, as a weekly paper, the Irish
Sportsman.

The publication of this paper was a great boon, and its issue on
Saturday was looked for with eagerness. Mr. Dunbar was a man of
good social position, an eminent scholar, a gentleman, and a sportsman,
and under his management the paper flourished for many years until
his death. It was always well edited, and dealt with sport in style as
brilliant as any journal started since or before it. Through troublous
times, and when to uphold anything in which our gentry took interest
was a hazardous undertaking, it fearlessly stuck to its principles and
manfully sustained our sport in all its branches. It is still to the fore,
and long may it so continue.

Editors of the daily papers of Dublin took the cue from the Irish
Siyortsrnan, and soon after its appearance they sent reporters to our
meetings, and began to record the proceedings in their columns.

Now what do we see 1 Every paper, not alone in Ireland but all over
the kingdom, devotes'columns to sport in every morning's issue. Several
papers devoted solely to the subject are now issued daily. Some of them
deal with the various branches of their calling in much more extensive
fashion than did many of the dailies long ago with political, social,
foreign, home, and all other events put together.

Men at present can't wait a day, not to speak of nearly a week, to
hear of current sporting topics, and at times they must have evening
editions, as well as the morning. No, they would not await the issue
of even BelVs Life^ but chucked up that reliable and most interesting
journal, and took on to the dailies, in consequence of which good old
" Nunquam Dormio " had to strike its colours.

The result of every race is now known all over the kingdom within
an hour, and that of the important events is flashed to the Antipodes
in the same space of time.

Perhaps a greater record in telegraphy was never made than that of
Mr. James Gordon Bennett with regard to the Derby of 1890. By his
ingenuity the result was known in New York in ninety seconds after
Sainfoin had won !

Before concluding my chapter I shall refer to a couple of feats which,
in my opinion, "make history," and deserve to be called not alone
famous and celebrated, but plucky in the extreme. I allude to the
winning of two events of similar kind and under similar circumstances
within recent years by two sportsmen, neither of whom were high up in
the art of jockeyship. Each man backed himself to buy a horse and on
him win an approaching great steeplechase— neither having a horse fit
for the feat or knowing where to find one at the time they made the
wagers.

Mr. Charles Barrington of Dublin backed himself early in 1879 to

152

ride the winner of the Ward Hunt Cup at Fairyhouse on the
following Easter Monday upon a horse not then in his possession.
This sporting wager he won on Malahide, beating nine others in a canter
by three lengths, after having led them from start to finish. The fact
that Mr. Barrington had not ridden at all for years previously, and had
never any experience between the flags, made this feat all the pluckier
and more sportsmanlike.

Three years afterwards Lord Manners, under similar circumstances)
entered into the same sort of engagement with regard to the Grand
National of 1882, which he won on Seaman, beating a field of eleven.

A word also about these two good horses. Malahide was by Joco-
Miss Fisher, by Kingfisher, and was bred by my friend Mr. James
Dobbyn of Tipperary, who hunted him for two seasons. Mr. William
Jameson (the owner of Comeaway) bought him from Mr. Dobbyn and
called him Malahide, and Mr. Barrington bought him from Mr. Jameson
for the purpose of the race.

Seaman was by Xenophon — Lena Rivers, and was bred by the late
Captain Stamer Gubbins, but being a miserable yearling he was not
shown with the Bruree horses when they were sold after the owner's
death, I don't think I ever saw a horse go over our Conyngham Cup
course in such brilliant style as did Seaman in*1881, when, carrying
list. Tibs., and ridden by Mr. Harry Beasley, he won from a large field
of good horses. He laid only one hind leg on the double into the new
country and landed a yard clear of the off grip ! Xo other horse ever
jumped that fence in such a fashion. He was rather a small horse.
with very bad legs, but luckily he did not require much galloping. He
was scarified with the irons from knees to knuckles and from hocks to
heels ; nevertheless. Captain Machell bought him for nearly £2,000 from
Mr. Linde for Lord Manners, as being the horse most likely to win for
him his plucky sporting bet. In selling Seama*n Mr. Linde sold a rod
to whip himself, for the son of Xenophon, in winning his race, beat by
a head Cyrus out of the Eyrefield stable, with the crack Mr. Tommy
Beasley riding.

P. S.— Since I put together the list of Irish horses which won the
Grand National, that good horse Cloister has added to our laurels by
winning in 1893. He carried 12st. 7lbs., and thus broke all previous
record. The race was timed at 9min. 32sec., but this I think must be
& mistake. I saw the race and paid my utmost attention to Cloister,
He went the same pace all through, which by no means struck me as
being fast, for at no time was he fully extended, and he won by forty
lengths. If, therefore, carrying 12st. 7 lbs. he did the course in 9min.
32sec., he is the very best horse that was ever saddled for the Grand
National. I always held for Cloister the highest opinion, but I
certainly would not give him that record.

163

CHAPTEK IX.

PUNCHESTOWN.

Earlj' History— Arrangements— Meeting of 1854— A Comparison— Angclo Haj-es' Picture-
Meeting of 1861— National Hunt Steeplechase— Biggest Stake in Ireland— The Winner
and Placed Horses— Meeting of 1862— Lords Drogheda and St. Lawrence— Thomas G.
Waters— What they did—" Princely Punchestown "—Wisdom and Foresight of Lord
Drogheda— Late Lord Clonmell— Lord Drogheda again— Doctrines against Hunting
— The Land League— Kildare Hunt opposed— Outrages— Hounds Poisoned— Burning
Coverts— Interferences with Hunting in 1881-82— Programme for 1882— Meeting
Withdrawn— Results— Great Loss to Tradesmen and others— Wholesome Lesson —
Sesults— Punchestown continued in 1883— Lord DrogLeda's Capital Idea— The
Courses— A Flat Race !— The old Pilot— Mr. Percy La Touche takes the Tiller— His
quahfications— What he has done— Foxhunters' Plate Course— National Hunt Steeple-
chase in 1862— Late Marquis of Downshire — Late Marquis of Conyngham— The
Downshire and Conyngham Cups— The Courses at Punchestown— Conyngham Cup
Course— Author's Rhapsody— Liberality to Owners— Punchestown Double— The
Ladies' Lawn— The Ladies— Meeting of 1890— A Comparison— The Stand-houses— Re-
served Stand— Ladies' Stand— Charges— Another Comparison— Special Advantages of
Punchestown— Conyngham Cup Course again— The Farmers' Race— Its Peculiarities
—The Present Earl Clonmell— Lord Otho Fitzgerald— Liberality of Kildare Hunt
to Farmers — Author's Sad Recollections— His Advice — His Personal Experiences
—His First " Leg-up" — National Hunt Steeplechase, 1832— Captain McCraith— "Mr.
Thomas"— Mr, Apjohn— The Race— Author's feelings After— To Clear the Double-
Horses who did so— Capt. Johnny Bates— Terrible Accident in 1864— Capt. McCraith
and Mr. George Knox— Results— Another Dreadful Occurrence— Panic on the Stand —
Results— A Welsher— Royal Visits — A Loyal Comparison — The Prince of Wales—
A Sore Subject — Meeting of 1886— A Narrative of Loyalty and Pluck— "Does anyone
else wish to hiss the Prince of Wales ? "—Accidents— Poor Willie Beasley !— His death
—Major Trocke and Countess— The Kildare Hunt Plate of 1892— Who was who thirty
years ago.

Punchestown as a race-meeting dates from 1847, if not a year or
two farther back.

About that time the sporting Kildare Hunt established a small
annual meeting over some portion of what is now called the " Old
Course," restricted to the members of the Hunt and its farmers, with
one or two small races for regular steeplechasers. The arrangements
were as primitive as those at any other meeting of the period, and it
was not until 1854 that the first stand -house was erected, somewhere
near the spot occupied by the present one, but it was only a small
wooden structure.

The meeting in 1854 was the most important of any previously held,
and I think it was then for the first time that two days were given.
Even so the total of all the stakes did not nearly amount to what we
now have for the Conyngham Cup.

From the fact that Mr. Angelo Hayes has handed down to posterity in
the shape of his magnificent picture " The Corinthian Cup ' at Punches-
town in 1854, it would appear that that race was the important feature
of the meeting.

154

In this picture are strikingly good likenesses of some of the leading:
steeplechase notorieties of Ireland in that day. The scene is laid at the
wall with the Furry Hill as background. The portraits include those
of Lords Waterford, Drogheda, Conyngham, Howth, St. Lawrence^
Clonmell, and Cloncurry ; Messrs. John Preston, Sam Reynell, Fleetwood
Rynd, William Kennedy (then Master of the Kildare Hounds), Colonel
Campbell, Major Dickson, and Sir Philip Crampton. Those in silk
mounted to start are Captain William Hely-Hutchinson on Torrent,
who won the race. Captains Barnard, Warburton, Severne, Wombwell,,
Chichester, Barclay, and Hutton, also Messrs. Wilkin, Boyce and Price.
Out of that group there now remain alive, as far as I know, only three
or four.

In the year 1 860 the Kildare gentlemen conceived the idea of recon-
structing the old system upon new lines, and, headed by the Marquis
of Drogheda and Lord St. Lawrence (the present Earl of Howth), pub-
lished an article for 1861, under the title " The Kildare and National
Hunt Steeplechases." There were seven races for £770 added money —
four of which had an additional sweepstakes of £5 each — and there
was the Kildare Hunt Cup, value £50, for members only.

The above inaugurated the National Hunt Steeplechase, which was
for £300, added to a £5 sweep, three and a half miles. This was far
and away the biggest stake hitherto offered for a race in Ireland. Of
the many horses entered, 35 accepted and 27 started, and the race
resulted as follows : —

Captain McCraith's The Rug Owner 1

Mr. Thomas Harper's Tickle Toby Mr. George Knox 2

Mr. William McGrane's Ben Bolt Captain Townley 3

So eminently successful did this meeting prove, that for 1862
the Stewards gave £900 for eight races, five of which had sweepstakes
added of from £3 to £5. In addition the 4th Dragoons had their
private challenge cup and the Kildare Hunt had theirs.

Lords Drogheda and St. Lawrence continued to be the leading spirits
of Punchestown for some years. After a time, however, the latter
nobleman gave up taking active part, and the whole management
devolved upon Lord Drogheda, and to his able and fostering care are we
indebted for the steady progress made up to the present time, when
Punchestown stands, as it has stood for many years, unrivalled by any
steeplechase meeting under the sun.

Lord Drogheda had a zealous and able lieutenant in the late Mr.
Thomas G. Waters, who threw his whole soul into the work, and
carried out with determined energy all the improvements which give
Punchestown its place. The improvements were judiciously begun in a
small way, but gradually they were increased, until now, for convenience
and extent, the stand, enclosure, and course arrangements rival any in
the kingdom, and surpass most. Yes, to Lord Drogheda and the late
Mr. Waters we owe Punchestown,* which, since the first visit of the

155

Prince of Wales in 1868, has been dubbed "Princely," as Ascot and
Goodwood are designated " Royal " and " Glorious."

His lordship, with wisdom and foresight, created a race fund by
soliciting subscriptions beforehand for the meeting of 1861, and
continued to do so for some years after. These came from each Hunt
in Ireland, and from many sportsmen who wished to help the good work.
His appeal was met with such liberal response, a nice capital and
sinking fund was soon created ; and as the receipts from stand, course,
and entries were very considerable, he was enabled not alone to carry
out all his plans, but to vastly increase the stakes, until in this year,
1892, they aggregate £2,760 in cash, with cups value £250 for a two
days' meeting of twelve races.

The late lamented Earl of Clonmell for many years added £25 to the
Farmers' Race. Alas ! that genuine sportsman and prince of good
fellows joined the majority in June, 1891, and nowhere will his loss
be more deeply felt than at Punchestown, where for over twenty
meetings he dispensed lavish hospitality, and welcomed alike both
friends and strangers with that jovial heartiness which at all times
characterised the genial lord of Bishopscourt.*

Lord Drogheda's conservative opinions were, as in many other
instances, evidenced in his control of Punchestown. He preserved in
their natural state its classic courses, and all hail to him for doing
so. At the same time he went with the times as regards stand-house
requirements, while his thorough knowledge of steeplechasing was ever
and anon in evidence by the alterations and additions he made in the
annual programme, which invariably bore advantageous result.

Atrocious doctrines against hunting, and all else pertaining to Irish
gentlemen, began to be preached by the leaders of the Land League
towards the end of the seventies. As stated elsewhere these foul
precepts bore fruit eventually, and for several seasons great opposition
to hunting was shown all over Ireland.

The Kildare Hunt, like the Curraghmore, was singled out for especial
malignity in consequence of its being so eminently -supported and
represented by the Irish aristocracy and gentry.

Outrages of the most horrible description — similar to those described
in the Curraghmore chapter— were committed, including poisoning of
poor inoffensive hounds and foxes, burning some of the best coverts
in the county, prevention of hunting by organised mobs surrounding
coverts, shouting, hooting, blowing horns, and ringing bells, not to speak
of insulting ladies and gentlemen in the most scandalous manner. In a
word, the Kildare Hounds were unable to hunt with any degree of
pleasure to their followers duricg the season 1881-82.

The programme for Punchestown is always issued early in January,
and in 1882 it came out with the suggestive proviso that the Stewards
reserved to themselves the right to withdraw the meeting if they deemed

* Since writing this chapter Lord Droglieda has also died. — Author.

156

fluch a proceeding advisable. They did consider themselves so justified,
and in 1882 there was no Panchestown.

This proper action of the executive brought the agitators against
hunting in Kildare to their senses.

Consequent upon a gigantic race-meeting like Punchestown thousands
upon thousands of pounds are circulated. Shopkeepers and tradesmen,
hotel proprietors and car-owners, as well as many of the peasantry, all
make money, while numbers of the small traders reckon upon paying
their rent, if not a great deal more, out of the profits of the race week.

All that good fortune was taken from the Kildare folk in 1882, so,
although many of the losers were sympathisers with the Land League,
drastic measures were taken by them to prevent further interference
with hunting, with such result that Punchestown was again a meeting
in 1883, and so it has continued.

I may say, however, that for some years after a proviso, admonitory
and suggestive, was inserted in the programme.

Lord Drogheda obtained a capital idea during his visit to Australia a
few years ago. He took it, I think, from the Melbourne Race Executive,
and established it at Punchestown. The rule is to supply each rider at
the scales with a white saddle-cloth, in the hind corners of which is a
large red number corresponding with that of the horse on the card.
Exhibiting this is of the greatest convenience for ready reference,
and I wonder the excellent example is not universally followed.

The only mistake ever made at Punchestown was some ten years ago,
when a flat race was published in the programme. Fancy, a flat race
at Punchestown ! Happily, it did not fill, so it was never started. I
devoutly hope Punchestown will never be anything but what it is — the
premier steeplechase meeting of the world.

It is not likely to be anything else, for although the old pilot gave up
the tiller in 1886, he handed it to Mr. Percy La Touche ; and while
he holds it Punchestown will keep to windward of all other meet-
ings. Mr. La Touche is eminently qualified for the task, for he is a
practical sportsman, understands steeplechasing thoroughly, not alone
theoretically, but practically, for he rode many a race in the grand arena,
and has been for years one of the best men with hounds across Kildare.
He is also well endowed with both administrative and executive ability,
while no man in Ireland is more popular. All who attend our meetings,
whether on business or for pleasure, know what attention they receive
from that courteous and painstaking gentleman whenever he is called
upon.

Since he took office Mr. La Touche has expended over £4,000 enlarging
and improving the stands and enclosures. The work has been executed
by Messrs. Musgrave of Belfast, under the superintendence of Mr.
Robert Waters, who succeeded his father as manager.

Mr. La Touche has also laid out the Foxhunters' Plate Course, where
it turns to the right before reaching the first brook, and rejoins the old
■course at the back of the double in the Herd's Garden, thus leaving

^ r

-^

.^i**^A*ii

vIX

O

157

out the far-off and extreme left portion of the Old Course. This waS'
done to obviate the necessity of finishing over the Conyngham in races
of less than four miles, for the big fences in that course were considered
dangerous to finish over, as was proved by the severe falls got by
Major Burke and Captain Orr-Ewing a few years ago.

The courses at Punchestown are quite natural, as, with few exceptions^,
are the fences, and a little trimming is all that distinguishes the
exceptions. I have heard people assert that the fences were greatly cut
down within the past twenty years. They never were. The run-home was
altered and greatly improved some years ago at considerable expense ;
the nasty dip near the pond was then filled up, and the run-in, for nearly
quarter of a mile before the winning-post, was made straight and level.

The first race for the Conyngham Cup was run in 1865, and was won
by General Election. The line was then over the Old Course.

The track now known as the Conyngham Cup Course was opened for
the first time in 1862, when the National Hunt Steeplechase was run
over it, but there was so much grief in that race it was not again used
till about ten years ago, when the race from which it now takes its
name was run over it. Since then it has been utilised annually for that
particular event and for several others.

The late Marquis of Downshire gave, in 1863, a silver cup, and con-
tinued that generosity annually for some years. I think the late
Marquis of Conyngham gave one also ; anyhow the races respectively
called after these grand old sportsmen have invariably been about the
most interesting items in the two days' sport.

The Downshire has always been a welter race, and has had for itS'
second fence the formidable 4ift. stone wall. For a few years portion
of its course lay at the back of the stand, but that was wisely altered
long ago.

The tracks of the various courses at Punchestown have been selected
and laid out with skill in such matters more consummate than any I
ever saw displayed elsewhere.

The magnificent track of the Conyngham is three miles in circuit, i.e.,
the Old and New Courses, and so well is it laid out that, although the
distance is four miles, the only fences that have to be jumped a second
time are the single before the wall, the wall, and the gorse hurdle.
The Old Course is two and a quarter miles in circuit, and for three-
mile races only two fences and the gorse have to be jumped twice, while
in the Downshire, of three miles, the only fence jumped twice is the
gorse. The National Hunt Cup is run over the Foxhunters', Conyngham
and Old Courses, distance being four miles and a quarter, yet only twa
fences have to be jumped twice.

Think of that, ye executives of hippodromes, a mile or mile and
a half round, with their three-mile courses !

From the stand at Punchestown the horses in each race can be
seen in their stride every yard from start to finish, except when racing^
towards you from the far brook to the old double, and from the turn for

158

home in the ConyDgham— in all about half a mile. Many is the course
-where you see horses broadside on only for that distance, the rest of
the journey being run directly to or from you, so that no one can
tell what a horse is doing, or what his rider may be doing either. Oh,
truly, truly has it been said if a man wants to see a steeplechase he
must come to Punchestown ! *

The executive makes racing there as cheap as possible to owners of
horses ; the entrances for the various plates seldom exceed 2 per cent.,
-and never 3 per cent., of the value of the prizes.

Another great feature is that one gate payment gives access to all
parts of the grand stand and enclosures, and visitors are not pestered
by janitors and extra charges, as at so many meetings in England.
The charge is only 15s. for the first day, 10s. for the second day, or 20s.
for both days. A complimentary ticket from Mr. David Mahony admits
to the Ladies' Stand free, while one from Mr. La Touch© admits to the
Reserved Stand, on the top of the Ladies' Stand, on payment of a
sovereign for both days.

The Reserved Stand is the most convenient and best-managed of
any I know. No one can ever get on it without a ticket issued
direct from Mr. La Touche, and no more people will get tickets
than the stand vAW easily accommodate. This allows the privileged
holders plenty of time to look over the horses in the jiaddock, or
transact their business at their ease, to obtain a near view of the pre-
liminary gallop, and then go up to their stand, whence they can see
the horses' hoofs over every yard of the different courses, except just
behind Moll Dunne's Hill, which, in the Conyngham Cup Course, hides
about two hundred yards equally from all.

Managers of other meetings who charge twice as much and don't give
half the value, should take note of these arrangements characteristic
only of this premier meeting.

I have been to many places where women most do congregate, but
commend me to the Ladies' Lawn on a fine afternoon for a display
of beauty and elegance which I have never seen equalled, much less
excelled. Neither Royal Ascot nor Glorious Goodwood can produce
lovelier specimens.

The meeting of 1890 was attended by about the greatest number
of ladies I ever saw there, while the receipts of the public stand
showed that considerably more people attended in 1890 than ever did
previously. The horses, too, which ran that year were of a much better
stamp generally than I had seen for a long time.

If we had the same class of patrons now as we had twenty years ago,
and same class of horses, would not Punchestown, with its present
arrangements, be as near perfection as it is possible for humanity to
make anything ?

But one thing is to be regretted at Punchestown, and that is the

* See page 147 for a description of ths old double.

159

lamentable display we nearly always see in the Farmers' Race. Twenty
to thirty horses often start, but before two fields have been travelled
there is a long tail, and before the leaders pass the stand there are not
more than a third of the lot in the race ; and when it is won perhaps
.not more than half a dozen have gone the course.

Objections are invariably lodged, which result generally in the dis-
qualification of the horse which came in first and often of the three
placed. In 1891 the race had to be declared " null and void," because
the first four horses were disqualified for one reason or other. Oddly
enough it was the best Farmers' Race I ever saw at Punchestown ;
horses went like racers and were ridden by men like jockeys.

So uncertain is it that the horse which comes in first will be even-
tually declared the winner that the bookmakers stipulate specially for
this race, that they pay only on " first past the post."

To reduce these difficulties an extra race of a more open character
was introduced in 1892.

The present Earl of Clonmell follows his brother's good example and
.gives a large contribution to the stakes to be run for by the farmers.
Lord Otho Fitzgerald, late M.P. for Kildare, presented the Challenge
•Cup, value £50, some years ago, and with the addition of a hundred
guineas from the fund the Kildare farmers are dealt liberally with and
owe a debt of gratitude to their County Hunt.

I am continually in the habit of bragging that I never missed a
Punchestown since 1861, and every year when leaving after the last race
on the second day I ask myself, will I ever see the historic spot again ?

Alas, it makes an old habitue like myself bitterly sad to think of all
the fine men and dear friends he has seen and met within that enclo-
sure who are now gone for ever. If a man has friends in the world he
meets them at Punchestown, but then comes the time when they are
missed ! Such sad, and too-oft repeated experiences, make my visits
of late years very difi'erent indeed in enjoyment from what they were
long ago, and were it not that I should look upon missing Punchestown
as something approaching a personal calamity, I don't think I would go
there again.

If some of those who have never been there will come, no matter how
experienced they may be in steeplechasing elsewhere, they will go away
with an opinion of tlie meeting similar to mine. To appreciate this to
the full, they should go early and walk the courses, and perhaps during
the day, go down to the Herd's Garden or Furry Hill to see how our
Irish horses can jump a double.

With such an experience of Punchestown as I have had I can recall
incidents of various nature, so 1 may as well relate a few. I will
begin with one personal to myself.

At no time of my life do I think I felt such pride and satisfaction
as I had when I got the leg-up on The Baron for the National Hunt
Steeplechase of 1862. I was smartly turned out in orthodox racing
toggery, which, as I mentioned in a former chapter, was not common

160

among Irish Corinthian riders thirty years ago, and my mount was
a right good-looking horse ; moreover, this was my first try between the
flags. Five-and-twenty went to the post, and on the way I well remem-
ber poor Tom McCraith calling to " Mr. Thomas " to look at the string-
of silks and satins, asking him if he could see such a sight in England !

Of course every one of the twenty-five thought he was going to win.
I know I had visionary notions to that effect, but still I asked McCraith
what was best for me to do. His answer was to this effect : — " The race,
bar accidents, is between Tom Pickernel and me, unless Apjohn beats
us ; so get away in front as soon as the flag falls, for if you stay in the
ruck you will be knocked down, and may be your first will be your
last steeplechase."

Accordingly, to the front I went when Clancey dropped his flag, andy
alongside the two gentlemen named, jumped the big double into the
present Conyngham Cup Course, the first time a silk jacket faced it.

Poor McCraith's tip as to the result of our race was amazingly correct^
for it was won by Ben Bolt with Mr. Pickernel (" Mr. Thomas ") up,
while Kate Fisher and Valentine, ridden respectively by Mr. Tommy
Apjohn and Captain McCraith, were second and third. My satisfaction
after the race was not quite as great as before it, for I was a long way
astern of those three— and others besides— at the finish ! Never mind ;
the gallop gave me huge delight all the same, and it is pleasurable
even now to recall it to memory.

To clear from field to field the old double in the Herd's Garden although
the height, as I have said, is under 3ft., requires a horse to cover at least
20ft. in an arc at least 26ft. This has been attempted by many horses,
but very few have accomplished the feat without a fall, and some have
killed themselves in the attempt. The only horses I remember to have
landed in safety without lajdng an iron on it are Redman, Lord George
(an English horse), and Charity Boy ; but others, no doubt, may have
done so.

I need not say that when these aerial eccentricities were performed it
was not usually with the consent of the jockeys ; there was, however, an
exception in the person of Captain Johnny Bates of the 4th Dragoon
Guards. That gentleman's great ambition was to ride a horse from field
to field over the double, and he invariably tried to gratify it on the
many mounts he had some years ago at Punchestown, but I don't think
he ever succeeded.

I was witness in 1864 of a very terrible accident, perhaps the most
fearful I ever saw on a steeplechase course. It was in the Welter Stakes,
Captain McCraith on Forager and Mr. George Knox on Hard Times had
come away from their field, and were going head and head for their race»
but after crossing the last fence they got entangled in the ropes and
posts which were supposed to mark the line of the run-in. Most
awful falls were the result to both. McCraith and Knox, together with
their horses, lay in a heap senseless. One unfortunate rustic was killed on
the spot, and injuries of very severe nature were sustained by several

161

others, for the two horses turned somersaults into the midst of some
fifty people closely packed. An investigation was held to ascertain
who was to blame for this appalling catastrophe, particulars of which
the narrative does not require.

I was witness of another very dreadful occurrence at Punchestown
some twenty years ago. The Grand Stand was packed full of people
just before one of the races, when a cry was raised by some scoundrel in
the ring that it was falling. This created an immediate panic, and there
was a general stampede from off the stand. In the frantic struggle
several people fell and were trampled on Two or three had limbs
broken and many were otherwise severely injured. Luckily no one was
killed. If the fellow who raised the cry which caused this disaster
could have been recognised and captured, I should have liked to have
seen him treated as I once did a welsher in the same enclosure. He was
stripped to the skin, flogged unmercifully, daubed over with paint, and
then kicked out on the course with nothing whatsoever upon him except
one boot and stocking.

I, with many thousands of my countrymen, regret that members of our
Royal family do not visit Ireland oftener than they do. We fail to see
why Scotland should be favoured yearly by visits from Royalty, any one
of which is of longer duration than all the visits put together, which our
gracious Majesty and her family have vouchsafed to Ireland since her
reign began !

This is all the more inexplicable when it is known that in no part of
the kingdom and upon no one occasion did our Queen or any member of
the Royal family receive more heartfelt loyal greeting than they did
upon the few occasions of their coming to Ireland.

The Prince of Wales knows well what a welcome he got upon the two
visits he paid Punchestown, and I am very sure H.R.H. cannot recall
their like upon any other he ever paid to a racecourse.

Having said thus much upon a subject we Irish feel very sorely about,
I shall relate what I was an eye-witness to the last time the Prince of
Wales came to Ireland. It was at the wet and windy Punchestown of
1886.

At that time the country was very much disturbed by the Land
agitation. Nevertheless the welcome given H.R.H. was of the heartiest
description, and almost universal. Upon the Royal party leaving the
Reserved Stand, and while enthusiastic cheers rent the air, there came
a hiss from a young man standing quite close to where I was in the
Public Enclosure. Within a few paces of the individual there also
stood a dapper little man wearing a covert coat and billycock hat. No
sooner did the hiss reach the ears of this little chap than off came the hat
and the coat, and straight from the shoulder he let drive, right between
the eyes of the Nationalist, a sock-dolloger which for beauty and effect I
scarcely ever saw beaten. Heels over head the fellow went. After
picking himself out of the mud I never shall forget how the little man
danced round him, asking would he like to hiss the Prince of Wales

16:2

again ! This the cur replied to by sneaking off with his companions as
fast as he could. Whereupon the little man, still hopping about with
fists in position, lustily sang out with suggestive inquisitiveness, "Does
anyone else wish to hiss the Prince of Wales ? Does anyone else wish
to hiss the Prince of Wales ? "

I never could find out who this gentleman was, but he could use his
fists, and that too with marked effect upon a man several inches taller,
and more than a stone heavier, than himself.

There are thousands in Ireland who would do just the same thing
under similar provocation, and I only relate the occurrence as an
example of Irish loyalty.

Accidents with calamitous results have, of course, befallen many a good
man and horse over Punchestown, but they were not more numerous
than those over other steeplechase courses of less formidable character.
Xever, however, was one so universally regretted as that which befell
Mr. William Beasley at the meeting of 1892.

He was riding Mr. J. H. Peard's All's Well in the Kildare Hunt Plate,
on the second day (April 27), when the horse, with another, came down
at the double, and poor Willie got a kick in the head. Consciousness
never fully returned to him, and he died on May 9.

He was the third brother of that famous family of gentlemen riders.
Although he had not attained the high honours between the flags which
his two elder brothers, Tom and Harry, had won, he was a top-sawyer
in his profession. He was a genial gentleman, popular alike in private
and in public, and long %vill it be before his untimely death will cease
to be regretted.*

This unfortunate Kildare Hunt Plate of 1892 was gallantly won by
Major Trocke on his mare Countess, carrying top weight, 12st. 71bs ,
having won the Drogheda stakes the year before on the same mare.
Loud and continuous were the cheers from the stand-houses as our
veteran Corinthian passed the winning-post ; and seldom, if ever, has
there been a more popular win at Punchestown.

We little knew that while we cheered the gallant Trocke poor Willie
Beasley was lying crushed at the double !

Major Trocke of Hillbrook, in the King's County, may indeed lay claim
to the adjective " famous" which I expound on in the chapter on Racing
He has been to my certain knowledge riding steeplechases for nearly
forty years, and never passed a year without winning at least once.
He has bred, reared, and trained many race-horses, some of which
were of very high class, and many a winner in the best company
has he piloted, while his reputation on the Turf has never been tarnished
even by suspicion.

Before bringing to a close my memoir of good old Punchestown, I
shall make mention of a few of those who, early in the sixties, held

* Reference to the brothers Beasley will be found in the chapter on the
Curragh.

163

prominent place among Irish sportsmen, and by their influence gave
Lord Drogheda effective support in making Punchestown what it is-
I jot down the names just as they occur to me, beginning with those
who were masters of our foxhounds, according to their countries, and it
will be seen our patrons represented all parts of Ireland :— Captain Rye
of the Muskerry, Lord Shannon of the United, Lord Doneraile of the
Duhallow, Sir David Roche of the Limerick, John Going of the Tip-
perary, Henry Briscoe of the Curraghmore, Sir Nugent Humble of his
own pack, Henry Meredith of the Kilkenny, David Beatty of the
Wexford, Robert Watson of the Carlow and Island, Captain Cosby of
the Queen's County, Burton Persse of the Galway, Baron de Robeck of the
Kildares, Captain Coote of the West Meath, Sam Reynell of the Meath,
Captain Filgate of the Louth ; with the masters of our two packs of
staghounds, those fine sportsmen Leonard Morrogh of the Wards and
Captain Balfe of the Roscommon. Then we had the Marquises of
Conyngham, Clanricarde, and Downshire, Lords Howth and St. Lav^-
rence, Colonel Bernard of Kinnitty, his brother Captain Richard, one of
our then few good Corinthian jockeys, Richard Stackpoole of Eden Vale,
John Harold Barry of Ballyvonare, Captain Studdert of Cahermoyer,
Thomas Naghten of Thomastown, Sir Richard de Burgho of Castle-
con nell, William Quin of Loughloher, Captain Pack-Beresford of Fenagh,
Judge Gough of Rathronan, John Preston of Bellinter, Captain Mervyn
Archdale of Castle Archdale, John White of Nantenan, Michael Betagh
of Clonsilla, James Cassidy of Monasterevan, Colonel Frank Forster,
John Hubert Moore, Thomas Harper of Naptown, P. M. V. Saurin of
Duleek, Michael Dunne of Ballymanus, Sir John Power of Kilfane, and
his son Richard, Colonel Garden, who for many years was master of the
Queen's County Hounds, Colonel John White, of the 7th Hussars, a
notable all-round sportsman, and a comrade-in-arms of the Duke of
Beaufort and the late Lord Dunsandle, with whom he was great
friends ; Colonel the Hon. Charles White of the Co. Clare, Captain
Archibald Peel, who lived near Ashbourne, and now lives in Sir Watkin
Wynn's country ; George Bryan of Jenkinstown, the Hon. H. Fitz-
william, who rode Redman when he flew the double ; Colonel Ainsiie^
who commanded the Royals, the owner of Juryman, Wild Fox, etc.;
Colonel Harford, who rode many a winner at Punchestown ; William
Magrane of Dublin, J. D'Arcy Hoey of Newry, who bred Comeaway ;
James Gartlan of Carrickmacross, Robert Long of May field, Lord
James Butler, who won the famous eighteen stone steeplechase at
Whitefields nearly forty years ago ; Joseph Tuite of Sonna, Lord Bective,
now Marquis of Headfort, Sir Walter Nugent of Clonave, etc.

In Kildare were found Lords Naas, Cioncurry, Clonmell, and Milltown,
the Baron de Robeck of Gowran Grange, Thomas Conolly of Castle-
town, Richard Moore of Killashee, John Wakefield, the " best man "
then with the Kildares, Sir Edward Kennedy, J. P. Tynte and his
son Fortescue, Edmund Mansfield, the right-hand of the Kildare Hunt
Major Barton, Cristopher Rynd, David Mahony, who habitually smoked

164

cigarettes twenty years before they became the fashion, Right Hon. W.
H. F. Cogan, M.P., Captain Charles Warburton, Charles Roberts of
Sallymount, Michael Aylmer of Courtown, and Charles Hoffman of
Mullaghboden, posssibly the only living participant in the celebrated
Laragh run. This run was had with the pvildare Hounds in about
1861, when Lord Naas was Master, and it ranks among the finest fox-
hunts we ever had in Ireland. The fox was found in Laragh, a gorse
covert between Sallins and Maynooth, and he was killed at Bellinter
Park wall, near Kilmessan Station, in co. Meath, an eighteen-mile
point, all over the finest grass country. Stephen Goodall, the hunts-
man, Mr. Hoffmann, Mr. Johnnie Wakefield, and a groom of Mr.
Tuthill's were about all who got to the end.

Towards the end of the sixties there came to the front men
equally useful to the Turf. Among them I may mention the late Lord
Clonmell, Captains John F. Montgomery, Kirkwood, and Stamer
Gubbins, Pat. Russell, Harry Croker, John Gubbins, Major Burrows,
Percy La Touche, William Blacker, Mat Maher, C. J. Blake, H. E. Linda,
WiUiam Dunne, Edmond Smithwick, Captain Peel, R.M., Captain
Trocke, James Chaine, etc., etc.

The foregoing chronicles only men who stood prominent in the
steeplechase world, between, say, 1860 and '75. Owing to insufficiency
of memory I have no doubt omitted some who are equally entitled to
reference, and I hope to be forgiven for doing so.

Well do I remember all the fine fellows I have mentioned. With
most of them I was well acquainted, and some were very dear friends
of mine. Alas ! few remain alive — far too few I

165

CHAPTER X.

THE MARQUIS OF DROGHEDA, K.P.

His Death — Shock Caused — Its Suddenness — Particulars — Concurrent Circumstances —
Continental Trip — Curragh June Meeting — News Eeceived There— Meeting of the
Turf Club— Eesolution of Condolence— As a Eacing Man— Moore Abbey— His Early
Life— Hunting— Shooting— Game and Foxes— His Yachts— Coursing— Boherbawn—
Punchestown — The Curragh — Head of Irish Turf — No one his Equal — Appreciated
During Life— A Lycurgus — His Lordship's Characteristics — Born to Govern — Physique
— Hauteur — His E3^e — His Supervision — Impartiality — Eanger of the Curragh —
Eesults— His Tenantry— Lord Drogheda as a Public Man— His Politics— His Habits—
"The Black and Silver"— His Steeplechase Horses— His Eacera- His Jockeys— His
Breeding Establishment— Philammon— His Produce— Satanella and other Brood
Mares — Lord Drogheda a "famous" owner — Moneypenny — His Long Service — A
Characteristic Narrative— A Comparison— Lord George Bentinck and Lord Drogheda
—Lord Waterford— Their Deaths— Funerals of the two latter— Author's personal
Experience of Lord Drogheda— His successor.

Eakly in the morning of the 29th June, 1892, at his residence in
St. James' Place, London, died suddenly, of heart disease, Henry
Francis Seymour Moore, third Marquis of Drogheda. Aged 66 years.

Such briefly was the direful news conveyed to the public in the
morning papers of the 30th June, 1892.

The tidings came as a shock to everyone, while his friends and asso-
ciates heard them with the deepest regret. The shock was the more
severe from the fact that Lord Drogheda appeared to be in his usual
health and spirits for some time past. He attended in his place in the
House of Lords on the day of his death, and was at the Carlton Club
up to midnight. He then went home, and was heard going up to his
room at about 12.30 a.m. In the morning at 7.30, when his valet went to
call him, he found his lordship lying dead upon the floor, and apparently
in the act of undressing.

As is too frequently the case in sudden visitations of death, the
sadness of this event was increased by surrounding and concurrent
circumstances. It was the intention of the Marquis, accompanied
by the Marchioness, to have started for a continental trip on the
following morning. Yet another melancholy episode. The June
meeting at the Curragh was being held when the terrible news reached
Ireland, and it happened to be perhaps the largest ever held there.
Just as the thousands had assembled for a day's sport, came upon them
like a thundercrash the news of the death of the head of all Irish
racing, and at the scene of where his far-sighted judgment was so con-
tinually and emphatically displayed.

It was of course only fitting that the Turf Club should be the first to
express their sense of the great loss which the death of the Marquis

166

of Droglieda occasioned, and accordingly a special meeting of the
members was immediately held at the Grand Stand. At it were
present : — Mr. C. J. Blake (in the chair) ; Mr. W. Danne, Lord Carlow,
Mr. M. A. Maher, Colonel Thompson, Captain Dewhurst, Captain
Richardson, Captain Stuhber, Mr. M. J. Corbally, Captain Maher,
Captain Greer, Mr. W. H. West, Mr. M. Betagh, and Mr. J. G. Blake.

Mr. C. J. Blake said— "As now senior steward of the Turf Club, it
devolves on me to-day — a day which I cannot but designate as a dark
day for the Irish Turf — to convey to the Marchioness of Drogheda our
expression of sincere sympathy and condolence with her ladyship in her
great affliction, and to give expression to the deep feeling of sorrow and
dismay which the intelligence of the sudden death of Lord Drogheda
has occasioned, not only to the members of the Turf Club, but to every
Irishman in any way connected with the interest and welfare of Irish
racing. Distingushed in life as the late Marquis of Drogheda was in
every respect, in person, in position, and, above all, in the nobility of
his character, we, who have for so many years regarded him as the head
and mainstay of Irish racing, cannot now dwell on the loss which his
lamented death will occasion to his country at large, as well as to his
personal friends, however much we might desire to do so. In the midst
of surroundings which cannot but recall forcibly to our minds the
energy and untiring care, of him who has departed, and feeling,
as I do, personally almost overwhelmed by the greatness of our
loss, it would be vain for me to attempt further to give adequate
expression to our great sense of sorrow. The hearts of all those
acquainted with Lord Drogheda will tell them what no words could
tell so well, and long after every vestige of his mortality shall have
disappeared will be found in our Club, and in what I may designate as
our national institution, the memory and the mark of a noble life,
devoted not merely to promote the material interest of racing, but to
establish and maintain among racing men the honour and the integ-
rity which so distinguished his own life."

The resolution was passed unanimously, and a copy was forwarded
to the Marchioness of Drogheda, and also furnished to the members of
the Press.

Were it not that this book may in years to come be read by those
who are not yet born, it would not be necessary for me now to state
in a few pages what the late Lord Drogheda was as a resident Irish
nobleman, and what he was to our Irish racing, for the simple reason
that anyone conversant with our sport or knowing anything of our
gentry for the past forty years knows all that I have to tell.

In 1847 Lord Drogheda took the mastershipof the old E mo Foxhounds,
and, with William Nevard as huntsman, he held office for three seasons.
As M.F.H., or rider to hounds, he did not attain the laurels which on
the Turf, as an owner of racehorses, were most justly his. He was,
however, all his life a staunch supporter of foxhunting, and, for many
years, a pretty regular attendant at the meets of the Kildare Hounds.

167

He was fond of shooting, and was a good shot, and had at Moore
Abbey battues once or twice a year. But while requiring his keepers
to show good sport for the guns, he took care that they always had
foxes when the hounds drew his coverts.

For many years he spent the summers yachting, but he preferred
the practical to the racing part. He was a member of the Royal
Yacht Squadron, and for many years was Commodore of our St.
George's Club. He owned the Fancy, 120 tons, the Cecile, 190 tons,
and the Ferida, 180 tons, all fore and aft schooners.

Lord Drogheda was also fond of coursing, and in former days
owned good greyhounds. The Leinster Coursing Club always enjoyed
his permission to hold its meetings over the meadows of Boherbawn,
and except Lord Lurgan's in the North, no Irish coursing club of its
day held higher position.

I have already in my chapter on Punchestown related what his
lordship did for steeplechasing. I now state that he did quite as much
for flat-racing in general and the Curragh meetings in particular.

He was our head and leading light of both branches for the past
thirty years. Others he had working with him in the formation of
our chasing and racing laws, in the reformation of them according as
such became advisable, and in their administration, but not one of his
colleagues ever did nearly as good work.

It is not always that a man's worth is estimated at its full value
during his lifetime, but every man in Ireland who knew even the first
rudiments of our sport, has for many a year looked upon Lord Drogheda
as the Lycurgus of Irish racing whether across country or on the flat.

He was pre-eminently fitted by nature to govern — no man could
have five minutes' conversation with him without being impressed
with that fact, while his eye, peculiarly penetrating as it was,
evidenced the determination which lay within.

Although tall, his physique did not portray that " presence " which
perhaps a heavier frame might have done, but he had that unimpas-
sionable hauteur^ combined with the bearing of an aristocrat and the
courtesy of a gentleman, which intuitively calls for and is invariably
accorded respect.

In addition to assuming the leading part in the legislation of the
Irish Turf, he took a front place in watching over some of those for
whom that legislation was framed.

Malpractice could seldom be carried out at any race meeting which
he attended without his detecting it. His eagle sight, assisted by the
powerfully strong race-glasses which he was wont to carry, readily
discerned untrue running, and whenever a delinquency was proved
against a man, be he owner, trainer, or rider. Lord Drogheda visited
him with punishment fully commensurate with the oftence.

The consequence of this strict supervision and stern administration
of justice was, that upon the Irish Turf within the past thirty years
malpractices have been comparatively few. Scandals there were

168

none. Upon the passing of the Curragh Act about 18G1 he was
appointed to the Raugership.

As an Irish landlord he was an example to many. His almost
constant residence was at Moore Abbey. He employed labour to a
large extent, far more than many possessing larger demesnes. He
furthered with purse, precept, and personal attendance our useful
rural institutions, while Horse and Agricultural Shows received his
special attention. Residing and spending his income among his
tenants, he was a good and indulgent landlord to all those he found
deserving ; at the same time he asserted his rights from those who
were not so. He was a staunch Conservative in politics, but whenever
he became convinced that a change was desirable he always supported
it. He was singularly abstemious in all his habits.

To state that Lord Drogheda's character was unsullied by even the
slightest insinuation is but to mention what the world knows and
what history must always record.

During the sixties and seventies his colours were constantly seen
at our important race and steeplechase meetings. None were more
welcome than the " black and silver," for apart from the popularity
of their owner, the public knew full well that the horse which carried
them was run to win.

I may mention some of his best horses which I remember, and I
begin with the steeplechasers. Oberon, a brown gelding, which he
bought for £200 from among the hunters at Lord Waterford's sale in
.June, 1859. This horse, with Dan Meany up, I saw win several good
races. Westmeath, with Captain Warburton in the saddle, won the
Kildare Hunt Cup at Punchestown four times in five years. Other
good horses were Templemore, Robin Hood, Satanella, and Tambourine.

Among the flat-racers I remember Philammon, Spahi, Minette, Cul-
verine, Miriam, Aspasia, Commodore Trunnion, Francis Joseph,
Sisj^phus, Mons Meg, Hypatia, King Rene, Swivel, La Rose, Allen-a-
dale, and Pelagia, who was an own sister to Philammon. This fine
mare, together with Tambourine, were burned to death in a fire which
accidentally occurred at Moore Abbey stables.

His favourite jockeys were Dan Meany, Johnnj^ Whelan, John Con-
nolly, Denny and Frank Wynne, also the English jockey Macdonald.
His gentlemen riders were Captain Charles Warburton, Captain Arthur
Smith, and Mr. George Knox. I heard him say that he considered Dan
Meany one of the best steeplechase riders he ever saw.

Although he did not go in for breeding upon extensive lines, pre-
ferring to do a little well to doing much imperfectly, Lord Drogheda
bred several good horses. The best were, I think, Philammon, Spahi,
and Miriam.

Philammon, foaled in 1874, by Solon out of Satanella, was a very
good horse. He ran second to Fashion for the Chester Cup in 1880,
and was second to Prestonpans for the Liverpool Autumn Cup same
year. In 1881, when seven years old, he won the Liverpool Spring

169

Cup carryiog 8st. 12lbs., also the Esher Stakes with Ost. 12lbs. He ran
well but unplaced in a field of thirty-two for the Cambridgeshire in
1831 with 8st. 12lbs. on him. Lord Drogheda refused several good
offers for Philammon, preferring to retain him for a time in Ireland,
so as to let our breeders have a chance of the service of his good
horse. He was rewarded for the philanthropy, for the produce of
Philammon turned out, as a rule, high-class. From him came Philomel,
Philtre, Giraffe, Pet Fox, May Moon, Miss Pitt, also Philistine and
Pitman, who, as two-year-olds, ran a dead heat for the Patriotic Stakes
at Baldoyle in 1886. Philammon was afterwards sent to England for
stud purposes, and there he sired other good horses, among them being
Phil, Gloaming, Punster, Phyllida, Castleknock, Dainty Davie, Stanton,
Philadelphian, Dewdrop, etc.

The brood mares which did best for the Moore Abbey stud were
Satanella, Qui-va-la, Miriam, and Minette.

Lord Drogheda as an owner of horses came under the category
which, in my chapter on Kacing, I describe as being most entitled to
the qualification " famous." In addition to racing them, he bred,
reared, and trained his race-horses at home.

In Michael Moneypenny, who came to Moore Abbey as stud-groom
in 1848, he had a faithful servant. Subsequently he became trainer,
and looked after the breeding establishment until his death, which
occurred in 1891. A record creditable alike to master and man.

The following action of our late chieftain, occurring as it did many
years ago, is not generally known, so I shall relate it as being a sample
of the rectitude which characterised him during his fairly long life.

Soon after his appointment to the Eangership of the Curragh, Lord
Drogheda attended the first race-meeting held there. He had a horse
running in one of the races, and he went down to see the start. His
horse won, and thereby landed him a good sum in bets besides the
stake. Hurrying back to the stand-house, he lodged an objection to
the race as being null and void. This he proved by stating that it
was started a few minutes before time.

Of course I never saw Lord George Bentinck, and I know him only
by what history records, but it always struck me that Lord Drogheda
and he had characteristics in common. In fact, I have before now
styled the subject of this memoir " our Lord George Bentinck." As
the world knows, the latter was, up to the time of his death, the ruling
spirit of the English Turf, and occupied the highest position among its
patrons of unsullied renown.

These two great pillars of our sport difiered essentially, however,
upon some points. Although they both betted. Lord George did so in
gigantic sums for the love of gambling, and thereby nearly ruined
himself. Lord Drogheda indulged in betting purely for amusement,
and in such sums as could in no way injuriously affect his income.

Over English racing Lord George Bentinck usurped absolute
dictatorship. In Ireland Lord Drogheda was elected to leadership.

170

Within my own time our sport has lost many of its chief patrons,
but to my mind Ireland never lost the like of Lord Drogheda since
Henry Lord Waterford was killed in 1859.

By a curious and melancholy fatality these three great sportsmen —
Lord George Bentinck in 1848, Lord Waterford in 1859, and Lord
Drogheda in 1892 — met with untimely and sudden deaths.

I attended the funeral of Henry, third ]\Iarquis of Waterford, on
6th April, 1859, and I was also present at the funeral of Henry, third
Marquis of Drogheda, on 6th July, 1892, upon which occasions I saw
interred the remains of two of the greatest sportsmen and most useful
Irish noblemen that were ever buried in Ireland.

Lord Drogheda was born on August 14, 1826 ; he was therefore within
six weeks of being sixty-seven years old.

Although a visitor to our Irish race-courses only as an humble
sightseer, I was honoured by the late nobleman for many years with
correspondence and conversation upon racing matters, and he has
done me the favour of giving effect to suggestions of mine upon more
than one occasion. I have also had interviews with him upon other
matters, and I can say that I never found a man possessed of more
practical ideas, or one more agreeable to transact business with. I never
knew him to be a week without replying to a letter, no matter how
trivial might be the subject of it.

Xow that Lord Drogheda is gone, another mentor must be sought
for to preside over Irish racing, but where will such as he be found ?

171

CHAPTER XL
EACING.

Ancient History of the Turf— Interesting Dates and Events— Author's Notions— They will
be Eicliculed and not Adopted— Suggested Clianges— A Table— Manifest effect— A
Flutter — The Derby of 1892 — How to produce Weight-carrying Thoroughbreds —
Training Stables— Two-year-olds — Effect of a Severe Kace— Celebrated Owners —
Absurdity— " Lucky " y. " Celebrated "—Trainer and Jockey more entitled— Mr. Mat
Maher— Major Trocke— Author's Rhapsody— Mr. Bluudell Maple— Mr. R. Vyner—
Patriots— Ages of Horses Raced in Ireland since 1850— Number and value of races same
time— Author's remarks thereon— Sagacity of Irish Owners— Ages of English Horses
Raced in 1891— English v. Irish Horses in number— Result one v. the other— Reason
why — Supposition of the Author — Many particulars— Irish v. English Trainers — And
Training— And Rearing— English Polish— Handicapping— A Paradox— Argued Out —
A Suggestion from the Author— Injustice— Iniquitous Rule— Letter from the Author-
Queen's Plates— Their Object— Their Failure— Author's Suggestion as to their Reforma-
tion— A Formula for Adoption — What it would result in — A Premium not a Stake —
The Government— Increase of Value of Queen's Plates— Good opportunity— Conserva-
tive Rulers and Radical changes— A Hint to the Jockey and Turf Clubs— Love of
Sporb V. Money Making— Examples— A 5sov. Sweep— A Trial at Kingsclere—
Lord Falmouth — Baron de Hirsch — Xewmarket — Suburban Meetings — Ascot
and Goodwood— The Leger— Grand National and Punchestown— 5,000 and 10,000
Guineas Stakes— Not really Popular— Result— Cost of Racing in Ireland— Irish
Racing Calendar of 1891 — Particulars of Expenditure covering several pages — Dealing
with various items — In various ways — With Result Extraordinary — Table of Same —
Boys employed in Irish Stables— Cost of Racing in England— Particulars of Expenditure
still more Extraordinary— Weatherby's Calendars —More pages of wonderful matter
—Winding up with Tables showing Stupendous Result— Boys employed in English
Stables— More than Ten Regiments -Estimat;s taken at Low Rate— New market
Racing Stables— Palatial— Where the Money Goes— Racing v. Hunting— Various
Comparisons — Growth of Popularity unprecedented — Cause thereof — No doubt of its
continuance— A Gloomy Foreboding— The Zenith— The Descent— A Calamity— Our
Nobility and Gentry — Pilots and Helmsmen — Buttress of Racing — Advice to Radicals
Author's visits to Newmarket— Mat Dawson— His Pictures— His Betting— Other
parties' ignorance— " An Honest Man "— Whitewall— The Scotts— Highfield— The
I'Ausons— Old v. New Race Stabling— Trainers' Houses— Jockeys' Incomes— Two
Interesting Cuttings— One not to Author's wishes — The other to them.

In some of the earliest history we find horse- racing recorded among
the greatest sports of the time. If we dived into researches of "grey-
antiquity " we would find that Greek raced Trojan across the " windy
plains of Troy," and where Ctesar tells us that Cassevelaunus kept
4,000 racing chariots. Happily, for my purpose, to search up the
Racirg Calendars of those days is not necessary.

I shall, however, make reference to a few items of interest recorded
in the early annals of our English racing. The particulars I condense
from long cuttings which 1 find in my old scrap-book— a little volume
which has many times done me good service while compiling this book.

The exact place where racing began in England, nor yet the date,
cannot be fixed reliably. One authority says that the Eomans held
meetings at York and Doncaster a.d. 204, but how he finds that out I
don't know. Others claim for Cheshire the pride of place ; anyhow
Chester Kaces can be traced back to 1511.

172

In the time of Henry II. there used to be races in Smithfield ; but
only for the purpose of finding out which was the best horse to buy at
the fairs held there. It was not until the reign of James I. that horse-
racing, as a public sport, was introduced ; but the races were purely for
amusement. Croydon in the South and Garterly in the North seem
to have been the only important meetings.

Charles II. was a warm supporter of the Turf, and we find him
attending meetings at Hyde Park, where he dispensed Royal bounty,
and at one time gave a 100-guinea silver bowl to be run for. It was
this monarch who, in 1667, started racing on Newmarket Heath. The
sport began to increase in favour at this time, and meetings were held
in many places during Easter ; but towards the end of the seventeenth
century these were prohibited as being " contrary to the holiness of the
season."

Races were first started at Epsom in about 1717, Ascot followed in
1727. In 1719 George I. gave at Newmarket a "Royal Cup " value
100 guineas, for five-year-old mares, lOst. each ; four miles. Racing
at that time was confined, generally, to matches, which were run over
courses varying from four to twelve miles !

In 1740, racing had become so prevalent throughout the country, a
law was passed to restrain it, and it was enacted that after the 24th
June, 1740, no plate should be run for of less value than £50, under
penalty of £200. Parliament further settled the weights to be carried,
which were as follows: — Five-year-old, lOst. ; six-year-old, list.; seven-
year-old and aged, 12st.

The ISt. Leger was first run for in 1776. It was called after the best
known and most popular man of the day, " handsome Jack !St. Leger."
Then followed the Oaks in 1779. Mr. Richard Tattersall, in 1782,
started at Hyde Park Corner " Tattersall's," but that establishment
was moved in 1865 to its present site at Albert Gate. The Duke of
Richmond, in 1802, established races in his Park at Goodwood. Long
before the Derby was brought to Epsom in 1780 Lord Derby had it
run for many years at Wallasey in Cheshire, near to where the golf
links are.

Racing calendars go back to the early part of the seventeenth century,
when we find Ye Neiv-Markitt Kalendar. In 1709 another was published
in York by Reginald Heber, who ran it until 1768. In 1729 John Cheny
started one entitled "An Historical List of all Horse Matches Run,"
and continued it till 1750. It was then taken up by a man named
Pond under the title of the Sporting Kalendar^ but that work seems to
have ceased in 1754, leaving Heber sole chronicler till 1768. Thomas
Falconer then carried it on until 1773, when Mr. James Weatherby
took it up, and from then till now the Racing Calendar has been
published by the "Weatherby s.

The Jockey Club was started about 1750, but it was not until Mr.
James Weatherby was appointed keeper of the Match Book at New-
market in 1773 that racing came under ship-shape regime. He soon*

173

after became Registrar i the Jockey Club, and started an office in
Oxenden Street, Haymi ^rket, where he continued until 1843, and then
moved to the present premises in Old Burlington Street.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Weatherby I was enabled to look over
some of these old Calendars, and truly they are interesting. By them
I see that races were started on the Knavesmire at York in 1710, where
they have been continued annually almost ever since. There were races
at Clifton in Yorkshire in 1700, but they don't seem to have been con-
tinued. Black Hamilton started races in 1715, and carried on for over
forty years, while in 1747 Malton came to the front.

I had not time to work up any more of these records.

After this short reference to old times I shall proceed to treat with
fiat-racing as it is at present carried on. I fear, however, there is very
little use in my writing much upon the subject, for the simple reason I
know my views are so at variance with the popular notions that there
is not the remotest chance of their being adopted. Nevertheless, the
same views are held by thousands, and there is scarcely a man
connected with the Turf who has the good of the horse at heart who does
not entertain them. But reformation seems repugnant to our turfites,
actuated, as some of them are, by motives more or less selfish.

However, the following are my opinions on the laws governing our
fiat- racing, and let me hear what is to be said against them, except by
those who have interests to serve other than those of the noblest animal
going upon four legs.

Racing should be a means for improving the stamina of the thorough-
bred horse, just as steeplechasing should be a means of improving that
(as well as the breed) of the hunter ; for this reason it is manifest that
young racehorses should be allowed time to develop fully their strength.
Surely that is not permitted by our present Jockey Club laws. I
think, however, the adoption of regulations on lines somewhat like the
following would very soon attain the desired end. But let me preface
my suggestions by stating that they will not be adopted, and will only
b3 ridiculed.

1. Age.~

To date from April 1.

2. Youngsters.—

Not to be galloped beyond half- pace until they are two years old, or
to be raced before July 1.

Scale of distance and weight.

Not to exceed
r July 1 to Aug. 31 . . Half-mile 6st. 01b.

3. Two-YEAR-OLDS \ Sept. 1 ,, Nov. 30 ... 5 furlongs 6sfc. 41b.

[Dec. 1 „ Mar. 31 ... 6 ,, Gst. 81b.

r April 1 „ June .30 ... 1 mile 6s t. 131b.

4. THREE-YEAR-OLDS ' ^^^^ } " ^''^- ^^ - } "^- ^ f « 7st. 4lb.

I Sept. 1 ,, Nov. 30 ... 1 ,, 4 ,, 7st. 91b.

VDec. 1 „ Mar. 31 ... 1 ,, 6 „ 8st. 01b.

Handicaps in accordance.

174

5. Four- YEAR OLDS.—

All classic races, such as Two Thousand, One Thousand, Derby,
Oaks, and St. Leger, to be for four-year-olds only, same date and
distances to be fixed as at present, but the value of the stakes
should be at least double what thej' now are.

6. FlYE-YEAR-OLDS, SiX YEAR-OLDS, AND AGED.—

Races for all distances up to four miles, and for the most valuable
stakes which the Jockey Club and all other race executives can
afford to give.

7. Stakes.—

For two-year-olds none higher than £300.

For three-year-olds none higher than £500.

For four-year-olds and upwards as valuable as they can be made.

To alter the date for age to April 1 would be a decided change for the
better to breeders generally, especially those with limited incomes.
Foals would be dropped in genial weather when milk is plentiful,
instead of in the depth of winter when it is scarce. The date for age
formerly w^as May 1.

The adoption of rules in accord with the foregoing would manifestly
give our thoroughbreds a better chance of growing into useful horses and
racing up to a longer period than does the present code of the Jockey Club.
Our youngsters could not be put into anything like hard work till they
were well over two years old, or carry heavy weight till the back-end
of their three-year-old year, while they would be brought into their four-
year-old year with gradual and systematic increase of light work, and
until they had attained that age no very valuable stake would exist to
excite the greed of their owners.

I consider it a shame to put 8st., not to speak of 9st 71bs., on two-year-
olds, or to ask a three-year-old to ra'^e for a mile and three-quarters.

If rules like mine, particularly with regard to four-year-olds, were to
be adopted, what a riot would be created all over England ! Fancy
changing the Guineas, Derby, Oaks, and Leger from three-year-olds to
four-year-olds ! Well, my conservative friends, and all vho look for
early returns from your two-year-olds, much as you may be horrified, the
idea is good and sound in the real interest of racing. Deny it if you can 1
Deny also that to encourage four, five, and aged racing by giving the
largest stakes for those ages, w^ill tend to make our racehorse a vastly
more useful animal than he is at present !

We had for the Derby of 1892 ' 265 entries, with one exception the
largest on record. How many of them will ever start for any race ?
How many will start for the Derby itself, and how many of these will,
perhaps, ever start again ? Then of the original entry whose carcases
have escaped despatch to the nearest kennels and have attained their
four-year-old year, how many will be seen in a racing stable or anywhere
else, except as very light-weight hunters, or between the shafts of a
hansom ? Change the present system for one which it is acknowledged
would be beneficial to our racehorse, something like what I have formu-

* This article was written by me early in 1891. The reader is referred to
the Eacing Calendar for the record of the Derby of 1892, and what ha&
become of the great entry it received.— The Author.

175

lated, and see if we shall not have good sound weight -carriers running
up to their fifth, sixth, and aged years. Then would we see improvement
in the steeplechaser ; hunting stables and cavalry regiments could be
easily supplied with weight-carrying thoroughbreds, while stallions
and mares would go to the stud sound, with plenty of bone and up to
welter weight. Early training of horses, like the early schooling of
children, is baneful to a degree. The legs of the one and the brains of
the other are too soft for hard work, and if they get it, they break down.

No doubt our training establishments are very much better looked
after now than they were in years gone by ; but at times, even now, we
find nervous young horses illtreated by their attendants, either in tho
stable or on the exercise ground, before they have learned what is ex-
pected of them. Then, again, see what raw two-year-olds suffer in a
severely-contested race, flogged and spurred, as they often are, while
doing their utmost. Some of them never forget it, and it is such treat-
ment that makes many of them the rogues, cowards, and savages they
often become.

Now for some more of my funny notions upon other racing matters.

It appears to me strange that owners should be considered famous
simply because they happened to possess some great horses. Of course'
if men bred horses and afterwards raced them with such success that
they became celebrated, the owners would have some claim to fame,
and no doubt we have many such men, both in history and at present.
But a man who, solely by possession of ample means, acquires a horse,
good when purchased, or which turns out good in the trainer's hands
after purchase, does not deserve the laudation sometimes given to him.
I make no personal allusions, but everyone can call to mind examples of
the class of lucky owners 1 mean. Yes, " lucky " rather than " famous "
would, I should say, be the more appropriate adjective. It is the
trainers and jockeys of great horses who should be held famous, for
it was their ability, and not the owner's money, that made the horses
great. Moreover, it was in all probability the trainer or other such
qualified cicerone that selected the horses in the first instance for this
rich man's stable. No doubt the owner sometimes (not always by any
means ! ) gets the bulk of the gains, and his name appears among the
list of winners at the end of the season — perhaps at the head of them—
while he is congratulated all round — he who, in all probability, has had
nothing whatsoever to do with the work which has won him his so-called
celebrity !

No, the owner who I think deserves to be called famous in the annals
of the Turf is a man like Mr. Mat Maher of Ballinkeel, who breeds and
trains his own horses, and in addition, if he rides them, as does our
veteran Major Trocke, he is all the more famous. But to talk of
men, rich or not, aristocrats or otherwise, being celebrated because they
owned horses that ran well without, perhaps, their owners even seeing
them during their preparation, much less taking any part in it— Pshaw !
Lord Waterford, the Days, John Osborne, Tom and Joe Cannon, Major

176

Trocke, Tom McCraitli, the Beasleys, the CuUens, and scores of others
of old and present time who bred, reared, trained, and rode their own
horses to victory. Hurrah for those fellows !

The foregoing rhapsody must not be interpreted to mean that I am
oblivious of the fact that owners, possessing great wealth, are not es-
sential to our sjDort, for surely they are, and for so many reasons, palpable
to everyone, I need not explain them. I only wish we had more ivorhnen
among them.

A man like Mr. Blundell Maple, who, to prevent his being sold out of
the country, has given £15,000 for Common, a horse whose greatness at
present exists principally in having the mixed blood of Isonomy and
Thistle in his veins, and Mr. Robert Vyner, who has refused to sell
Minting for £21,000,''' which was offered privately for him by a foreigner
quite recently, are also the sort of men who are not alone celebrities of
our Turf, but are absolutely patriots.

In the Irish Racing Calendar for 1891 (Vol. 102), which Mr. Thomas
Brindley has brought out in a most careful and comprehensive style,
is given a tabular return of horses which ran in Ireland for the last
forty-two years ; and also a table showing the number of races and
their value within same period. From these I have compiled the
following analysis : —

Table Showing Ages of Horses which have been Raced in
Ireland since 1850.

Two-year-
olds.

Qj'O

-a
H

r

« tJD

1850

• r 1850-59

63

93i

79

58

55i

7H

64
79

77

84

68

74^

55

70

62

61

49
83i
93i
171"
204
138
219
199

332

296

406i

598

674

493

760

756

521

557

tc 1860-69

647

*A 1870-79

901

> 1880-89

988

^ ^1850-89

773

1890

1,105

1891

1,095

Number and Value of Races run in Ireland since 1850.

No. of Races.

1850 273

. .1850-59 318

t£ 1860-69 330

241870-79 434

> 1880-89 491

< ^1850-89 393

1890 638

1891 606

Value.
£15,537
18,739
20,008
30,666
28,042t
24,364
39,524
39,144

* When Mr. Vyner refused this sum, he was asked to name the price he
would take for his horse, hut he decJined. — The Author.
t Punchestown stopped in 1882.

177

Now this exhibits what I consider direct evidence of a satisfactory
state of racing affairs in Ireland. It proves that the number of horses
we had running in Ireland in 1891 was more than double that in 1850,
while the number of races in 1891 much more than doubled those in
1850, and the value of the stakes was greater by more than 150 per
cent. Still more satisfactory is it to see that while the total of each
decade shows a steady increase in the number of horses, that increase is
entirely due to the four, five, six, and aged, for the two and three-
year-olds in 1891 about maintain the average of the period between
1850 and 1889.

This shows that our Irish breeders and owners recognise the fact that
racing two and three-year-olds is the bad game I have already striven to
prove it.

Ruffs Guide for 1891 gives a table of horses which ran in England
for as many, or more, years back as our Irish Calendar, but it is
restricted to flat races only, not even including hunters' fiat races for
some years, so by it is seen that a very great predominance is in the
two and three-year-olds, which is, of course, comprehensible. By this
table we see that the

Horses which rax on the Flat in 1891 in England were:—
Two-year-olds. Three years. Four years. Five, six, and aged. Total.
1,062 641 293 310 2,306

The Irish table included all races.

Almost every autumn 1,000 yearlings are sent to the Newmarket
training stables alone, a number practically equal to that of all the
horses we have in training in Ireland. What the total number of
horses in training or running in England is I know not ; but it is far
and away beyond what we have. For all that, we are able to send
some from the Curragh and other places to compete in many of the
great English events, and very often win them, while some of the best
horses ever owned by Englishmen were bred in Ireland.

How is this accounted for ? I certainly cannot tell. Our horses,
although bred in Ireland, are all from English strains, if they are not
from parents directly and perhaps recently imported from England.
The secret of our success in producing good horses must not therefore
be sought in the breeding alone. It lies in the climate, the soil, or
our methods of rearing and training. The Irish winter is not nearly
as severe as that of England ; while our summers, I think, are just as
sunny as the English. Neither have we more rain, although many
people say we have. In Ireland there is a great deal of fine rich land,
which produces the best and sweetest grass, a large proportion of
which is from a limestone substratum. Grain, grass, and roots grown
on that sort of land are notoriously the best for producing bone. Tip-
perary, Cork, and Limerick are all limestone countries, and from them
come the greater number of the horses bred and reared in Ireland, and
often the best.

Irish mares are kept in regular, steady work on the farm all the time

N

178

they are carrying their foals, which keeps them in good health and
natural condition, which is so essential to the well-being of their
progeny.

As regards rearing our youngsters, be they half or thoroughbred, we
never pamper them. Our foals, yearlings, and two-year-olds are, in
most instances, well fed and tended, but in all cases they are, more
or less, inured to a certain degree of hardship by being left exposed to
vicissitudes of weather. This the English thoroughbred is never
allowed to experience.

I was lately at a select but small breeding establishment in Wales.
The weather had been fine for some time, but a shower happened to
fall during my visit. Never did I see more energy exhibited than by
the stud-groom hurrying off a number of stable-boys to get the year-
lings under cover ! If these pampered pets had been in Ireland they
would have been left where they were, even if snow, instead of rain, had
been falling on their precious bodies.

I am not for a moment going to suggest that our trainers are more
sagacious than the English ; but it is a fact that when they send
horses to England to run, they nearly always give a good account of
themselves, more particularly at jump-race meetings.

As I said before, explain I cannot the superiority of our Irish bred and
eared horses to those of practically the same strains bred and reared in
England — it is an undeniable fact. Perhaps it is that we rear ours
hardier, upon a better soil, and in a better climate ; or, perhaps, our
trainers do know a bit more about making the best out of their few horses
than do our neighbours out of the great number they have. Again, perhaps
the hardy rearing to which we subject our youngsters kills off the
weakly ones, leaving none but the sound and strong. Just as the
children seen running about the slums in a half-naked state, living in
filth and half-starved, nearly always appear to be healthy, hardy, and
happy, simply because all the delicate ones have died.

One thing we certainly do not do, and that is we do not bring our
horses to the post with that beautiful po ish on their coats which the
English horses generally have. At the same time ours are just as
iit to go.

I do know, however, that the class of race and steeplechase horse we
h&d in Ireland twenty years ago was better and, as a rule, up to
more weight than what we have now, even though the number be
greater. Of course we can name only comparatively few, because the
whole lot was few. But those were toppers, and with some of our
old Racing Calendars before me, I can pick out scores of horses of
the highest class which ran in Ireland in the forties, fifties, sixties,
and seventies. But to give a list of them might not be interesting,
nor would it prove my case.

What a paradox is handicapping, and how unjust is the idea ! We
strive to produce good horses, and as soon as one has proved himself
to be better than another, weight is put upon him to bring him back

179

to the inferior animal. Worse it is that there seems to be no other
means of bringing the good, bad,_and indiflferent together so as to give
each an equal chance of winning. If we could but thrash the bad and
middle class into running up with the good ones, all would be well,
but we can't, at least the operation generally proves abortive.

I think, however, our racing executives might at times lessen the
injustice by having races restricted to horses of the same class only —
that is to say, of first, second, and third class form, those of each lot
being brought together by handicapping. Weight will, of course, bring
the best back to the worst ; but what we should like to do is to raise
the worst to the level of the best. Alas ! that can't be done, so we
must penalise the good horses, which, to my mind at all events, is a
paradoxical mode of proceeding, and subversive of justice.

A most iniquitous rule was in force up to even a very few years
ago. That of giving allowance to half-bred horses — in other words,
or rather by other means, penalising by inverse ratio our thorough-
breds, penalising the very object we want to attain as soon as we
have attained it ! I wrote a very strong letter some seven or eight
years ago against this allowance to half-breds, and although I am sure
my letter had no influence upon our racing powers, I am glad to say
there is now no rule of such a stultifying nature.

King's and Queen's Plates are a very ancient institution. They
are given annually by the Government to be run for in long-distance
races by three-year-olds and over.

Now the object of these plates is a most laudable one, and what I
aimed at when formulating my code of rules at the beginning of this
chapter; i.e., to encourage men to breed horses with stamina and
staying powers. It is quite clear that object has not, by one cause or
another, been attained, and Queen's Plates, with their hundred guineas
and two to four mile courses, are no more productive of their object
than are five-furlong sprints, and very few horses start for them.

What burlesques some of them are ! I have seen horses start in a
walk, then jog or canter till within a mile or mile and a half of home,
and then only begin to race, just reducing the distance to whatever the
jockeys chose to make it.

My idea is that these Queen's Plates should be raised to £200, with
a free entry, that they should be three miles distance, and for four-
year-olds only, 9st. each ; that, in the case of Ireland, there should be
three plates given annually to each of the four provinces. Let these
be restricted to horses bred in their respective province. Have
the first run for as early in the year as possible, and over the most
suitable course in the province. Let the winner of the first be ex-
cluded from the second race. Have the second plate run in two or
three months after the first. Then, as soon after as convenient, start
the two winners against each other. By that time we should have
four out-and-out winners from the four Irish provinces. They would
have won £400 each, while those which ran in the ties would have

180

won their £200 apiece. I would then start the four winners at the
Curragh October meeting for, say, £300 to the winner, £100 to the
second, £70 to the third, and £30 to the fourth and last.

By some such method as this there would be (a) a distinct incentive
to bring out horses fit to stay a long distance on the flat ; (6) a fair dis-
tribution of the money over Ireland, and thereby encourage thorough
breeding ; (c) running the winners off in ties would bring out the best
four-year-old in Ireland, and that at a season when he would be far
advanced ; (cl) there would be no monopoly of Queen's Plates as has
been in so many cases already historic ; (e) finally and financially the
prize would be worth looking for, as the winner all out would have
got £700, the second £500, the third £470, and the fourth (or last
in the final race) £430, while the other four winners, although beaten
in their first ties, would have got their £200 apiece.

No doubt, at times, these races would have little interest to the
public, as the issue would often be a foregone conclusion. Never mind.
The object of Queen's Plates is not to provide races necessarily
interesting to the public, but to encourage the breeding of stout
thoroughbreds. The money takes the form of o, premium rather than a
stake, therefore let these races be fought out annually on the merits
of our four-year-olds at equal weights. Let the public look elsewhere
for races which will give them excitement.

In these days of huge stakes men don't value a £100, therefore
Queen's Plates should be made up to a sum that would be valued.
The Government of a great nation like England would not grudge a
few thousands a year of extra expenditure upon the most popular
sport of the people, not to speak of improvement of the most profitable
animal we have in the kingdom. Fifteen Queen's Plates, totalling
£1,530, are given annually in Ireland, productive, as I say, of no
good result. Let there be now given £2,900, allocated somewhat
upon the lines I have suggested, and then see what result it will bring
about.

A change to something like what I have described would apply at
present with especial adaptability. Our Conservative Government
has of late years introduced into Ireland thoroughbred horses, which
are distributed fairly over the four provinces. These serve farmers'
mares at the low charge of one sovereign. Their produce will soon be
plentiful all over the country, and if they had Queen's Plates to run for
such as I have described, it would undoubtedly prove a still further
inducement to our farmers to breed strong thoroughbred horses.

What will our rulers say to all these radical changes which I have
proposed in our racing 1 Of course they will say that I am an enthu-
siast, or perhaps something worse. I don't care what they say about
me. I have the good of our racing and our racehorses as much at
heart as any of them, and I see many things which require adjustment.
I think therefore it would be a good plan if the Turf and Jockey
Clubs were to follow the example set by the National Hunt Clubs and

181

begin making improvements in flat-racing in the same way as their
collaborators have done in steeplechasing.

They might begin by cancelling their rule which relates to nominations
becoming void by reason of the death of the nominator. A rule so
fraught with absurdity comment upon it is unnecessary.

Then, after having put the more important matters right, they might
make it compulsory upon trainers to have exhibited on their horse's
clothing in the paddock, and on the saddle cloth when going to start,
a large red number corresponding with the horse's number on the
card. Such would be of the greatest convenience to the public, and
would save stable-boys having to reply a hundred times a day to the
question, *' What horse is that ?"

As I said more than once, love of sport pure and simple is not the
chief inducement nowadays to attend race-meetings. Racing men look
upon the Turf the same as every commercial man does upon his busi-
ness— simply to make money out of, while the geaeral public go for the
purpose of betting. We could find few people who would care to see
a race between, say, five horses of real good class ding-dong from post
to post won by half a head, with heads separating the others, if the
race was only for a sweepstake of 5sovs. each. Still fewer are found
who care to look on at a trial. If Mr. John Porter was to send an
invitation to one hundred of his friends to come and witness a trial
between the cracks at present in the Kingsclere stables, including Orme
and La Fleche, I venture to say very few would avail themselves of it
for any purpose other than to spot the best to back in the future.

In old times there were a great many men in England who raced
purely for the love of the sport. No doubt most of them betted, but
lots of them did not. In recent years we had Lord Falmouth, and
now we have Baron de Hirsch, imbued with the same ideas ; neither
betted, while the latter gives the stakes he wins to various charities.
We must remember, however, they were very rich men ; moreover,
they won large amounts in stakes. If such were not the case, the
question arises, would they be satisfied with honour and glory alone ?

Newmarket, with all its historic associations, and where between the
best horses of the year magnificent sport is to be witnessed, never
attracts large crowds except on the days of the Two Thousand, the
Cesarewitch, and the Cambridgeshire. Why 1 Because to get there is
very troublesome, and except upon those three races there is no very
heavy betting.

At all suburban meetings, where racing is not nearly as interesting
as at Newmarket, but where there are greater facilities of access,
huge stakes, and prodigious betting, people assemble in thousands.
Multitudes fiock to Ascot and Goodwood, because to attend them is
"the fashion" and the "right thing," but they care not for the sport.
Many do not even look at the racing ; they go simply to be seen by
and to see others.

Not so to Doncaster for the St. Leger, Aintree for the Grand

182

National, and to old Punchestown. To these meetings pour thousands
of men and women solely from pure love of sport, being, as they
decidedly are, the most popular in the kingdom.

The newly-instituted stakes of 5,000 and 10,000 guineas are not
nearly as popular among sportsmen as the races I have just named-
No doubt they bring the " gallery," but that is not a true criterion
of popularity. Doubtless many will disagree with me, but I am very
confident that what brings the crowd is the big betting, for, although
good horses at times run, small fields and bad sport are often the result
of these monster stakes.

Be the inducement to attend races what it may, the noble sport
causes an enormous expenditure of money. In no other branch
of sport have we such a medium, while the circulation is general
among all classes.

I never heard of any calculation being made of what racing costs
and causes to be spent ; I shall therefore enter upon the subject.

I shall begin with Ireland, but I must take in flat-racing and steeple-
chasing combined, inasmuch as the table given in our Irish Racing
Calendar for 1891 does not separate them, and it is from that
interesting and valuable volume I take the figures upon which I base
my calculation.

Pages 185-6 of that book tell us that, in 1891, 1,095 horses ran in
Ireland for 603 races of the aggregate value of £39,144. It also gives
ninety-five as the number of race and chase meetings held there in
that year.

These 1,095 racehorses must be worth, on a low average, £150 apiece,
but even at that figure they would total £164,250.

They cost, on an average, 30s. a week each to keep and train. Those
kept in their owners' stables cost less ; those in training stables more.
That would total £1,642 10s. a week, or £85,410 a year.

These 1,095 horses have each gone to, say, only two meetings in 1891.
Taking long and short, each journey for horse and man would cost
the owner a five-pound note. That would tot up to £10,950, say £1 1,000,
for the travelling expenses of the horses to the meetings they ran at.

The entrance stakes and forfeits would be at least £2 for each race
they were entered for. Say each horse was entered for only five races,
that would also come to £10,950, or say again £11,000.

Let us suppose that these horses are owned by 220 men {i.e., giving
five to each, which is, I think, too many on an average for Irish
owners), and that they go to see their horses run at the two meetings
they are sent to. A man cannot go by train and stay at an hotel for a
night or two without it costing him, at the very lowest calculation, a
fiver. At that very moderate allowance, our owners will have paid in
personal expenses just £2,200.

I find that about 1,630 is the number of mounts professional jockeys
had in Ireland in 1891. Bulking the fees for winning and losing mounts
in both steeplechases and flat races, and adding a trifle for travelling,.

183

which has to be paid by either the jockeys or their employers, we may
put each mount down at £6. That gives us, say, for round numbers,
£9,800 as the sum paid to and for professional riders, and is calculated
only at the statutable fees.

It is to be observed that the foregoing figures deal only with horses
which have actually raced. There has been nothing said about those
which did 7iot race, but which have had to be fed and cared for all the
same, and in many instances trained. Neither have I dealt with the
foals or yearlings. To treat with either the non-starters or the
youngsters in a calculation such as this is a very difficult undertaking,
because there is no basis to start from in the shape of a return. Any
calculation that can be made must, therefore, be approximate even to
a greater degree than if the numbers were given.

I shall, however, despite the difficulties, attempt the task.

To begin : — The number of racehorses, including those from two-
year-old upwards, which did not start in Ireland in 1891, I can't be far
wrong in putting down at half that of the horses which did start.
That gives us just 550. Many of them were two-year-olds, and others
v/hich, having to be laid by, would not cost as much to keep as if they
were older or in training. On the other hand there were many which
were kept in training, but from one cause or other were not started for
a race. Taking them all round, let us put the 550 non-starters at 203.
a week to keep ; that would be to £550 a week, or £28,600 for the year.

Considering the fact that seventy-nine horses started as two-year-
olds, we may reasonably conclude that at least treble that number of
foals bad to ba hred—i.e., that one out of three foals bred for racing
start as two-year-olds. (I don't think one in six do so ; but never
mind.) That would give us, say, for round numbers, 250 foals reared in
1889. Say half of them died or were useless before they were fit to be
trained, that would leave 125 to go into a trainer's hands at, say,
eighteen months old. These 125 youngsters would have cost, including
service of the dam, at least £50 apiece up to that time. This totals
£6,250 as the cost of our two-year-olds before they had begun the
rudiments of their education. Thus we had, in 1891, 675 horses which
did not start — costing to keep £34,850.

We shall dive still deeper into the mysteries of racing, and see what
further good the grand old sport does by reason of the circulation of
money.

In Mr. Brindley's little " white book " I see chronicled ninety-five
different race-meetings as having taken place in 1891. Some few of
these were comparatively small local affairs of one day. On the other
hand a great many were important meetings with two days,
while we have Cork, Baldoyle, Fairyhouse, Leopardstown, and old
Punchestown, not to speak of the Curragh, of very first class
importance.

Now what was the amount of money spent by the public attending
these race rhmions, totally irrespective of the cost of racing the

184

horses ? To answer that question requires a tidy bit of consideration
and figuring up. We must take into account railway fares, hotel
bills, car hire, admission to stand-house, luncheon, then comes the
inevitable trifle spent upon drink to counteract the effects of heat
in summer, cold in winter, or, in the absence of both, for the sake of
conviviality. An odd bet or two we shan't include, but surely we
must not eliminate the sum which has to be spent upon" ourselves'
new coats, our wives' new gowns."

Now bulking all the above items of expenditure, which for any
ordinary individual are simply unavoidable, in a greater or less degree,
if he attends a race-meeting, we cannot come at a lower estimate by
way of average than that of £5,000 for each of these meetings. £5,000
multiplied by 95 gives £475,000, and is the sum which, at the lowest
possible calculation, people spent in Ireland in 1891 for the purpose
of attending our race-meetings.

That large amount has to be increased by whatever may be spent by
local gentry in entertainment of whatever visitors they may have
with them for the races, also by whatever has been laid out upon
erection of stand-houses, keeping them in repair, men employed in
the enclosures and on the course, together with scores of other
incidental but necessary items of expenditure too numerous to
particularise much less calculate the cost of.

I shall now give a table of the foregoing figures which will show at
a glance

The value of oue Irish racehorses, what was spent by owners
to race them, and what was spent by the public to see

THEM RACE IN 1891.

Value in money of 603 flat races and steeplechases ran for £39,144

Value of 1,095 horses which started, at £150 £164,250

Value of 675 horses which did not start, at £150 101,250

Total value of 1,770 horses 265,500

Keep and training of above starters £85,410

Keep and training of above noa-starters 34,850

Total keep and training of 1,770 horses 120,260

Travelling expenses of horses to meetings 11,000

Entrance fees and stakes 11 ,000

Jockeys' fees and expenses 9,800

Owners' expenses to meetings 2.200

Total cost of keep and racing above horses 154,260

Amount spent by public attending Irish meetings in 1891 475,000

Total expenditure £629,260

The sums paid by owners in purchasing horses I cannot estimate; the
amount is considerable, but it has to be left out of the estimate.

In Ireland each boy in a training stable has to look after two horses—
we have some 1,800 racehorses, therefore we have over 900 boys
employed, not to speak of head lads and trainers.

185

Far more difficult is it to arrive at an approximation of the expenses
of racing in England, but I must try to do so.

According to the Racing Calendar we find that for steeplechases and
hurdle-races there started in 1891 about 3,200 horses; for flat-racing,
about 2,320— totalling 5,520. These include the horses which raced in
Ireland ; we must therefore deduct their total of 1,095, which leaves
4,425 starters for races of all sorts in England in 1891. We shall call it
4,420. The number of steeplechase meetings was 268, and that for
flat-racing 110. These total 378, and do not include Irish meetings.

The value in money of stakes given for flat-racing amounted to
£448,695. Unfortunately there is no return of what was given for
steeplechasing or hurdle-racing in the English Calendar. I therefore
have to take a shot at the figure, and I put it at about £500 a meeting,
or, say, £130,000. Neither has Weatherby a return of the number of
races run. Of course by counting the races from the pages of the
Calendar and adding up their value to the winner we could arrive at
the amounts, but that would be a very troublesome job and would
take longer time than I at present have to spare for such purposes.

(Perhaps Messrs. Weatherby might see their way to have these two
yearly totals given in future editions of their excellent and accurate
Calendars. )

Now, the expenses all round of racing in England are a great deal
more than double those in Ireland. Men have much longer journeys to
go to see their horses run. The bills of English trainers are higher
than ours, but they are; not twice as high. Subscriptions to their
races are four-fold higher than to Irish, for not alone is the entry
fee high, but for nearly all English events there are sweepstakes of
from £5 to £50 with a proportional amount of forfeits. In Ireland
such embargoes are practically unknown. The expenses of the New-
market jockeys to Ascot and Epsom, not to speak of Goodwood and
other far-off meetings, are, it is needless to remark, vastly more than
are ours to Cork and Baldoyle, while the special retainer fees to some of
the crack professionals equal quite the sum total paid to all our jockeys.

In fairness it may therefore be accepted as a fact that racing
is much more than twice as expensive in England. But I shall put
it down at only double and calculate the English expenses upon the
same lines as I did the Irish.

Assuming that there is a like proportion of non-starters to starters,
we would have in round numbers 2,700 horses, which in 1891 did not
start for a race. They, like the Irish, had to be kept, and many of
them trained. Adding these 2,700 non-starters to the 4,420 starters,
we come at a total of 7,120.

The arithmetic at last becomes somewhat simple, viz. : —

If the expenses of racing and keeping for racing 1,770 horses be
£154,260, what would be the like expenses of 7,120 horses ? The answer
is £620,526. Double that is £1,241,052.

Let us turn the last two figures into noughts so as to make the sum

186

handy, and we have the very lowest amount that can be, by any mode
of calculation, put upon the expenditure of owners to see their horses
race in England in 1891.

To continue working out this problem I shall put the value of English
racehorses down at £500 apiece all round. This, in the face of the
returns we see of sales, and that a horse which is not worth £200 is not
kept a week in a crack English racing stable, must be considered a very
inadequate sum. That figures up £3,560,000.

Bearing in mind the gigantic proportions, as compared with Irish
meetings, of such as Epsom, Ascot, Goodwood, Doncaster, Liverpool,
Manchester, and Sandown, and that the crowds which congregate at
nearly all the other meetings held in England are vastly greater than
those which are found at ours, and that an Englishman has a ten-pound
note to spend where an Irishman has often only a one-pound note,
I may, I think, with every degree of propriety, put down that £20,000
is spent, one way or another, by the general public— outside the owners
— upon attending the various meetings in England, against the £5,000
that is spent in Ireland. Mr. Weatherby tells us there were 378
meetings — race and steeplechase — held in England in 1891. We have,
therefore, only to multiply £20,000 by 378 to arrive at what the British
public spent upon going to see our sport that year. Here is the pro-
duct :— £7,560,000.

As a companion to the table I gave of our Irish racing, I now give
one showing the

Value of our English racehorses, what was spent by owners
to race them, and what was spent by the public to see
them race in 1891.

Value in money of stakes for flat racing £448,695

Value in money of stakes for steeplechases, say 130,000

Total amount of stakes £578,695

Valueof 7, 120 racehorses at £500 3,560,000

Cost of keep and racing these horses 1,241,000 '^^— —

Amount spent by the iMiblic attending English

meetings .^. 7,560,000

Total amount expended upon racing in England in

1891 8,801,000

Totals of both tables : —

Value of stakes in Ireland £39,144

Value of stakes in England 578,695

Total amount of stakes £617,839

Value of 1,770 Irish racehorses 265,500

Valueof 7,120 English racehorses 3,560,000

Total value of 8, 890 racehorses 3,825,500

Cost of racing 1,770 horses in Ireland 154,260

Cost of racing 7,120 horses in England 1,241,000

Total cost of racing 8,890 horses 1,395,260

Amount spent by public on Irish meetings 475,000

Amount spent by public on English meetings 7,560,000

Total cost attending race-meetings 8,035,000

Grand total of expenditure consequent upon racing

in 1891 :. £9,430,260

187

In English racing establishments each horse has, as a rule, a boy to
himself, therefore there are some 7,100 boys employed in the racing
stables in England, besides the head lads. This added to the 900
employed similarly in Ireland shows that we have some 8,000 young
men employed in the racing stables of the kingdom — a number equal
to that of more than ten regimeyits of the line ! And they have a
better time and are much better treated than the soldiers.

To go into a calculation of the annual cost of the requisites for our
racing stables is not necessary, as it is provided for in the " keep " of
the horses. The amount for that item alone runs into a great many
thousands of pounds per annum, as all saddlers right well know.

When we come to consider what has been spent upon the stables
at Newmarket and other places, with dwellings attached, which
for style and comfort quite equal those provided for Royalty, the
amount becomes absolutely appalling ! The sum has to be counted in
thousands and it runs into many millions.

As in hunting so it is in racing — all the money spent upon the sport
goes through countless channels from the richer to the poorer man.
Thousands of men who at one time were in a very low monetary con-
dition have become well off directly through this gigantic circulating
medium.

Unlike hunting, however, racing is a business. Nor is it carried on
under the sufferance of any one or any thing. It is self-supported
and self -sustained. Racing, too, sends money flowing into a great
many reservoirs. The money spent upon hunting has practically but
one — the pocket of the farmer.

Racing has enjoyed a growth of popularity within the past few years
perhaps unprecedented in the annals of any other institution in the
kingdom. No doubt that popularity is mainly to be attributed to the
inborn love we as a nation have for the sport, pure and simple. At
the same time, a vast deal i^ to be attributed to a cause far away
inferior. I allude to the propensity for betting which has taken root in
the public within the past thirty years. Racing in its own innocent
sport-productive vocation unfortunately affords a ready means for
indulging the pernicious vice of gambling. A fact very sad and
deplorable.

There is no manner of doubt but that racing will continue for many
years to be the most popular of all British sports. How long this will
continue to exist no one can predict. The zenith must, however, be
attained at last, and when there remains no further means for ascent
— what then 1 The descent must be made. The period of that
calamity is probably far away in the future. No one now alive may
perhaps see it, but come it ivill. As long s we have nobility and
gentry possessed of integrity and of great wealth, as we have at
present, and as long as that community embarks in the ship the same
love of sport which they do at present, and as long as they select from

188

their own ranks pilots and helmsmen skilful to con and to steer, all
will go on as it has gone with racing.

Should, however, our sport at any time be left without the nobility
and gentry as a buttress, down it will crumhle just as surely as did
the Olympic games of old and, as I said before, the Prize Ring of
latter days, when these once great institutions lost the support of the
self-same class.

Give heed, all Radicals, to this assertion !

My visits to Newmarket are always of the pleasantest nature. I
Talue more highly chats with some of the celebrated trainers there
than I should interviews with the heads of almost any other branch of
art and science. I always spend some time with the Prime Minister,
Mr. Mat Dawson, when, in his sitting-room or strolling about, I enjoy
the conversation of that great man. Yes, great he has proved himself
to be, and neither envy nor jealousy, nor yet emulation, can detract
from him one iota of the qualifications which have placed him at the
head of his profession. Good he also is, for never has he wilfully done
wrong during his public life.

AVhat a collection of equine portraits he has at Melton House —
representing animals made celebrated through his own skill and
sagacity. In the hall hang the tails of Julius, Thormanby, and the
white Chanticleer. Around the dining-room are paintings by first
masters of Thormanby, Kingcraft, Wheel of Fortune, Jannette, Dutch
Oven, Silvio, Minting, St. Simon, Melton, Newminster, Julius, Alice
Hawthorne, Sterling, Ormonde, Catherine Hayes, Tristan, and Barcal-
dine. A bronze statuette of St. Simon is there also, and as it was
produced from a life-sized statue executed by Sir Edgar Boehm
for the Duke of Portland, the likeness is a perfect one. The figure
shows the horse's grand formation and perfect symmetry, and it is easy
to understand what his trainer states as a fact, that St. Simon was
the best horse he ever saw.

Mr. Dawson told me that, except upon a few occasions, he never
backed horses heavily, and, moreover, added that if he had done so he
would probably be a poor man now. He has often not a penny on
many of the great races. A modest fiver or tenner— perhaps a pony, if
he had something very good — was the usual sum he put on his
horses, when he backed them at all. When a man like Mat Dawson,
■with all his knowledge and opportunities for gaining " information,"
sees the folly of backing horses and refrains therefrom, is it not lament-
able, ay, criminal, for those possessing neither to persist in doing so ?

He is about to retire from public training, but is still hale and hearty,
and long may he remain so, to be a living example of what an " honest
man " is.

Besides Newmarket and other training quarters, I visited classic
Whitewall, where still exist in pristine simplicity the single stalls in
which John Scott stabled his racehorses, and from which the great

189

Wizard of the North did such marvels. I had as cicerone old Jim
Perrin, who for forty years was head lad at Whitewall. He told me
yarns most interesting, and showed me the stalls wherein stood West
Australian and many another horse rendered famous through means
of Scott's training.

The home of Caller On and Blink Bonny at Spring Cottage I have
also visited, and at Highfield met Mr. William I' Anson, the genial
representative of the owner and trainer of these great mares. Highfield,
like Whitewall, is another establishment of the good old times. I
confess I like to see these historic places preserved in their original
state and style, rather than have the classic old walls and stalls pulled
down as they have been at Newmarket and elsewhere.

It is the habit of some people to assert positively that a certain
horse was the best that ever started. They may do so, but to
prove it is simply impossible in the absence of an actual trial. Mr.
George Dawson could, if he chose, tell to the ounce the diflference
between Ayrshire and Donovan, simply because he had at the same
time these two Derby winners under his own charge, but he could not
state as a fact what either of them were, as compared with Ormonde
or Melton. Even the jockeys who have ridden the horses are, except
as a matter of opinion, unable to draw the line accurately between
some of the cracks.

At times, however, facts can be stated with regard to certain horses
which would give people good reason to suppose that someone in
particular had a legitimate claim to the title.

Upon perhaps the best authorities on racing at present alive, I shall
refer to two. They are St. Simon and Barcaldine.

Owing to the death of Prince Batthyany the nominations for St.
Simon for the classic races became void, and as a two-year-old in 1883
he was purchased for 1,600 guineas by Mat Dawson for the Duke of
Portland and Lord Charles Beresford. Although at the time having
shares with the Duke in other horses. Lord Charles unluckily gave up
St. Simon. He ran eight or nine times and was never beaten, and
if required could have won every race by a hundred yards. Collat-
erally, he was two stone better than Harvester. Mat Dawson thus
found in the colt the makings of a horse quite phenomenal ; accord-
ingly, he put him in training to win the long distance autumn races,
knowing that no horse then in England could get near him at any
reasonable adjustment of weight. Unfortunately he showed symptoms
of not being able to stand the work, so the Duke, like a sportsman,
rather than have his horse put to the stud otherwise than sound as a
bell, stopped his training. No one therefore knows except Mat Daw-
son what a marvel was St. Simon, and he has often told me that he was
not alone the best horse he ever trained, but the very best he ever saw.

Barcaldine, bred in 1878 by Mr. Geo. Low, of the County Kildare,
was, next St. Simon, perhaps the best horse seen under silk in modern

190

history. He, too, was never shown to the public in his best form, as he
could never be made more than half fit. Yet were seen his great
performances over all distances and under all weights. If he could
have been wound up to concert pitch, and his povv'ers developed to the
full, some of the best judges, including his owner and trainer, Mr.
Robert Peck, hold that the son of Solon and Ballyroe could have given
age, weight, and a beating to any horse that had ever run previously.

What a deplorable circumstance is in connection with that great
horse ! I don't mean to refer to it further than to state that there are
many men of integrity and honour who consider that his then owner
was not as fairly treated as lie might have been, nor were circumstances
taken into account which not alone might have been explanatory, but
considered extenuating or, perhaps, have excused the hasty and idiotic
action which brought about the enquiry. No doubt, from what was
stated in the papers at the time, the sentence appeared to have been
deserved, and therefore justifiable, but many people know facts con-
nected with the lamentable case which were not recorded. Possibly
they were not put in evidence on the part of the accused, but that such
an oversight should have occurred would appear to be improbable.

Instead of doing as he did, had the owner of Barcaldine contented
himself by simply scratching him for the Northumberland Plate when
he found he could not get his money on through being forestalled by
the public, he would have done what he was entitled to, and have
taught a salutary lesson to the British backer, at the same time leaving
free, to make a record and a fortune, the best horse that was ever bred
in Ireland, bar, perhaps, Harkaway.

Marvellous as have been the changes which have come over racing
within the past few years, none surpasses that which relates to the
position of the trainer and the jockey.

Trainers have built for themselves houses which are simply baronial.
In them are boudoirs, billiard rooms, and banquet halls, which, for
elegance, are not surpassed in the houses of their employers. As to the
prudence of this undertaking opinions differ, but my notion is that men
who, like our Newmarket and other trainers, have plenty of money it
is highly desirable that they should freely spend it ; and when their
bent is upon building the more taste they display and the more sub-
stantial the work, the l^etter it is for themselves, their friends, and their
tradesmen. Moreover, in this particular instance, we have another
illustration which shows what practical advantage the sport of racing is
to the public community. The houses and stabling built at Newmarket
within the present decade have caused a circulation of money among
tradesmen and labourers which can be estimated only in hundreds of
thousands.

The establishment of Mr. Richard Marsh at Egerton House, New-
market, is the most magnificent of th*^ kind in the whole world.

In the case of jockeys a change has taken place which was never

191

dreamt of fifteen or twenty years ago. A boy, out of neither his teens
nor his apprenticeship, and without education, may now earn, if he be
skilful in the saddle, a better income than a bishop, while some of the
leading jockeys get, in retainer and ordinary fees, more than is paid to
the Lord Chancellor of England ! Of a truth that of jockey is now
About the very best profession there is in the kingdom. What a pity it
is that some of those who follow it and jump suddenly into such
brilliant financial circumstances do not realise their position, and, through
jionest performance of their duties, retain it. No doubt, before long,
old prejudices will be overcome, and boys of good social position and
well educated will, instead of to college, be sent to our leading training
stables there to take their degree in riding. It is to be hoped these
young gentlemen will always go straight and never in " rings."

Just as I am about sending the MS. of my book to the printers
I find in a sporting paper two returns from different sources which are
interesting, so I reproduce them.

Messrs. Weatlierby in their annual volume of " Races Past " give table
showing the number of races of different distances in Great Britain and
Ireland in the undermentioned years, and is as follows : —

1
Distance. 1 1887.

1888.

1889.

1890.

1891. ! 1892.

jFive fuvlono's and under six

7.32

759

262

333

184

40

7

4

793

256

345

176

42

8

3

767

238

359

183

38

7

2

733 1 754

205 1 204

446 [ 479

192 1 203

40 1 41

7 \ 5

3 2

Six furlongs and under one mile ...
One mile

260

312

183

53

7
2

.Over a mile and under two

Two miles and under three

Three miles and under four

Four miles ,

TotPvl

1549

1589

1623

1594

1626 1688

The above statistics are in precisely the inverse ratio to what I
should wish to see them.
The next shows a return in every way conducive to my satisfaction : —
The latest racing statistics published show a distinct falling off in the
•value of the leviathan sweepstakes and a distinct increase in the financial
aggregates of the old-fashioned stakes raced for at the open meetings. True
it is that the Eclipse Stakes, won this year by Orme, maintains its position
as the richest race run in England ; and the Lancashire Plate, won by La
Fleche, is second ; but still the value of these races has a tendency to travel
.down hill. The Eclipse Stakes figures read as follows: — 1889, £11,165;
1891, £11,075; 1892, £9,405. Tliose for the Lancashire Plate show a still
greater drop. Thus in 1889 it was worth £9,000 ; in 1890, £9,091 ; in 1891,
£8,971 ; and in 1892, £7,930. I next turn to the Leicestershire Royal
Handicap, and what a terrible falling off is there. This race was unjustly

193

advertised as a £16,000 stake, but it has not caught on with the public, like
most of the events that are advertised to be raced for at Oadby. Kusticus
has won the prize two years in succession, its value being £5,347 last year
and £4,205 last September. Compare these big stakes to the Derby, Oaks,
and St. Leger, and we find that the "old timers," as they are now remodelled,
are steadily improving. Thus the Derby in 1889 was only worth £4,050 ;
in 1890 it rose to £5,930 ; in 1891 to £5,510 ; and in 1892 to £6,960. Good
old Derby ! The St. Leger has also gone up, being worth but £4,800 in
1889, £5,125 in 1890, £4,300 in 1891, and £5,270 in 1892. The Oaks in 1889
Avas worth £2,600; in 1890, £4,400; in 1891, £4,405 ; and in 1892, £5,270.
Take these figures as they stand above, and they show a tremendous balance
in favour of the old-fashioned races over the modern "Frankensteins."

193

CHAPTER XII.

THE CURRAGH.

Ita Early History — Compared with English Downs — Effect on Horses— What can be Carried
on Simultaneously — Its Area — Its Herbage — Its Hares— Training Establishments — A
Trip on a Jarvey — Mountjoy Lodge and Dan Broderick — French House and Michael
Dennehey — Conyngham Lodge and Captain Joy — Turf Lodge and tlie Hunters-
Lark Lodge and William Disney — French Furze, Paddy Gavin, and the Keegans —
Brownstown and the Knoxs — Normanby Lodge, Dick Sadlier and Colonel Thompson
Jockey Hall and the Wattses— Mr. John Hubert Moore— Mr. T. O. Gordon - Athgarvan
Lodge and Mr. Pallin— Mr. Bowes Daly— Eyretield Lodge and Mr. Linde— Eyrefield
House and the Beasleys— Something about this Extraordinary Family— Doimelly's
Hollow— Crotanstown — The Author gets Upset — The Kacecourse — Waterford Lodge —
Davy Canavan— Hamilton Lodge— The Fox Covert— Kathbride Cottage and Mr. W. P.
CuUen — Rathbride Manor and Mr. Meredith— Rossmore Lodge and Mr. F. F. CuUen —
Milletta Lodge and "Mr. St. James" — Curragh View — End of Our Drive — Olden
Times on the Curragh — Its Highwaymen — Homes of Great Horses — Sir Hercules —
Birdcatcher — Faugh-a-ballagh — Brunette — Guiccioli — Connaught Hanger — Roller —
Freney -Birdcatcher again— Bob Booty — Chanticleer — lerne — Hollyhock— Pleiad —
Ildegarda — Thump — Wheel — Bagot— Mr. Robert Hamilton — Master Bagot— Mr.
Edwards — Tom Tug — Commodore — Cornet — Sweet William — Smallhopes — Irish
Escape — The Highflyer Mare — Milesius — The Baron — Stockwell — Stockwell might
never have been heard of — Russborough — Harkaway and Tom Ferguson. Postscript :
Death of Mr. William Beasley — Marriage of Mr. Thomas Beasley.

Except that the first race run there was in April, 1741, I know
nothing about the ancient history of the Curragh, so I can give
my readers only a sketch of what the noble plain is like at presents
and refer to events of comparatively recent date. I can, however,
assure them that many a long year has passed since grass first grew on
it, and that nothing else has ever grown there except a few furze
bushes.

From off none of the downs or wolds of England have I ever felt such
invigorating air as I do off the plains of our own Curragh. Be it
morn, midday, or night, and whether in any of our four seasons,
there comes from it a bracing ozone not to be found on Epsom
Downs, Langton Wold, or Salisbury Plain. It quite equals, if it does
not surpass, the air we find on the west coast of Ir el ind, blown in from
the mighty Atlantic.

Who knows but this health-giving property may not have a vast
deal to do with the hardihood of our Irish racehorse referred to in
other pages of this book ?

I don't know how many acres there are in the Curragh, but it would
take a great many of the downs in England to make the same extent.
In the centre we have a military camp which is in itself a large
village, around it, and in the closest proximity, several regiments of
artillery, cavalry, and infantry can, in simultaneous review, fight their
miniature Waterloos, while within a mile there is a range long enough
to spend the force of bullets from our farthest shooting rifles. Nor
do the extensive operations which daily take place in and about the

o

194

camp in the least interfere with the exercising of the various strings
of horses belonging to the surrounding training establishments.
Mr. Pallin can also have a hunt in far-off portions of the plain, his
hare giving the hounds a four-mile point without leaving the Curragh
or nearing either military or trainers' strings.

Then have we not the world-renowned racecourse, where a four-mile
course is laid out within its circumference, upon which the time-
honoured Anglesey, Peel, Waterford, Howth, Red, and Sligo posts have
stood for generations ? On the further sde of the railway we have
the Curragh Gorse— a covert of the Kildares from which many a
rattling fox was run.

Now, my readers, I in no way exaggerate when I state that, if so
minded, w^e could have all the following events taking place at the
same time on this noble plain, and that, too, with perhaps little or
no interference with each other : —

All the troops in Ireland under review.

All the Pi. I.e. in the County Kildare ball practising at the
rifle-butts.

All the trainers' strings at exercise.

The Curragh October Meeting.

The Kildare Hounds drawing the gorse for a fox.

Mr. Pallin's Harriers drawing furze brakes for a hare.

A coursing meeting if there were hares, which there are not.

Now what do you think of that, all ye who boast of the greatness
of England 1 Where is the place in all your land that could give
space for such vast and varied exhibitions of military and sporting
events to take place at the same time? And if a man had a front seat
in a balloon he could have a bird's-eye view of the whole panorama !
I repeat, there is no exaggeration in what I have stated.

The Curragh is, as the crow flies, fully six miles long and three
miles across, with hill and dale adding considerably to the extent. It
does not run out into inland peninsulas, but is practically a
parallelogram in shape.

The herbage, too, although never having been desecrated with
a plough, is far away richer and better in quality than that grown
upon any plain I ever saw in England. The grass grows short, thick,
and sweet, and is particularly good for sheep, while the hares which
once lived there in plenty were of the stoutest and best running breed
to be found in the three kingdoms. The late Mr. James Galway, the
breeder of Master McGrath, told me he often saw a Curragh hare run
clean away, without their having given her a single turn, from the
best brace of greyhounds in Ireland. Coursing meetings of importance
used to be held on the Curragh long ago, and there was a park near
where the camp is into which the hares could run for safety, holes
being in the walls at convenient places for them. A portion of this
old hare park still remains, but the hares have long since been
annihilated.

195

Our various training establishments are all situated around, or close
to, the verge of the Curragh, and are, like those near Malton, pretty
nearly in their primitive state. The dwelling-houses are mostly of
the cottage style, only a few are two-storied — a style no doubt adopted
by the old folk as being that least likely to feel the effects of thn
storms which too often sweep our plain. The stabling which adjoin
the lodges are all of the good old-fashioned substantial style, lacking
nothing in anything pertaining to the comfort and well-being of the
horses which occupy them, but all in simple, useful fashion. None
of the ornamentation, decoration, and so forth which distinguish the
gorgeous establishments of Newmarket are to be found in these
abodes. Our Irish trainers know and do their work quite as well in
their homely, snug little shanties, with their barn-like rows of
stabling adjoining, as any of the Englishmen in their regal residences
surrounded with villages of stately stabling, while our humble boxes
contain as healthy horses and turn out more winners in proportion
than come from the superbly decorated stalls of England.

While scribbling these notea my thoughts naturally run to the
principal establishments around and near the Curragh ; for the infor-
mation, therefore, of those of my readers who are not as fortunate as
the others who know them, I shall pay an imaginary visit to each. To
do so I shall figuratively hire a jarvey in Kildare and take with me
three Newmarket trainers who, strange to say, have never visited the
Curragh, nor have they been to Ireland. They are Messrs. Joseph
Cannon, Arthur Sadler, and George Dawson.

Before starting from the ancient town of Kildare we shall look
in at the old Club House. Oh, what tales these walls could tell!
Around this very table the great men of old feasted and made merry
upon the nights of the Curragh meetings. Many were the magnums
of port and claret drank over that mahogany. See here are the
marks of the dice-boxes which in vehemence were dashed down
while high play was indulged in. Now the place is deserted and has
been for years since the time of the Charlemonts, Howths, Waterfords,
Clanricardes and Sligos, the Disneys, Westenras, Dalys, Powers,
Courtenays, St. George's, Archdales, and Irvines !

Down the old and narrow road our jarvey rattles us for a little over
a mile, when we arrive at the Curragh verge. The first training
establishment we shall visit is Mountjoy Lodge. Here the veteran
Dan Broderick still resides. For some years before his lamented
death, sporting Captain Stamer Gubbins had here his training
establishment with Dan as trainer, whence to victory were sent
Fairyland, Juggler, Sailor, and many other great horses.

Next we come to the home for many years of straightfoward
Michael Dennehey. A man who puts his money on a horse sent to
the post by the owner of French House has, at all times, an honest
run for it and often wins. To train a horse for the flat or over a
country, Mr. Dennehey can hold his own with any mar, while

196

there is not a trainer on the Turf who holds an escutcheon more
untarnished.

Now we arrive at an establishment larger than some of those about
the Curragh. It is Conyngham Lodge, built many years ago by the
late Marquis of Conyngham. The celebrated brothers Murphy lived
and trained here for a long time after they moved from Pope Lodge,
which is farther on. Since they died various tenants have held it,
none of whom dwelt there as long as did that best of good fellows
Captain George Joy. To that gentleman's judgment and sagacity are
our friends in England indebted for the possession of some of the
best horses of modern times — Bendigo, for example. He died at
Conyngham Lodge in February, 1891, regretted by everyone who knew
him.

Turf Lodge is next en route. Here Mr. Richard Newcomen has
resided for years, and at times owns a good horse and trains others.
In former days Turf Lodge was the home of the Hunters, and there
were stabled the famous Roller, and, as dam of Birdcatcher, the still
more famous Guiccioli.

Lark Lodge, once the residence of that great pillar of Irish racing
Mr. William Disney, comes next. Here we are shown the sods which
cover the bones of Birdcatcher.

At French Furze House we meet Paddy Gavin, who has under his
care a promising lot of youngsters. Many a good race have I seen
him ride with Tom and William Ryan, Davy and William Canavan,
Tom Kelly, and other good cross-country jockeys of twenty years ago.
The Keegans lived here for many years, and were, in long bygone
days, celebrated alike for training and riding. I remember Larry,
who at the age of eighty died here in 188L In his day he was one of
our finest steeplechase riders, but he had a very ugly seat. Paddy
Gavin married his daughter, and has lived at French Furze for several
years.

Brownstown, the home for generations of the Knoxs, is our next
visit. This is the birthplace of Birdcatcher, and here lived, until his
death a short time ago, that once great cross-country rider Mr. George
Knox. Many of his last years were spent under the affliction of total
blindness, the result of a fall in a steeplechase.

A little way off the Curragh we come to Normanby Lodge, called
after, perhaps, the most popular Lord-Lieutenant we ever had, who
kept his racehorses here in the thirties. When I was a youngster
the late Mr. Richard Sadlier held court at Normanby, and that in
regal style. From it the hospitable Tipperary man sallied the day on
which he won the famous Welter Private Match at Punchestown on
his wonderful brown horse, Bismarck, beating Mr. Alan Macdonagh
on Humming Bird and Mr. Henry Linde on Nereid. A northern
sportsman now resides here, in the person of Colonel Thompson, a
member of our Turf Club, and who has in training there several useful
horses of his own.

197

Now we see clustered among trees of ancient planting, through
which the Gothic windows look out upon the Curragh, a place of
historic fame. It was the home of the Watts', and it is Jockey Hall.
Here was stabled Echidna, when she dropped The Baron. Here, too,
the latter as a sire held court, and out of Pocahontas begat Stock-
well. At Jockey Hall Mr. John Hubert Moore for several years
resided in the sixties and seventies. During his time the best horses
in Ireland, bar none, were trained at The Hall. Among them were
Scots Grey, Curragh Ranger, Furley, Rufus, Albert, Revenge, Revoke,
and many others whose names I can't at the moment recall to mind.
Over the private course at the back his father taught Garrett Moore
how to ride a steeplechase.

Another North of Ireland gentleman, Mr. T. G. Gordon, resides now
at Jockey Hall. He, like the former occupiers, has a large string of
first-class horses under his charge, and as a sire he has at present the
renowned Ben Battle. Mr. Gordon, as a member of our I.N.H.S.
Committee, does good service to our sport. We see that within the
past couple of years he has put the place in thorough repair and
wrought great improvements in the house and stables, which from
old age and hard usage they truly were in need of.

Leaving Jockey Hall we wheel sharp to the left and travel along the
eastern end of the Curragh. In doing so we pass the rifle butts, and
cross the line of fire. After about two miles we turn up to the right and
arrive, by a short cut and the back entrance, at another establishment,
as famous and as ancient as any about the " Short grass." This is
Athgarvan Lodge, the seat of my friend Mr. William Pallin.

We have now had some three hours on the Curragh, and travelled
nearly seven miles. At all of the houses, with profuse hospitality, we
were offered refreshment, and at some we certainly partook thereof.
Now, however, comes the hour for luncheon, and with the effects of
the Curragh air in our systems, we have a keen desire for it. This
feeling is the more intensified by the hearty welcome which we
receive, and forthwith we sit down to a sumptuous repast presided
over by the genial host.

Athgarvan Lodge of the present day is very different from what it
was when George IV". visited Mr. Bowes Daly there in 1821. Then
mains of cocks were often fought on the green plot opposite the
<irawing-room windows, which is now the tennis ground, and here in
the dining-room, during the night's carouse, was many a battle
brought off upon the mahogany. Habits and fashions were very
different then from now, and if these walls could speak they might
tell queer tales ! Cock-fighting and hard-drinking were, however, in
olden times, practised at the Curragh in many other places besides
Athgarvan Lodge.

Mr. Pallin is a man of very refined taste. He has a collection of
rare oak furniture and equally antique silver. Everywhere we see,
in choice selections, which betoken the instincts of the man, trophies
of the race, the chase, and foreign travel.

198

On the sideboard is the Grand Military Hunt Cup of 1878. To win
this cup Mr. Pallin had set his mind directly he joined the 20th Hussars
in 1871, and upon former occasions he ran third and fourth for it, but
in 1878 he won it with Theseus, ridden by Captain Lee Barber, Pallin
not being able to get the weight. It was for hunters that had never
won a race of £20, the property of officers of the Army and Navy, and
Mr. Pallin showed his judgment in producing the best of his year in
an animal he bought for 40gs. at Tattersall's. He has willed it that
when his third and youngest son, now a boy of six, can challenge for
it, the three brothers are to ride for this cup upon maiden hunters,
hunted solely by themselves, 12 stone each, three miles over Punches-
town. In the event of only cne competing, he is to ride over the
course for it. May we be there to see the father lead back the winner
after a good race between his three boys.

The walls of Athgarvan Lodge are hung with racehorse portraits
executed in high art, conspicuous among them being originals of
Birdcatcher by Harry Hall, and The Baron by Herring, while many
are the work of the owner's own brush.

Within the past two years the old dwelling has been repaired and a
lot added to it. The stables were previously remodelled and spacious
yards laid out whereon formerly stood useless outhouses. In a word,
from an old tumble-down concern, which it was but a few years
ago when Mr. Alan Macdonagh lived there, Mr. Pallin has made
the house about the very best at or near the Curragh, while the
out-offices are all that can be desired for the purpose of life which he
has laid out to follow — that of breeding thoroughbreds. Not one of
the many stud arms which I have visited in England surpasses in
excellence of design or management those of Athgarvan Lodge.

Since he betook himself to the calling few men in Ireland have
done more, or perhaps as much, as he has towards the furtherance of
breeding thoroughbred stock. At present there stands at Athgarvan
Favo, by Favonius, out of Adrastia. He was a good racehorse at
all weights and distances, having won fourteen and was placed
thirty- 6 ve times. He is, as we see, a magnificent specimen of a
weight-carrying thoroughbred stallion, and is sound as a bell, while his
breeding shows a grand combination of the best blood in the Stud-
book. On his sire's side he has that of Sweetmeat and Harkaway
through King Tom, while his dam gives him the mixed blood of
Stockwell and Newminster. No horse of late years has done
Irish breeders so much good as Favo. He has begat a prodigious
number of winners, and for four years has stood at the top of our
list as a sire of winning horses.

Master Ned is also there, descended as he is from the best line of
Irish blood now available, a direct union of Birdcatcher and Harkaway.
Astrologer we also see — a son of Hermit, out of Stella — whose great-
grandsire was Melbourne.

So well known are the Athgarvan yearlings that at Doncaster during
the St. Leger week they fetch a high average price.

199

It has taken us nearly two hours to go over this model stud farm,
visiting as we did the stables, stallion yard, paddocks, brood mares
and foals, yearlings, and last, but not least, the kennels, wherein Mr.
Pallin has some fifteen couple of as nice-looking harriers as are to
be seen in Ireland. We must, therefore, bid adieu and good luck to
the genial master.

While our trap goes round by the road I take my friends a short
cut across a few fields which brings us to Eyrefield Lodge. This,
I need not say, is the residence of him who I think I may call our
Irish Mat Dawson. In fact, Mr. Henry Eyre Linde takes higher
honours than the English champion, for, in addition to the flat-racer,
he can, as the world knows, train a steeplechaser, which the latter
cannot do. Unlike other gentlemen trainers, Mr. Linde resides in
the home of his ancestors, where he was born, and as far back as 1807
the place is marked on the map of The Curragh as the residence of
Eyre Linde, Esq. He has within the past few years enlarged
his stabling to a very great extent, and in a style which brings it
more like that of Newmarket than any other near the Curragh.
The stalls are loose boxes, capable of accommodating in all fifty
to sixty horses. At the farther end from the house is the farmyard,
and there are found cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry of as good and
useful breeding as are the horses in the stables. Huge stacks of the
primest oats, with gigantic ricks of hay and straw, flank the lot and
shelter all from the Curragh gales. In addition to his own household,
Mr. Linde has of necessity a very extensive establishment comprising
over a score of men and boys ; but the Master of Eyrefield is, from
his own farmyard and garden, able nearly throughout the year to
provision the lot, great as the commissariat undertaking un-
doubtedly is.

Two fields at the back of the stables is the private steeplechase
course. It was the first of the kind ever laid out in Ireland. In its
track, which is a mile and a quarter, is found every description of
fence to be met with on either English or Irish courses, and of
dimensions which require both riding and fencing to be executed in
the highest degree of excellence. This explains how Linde's horses
can always jump, and his men can always ride.

After tramping round the track and returning to the house, we feel
inclined for further refreshment. This we partake of in the cosy
dining-room, the walls of which are decorated with portraits of Messrs.
Tommy and Harry Beasley on Empress, Woodbrook, Mohican, Whisper
Low, Too Good, Gamebird, and other steeplechase celebrities, which
bore away the palm of victory from Aintree, Paris, and from all parts
of Ireland.

For many years Mr. Linde has had, as first lieutenant, Mr. Tommy
Beasley, and until lately his brother Harry assisted ; while as head lad
Dan McNally — " Eyrefield Dan " as he is called — has been a valuable
servant ever since Linde began his profession.

To recount the marvellous achievements of this gentleman trainer

200

with racehorses during the past quarter of a century would be
impossible for me. But have they not been chronicled over and over
again ? I will merely say that no man of modern, nor perhaps of
former, days has gained such celebrity over steeplechase courses.
For years past he has furnished more favourites for the Grand
National than any other two owners or trainers put together, and
I doubt if the same number can total among them as many of their
horses having won, been placed, and ran forward in that race as he
can. I have no Calendar by me, but from memory I know within
the last fifteen years he has prepared for the Grand National two
winners in Empress and Woodbrook, while Martha and Cyrus lost in
their respective years by short heads only. Fair Wind, Too Good,
and Mohican in other years ran into third place. Other horses
from his stable may have been placed, but I am safe in stating
that every Eyrefield horse which started for the Grand National,
except the one or two which fell, had many more after than before
him at the finish. The Seftoa Steeplechase at the Liverpool Autumn
Meeting has been won by his representatives more frequently than
by those of any other man in the kingdom, steered as they were
nearly always by Mr. Harry Beasley.

No one stands more prominently in the winning records at Chan-
tilly than Mr. Linde, Too Good, Whisper Low, Mohican, and
Seaman alone establishing for him that position. Over our own
famed Punchestown for the past twenty years no stable has at all
come near that of Eyrefield. For years the Prince of AV ales' Plate
and Conyngham Cups have gone to it, while all the other races, bar
of course the Farmers' and perhaps the Kildare Hunt Cup, have often
from time to time been won by horses under his care, while the
records of Cork, Baldoyle, old Curraghmore, Leopardstown, and
every other meeting in Ireland, including the Curragh, return scores
of winners supplied by him.

What I don't think any one of his profession can say, he owes to no
man his acquirements. He taught himself. Starting life in quite
a different sphere, he soon gave up the calling and betook him-
self to that which he innately was so pre-eminently gifted for. Nor
was that until he had got well into the fourth decade of his age.

To the master of Eyrefield the training of a flat- racer is as easy to
superintend as is that of the chaser. A five-furlong sprint, a Queen's
Plate, or a two-mile timber-topping are all alike to him. At the
same time he likes best the cross-country work, and of that I know
he very much prefers the natural to the artificial business. To lead
back a winner over Punchestown or Aintree is to my friend his
greatest pride and satisfaction.

In another particular the subject of my notice differs greatly from
other gentlemen trainers. He knows how to mate judiciously and
scientifically thoroughbred mares and stallions. This is evident to
anyone looking over the foals, yearlings, or other thoroughbred
youngsters at Eyrefield.

201

Unlike as he is to other trainers of the first class, he is similar
to many of them in the one great golden rule — Linde has always
run his horses straight. I have known him ever since I saw him
leading in as winner at Fairyhouse, in 1873, Highland Mary, with
Mr. Tommy Beasley up, then but a boy. From that day to this
never has there been one word, or even a hint, against the way in
which the one man ran and the other rode horses.

Highland Mary, bred in 1869, was the first really good animal Linde
owned, and although she cost him only £25, the achievements of this
mare laid the foundation of his fortune. She was by Solon out of
Scotia. She bred only one foal, the first Eyrefield by Uncas ; but he
as a four-year-old, and not fifteen hands, won the Prince of Wales'
Plate at Punchestown in 1881, and the Germans bought him for £1000.
Since then Linde prepared all the following horses, and, except a few,
for every race they ran : Empress, Woodbrook, Seaman, Cyrus, Martha,
Usna, Lord Tara, Turco, Gamebird, Mohican, Whisper Low, Fairwind,
Carmelite, Too Good, May boy, the two Eyrefields, Primrose League,
Niblick, Alexander, Chancery, Spahi, and quite a host of other clinkers
whose names 1 forget. Lord Tara and Gamebird did wonders for him,
yet all he paid for them was respectively £5 and £65.

Although he takes charge of horses for his friends, he won't take any-
thing but good ones, and always holds a share in their ownership.

Upon the conclusion of the racing on the second day at Punches-
town some five or six years ago, when he had won well-nigh every
race of the meeting, I heard him bidding good-bye to Lord Drogheda,
and winding up with, " I am sorry, my lord, Punchestown does not
continue for a few days longer, so that I might win some more of
your races" !

He has been surnamed The Farmer — I think by the late Captain
Joy — by reason of "farming" — i.e., winning — so many races. By
that title he is often styled by his friends.

In Mrs. Linde her husband has found a partner in every way con-
genial. Of racing she is a capital judge, and takes as much interest
in it as he does. She is a brilliant rider to hounds, and hunts regularly
with the Kildares. They are alike generous and good, and dispense
charity right and left.

At Eyrefield, as at Athgarvan, we have been for a long time, and as
time presses we must leave the hospitable abode where the jovial
master has entertained us the entire time with his amusing anecdotes
and unbounded heartiness.

Within a couple of fields of Eyrefield Lodge, but farther away from
the Curragh towards Athgarvan village, stands Eyrefield House,
where three of the brothers Beasley superintend the training of a most
extensive and highly select lot of racehorses. This ancient edifice is
two-storied, and has at the back a most convenient and excellent
range of stabling, all kept in the most scrupulously tidy style.

I must now say a few words about this celebrated family of

20^

gentlemen jockeys. First, they come of a good old Irish family,
which for many years resided in the County Kildare. The brothers
under notice are Thomas, Harry, William, John, and James. I may
say, without fear of cavil or contradiction, that never in racing history
has there been a record of so many of the one family possessed of
such excellence in horsemanship. I know these young men well, but
even so I beg they will excuse my calling them in this book by the
names they are universally known by, for fear that some of my
readers might not quite know who were "Mr. Thomas Beasley " or
" Mr. Henry Beasley," whereas Tommy and Harry Beasley are known
all over the civilised globe.

Well, anticipating the forgiveness of these fine fellows, I begin with
the eldest. Tommy. He was brought up at the feet of that great
master of steeplechasing, the late Mr. Alan Macdonagh, than whom,
with his brother William, there were no cross - country jockeys
superior in olden time. After getting his first lessons from that
mentor he came under the banner of Mr. Linde, where for many years
past he has remained. To give a full account of this fine horseman's
achievements I shall not attempt. A few, however, may be men-
tioned. He won three Liverpool Grand Nationals on Empress, Wood-
brook, and Frigate ; Croydon Steeplechase of four miles on Pride
of Kildare ; Paris Steeplechase on Whisper Low, and Birmingham
Grand Annual Steeplechase on Abdullah. At Punchestown some of
his principal wins were Prince of Wales' Plate on Eyretield (the first
four-year-old that ever won it) ; two Conyngham Cups on Cork and
Christmas Gift, and at the meeting of 1892 the Kildare Hunt Cup on
Xap, showing that his right hand still retains its cunning. His win
on Christmas Gift in the Conyngham of 1876, when quite a youngster,
was very meritorious, for he beat by a neck, after a desperate race,
the crack Mr. Garry Moore on Scots Grey.

He holds a record in the Grand National quite unparalleled.
Out of twelve rides he won three times, as stated above, was second
twice on Martha and Cyrus, who each lost the race by half-heads,
was third on Martha, and fourth twice on Sultana and Cruiser.
Spahi fell with him at the first fence in 1887 ; and Frigate, in 1890,
when going well, and with a good chance of scoring her second win,
although carrying 12st. 7lb., was knocked down by the French horse
Fetische. He rode Zitella in 1883 and 1884, but I forget whether she
stood up or not. Anyway, out of the twelve mounts he gave a good
account of himself in eight, and it is certain that two, at least, of
the others fell. He won twice in succession, in 1880 and 1881, and
lost it by only a short head the year after.

On the flat Mr. Tommy Beasley is as good as between the flags.
At the Curragh he won its Derby on Pet Fox, Tragedy, and Narragh-
more, several Queen's Plates with Spahi, Carmelite, Red Prince,
Chatterbox, May Boy, etc. He also with two-year-olds won many of
the Waterfords and Angleseys. With Spahi he beat Fred Archer for

203

the Welter a short time before the untimely death of that jockey.
The Baldoyle Derby he won with Primrose League and Grecian Bend.
At Liverpool he won two Welters on Primrose League and Words-
worth.

I don't think his brothers will object to my doing so, or perhaps
disagree with me, when I state as my opinion Tommy is the most
finished jockey of the family. He can ride a tive-furlong race as
skilfully as any professional, while Tom Oliver in his best day could
not give him 3lb. in a Grand National. It is well known that he rode
for the latter with as cool a head as he would in a spin for a tenner.

Like his friend Mr. Garret Moore, he has been singularly lucky in
escaping bad falls. The only one I remember his suffering from was
that given him many years ago by Alhambra at the Curraghmore
meeting, while his worst fall was when he broke his leg riding from the
post-office across the Curragh. No doubt both hB and Mr. Moore
rode as a rule only well-schooled horses, but had it not been for that
cool, steady nerve, which was the peculiar characteristic of these
two gentlemen, a very different result would have been the case.

Besides his brilliancy as a horseman with the silk on, Tommys
Beasley is a tip-top man in scarlet, a combination very rarely met
with. Moreover, he is a crack shot and a skilful fisherman.

The second brother is Harry, and while I doubt that he could ride
a short race on the flat or finish up the straight after a long steeple
chase in the same style as his elder brother, on a rough mount he
certainly is the better man ; in fact, I never saw anyone who could
handle an awkward horse in a steeplechase in such style as Harry
Beasley. It may be said of him as truly as it was some years ago of
Mr. Tom Pickernel, that " he can ride any horse at any fence at any
pace."

He has ridden more in public than his elder brother, and con-
sequently has won more races. Over Punchestown he won oftener
than any man recorded in its annals. I forget how many Conyngham
Gups are to his credit, but on Seaman, Frigate, and on Comeaway
twice were some of the wins. The Sefton Steeplechase at Liverpool
he has won oftener than any other jockey, carrying it off in 1879,
'80, '81, '83, and '85. He won the Grand National in 1891 on Comeaway,
and was second three times and third once out of thirteen mounts,
so his record is little short of Tom's. At Paris he won the
Grand Hurdle Race in 1881 on Seaman, and was second for it on Turco
and Mohican the year before and year after. For the Grand Steeple-
chase he was third on Mohican in 1882, when his brother won with
Whisper Low, and he won that race in '83 with Too Good, and again in
1890 with Royal Meath. Other important events all over the kingdom
he is bracketed with.

He also is a good shot and a fine fisherman. He owes his start
in life as a gentleman rider to Mr. Linde, but for whom he might
never have been heard of except in commercial circles.

204

Willie is the third, and with his brothers, Harry and Johnny, con-
ducts the Eyrefield House establishment. He, too, is a beautiful and
highly-finished horseman. He graduated under Mr. John Hubert
Moore, than whom few more accomplished gentlemen trainers ever
led in a winner. Naturally he has not as brilliant a record as his
elder brothers, but he has scored many times, among them the Conyng-
liam at Punchestown in 1891 on Sarah Bernhardt. He was second
on Frigate for the Grand National in 1888 ; on Flying Column in
'92 he made nearly all the running, finishing fourth out of a field of
five-and-twenty ; and when Harry won the Steeplechase at Paris on
Royal Meath, Willie was handy, ready, in case of accident, to do the
trick on Bayleaf. He has the same style as Tommy, and I am of
opinion he only wants time to become quite as finished.

Johnny and Jimmy Beasley, I think, also got their early tuition
from Mr. Moore, and they likewise do him credit. If they had not
such extraordinary brothers, these two youngsters would be quite at
the top of the tree. Johnny rides in the style of Harry, and fears a
rough mount just as little. Jimmy has been connected with a foreign
stable for some years, and he is now in India, doing well.

The first mount these brothers had for the Grand National was in
1877, when Tommy rode Saltana, and since then (up to 1892) that race
has never been started without some of them. In 1880, '84, '87, and
'89 three rode, while in '79 they all rode except Jimmy, who was
abroad. It is unfortunate, however, that at no time did more than one
get a place.

Here is a family record unparalleled, and likely to remain so : —

Mounts of the Brothers Beasley in the Grand National.
Sixteen Years, 1877-92.

Won.

Second. ; Third.

Not Placed.

Total.

Tommy . .

3
1
0
0

2
3

1
0

1
1
0
0

6

8

1

12

Harry

Willie

13
6

Johnny

3

Total

4

6

2

22

34

Jimmy never rode in the Grand National.

What a sensation would have been caused at Aintree in 1889, had
not Usna broken down at the far-off turn, before coming to Valen-
tine's Brook. Bar any other accident, there is no manner of doubt
he would have won with 12st. 71b., and thereby have broken the
record, while Frigate was going second best. The two brothers,
Harry on Usna and Willie on Frigate, coming away from their field,
and finishing a good race, which no doubt they could have managed

205

to do, would indeed have brought down the stands, or rather sent up
the cheers of those on them.

It is equally certain that if Frigate had not been carried out of the
course by Usna when he broke down, and had to be pulled up to avoid
going into the canal, she would have won by twenty lengths, giving
Willie a blue ribbon.

As I said elsewhere, I don't accord to ordinary owners of racehorsea
much credit simply because they happen to possess great horses.
The one who, in my opinion, deserves laudation is the man, like Harry
Beasley, who can train a horse as he did Comeaway, and on him
carry off the Grand National, that win being, in point of weight and
time, the best on record except Bourton's in 1854.*

These five brothers are quite as popular as they are skilful.

Come, come, we must be off, for we have been nearly as long with
these three gallant young fellows as we were at Athgarvan and Eyre-
field, so, driver, hurry on, for we have no other place to stop at till we
come near the Stand House, which is nearly four miles off.

Hullo, pull up ! Get down, my friends, till I show you our famous
Donnelly's Hollow. Yes, here it was that on the memorable 13th
December, 1815, Dan Donnelly the Irishman beat George Cooper the
Gipsy. Was there ever selected a better site for a prize fight ?
Upon this sward, level as a billiard table, the twenty-four foot ring
was pitched. Around it ample space was afforded within their inner
circle for the upper ten, while the high sloping banks which surmount
three sides of the plateau sheltered from the wind the gladiators, at
the same time affording the occupants of the outer ring a full view of
the battle, standing, as they could do in this natural amphitheatre, in
rows one above the other. I don't suppose a spot more naturally
adapted to the purpose of a fight could be found anywhere.

In 1888 this monument was erected by public subscription to mark
the site of the great battle, and to commemorate the skill and
endurance of a brave Irishman. See how the pretty little erection
with its neat railing has been defaced by thoughtless people, who with
Goth and Vandal notions break off pieces to carry away as mementoes !

From Donnelly's Hollow to the Stand House, on the north side of
the Curragh, we have no racing stables, although in days gone by
at Crotanstown were housed good horses.

There is the road to Newbridge, and here at this corner is the place
where I got the upseb which you saw the illustration of at Linde's.
Yes, returning to Newbridge about four years ago, after spending a
festive night at Eyrefield Lodge, I and two others got here about as
complete a capsize off a jarvey as ever men got. The driver, enter-
tained no doubt by " Dan " with the hospitality proverbial at that
house, would not be restrained from driving full speed along the road
we have ju^t travelled, although the night was dark as Erebus. You

* Since I wrote the above Cloister has won carrying 12.st. 71b. ; and poor
Willie Beasley has been killed.

206

see there are no fences and nothing dividing it from the grass but
drains over a foot deep and two feet wide, with banks of mud thrown
off the road on the inside. Sweeping round this turn at the Soldiers'
Home, going ten miles an hour, the near wheel, over which I was
sitting, ran up on the bank. In the twinkling of an eye the car was
sent flying upside down, and the driver in a tangent from his seat ;
the other two fellows went sprawling all fours, while I described,
from the near to the off side, a back somersault so complete that I
landed on the road in the sitting position which a second before I was
in on the car. The sensible old horse luckily stood stock still,
and when we picked ourselves up we found no one had sustained
the least injury. Not so our habiliments. In a pretty pickle our
evening clothes were with mud, for in the darkness down v/as coming
the rain in torrents. Neither was injury done the car beyond having
the iron rail of the driving-seat bulged in. This, they said, was
caused by the weightiest part of my body coming in collision with it
in my aerial transit !

We now arrive at the Stand House. See now before you, my friends,
our historic Curragh racecourse. Yonder to the left is the four-mile
post, used only for the Queen's Plates. Starting there is seen, in
their stride, the horses coming along that wide stretch at foot of yon
slope. Sweeping round the post, near the chains they pass the stand
outside the rails, going far away to the left by the starting post, and
finishing up the straight from the chains ; thus doing their four miles
without travelling twice over the same ground, except for about two
furlongs. Can you beat that at Newmarket, or have you in all your
courses a better run-home?

Here, at back of the stand, is Waterford Lodge, called, as you know,
after "The Marquis." Close by lived for years old Davy Canavan,
who sixty years ago trained at Gurteen for Mr. John Power. It was
he who trained Valentine, Tidy, and other celebrated horses, the
property of the popular, but unfortunate. Squire of Gurteen. Canavan
was a good horseman of the old school, and his sons William and
David were equally so of a more modern era.

Old Davy was sent to Leicestershire in charge of a horse to a
gentleman who had bought him from Mr. Power. The horse was bred
near Tramore and was a famous hunter, but necessarily unaccustomed
to water, of which we have very little in Ireland. The new owner
was well pleased with the appearance of the horse, and amongst other
questions asked if he was good at water, to which Davy replied,
" Arragh ! why wouldn't he ? Wasn't he bred in sight o' the say ! "

Hamilton Lodge, close by the Stand House, is where James Dunne
trains a few horses. He, too, is of the good old school, and was an
accomplished horseman in his day. At this lodge, nigh a hundred
years ago, dwelt ^Ir. Robert Hamilton, a benefactor to Irish racing,
of whom more anon.

Passing under the Piailway bridge we see half a mile off the Curragh

207

Gorse, and shortly afterwards arrive at Kathbride Cottage, where that
fiae horseman, Mr. William P. Cullen, has lately come to reside, and
has several useful animals under his charge.

Historic llathbride Manor is close by, and was for years the abode
of the St. Georges and the Irvines. Here in old times were stabled
many famous racehorses, including Faugh-a-ballagh and Mickey Free.
The bones of the latter rest here. Within the past few months, Mr. Rice
Meredith has come to live at the manor. Perhaps no young trainer
of present times, excepting my figurative companion George Dawson,
has achieved in so short a time more successful results for his patrons
than Mr. Meredith. Not alone in Ireland, but in England, and for
many most important races, has he led back winners within the four
years he has undertaken the duties of public trainer. From this
gentleman and his father before him, Punchestown course has been
rented ever since races were established there. In Mrs. Meredith he
has a wife who looks after her husband's business as carefully and
efficiently as himself. Kind for her, for is she not the daughter of
Tom Waters, and great-granddaughter of Watts, who bred and owned
The Baron ?

A mile farther on we arrive at Rossmore Lodge, called after the
nobleman who, with many others of the same class, was a column of
our Irish racing half a century ago. The eccentric Tom Ferguson lived
here in the thirties and trained the famous Harkaway. For many
years Joe French, a quondam trainer from Newmarket", lived there, and
cared his horses with consummate ability. It was he who turned
out Bendigo when he won the Cambridgeshire in 1883. Strange that
with all his sagacity he should have lost most of his earnings upon
backing horses, resulting in his having to live for the last of his years
upon a small annuity. He died at Newmarket in 1890. During recent
years Mr. Frederick F. Cullen has sojourned at Rossmore Lodge,
He with his brother William are, like Mr. Meredith, young trainers,
and also have been most successful for their patrons. L^nlike most
others, they are their own "first jockeys," and whether it be on the
flat or over a country few men can give weight to either of these
gentlemen.

Milletta Lodge we pass by, as no one has lived there for some years.
Poor Reggie Greville had it for a time. You remember he was called
The Limb, and rode as Mr. St. James. He was a capital horseman,
and connected with the Jockey Hall stable, for which he won many
steeplechases, principally over Punchestown, where he was almost invin-
cible. The poor little fellow was killed at Sandown, dying, as he always
■wished to, with a silk jacket on.

Curragh View is next reached. It has just been vacated for Rath-
bride by Mr. Meredith, and is a cosy little place for a small string.
Here a trainer of no mean sagacity sojourned for many years— Tom
Connolly. This ends our visits and brings us to within a mile or two
of Kildare, from which we started many hours ago.

208

Thus have we made a circuit of the famous Curragh and visited
nearly, if not quite, all its training stables. My three companions
agree with me that a more enjoyable drive, or a round of calls more
pleasant to make, would indeed be diflBcult to find, while no more
hospitable or agreeable hosts coald be found anywhere than the
trainers residing on the Curragh of Kildare.

Our lots are cast in pleasanter times than those of the old folk.
My old grandmother used to relate thrilling accounts of dark
deeds committed on the Curragh, when the high road from the south of
Ireland to Dublin lay across it between the towns of Kildare and
Newbridge. The bleak and dreary waste was then the scene of
many a robbery committed by Redmond O'Hanlon, Freney, and other
notorious highwaymen. When journeying from Mooresfortto Dublin,
as my grandparents did annually to spend the winter in the metropo-
lis over a hundred years ago, they always broke the journey at Carlow,
so that their old carriage might rumble across the Curragh in day-
light. Upon one occasion they were more than a fortnight on the
road, having been snowed up, and such-like delays were often experi-
enced by travellers in those days.

As I said before, the stablings at the Curragh are, in many instances,
precisely as they stood nearly a century ago. Of course, therefore,
there are now to be seen the veritable stalls in which our great horses
were located during their running period, and where they stood
while transmitting to posterity the very best and stoutest blood that
is to be found in the Stud-book of to-day.

Reverencing as I do everything that has history attached to it,
particularly if it pertains to sport, I visit with infinite pleasure
those old places whenever I get the chance. Thioking, perhaps, that
my readers might like to hear something of these great racehorse pro-
genitors and where they were located, I shall tell of a few, but I shan't
weary them with lengthened pedigrees or performances which have
been so often published, and which can, with some trouble, be traced
in our old Racing Calendars.

Sir Hercules, by Whalebone, out of Peri, was foaled in the north of
Ireland, in 1826, and was, as everyone knows, the sire of Irish Bird-
catcher and Faugh-a-ballagh, also of the great steeplechase mare
Brunette. I am not sure, but I think he was called after the cele-
brated wit of his day, Sir Hercules Langrishe of Knocktopher Abbey.
At all events, early in the thirties he was the property of Lord Langford,
and stood at Summerhill, co. Meath, and I think he stood for a time
somewhere at the Curragh.

-, Guiccioli, in about 1828, was bought by Mr. Robert J. Hunter, and
was stabled for some years at Turf Lodge, but it was at Brownstown,
when the property of Mr. George Knox, that she became the
dam of Birdcatcher in 1833, of Faugh-a-ballagh in 1841, and of
Connaught Ranger in 1842, the latter being by Harkaway and the
others by Sir Hercules. Guiccioli, by Bob Booty, out of Flight, was
bred in about 1823 by either Mr. Martin Joseph Blake of Galway, or

by Mr. Joseph Miles Macdonnell of Dim Castle, co. Mayo. The former
was known as " the man for Gal way," and the latter as "Joe More '
{A7iglice, Big Joe). At an ordinary during a race-meeting at Kilkenny,
Mr. Hunter asked, would anyone buy for £30 Guiccioli, then in foal
to Roller, and the late Mr. John H. Jones of Mullinabro', near Water-
ford, would have done so had he not been dissuaded by his friend Sir
Richard Cox, who said to him, " Why do you want to buy such a cat
of a thing 1 She'll never breed hunters for you."

Mr. Jones, who was a great friend of mine, told me years ago the
narrative. He was all through his long life very fond of breeding
horses. The last he bred was Paddy, by Skylark, out of Mavourneen,
who won the Manchester November Handicap in 1892. He also bred
Bacchus, by -Uncas, out of Nelly, a horse which in his racing career
carried a great deal of money.

Guiccioli was put to Roller twice, but the produce was not remark-
able, except perhaps in George. The best of this mare's progeny un-
doubtedly were Birdcatoher, Faugh-a-ballagh, and Connaught Ranger.

Roller, by Quiz, was one of the greatest horses of his day, and was
also the property of Mr. Hunter, but he was imported from England.
He raced from, and stood at. Turf Lodge, where Mr. Hunter resided
before he became our racing judge, which he did some forty years
ago. Roller won twenty-nine races, mostly of four miles. He got a
great many good horses, including Colonel Westenra's Freney.

Birdcatcher was bred in 1833, and, as I have stated, by Mr. Knox
at Brownstown House, but Mr. William Disney purchased him
afterwards, and it was at Lark Lodge he stood as a stallion. His
greatest race was for the Peel Cup at the Curragh October meeting
in 1836, which he won by more than a distance, beating Freney and
others ; nor could he be pulled up till he had run into Newbridge,
nearly two miles from the winning post. For racing purposes he
never recovered that performance. He was put to the stud in 1838,
and covered until 1859, during which long period he was about the
most successful sire this kingdom has ever had, his grandson, Stock well,
perhaps alone excepted. He covered, off and on, in England and
Ireland — about half his time in each country. He died in 1860, and
his head was given to the Dublin Royal Veterinary Co legp, while his
body lies buried at Lark Lodge.

Bob Booty was another of our great Irish horses. He was bred in
1804 by Mr. Denis Bowes Daly, then and for many years residing at
Athgarvan Lodge, the present home of Mr. William Pallin. He was
by the imported Chanticleer, but out of lerne, bred at the Curragh
in 1790 by Mr. Robert Hamilton. Practically, therefore. Bob Booty
was an Irish horse. He did not start for his first race till he was
four years old, but he won that, it being a King's Plate of four miles
at the Curragh. Mr. Daly then brought him to England, where he
won some trying races, and beat first-rate horses. He was then sent
back lo the Curragh, where in 1809 he won the Kildare Stakes— a

F

210

great trial race in those days— and al&o a King's Plate of four mile
heats, beating the famous Hollyhock and several others. He ran
till he was six years old, and was then put to the stud by Mr. Daly
at Athgarvan Lodge, where he begat many winners. His name is
most famous as being the sire of Guiccioli, Pleiad, and Ildegarda.
Pleiad was the dam of Maria, by Sir Hercules, while Hdegarda foaled
Colonel Westenra's Thump to Humphry Clinker and Mr. William
Quid's Wheel to Camel. These were some of the best horses of their day.

Bagot, foaled towards the close of last century, was not a success on
the Turf, but he was so well bred Mr. Hamilton bought him and
located him at his lodge near the Stand House, where he got many
good winners, including Master Bagot out of Harmony, by Eclipse, who
was the best horse in Ireland at the time, and perhaps as good as
any in England. He was sire of Hollyhock and many other wonderful
horses. Mr. Hamilton was an astute breeder of the thoroughbred, and
from Hamilton Lodge sent many good horses, but I need not parti-
cularise them.

Mr. Edwards, who was a Yorkshireman, was also a great Irish bene-
factor in the early part of this and latter part of last century, but I
don't know exactly where he resided on the Curragh. He imported
Tom Tug, previously called Ptover, from England in about 1782, and
he became the most popular sire of his time in Ireland ; from him
sprang Commodore, Cornet, and Sweet William. Commodore,
bred in 1794 also by Mr. Edwards, was out of that good mare
Sniallhopes, by Scaramouch. He also bred Irish Escape, by Commo-
dore out of the Hightiyer mare, bred by Mr. Tattersall at Highflyer
Hall in 1791. To enumerate Irish Escape's victories would fill many
piges, I therefore only say he was one of the very best horses that
ever ran on the Curragh; but he got nothing of much note except
the clinking Milesius and Flight, the dam of Guiccioli.

The Baron, by Birdcatcher, out of Echidna, was bred in 1842 at
Jockey Hall by Mr. "Watts ; and, it is needless to say, the famous
Stock well, foaled in 1849, was got by The Baron out of Pocahontas
(1837), and was, bar his grandsire Birdcatcher, the very greatest sire
England ever possessed.

Russborough of more recent years was another good horse. He
was by Tearaway out of Cruiskeen. He belonged to Lord Mill-
town, and was called after his seat in Kildare. AVhen march-
ing across the Curragh with his regiment in the spring of 1850,
Captain Peel (alluded to in the history of the Curraghmore Hunt)
was told by a shepherd that a good horse was located in Murphy's
stable at Pope Lodge. This was Ilussborough. At the following
Curragh June Meeting Captain Peel brought Lord Waterford to
Murphy's to try and buy the horse, but he would not be sold, and
Murphy was exceedingly surprised at their knowing anything about
him. Three months ^ter wards he ran a dead heat with A'oitigeur
for the Leger. Ilussborough did nothing at the sUid.

211

I shall now leave this portion of my subject, for although it has
treated of only a very few of our greatest Irish horses, and those of
olden time, pedigrees and such particulars are not palatable to some
of the present generation, but it is well to let them know what we
Irish have done for the English Turf from its earliest history down to
this day. I have made allusion only to horses which stood at the
Curragh, leaving out scores and scores which stood in the country
many of them being quite as famous as some of those I have men-
tioned. Eclipse, of course, as everyone knows, was an Irish horse,
and belonged to Colonel O'Kelly, a forefather of the Kildare family,
but I don't know if he was ever located at the Curragh.

Like other institutions, and mortals as well, the British Turf has
to thank luck for some of its greatness. It is to pure good fortune
that we are indebted for the great Stock well, for if we had not
escaped three distinct disasters, that horse and his strain would never
have been heard of. Here they are : —

No. 1. Had Guiccioli been bought from Mr. Hunter by Mr. Jones,
she in all probability would never have been put to Sir Hercules, or
bred Birdcatcher — ergo, no Stockwell !

No. 2. Birdcatcher was very nearly being lost, for when a yearling
he got a severe attack of inflammation of the lungs, and was, at
Brownstown, actually turned out to die !

No. 3. Echidna was the property of Mr. Watts of Jockey Hall, but
she was no use for racing purposes. Her owner offered her in 1840 to
a. priest near the Curragh for £20, but his reverence would give only
£10. This was refused, and as Birdcatcher was standing close by at
Brownstown, Watts put the mare to him in 1841, and she foaled The
Baron.

Were there ever more miraculous escapes ?

It is certain that Harkaway during most of his racing career was
trained at Hossmore Lodge, but I can't say if he was located at the
Ourragh while at the stud. I must, however, before ending this chapter,
refer to the horse which was not alone the best ever bred in Ireland, but
was perhaps the best that ever carried a saddle. At the same time I
shall allude to his owner, who was as extraordinary as the horse.

Thomas Ferguson was an Ulster man, and resided for many years at
Barkston Lodge, near Newry, but I don't know whether he was born
there or not. He began life in a linen factory, but having the love of
sport, particultirly racing, deeply ingrafted in him, it was not long before
he gave up the calico and took to silk.

Coming south, and being an accomplished horseman, a good sports-
man, and genial companion, he soon made for himself a name, and
became a general favourite among racing men, so much so that after a
time he was elected member of the Cofi*ce Room. He ovned several
good horses, among them Teetotum, Beagle, Peacemaker, Barkston, and
Rust. This was the time when Alan and William Macdonagh were in
their prime as gentlemen steeplechase jockeys, but neither the brothers,

212

John Dennis, nor anyone else in Ireland could do much better across
country than Tom Ferguson.

In process of time he became possessed of an unnamed chestnut mare,
by Xabocklish out of Miss Tooley, bred by Lord Cremorne. He put
her to Economist, and in 1834 she dropped Harkaway. He was a late
foal, but grew into an oversized and ungainly colt. He was not paid
much attention to at first, nor was he started for a race until September,
1836, when, not half fit, he was beaten in the Angleseys at the Carragh.

After this he was beaten three times and won twice, but it was not
until June, 1837, he showed his true form, when in the Kir wans he
proved himself one of the most extraordinary horses of the day. In
that race, carrying 7st. 13lb., he beat with the greatest ease such cracks
as Birdcatcher, Freney, Langford, Blackfoot, Mercury, and six others.
From that time forward Harkaway got little rest. He was run at every
Curragh meeting for a year after, and was beaten only in the Kirwans
of June, 1838, carrying oflF as he did in 1837 three King's Plates, the
Xorthumberland Handicap, the Wellingtons, the Kirwans (again in
October), the Challenge for same and the Royal Whip. In 1838 he won
the Rossmore Handicap, the Wellingtons, the Kirwans, and no less than
four Queen's Plates. Altogether, from September, 1836, till June, '38,
he ran twenty-three races at the Curragh, and won eighteen of them,
beating easily, after giving them lumps of weight, some of the best
horses ever bred in Ireland.

During the same period we find the great chestnut at many of the
English meetings. His first appearance in England was at the Liverpool
July meeting of 1838, in the Tradesmen's Cup, for which he started
favourite, although carrying top weight and only recently arrived from
Ireland after a two days' voyage in a schooner. He ran splendidly, but
was beaten half a length by St. Bennett, to whom he gave 15lb., while
amongst the eleven behind him were such celebrities as Melbourne,
Cardinal Puff, and Cruiskeen. He pulled up very lame, but his
irrational and headstrong owner insisted upon running him next day.
He won the first heat easily, but was beaten in the second, and had to
be withdrawn.

Ferguson's ability had then to be taxed to the utmost to get his horse
fit for the Goodwood Cup, which followed in less than a fortnight. To
southern Hampshire from Liverpool the good horse had to be caravanned,
and when he arrived, naturally he was anything but fit, or even fresb.
Nevertheless he won the race without an efForfc from a large field of
horses, amongst them being Dormouse, D'Egville, and Miss Adrien, to
all of whom he conceded great weight.

At Cheltenham, in 1839, he beat another lot, including Caravan and
Grey Momus, the latter having previously won for Lord George
B ntinck the Two Thousand and the Leger, the Ascot Gold Cup, the
Grand Duke Michael and the Drawing Room Stakes, besides other
great races. This was a huge triumph for Ferguson, who hated with
intensity Lord George, with whom he was continually at variance.

213

Harkaway's greatest performance was perhaps that of winning the
Goodwood Cup of 1839 (second year in succession). The distance was
two miles and three-quarters, and this, carrying 9st. 410., he did
under five minutes, and beat with the greatest ease eight of the best
horses in England, to all of which he gave a lot of weight, except the
olio king Epirus of the same age, who carried equal weight, but was
beaten a distance.

It would be tedious to particularise auy more performances of this
marvellous horse, so I shall sum up in a nutshell his career : He began
as a two-year-old at the Curragh in September, 1836, between which
and October, 1841, he ran there 29 times, and won 19. In England he
ran 15 races, and won eight of them, making 27 wins out of 44 starts.
His last race was at the Curragh October meeting of 1841, when for
Her Majesty's Plate he was beaten.

The annals of the Turf accord to Harkaway praise equal to any horse,
while the press of the day is unanimous in declaring he was the best
that ever started ; and many men, even up to now, allege that his
superior has never since appeared.

He was equally good over all courses, from one to four miles, while
big weight made no difference to him, and carrying it he beat the best
horses in England and Ireland.

From the records of the Turf we learn with regret that by reason
of malpractice of his owner the running of Harkaway was greatly
interfered with, and there remains no doubt whatever that he could
have won many more races than he did, perhaps every one he started
for.

Ferguson, while naturally a very good-hearted, amiable man, was
afflicted with a violent, and at times ungovernable, temper, which could
not brook opposition, much less what he considered injustice, and when
he met with such he would give way to paroxysms of rage unrestrained
in violence. This infirmity made him many enemies, and brought him
constantly into trouble, for he cared not for class or person. In
fact, the more exalted in station the man might be who provoked him,
the more terrible was Tom's scathing vituperation.

Towards the end of 1838, after winning the Chesterfield Stakes, he
had a terrible row with the Jockey Club, owing to Lord George
Bentinck having forestalled him in backing Harkaway, and in charac-
teristically forcible fashion delivered himself of the following announce-
ment: "I've got the Chesterfield Stakes, and I will get more, but, by
G — , the public must understand that Harkaway is my horse, to win
money for me, and not for any d— d fellow, either a lord or a lord by
courtesy and a thief byfhe curse of God ! "

Lord George Bentinck offered a great price for Harkaway, and
several others wanted to buy him, but no money would tempt his
owner. To one man, who wrote to ask the price and what condition
the horse was in, " Choleric Tom " laconically replied, " His price is
6,000 guineas, and I hunt him twice a week" !

214

During the Harkaway era Ferguson suffered a great deal from gout
which tended to make him all the more violent, and may, perhaps,
to some extent account for the outrageous manner he behaved and
ran his horse.

Harkaway was at times treated very unjustly in weights, and this
immensely riled his owner, but knowing how great were his horse's
powers he felt on nearly all occasions disposed to back him. If,
however, he found himself forestalled, he would bet against him, and
then either scratch him or have him pulled. This he made no secret of
but warned the public both by stentorian voice in the ring, and through
the press, that Harkaway's running did not depend upon the horse's
condition nearly as much as upon the condition of his owner's book.
Nor were these tactics confined to England At the Curragh and other
places in Ireland Ferguson ran Harkaway and other horses in a most
scandalous manner. On one occasion on Blackrock Strand, not many
miles from his own home^ when everyone in Newry, then a town of
more importance than Belfast, bad backed his horse Barkston, he
rode him into the sea, having laid heavily against him !

That Ferguson should have in the end of his career acted as he did
is'the more to be regretted by reason of his being possessed of many
estimable qualities, and having started as a Turfite under such favour-
able auspices. It is in the interest of this extraordinary horte that I
relate the malpractice of his owner, which, however, is simple history.

From an old cutting I copy a description given of Harkaway
when he was at the stud. In colour he was a dark chestnut of beauteous
and unc :)mmon brilliancy, indicative of the highest breeding. He was
very highly topped, and had a large lean head, broad forehead, listening
ears, full, good-tempered and soft eye, a blazed face and very large
nostril, the more remarkable as being bald on the near side. His lips
were very thin and firm, his crest was peacocky with a long and powerful
neck, which even in training could never^ be got lean. He had grand
shoulders thrown well into the back, exceptionally high wither, great
but long back, giant forearm, capital rib, bringing in an altogether
splendid forehand to a hindquarters equally so. The quarters were
deep, with broad ragged hips, tail set high, from a great dock carried
out in a way that implied vigour ; remarkably sunken anus^ close
sheath, powerful gaskins, hocks a trifle " cow-fashioned," which brought
them closer together than the hoofs, great flat swordy legs, pasterns
rather long, with good sound large feet. His girth measurement was
extraordinary, but he always stood a little over his forelegs. Though his
tail was set high, he was a trifle goose-rumped ; and, standing nearly
16.2, he was not in the least split up. He was longer from his hip
to his stifle and from his hip to his hock than any ordinary horse, and
measured more from the point of the shoulder to the rump than any
horse of the day. The formation of his hocks, as with many other
clinkers, gave him wide spreading action in his gallop.

This description coincides entirely with what was told me of Hark-

215

away quite recently by a well-known Newmarket trainer who remembers
him well. From it can be seen that while possessed of magnificent
points his general conformation must have been ungainly, and his
appearance would not warrant his wonderful performances.

Ferguson had not many horses of merit after Harkaway went to the
stud, and, retiring from the Turf, he died in a few years. Harkaway
was then sold to Mr. David Robertson, at whose place, Ladykirk, in
Berwickshire, " the great Irish chestnut" died in February, 1859.

Like many other horses whose performances were of the highest order
Harkaway was not very successful at the stud. At the same time he
got several useful animals in Peep o' Day Boy, Horn of Chase, Bal-
linafad, Chaseaway, Wild Huntsman, Blucher, Idle Boy, while Tom
King, out of Pocahontas, must keep for ever in memory the great
Harkaway. His daughters were more useful than the sons, and among
them we find the dams of celebrated horses -notably Irish Queen, dam
of Sweetsauce ; Golden Horn, of Wild Oats ; Thorn, of Sprig of Shille-
lagh ; Lizzie, of Leprechaun ; while from Queen Bee has come the
celebrated " Bee family," so identified with the good sportsmen, the
Dunnes of Ballymanus.

Since I wrote the foregoing chapter there happened at the Curragh
one of the most melancholy events which was ever recorded in its
annals. I allude to the untimely death of Mr. William Beasley, to
which I make further reference in my chapter on Panchestown.

At the time of his brother's death Mr. Tommy Beasley was going
to be married. The wedding had, of course, to be postponed for some
months, but it has since been celebrated. To illustrate how
universally popular is that gentleman, I may mention that over five
hundred of his friends joined in the purchase of a testimonial in
the shape of plate and jewellery, which was presented to him and
Mrs. Beasley. The subscription was fixed at a sovereign, and there-
fore the sum reached only a little over £500, otherwise it would have
come up to a ve ry large amount.

216

CHAPTER Xlir.

DRIVING.

A Horsemau— A Coacliman— An Irish Turn-out— Fanerals— An Iri^li Servant's Hat— Whip
—Boots and Breeches— Dubliners v. Yorkshiremea— " The Tantivy " — English Traps —
Irish Jarveys — Irish Drivers — London v. DubUn — Fun in the Streets— Wilson's Posting
Kbtablishment — Ten miles an Hour — Not Driving — Larry Doolan — Irish Wit— Fairy
House and Baldoyle v. Epsom and Sandown— Exceptions- Dublin Horse Show—
Dimdalk Traps— English Haoknej^ Traps— Taste v. Money— A Money-made Turn-out
—Taste— To Fit— To Balance— A Description— Tuition— Tlie OM Waterford Traps-
Wilson's of Liverpool— An Object Lesson— Driving at Dublin Horse Show— Wilson's
Turns-out— Hodgson's Driving — Great Improvement— Table of Driving Prizes— Pull
and Put Ourselves Together — Good Irish Drivers — Sailing a Boat v. Driving Horses —
John Bates— Dungarvan Coach Horses— A liuna.v,a.y— D rivinn— 'Nerve and Pluck—
A Comparison— Aurhor's Experience of a Queer Lot— Selby's Drive— Two Good
Reproductions.

One glance at a man getting into his saddle, sitting down in it,
and taking hold of his horse's mouth will generally show whether he is
a horseman or not. Half a glance, however, is sufficient to show, by
the way he gets into a trap, settles himself, and takes up his reins
and whip, whether a man is a coachman or not.

All the world knows that we Irish can breed a horse, train him,
and ride him as well as any other men under the sun ; in fact, we
are born horsemen. To Irish-bred horses England owes the best
strains in the Stud-book, and Irish-trained racers, everyone knows,
have beaten the best that England could pull out against them over
nearly every course, long or short, flat or flagged. Nor can England
produce any man who can beat our good men to a pack of hounds,
even over his own country ; no more can she produce better finished
gentlemen jockeys than we can.

It is altogether another part of speech when we come to a trap and
driving it. In turning it out properly, and driving it in workmanlike
style, we are not in it with the Saxon.

If we have a w^ell-matched pair of horses — and seldom we have — either
the harness or the trap they are tackled to is unsuitable ; or if by
chance there happens to be a fairly harmonious combination, all will
be spoiled by the coachman's want of skill, bad seat on his box, or
ill-fitting livery.

Any man who understands the subject may easily satisfy himself of
the truth of this by standing for a short time in any fashionable street
of Dublin or in our provincial towns. A really perfectly put together
turn-out, properly driven by a smart-looking and smartly got-up coachman,
will not be seen in a week in Ireland. Something is sure to be wrong.

217

and anyone who knows how the thing should be done must agree
with me.

Even our funerala we can't do properly. The stately Belgian,
whose slow high-kneed action, arched crest, appropriate colour, with
long flowing mane and tail, so eminently adapt him for the mourn-
ful duty, is conspicuous by his absence as the motive power of our
hearses and mourning carriages. In Dublin as well as other towns
in Ireland the grotesque appearance of the hearse, horses, and driver
is at times provocative of feelings other than those suitable to a
funeral. Not so in England, where that sort of business is carritd out
on a system alike sombre, sedate, and lachrymose. I venture to say
that the body of a humble artisan in Liverpool is, at the cost of some
£7 or £8 to his representatives, sent to the grave in style more appro-
priately smart than perhaps would be one of the members of an Irish
Town Council at five times the money.

What bothers an Irish servant more almost than anything else is
his hat. Not five in fifty can put it on right, while four out of the
five will have it wrong in five minutes after. His whip, too, is a source
of continued inconvenience to the ordinary Hibernian Jehu ; he seldom,
if ever, holds or uses it in orthodox style.

And, oh ! ye descendants of Barclay and Tautz, take pattern from the
boots and breeches of an average Irish coachman. No matter how well
off his master may be, see how the poor fellow is rigged out— his clothes
suggest, indeed, that they were cut by a carpenter and sewn by a sail-
maker. Also take a look at the polish and pipeclay. Hawkes of
Piccadilly might at the same time see the effect of utilising a livery box
or body coat originally built for a thirteen stone man on his successor
in service weighing ten or eleven stone, and two or three inches shorter
in stature.

As a matter of fact it would be well if some of our Irish gentry,
particularly the Dubliners, were to follow the example of their English
brethren— in Yorkshire, for instance— in the way they turn out, not only
their horses and traps, but their men, for of course it is the masters
alone who are to blame. Fancy a servant with a big bushy beard,
colour, say, carrotty, driving a carriage in Hyde Park !

Mr. Thompson's coach, "The Tantivy," which he trots from the Shel-
bourne to Bray, etc., and back daily in summer, is as well put together
and workmanlike a turn-out as any which leaves the White Horse
Cellars. The horses are well matched, and with good action step together ;
they are harnessed " brilliant in brass and in leather," and tackled to as
good a cut of a coach as any bowling up Piccadilly. Mr. Thompson, too,
is up to the work of which he is so passionately fond, for he is a
thoroughly good coachman; but— and this plucks " The Tantivy" of first
honours — he scarcely possesses that easy grace on the box which
*' Nimrod " describes, and he holds his hands too high.

Look at the thousands of private traps of all sorts we see in London
and in England generally ; how few there are in which a fault can be

218

found as regards smartness. Nearly all are tooled by men who are
innate drivers and turned out as smartly as Melton men at Kirby Gate
on the first Monday in November.

Irish drivers, be they jarveys, servants, or gentlemen, as a rule drive
entirely for themselves ; they do not care a jot for their neighbours
and never think of giving them a chance. Our streets, where with com-
paratively little traffic blocks and collisions constantly occur, give ample
proof of this. In England a man drives quite as much for his neighbour
as for himself, and each knows exactly where the other will go ;
this, with ten times the crowd and traffic met with in Ireland, enables
them to steer their traps clear through, with at times little more than
an inch to spare between the wheels. Thus it is that driving in London
with all its crowd is easy and safe, while in Dublin, notwithstanding
its wider streets and little traffic, it is difficult and dangerous, for one
man seldom knows where the other will go to.

Our Sackville-street is, I believe, the finest and widest street of its
length in Europe. I am sorry to say it has not nearly the thoroughfare
its dimensions would accommodate. There, at times, you see what bad
driving is, particularly at the Carlisle Bridge end, where the cross-traffic
of the quays intersects that of the bridge and street. You also see some
fun occasionally in Dame and Grafton streets, but everything goes on
jovially enough. No one gives quarter, and no one expects it. Carts
cross carriages, while cars go for cabs, running at or into one another
just as opportunity afTords. Notwithstanding the confusion, you hear
none of the slanging, barging, or bad language from Dublin drivers you
hear from Londoners when a block occurs. No, with us that sort of
thing is taken as a matter of course, and in the best of humour.

At times we find on the stand a really excellent "outside," smart
in appearance and well driven by a man properly got up, but it is the
exception and you see scarcely any in whose get-up .or method faults
cannot be found ; while the great majority, as regards horse, harness^
car, and man, are badly turned out, and the driving is infamous.

Dear old Dublin has been described as the " car-drivingest city in the
world," and so it is. To see the jarveys rattling along Essex and other
narrow quays of our city at ten miles an hour every evening from the
Cork Express at King's Bridge is a caution ! Still more is it on a
Curragh evening, and tenfold more when returning rom Punchestown.
But that is not driving.

Our Irish "car-driver" is one of the last of our old institutions, and
far be it from me to say or do anything to injure him. I write as I do
with the earnest wish to induce him to smarten himself and his turn-out.
He is civil and honest to a degree, and always contented with a just
fare, the assessment of which he generally leaves " to your own honour."
No other man in his humble sphere of life possesses such a fund of
interesting anecdote, nor is Irish wit brought to the front more promi-
nently than by Larry Doolan.

Notwithstanding all I have said, we have cars in Dublin which can

219

bowl you along to Fairy House or Baldoyle, ay, even to Punchestown,
more merrily than any hansom will to Sandown or Epsom ; while the
wit and jocularity of the driver are unknown quantities in the Saxon.

In fact the gemis London cab and 'bus driver is in my opinion about
the least amusing person in the world. All the information he seems
capable of imparting is on the state of the weather, which, from
ocular demonstration, you know all about yourself. At the same
time these men are all first-rate whips.

The jarvey trials at our Dublin Horse Show must convince all that
the trappers are first-class and are well driven, while no traps can be
turned out more smartly. Let us hope these trials will stimulate the
jarveys as a class to general improvement.

The north of Ireland hack cars are much better appointed and horsed
than those of the south, and the drivers know their business much
better. Dundalk, I think, "takes the cake" in this respect from all
Ireland. In no place have I ever seen so many well turned-out traps
for hire as in that rising and prosperous little town.

Old Ireland is not the only place where we find badly turned-out
hackney traps ; every town in England provides them, but as a rule
they are all well driven.

A trap, no matter of what sort, can be turned out smartly at very
little expense if a man knows how to go about it, but unless he does
and has taste, money will be of very little assistance to him.

It is easy to recognise what is turned out hy money alone. The
horses may be well bred, but they are nearly always long in the back
and long in the leg, their action in front is uneven, and very bad
behind ; the harness is bound to be brand new, with flowing forehead-
band rosettes. Wherever a spare inch is to be found the owner's crest
is stuck on, just as if the various pieces were going to be run away with
if they were not so stamped. The carriage will be painted in lively
colour and picked out in that still more so, while it, too, will be adorned
conspicuously with the owner's heraldic bearings. All that costs a lot
of money, and, as a rule, the turn-out is not what a gentleman's
should be.

Now a man with taste and knowing what he is about can put together
in the acme of style, a trap for himself or a carriage for his wife, at half the
money which it has cost the other to make a mess of it. The taste for
such, however, must be born in a man ; it may be improved by
experience, but assuredly it cannot be bought.

A trap, whether it be a cab or a car, a cart or a coach, a barouche or
a brougham, to look well must have everything to correspond — to fit — to
balance. One item out of place spoils the whole. A little man driving
a coach spoils the efi'ect, be it in other respects the smartest at a meet
of the Four-in-Hand, while a big heavy man upsets the cut of a polo-
cart, however good its own equipoise.

No matter how well shaped they may be, if the horses do not match
each other in action, pace, and pull, and don't lift their hind legs, they

220

cannot set off to advantage the trap that is behind them. The harness
has to be regulated in style to match the horses as well as the vehicle.
A rakish tandem set cannot be adapted to a brougham, nor can a
barouche follow a set of tan.

The trap, no matter of what description, must be built on lines
graceful and evenly proportioned, and unless it be tackled to the pony,
the horse, pair, or team it is suitable for, the effect of the whole will be
spoiled. Then comes the last, but far from being the least, requisite—
the coachman. That functionary must sit behind his horses in position
such as will make it appear he can drive, and when he sets his horses
going he must prove it, and unless he does the whole turn-out is bereft
of interest to the man of taste.

The coachman, be he gentleman, professional, or servant, should be
dressed in accord ; one should not aj^e the other.

As with the points of a horse or a hound so it is with a trap. No one
can put it together properly on paper. Neither can driving be
taught with a pen. The only way a man can learn to drive is to get
instructions, with a pair of horses before him, from a man who can.
A practical example or a good pattern is what is required to teach
him how to put together a trap. I shall therefore refer to a few
traps which I bear in mind as having been, what I call, properly turned-
out and driven. They are all well remembered by many others besides me,
for they came from in or near Waterford, where I spent most of my life.

The Misses Barron, of Newtown, had a brougham very perfectly
turned-out with a pair of bay horses, which went a good pace. The
brougham and open carriage of Mrs. Eoberts, of Weston, with her stately
grey horse, moved slowly, but in orthodox style. Thirty years ago Mr.
William Fitzgerald had a very smart jaunting car, under which he
■drove a big roan horse that ten miles an hour was nothing to. He
was one of the very finest and best carriage horses I ever saw, and a
team of such would be cheap at a thousand guineas.

Mr. John Snow had the smartest of " outsides." Horse, harness, and
car, with the owner driving, was indeed a sporting turn-out.

Sir Eobert Paul did all things well, but nothing better than in the way
he had his carriages sent from Ballyglan. He had a pair of bay thorough-
bred mares for many years. Then he had two big chestnuts for a long
time. Each pair was a perfect match, but both were of a totally
different stamp. They could and did go the pace, and that with
scarcely changing a leg. so perfect and even was their action. Mr.
Dawson Milward's double dog-cart was workmanlike and had a real
sporting ring about it. His well-matched greys rattled along the
quay of Waterford without a turned hair, although they had come
fifteen miles from Tullagher under an hour and a half. Mr. Ambrose
Oongreve, unlike the other gentlemen I have mentioned, seldom drove
his own trap ; but he knew as well as they how things should
be done, with the result that the Mount Congreve carriages were sent
into Waterford in a style that would be admired in Hyde Park.

321

Perfect as was the turn-out of each of these equipages, and well
driven as they invariably were, with the servants smart-looking and
properly dressed, there was no item in them which cost much money.
' They include nearly all the classes which are most in use in Ireland,
and if men would take pattern from them there would be no cause to
find fault with the traps or the driving we see in Ireland.

These examples can, however, be of use only to those who may
remember them. I shall therefore give one of more general utility.

I allude to the equipages let for hire by Mr. John Wilson, of Sefton
Mews, Liverpool. His establishment for construction and con-
venience I am sure cannot be excelled, and I readily accept as a
fact what I hear, that its equal is not in England. Here are let out
for hire every class of trap, from the polo-cart to the coach, numbering
some eighty vehicles. In the stalls are fifty horses, with thirty stable-
men and drivers. Each of the latter has supplied him for his own
use top coat, hat, and gloves, while for special occasions they don
livery. Be it to take a man to the railway station with a lot of
luggage, to go to the Grand National with a large pirty, or convey a
lady through a round of visits, a smarter turn-out or one better
driven cannot be found than in the yard I am alluding to. Except
the few cabs, none of the traps have an appearance of being hired.
The men are tailored better by far than most of the private coachmen
in Dublin, while the equipages, their horses, and harness betoken
the carriage of a gentleman much more than many of those coming
from the stables of Merrion and Eitzwilliam squares.

My advice to those of my countrymen who sport a conveyance, other
than a cycle, is to come and see how Wilson turns out a trap, and
take pattern therefrom, and if they make their visit on a Sunday after-
noon, when the horses are in their stalls and everything burnished
and bright, they will see how a driving-horse stable is kept in the acme
of smartness.

The only department that can be found the least fault with is the
harness room, which is altogether too small. Wilson has over one
hundred sets of harness, fit to put on any gentleman's horse, with
half as many more not quite so stylish. If he had a room where these
could be displayed singly along the walls, it would be a sight of its
sort nowhere else to be seen.

Then if a man wants to be suited with a trapper or two, let him
visit his sale establishment in Hope-street, and there in the season he
can have his pick from some forty horses, many of them Irish bred,
but all with English manners.

The competitions at the Dublin Horse Show have for the past
five or six years proved to demonstration how we Irish can be
made to improve in our driving. I don't remember much about
them previous to 1886, but in that year there was not an Irish
entry of much merit. Surgeon Croly's pair. Timekeeper and Strong-
bow, was the only Irish tandem worthy of exhibition ; but though

222

each of his horses was good, they were not matches in any way.
From England was sent several very perfect exhibits by Mr. John
Wilson, whose stables I have just alluded to. They were driven by
his head man, Hodgson. I don't think so perfect a tandem was ever
before seen in Ireland as his, and the style in which it was handled
was equally unknown to us. Hodgson's figure-driving in the jumping-
ground fairly astonished everybody. Trap, horses, and man appeared
part and parcel of one machinery working in most perfect harmony.
The horses were sold for 750gs. to go to America.

Of course nearly all the prizes that year went to England.

There was a great improvement all round in our driving exhibits
in 1887, but we were again beaten.

In 1888 we made most meritorious display, and were it not for the
extraordinary animals which were sent from England, the Irish would
have been decorated ; but Wilson that year regularly swept the board.
His three horses, Eclipse, Water Lily, and Surprise, sold for l,050gs.,
consequent upon their performance at Ball's Bridge.

To make a long story short, we have made such improvement we
can now hold our own and beat the English in all classes. This speaks
volumes, for nothing is sent by them but the best of their best. We
seem still to do badly in single-horse driving, but we do very well
with pairs, while our tandems in 1891 and 1892 would take prizes in
any show. In 1891 we won the two first prizes and one second.

Notwithstanding this improvement we are still a long way behind,
as is seen by the following table which I compiled from the catalogues
of the Dublin Horse Show from 1888 to 1892 inclusive : —

Total Driving Prizes for Five Years ending 1892.

English.
Irish ....

Single
Harness.

1st. 2n(l. 3ra,

Double
Harness.

22 12*
7 10

I !

1st. 2nd. 3rd.

!

i r.

12 6

7 11

Tandem.

1st. '2nd.

3rd.

0
0

Total.

I I
1st. 2n(l. 3rd.

I
44 33 j 12
13 ! 22 I 10

Credit to where credit is due. Were it not for these object lessons
which we have had from the English since 1886, the chances are that
our turns-out and our driving at Ball's Bridge — particularly in the
tandem class — would be as bad now as ever they were.

It is therefore manifest that nothing exists to prevent us Irishmen
turning out our traps smartly and driving them properly. We have
just as good taste as Englishmen, we can get as good harness and
vehicles in Ireland as can be got in England, while the world knows
we are not wanting in the horse line. Let us therefore pull ourselves

233

together, and put ourselves together properly turned-out vehicles,
and have them driven properly both by ourselves and by our
servants, for although we have always been horsemen, we certainly
are still a long way from being coachmen.

I don't want to offend any of my countrymen by drawing com-
parisons, but I would say that in my opinion the Irishmen to take
pattern from in driving are such as Messrs. James Talbot Power and
his brother Thomas, John Thompson, James O'Reilly, Nathaniel
Morton, and John Hickey. Undoubtedly we have many other good
whips, but these are the men who caught my eye in the arena at Ball's
Bridge and elsewhere.

I shall now cease making comparisons and finding fault, and by way
of atonement for what I have said, shall give a tip to those who at
times have to make long journeys by road, and it is particularly useful
to my old friends the jarveys, who, with our gentlemen and servant
coachmen, I have been abusing so hard.

Put a quart or less of oaten meal into a tin can, and pour in as much
boiling water as the meal will soak up, covering over with a tight-
fitting lid. Place the tin in a convenient corner of the trap, wrapped in
a rug or cloth. When the time comes, pull up at a house (or side of
any stream if a bucket be carried) and make your horses a nice drink
of meal and water. After the soaking the meal will come out in a
thick gruel, and, being still hot, will take the chill off the water and
afford a much more nourishiog drink than freshly-mixed meal; besides,
the latter is very liable to give gripes. This is a straight tip, and
useful alike to drivers of public and private traps.

Another good plan is : If a horse or horses run away and become
uncontrollable, the best thing to be done is for someone to get behind
the driver and encircle his body across the chest with his arms, and
in this position pull with all his might ; adding to the exertion all
his iveight by taking somewhere a good purchase with his feet, but he
must take care not to interfere with the reins, and the heavier he is
the better.

As with sailing a boat so it is with driving horses. As long as
everything goes smoothly, to handle properly the one and the other
is comparatively an easy job. It is not, however, until a man is caught
in a hobble with either the tiller or tapes and has to get himself out
of it that he can show whether or not he has real skill and nerve.
To drive properly a well trained pair or team of horses along a road,
around a show-yard, or even in crowded streets, no doubt requires
a certain amount of bkill, but I don't think it requires a great deal
of nerve. Give me, however, the fellow like John Bates, who drove
the Waterford and Dungarvan coach some twenty-five to thirty years
ago. He seldom had what could be called a handy team, while some
of the changes along his daily route were as unruly as were ever given
into the hands of man to drive a coach with. Often I saw Bates
during that dreary thirty miles getting together these pull-devil-pull-

324

baker brutes, and sending them along in perfect style, making each do
his own share of the work. Often, too, have I seen him in an awkward
fix ; but that was the time to see the man. Cool as if he was driving
a pony that had shied at an old woman, would he handle these jibbers
and bolter.*', and get them into their collars again. Yet he was not
what is termed a fancy or fashionable coachman.

Never will I forget the run away we had down Cushgam Hill with
a heavily top-laden coach. When within fifty yards of the bridge at
the bottom, where exists a sharpish turn to the left, the coach was
rolling to an extent that, if not steadied, no power on earth could
prevent an upset at the turn. Yet this man, by cool and skilful
manipulation of his horses, although apparently not under control,
brought his coach to a balance and rounded the turn in safety.

That is what I call driving^ and that is what I call nerve and pluck.
Perhaps some of the mighty fine fellows we see tooling a coach to
admiration, and cutting figures with a tandem in a show-yard, if
caught in a dilemma of the sort, might feel inclined to jump clean off"
the box, or if they stuck to it would lose their head and capsize the
coach.

In those days I ofttimes had occasion to visit Dungarvan, and I
always took the box-seat. Bates, when he had a fairly handy-
team, gave them to me for the stage, and from him I learned lessons
in driving four horses which, I am sorry to say, I was never afterwards
in a position to put to much practice.

Starting from Dungarvan one morning at daylight, with no one on
the coach but ourselves, he gave me the reins, saying, "Now, sir, let
me see how you can handle one of the queer lots." The near-wheeler
was a well-known devil, but her vagaries were minimised by cunningly-
devised straps and g&gs, so she started right enough. Not so the
others. Directly their heads were let go the off- wheeler tried to stand
on his head, while one leader danced on his hind legs, the other
trying to bolt for the stables. Then, as if suddenly possessed of
the information that a duffer was to drive them, and not wishing to
take undue advantage, away the four plunged into a gallop. Round
the corner of the square, and the still more dangerous turn at
the bridge, these incarnate devils tore, I steering them as well as
I could. Down with their heads, and away they went for over two
miles before I could get a pull at them. How old Bates enjoyed the
joke, and the funk that I was in, but anon he cheered me with,
" Uon't be afeard, sir ; only keep them in the middle of the road."
The latter part of his advice I had not much trouble in following, for
the road was straight and level, but I confess to having had some
difficulty with the first part !

The annals of British coaching do not, I think, record a greater feat
with four horses than was that performed by the late James Selby,
I shall therefore give a few particulars of it.

At the Ascot meeting of 1888, a bet of £1,000 to £500 was booked

225

against Selby driving from the White Horse Cellars in Piccadilly to
the Old Ship in Brighton and back in eight hours ; distance being
104 miles. The event came off on the 18th July following. With five
gentlemen on the coach and the guard, Selby started with the " Old
Times " from Hatchett's at 10 a.m. to the minute, and reached the Old
Ship at 1.56.10 p.m. Here he turned round and started on the return
journey without further delay. He arrived at the White Horse Cellars
at 5.50, welcomed with thundering cheers by a large concourse of
people. Thus he won the bet, with ten minutes to spare, and did the
104 miles in just 7h. 50min. There were thirteen changes, which
together occupied 14min. 25sec., the plate being greased upon two of
the occasions. The coach was stopped specially to grease it a third
time, and again to allow the party to get down, which they did only
once. Each of the special pull-ups took a minute, therefore IGmio.
25sec. was all that was lost in the fifteen stoppages. At Streatham
and Patcham on the down journey, the smart lads in changing his
horses detained Selby only forty-seven seconds. Deducting the time
taken for stoppages, an average of just fourteen miles an hour was
kept up ; i.e.^ 4min. 4sec. to the mile. Between Earlswood and
Horley, on the down journey, the pace was twenty miles an hour !

Selby for years had driven the " Old Times " between London and
Brighton, and was not alone well known along the road, but, being
the cheeriest and most obliging of men, was intensely popular with all
classes. The day fixed for the great drive was, of course, well known,
and the hour at which he would pass each place was accurately calculated
so with that love for sport and fair play inherent to Englishmen, all
parts of the road were, at the time, kept clear for him on both his out
and homeward journey. And this applied to the London streets
through which he passed.

Just as the coach at full gallop was approaching the railway crossing
at Crawley, a train appeared. To signal one or other of the drivers to
stop was imperative on the part of the gate-keeper, but, like a sports-
man, he selected him of the locomotive, and hoisting his danger flag
brought the train to a stand, which enabled Selby, without a check, to
flash by in front.

As an example of the keenness with which the London police perform
their duty, Selby was served with a summons for " furious driving " a
day or two after the event ; but the Beak before whom he was
arraigned, like a sensible man, let him off with a caution !

Needless to say, the hero was feted in fashion usual with Englishmen
upon all occasions where nerve and skill in anything pertaining to
sport are exhibited to a degree such as was done in this great drive.
But the poor fellow did not long live to enjoy his reputation, for in
the following winter he caught cold and died of inflammation of the
lungs.

Since I wrote the foregoing I have come across an article upon driving
which appeared some time ago in the Live Stock Journal over the

Q

226

initials " "W. A. C. B." I consider it so excellent I reproduce it as
follows : —

A well-matched, well-put-together, and let us certainly add a well-driven
pair of horses, is one of those things which, if not exactly a joy for ever, is
at least pleasing to the eye until the spectator sees something he likes
better. A stepping harness horse is a beautiful thing to look at, but is an
expensive luxury. It is not merely costly to buy, but it is also costly to
keep up. Two horses at least must be kept to perform the work of one, for
they must never experience the sensation of fatigue.

A very common phrase of stable Anglo-Saxon is that a man is driving two
horses, but not a pair. Colour is a mere matter of taste ; some like them to
match ; others prefer a contrast— a chestnut and a roan, a bay and a grey,
or a black and some light colour. But in action and shape they must match.
Nothing looks worse than to see one horse stepping up to his nose while
his companion strides along like a match trotter. A squarely built Norfolk
horse alongside a lighter blood-like companion is a very bad combination,
while a short-necked horse and a long necked one not only look ugly
together but are uncomfortable to drive into the bargain. And how much
of one's comfort on the box depends upon proper harnessing ! It is time-
honoured advice that the coachman should, before mounting to his seat, look
round to see that the harness is all right, and the practice is to be recom-
mended, as if you start from hotel yards on a busy day you may find that
in the rush and hurry one or both of the coupling reins have been left
unfastened, a throat lash is perhaps hanging down, or possibly the pole
pieces or pole chains have been overlooked. In the matter of putting things
right, the beginner must leave himself in the hands of some experienced
person. It is positively annoying to see how some horses in the Park are
bitted together. Heads fastened up by a tight gag bearing rein ; the driving
rein is on the bottom bar ; pole pieces are swinging about so loosely as to
let the horses come dangerously near the carriage when they have to hold
back, or else are pulled so tight as to deprive the wretched animals of all
liberty. Coupling reins are often wrong, and then, of course, the task of
driving becomes needlessly difficult.

Too much attention cannot be paid to the bitting of horses ; and now
that the Queen has directed bearing reins to be dispensed with in her own
stables, that piece of harness may be legarded as virtually out of fashion ;
and when it is given up increased attention will have to be paid to bitting
and coupling, because when a horse's movements are no longer crippled by
a too tight bearing rein it will be of paramount importance that the bit be of
that pattern in which the horse will go most kindly ; that the curb chain be
not tight enough to make the horse fight, nor so loose as to be useless.

In the streets of London, as well as on country roads, one sees a vast
amount of bad driving ; and, to begin at the beginning, great mistakes
are constantly made in the manner in which horses are started. At the
funeral of the late Mr. Braidwood, the head of the London Fire Brigade,
who was killed at the disastrous Tooley-street fire, the horses which drew
the engine which served as a hearse were with the greatest difficulty
induced to travel at a slow pace. In the course of their work they were so
accustomed to starting almost before the men were on the engine, and to
begin at once at their best pace, that they could not understand being made

227

to walk. A good many owners and their coaclimen spoil dozens of horses
every year through hurrying at starting. The coachman may be late in
dressing ; he jumps to his seat, starts his horse at once, and hurries round to
the front door ; and when his master drives, he, if of an impatient turn of
mind, frequently jumps up and starts at score ; and it only requires a week
or two of this sort of thing to turn quiet horses into impetuous starters as
soon as they hear the coachman mounting, or feel him gathering up his reins.

Elsewhere the same writer says : —

When the Badminton book on Driving was given to the world, no little
criticism was expended on the Duke of Beaufort's protest against two-
handed driving. A good many people appear to have understood the
Duke's directions as though he intended to say that the right hand should
never touch the reins, and that the coachman of one horse or of four should
drive down Piccadilly with the reins in the left hand alone. It is needless
to say that the Duke of Beaufort never intended to say anything so foolish.
What he protested against was the practice of drawing the right rein out of
the left hand and then keeping the hands several inches apart, and no fault
is more common than this. The coachman has then, to all intents and
purposes, a rein in each hand, or, as the Irishman said, " a rein in each
hand and the whip in the other." In this position the right hand cannot be
removed without allowing the right rein to become slack, consequently the
horses at once shoot round to the left, should the coachman take his hand off
the reins to use his whip. To fiddle away at a horse while the whip hand
is at the same time holding a rein is uncoachmanlike in the extreme. The
right hand may come to the assistance of the left as often as is required,
but in no circumstance should the reins ever be of unequal length in the lef*"
hand, and the young coachman cannot be too particular on this point. To
use the whip well, said an old coachman, use it as little as possible, and no
better advice can be given. To see a horse hit unnecessarily is annoying to a
good coachman, and the London coachman's theory of "hit and hold 'em ''
is sometimes carried to a foolish extent. A lazy horse must, of course, be
kept up to his work, for one that will not go into his bridle can no more
be guided with safety through the traffic than a boat can be steered that
has no way on her. The whip, besides being a weapon for punishment, when
punishment is needed, is also a valuable aid. Horses that are constantly
driven along the same road get very cunning at the corners, which they will
sometimes cut very fine unless the coachman be on his guard. On such
occasions a touch down the shoulder of the inside horse will keep him from
coming round too quickly ; or if his companion does not turn quickly
enough, a touch of the whip on his outside shoulder will help to send him in
the required direction. The novice at driving may also be warned against
indulging in that pernicious habit of "chirruping" to his horses. If one
is freer than the other, it is the freer one only that takes any notice of the
noise, and this is exactly what the coachman does not want — he means to
encourage the other.

Position in driving, though, of course, not everything, is yet a good deal.
By adopting a wrong position the coachman loses power. The feet should
be kept to the front, but in driving a brake or a coach the toes must not
project beyond the footboard. In the old coaching days there was a "fine

228

agin it," as Mr. Verdant Green's scout told me when he walked on the grass
in the quad of Brazenface. A bent body is not graceful, nor should the
hand be thrust out in front of the body, in which position the arm will
soon tire. Self-taught drivers are very common, but no one who desires to
drive well ought to trust to practice alone. There is a right and a wrong
waj' of doing most things, and the self-taught man usually selects the wrong
one. There are in London several good coachmen who give lessons, and
from one of them more will be learned in a week than can be picked up in
a year of unaided practice.

The writer of the foregoing omitted to refer to the hind action of a
harness horse, I will therefore supplement his excellent article by
stating that a horse cannot either look well or go well in harness
unless he has hind action equally good with the fore. Good hind
action is looked for in hacks and hunters, but doubly is it desirable in
the harness horse. Yet, how seldom do we see it ! We continually
see good and sometimes perfect shoulder and knee action with bad hock
and hip action.

229

CHAPTER XIV.
FISHING.

Author not an Izaak Walton— Bosh about Fishing and Fisli— Flies— Kods— And Tackle-
Author's Ideas— Light Lines— Heavy Lines— Striking a Fish— Scores of Flies— Four
Kinds— Their Names— Author's Peculiarities— Skull-dragging— Westmeath—Gahvay
—The Shannon— A Fishing Trip to Killarney— How to Go — Good Sport— An
Adventure on Lord Landnothing's Water— Diplomacy— Day's Basket— Boys will be
Boys— Sport and Devilment— The Steep Places— The Runs— Fair Play— Fine Play-
Mountain Scenery— Grouse— Grandeur— iajid and Water— Tlhe Author a Poacher-
Criticism— Explanation-Escutcheon of a Sportsman— An Invitation to Mr. "Ro€e
Price"— and Others— Loch Leven— What Fishing Costs.

I NEVER was mucli of a fisherman, though I took a turn at the "gentle
•art " whenever I could. I am, however, of opinion that, like many other
-things in the world, there is a lot of bosh talked and written upon
both fish and fishing.

Fish are odd creatures, and very little is really known about them.

Of course we all know one fly will kill one day, and another the day
-after, and, perhaps, no other pattern will be looked at on these particular
-days ; moreover, we know the nearer the artificial is in colour and
shape to the natural fiy " on the take," the better chance there is of its
killing. Again, we have all seen a good fisherman, with the most
■approved rod, tackle, and flies, unable to rise a fish, while a boy with a
rod like a flail and flies tied in a wisp is filling his basket.

I am no authority on this branch of sport, but my notion is that the
•colour is what attracts the fish, and not the fly itself or its tying, for
with its keen sight a fish must see the hook, and so cannot mistake the
artificial for the natural. Everyone knows how readily the line startles
a fish, and that the finer it is the better chance we have of inducing
him to take the fly. But, then, is this correct ? The line for salmon
is necessarily strong and coarse, and therefore can be seen by that fish,
who has just as quick an eye as the nimble trout. Who knows but
when fish are on the feed they are so greedy they will go at anything
that appears to suit their taste, regardless of the caution that under
other circumstances would prevent their doing so ?

What is called "striking" I also have my doubts about, and my
reasoning is this : If a fish wants to take a fly he will naturally shut
his mouth on it, but directly he finds what he has caught he will try
to spit it out ; while doing either one or other he will generally hook
himself, provided the fisherman has his line straight. If, therefore, a
man "strikes" when he sees the rise I think he is just as likely to jerk
the fly away from the fish as to hook him.

" Missing " fish is nearly always the fault of the man through having

230

a slack line. The angler who throws straight hits his fish just as
often as the straight shooter hits his birds.

I never could throw a long line, so I contented myself wdth a short
one, and when I could not cover a pool with a line thrown straight I
left it alone rather than try to do so with a line bellied, and that is, I
think, w^hat all bad fishermen should do.

I am also sceptical about the necessity of having some scores of
different pattern flies in one's book, for the simple reason that about
the very best fisherman I ever met used only four different sorts during
the whole season, and he seldom went out without landing a lot. He
always used the finest of casting lines, and had the flies tied on to even
finer gut. Under his advice I always used the same patterns, and with
them I killed trout in most months of the season, w^hether I tried brooks,
rivers, or lakes, and I did so in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The
flies were Steward's pattern of hare's ear, dun, black, and grey spiders.
I had them very small, medium-sized, and large for lake and evening
fishing, and I always used the finest of tackle. Whenever there was the
least deviation from the pattern, there was a corresponding diminution
in the quantity of fish I caught. Men holding opinions that fish in
certain rivers will take only certain flies, will laugh to scorn my notion
of trout having universal taste. They may do so and welcome.

I never could endure fishing out of a boat either on sea or lake,
neither could I see much fun in bait-fishing even for trout, while that
for roach, perch, or eels I considered fit only for boys. I also looked
upon the salmon-fishing off Galway Quay as a very one-horse affair, and
fit only for Cockneys. Salmon- fishing, however, I know absolutely
nothing about.

I often wished I was an expert fly-fisherman, for next to hunting and
shooting there was no sport I liked better than playing a lively pound
trout in his native mountain stream with a light rod and fine tackle, and
where skill, time, and patience were required to land the beauty. You
will see fellows take enjoyment in skull-dragging them out without a
minute's play, using great heavy rods and tackle, but I never saw any
fun in that sort of fishing.

Long ago I went for some years with my very dear, but now, alas 1
dead, friend, George Baker, for short trips to the Westmeath Lakes,
Galway, and the Shannon. We generally had good sport, but I did
not care much for dapping out of a boat on Belvidere, bobbing with
a shrimp off Galway Quay, or cross-lining on Lough Derg. What I
liked was wild mountain river-fishing, where hard exercise and
charming scenery would be combined with sport; but the latter should
be good, for I never had much patience in anything, and whipping away
for hours without getting a rise I considered horribly monotonous.

I had good fishing often, but only once to perfection, and that was
many years ago when I was a boy. Accompanied by a companion,
we hired a car in Cork to take us on a fishing excursion to Killarney,
through Googawnbarragh, Inchageela, Glengariff, and Kenmare.

231

By way of parenthesis, the best way for seeing that charming
country is to go from Cork to Killarney, and not from Killarney
to Cork. By the former you have the scenery before you, and
increasing in magnificence all the way ; the other is the reverse in
every sense.

We started fully equipped, intending to take our time along the
route and to fish any likely-looking stream we could get leave
on, or which was not preserved. In a wild place like Kerry an
opportunity of asking for leave was then not always available, so once
or twice, I fear, we boys were not as particular as we should have
been, and took chance with a good river of its not being preserved.
Anyway, in those days, most of them were free.

That ten days or so was the longest continuance of really good
troutfishing I ever experienced. Every day we came across a good-
looking water, and we got rare sport on all we tried.

One day a keeper came up to me while an unusually good rise was
on and almost every cast a fish was hooked, and I was landing them
fairly well ; all beauties in the best condition, and from herring-size
to over lib. weight. In a determined and impudent tone he demanded
my authority for fishing Lord Landnothing's water, which he had
rented from Mr. Castingline of Cork. Without ceasing fishing, I
assured him that we had been told the river was not preserved, but
in any case he could see for himself it was overstocked, and that
if he would only wait awhile, abate his anger, and allow me to go on
as I was, I would materially benefit both the tenant and the land-
lord by the same means ; a performance, by the way, not usual at
that time in Ireland, no more than it has been since. During the
parley, which took much longer than I do relating it, I was landing
fish as fast as I could hook and play them, and my friend, not far ofi",
was doing the same. The keeper was, of course, fond of a bit of sport,
and certainly, after a while, was less vehement in his protestations,
and, having given him my sandwich case and a flask containing some
ten-year-old John Jameson, he allowed us to have what proved about
the very best evening's fishing we ever had in our lives. As well as
I remember, we killed between us about five dozen trout, weighing
nearly, if not over, as many pounds. These we gave between the
keeper and the landlord of our hotel.

Boys will be boys, so this exploit of ours may be forgiven, if not
excused or even justified under the circumstances. A boy who has
not love for sport and is innocent of devilment is in my opinion
not much of a chap. The river was full of trout, and had not been
fished for years nor was it likely to be for some time, so, as he said
himself, the keeper did good service to his employer rather than
otherwise by letting us have our sport.

The river we fished that day was rough and rapid, and in some
places fell in cataracts several feet into pools which were encircled by
high, almost perpendicular, rocks. In these we had the right sport. The

232

sides were so high and the pools in many places so small we could
not cast, and had simply to drop the tail fly in the water, and when
taken by a trout, we got sport and no mistake, for the water was
deep, with, of course, another fall or steep rocky outlet, which if the
fish got over, or into, he was lost ; and it was in such places we
generally met the heaviest. Of course, we lost several, and would
have lost many more but for the assistance the keeper gave us with
the landing-net.

In other places along this stream we met rapid runs and eddying
pools, studded plentifully with huge boulders rising high out of the
water, while the bottom was rugged with rocks and stones carried
down by winter floods. In this sporting river the fish had plenty of
fair play, while we had fine play, for our rods and tackle were light.
The whole was surrounded by mountains clad with blooming heather
and evergreen gorse, with patches of granite rockwork here and there.
Grouse apparently were plentiful in the neighbourhood, for on several
occasions we heard the old cock crowing the evening-meal call to his
pack. The scenery was that of the mountains overlooking Bantry
Bay, than which there is nothing grander in the kingdom.

The greater portion of this chapter appeared as an article from me
in Land and Water in September, 1892. Unfortunately, I omitted in
the MS. to state that my companion and I were little more than
schoolboys when we made this excursion into Kerry, and that we
asked leave whenever we could do so. Moreover, that it occurred
over thirty years ago. Without this qualification and explanation, of
course my article showed me to have been guilty of most unsportsman-
like conduct in having fished places for which we had not leave.
The consequence was severe criticism was passed upon my conduct
by correspondents in Land and Water. But, as I said in a subsequent
letter of explanation to that paper, I do not think that the
escutcheon of a sportsman is in the least degree tarnished by having
done what we two lads did in Kerry, particularly under such peculiar
circumstances.

Knowing as little as I do about fishing, I would not have alluded to
that branch of sport in my book but for these correspondents. I do
so to afi'ord myself an opportunity of repeating the story of my exploit
in Kerry, to show how little ashamed I am of it, and of conveying to
my critics a word or two, which I do as follows : —

Someone signing himself " Rose Price," but giving no address, wrote
most ofi"ensively, and wound up with the suggestion that if ever I
again went to Kerry, some landlord of that county shoul.l duck me in
a boghole. I beg to state that I am not at all unknown m Kerry, and
have the pleasure of being acquainted with some of the leading
gentry in that sporting county ; none of whom, I flatter myself
think me deserving of that treatment.

If, therefore, this Rose Price be what is called gentleman, and
wishes to take upon himself the execution of the sentence which he

233

deputed to others, I shall bs pleased to hear from him on the subject at
the address he will find at the foot of the Preface of this book.

The others who denounced me were not nearly so offensive ; but
they wrote over initials or other disguise. Even so, should they be
disposed to teach me by any such method how to conduct myself as a
sportsman, they also are at perfect liberty to communicate with me.

This is the first opportunity I have had of sending to these gentlemen
this intimation ; for, needless to say, it would not have been conveyed
by the Editor of Land and Watei\ nor would he give the information
which alone could enable me to write to them severally and collectively.
I trust, therefore, all those who wrote about me in Land and Water on
the 10th and 17th September, 1892, will see this page of my book, or
be informed of the invitation it contains.

The three best salmon killed with rod and fly in Scotland during
the autumn season of 1892 have been given as one of 56lb. on the
Eden, one of 50lb. on the Spey, and one of 50lb. on the Tweed. The
first was 47Mn. in length and 29in. in girth. The Spey fish was
caught on the Duke of Richmond and Gordon's water at Fochabers, by
the Earl of Winterton, and measured 49in. in length and 28in. in girth.
The Tweed fish was caught on the Earl of Home's Birgham lower
water, by Colonel the Hon. William Home, and measured 48in. in
length and 28in. in girth.

Loch Leven is perhaps about the most wonderful lake in the world for
trout. It is a comparatively small sheet of water, being only about
nine miles in extent, but the number of fish taken out of it annually
is something marvellous. Records have been carefully kept for the
past forty years, and, despite the continual fishing, Loch Leven seems
to be a veritable widow's cruse. Some of the best years on this historic
loch were 1879, 1880, and 1888. In the first-mentioned year 21,045
trout, weighing 16,192lbs., were taken ; in '80, 19,405, weighing 18, 552
lbs. ; and in '88, 23,516 fish, scaling 21,074lbs. Last year— 1892— was
a very fair season, as the 12,735 trout taken made 16,058lbs. The fish
in Loch Leven are fine fellows, and some record baskets have been
made on it. For instance, in 1891, in four days, Mr. and Mrs. Laird
of London killed 156 trout, weighing 134lbs. A Mr. Nisbet in the
fiame number of days got 124 trout, weighing close upon lOOlbs. The
fish are of a fine size, but heavy ones are the exception. A five-
pounder, killed by Major Barton, was the heaviest taken since 1879.
It is said, however, that in the olden days trout of eight and ten pounds
have been caught, and there is a legend of an 18-pounder.

Rent is not charged in Scotland for troutfishing, but the sport entails
a vast expenditure of money.

In the following chapter on Shooting will be found the calculat
I made of what is spent annually upon Fishing.

234

CHAPTER XV.

SHOOTING.

Author's Experience— Dogs— Driving— Advantages frona Driving— Author as a Shot-
Wounding— Best Method for Killing a Cripple— Butts and Hot Corners— Shooting
over Dogs— Autumn Shooting— Pigeon Shooting— Paraphernalia— Golden Eules—
How to Carry a Gun— How to Choose a Gun— Jump and Eecoil— Controversial
Scribes— Author gives his Opinion— His Old Gun— How he made it Hit— Advice—
"A Tip"— A Shooting Excursion— Mr. Frederick Malcomson— Eleven Dogs— They
all Set and Back same time— Game Fare— Good Liquor— Surf eited— Cooking a Grouse
—Shooting a Sheep— Satisfactory Result— Good Cooking— How to Cook Snipe—
Plentj' of Snipe— 10s. Gun Licences — Game Dealers' Licences— Destruction of Game
— When to Turn down Hares— Selling Game— Old and New Practice— Presents of
Game— Not sufficiently practised— Territorial Landlords— Tenants Preserve Live Game
—Presents of Game to Fox Preservers— Game for the Market— The Prince of Wales —
Big Shoots— Extraordinary Eecords— Marvellous Feats— David Beatty— Edmond
Power— Patrick Power— John Brady— The Author's Bags !— Tables of Great Shooti
— A Confession— Cost of Shooting— Fishing included— Analysis of Scotch Shooting —
Table of Wages— The Guests— Small Men— The Dogs— The Shepherds— Salmon
Fishing— Analysis of Scotch Fishing— A Wonderful Result -English Shooting—
Along Explanatory Preamble— Resulting in a Stupendous Record— Nearly a Million
acd Three-quarters yearly to Poor People— Cartridges-Guns-Hea-VT? Rentals-
County Rentals— Deer Forests— Cost of a Grouse, Pheasant, Stag, and Salmon —
Land Agitators— A Word to Them— Former Crofters— Sheep Grazing v. Grouse
Shooting— Keepers and Gillies v. Crofters and Cottiers— Results of Highland Farming
—Rents— Expenditure— Bonnie Scotland— Territorial Magnates— Highland Lassies—
Her Majesty the Queen— Poor Old Ireland !— Shooting Tenants— A Reproduction
from Land and Water— The Daily Telegraph— A moat Interesting Extraction— "The
Twelfth"— Deer Forest Commission— A Sportsman's Diary— Charming Record —
Rheumatism— The Gout— The Season of 1893— Great Record.

I HAD a fair amount of shooting during many of the best years of
my life, but it was always over dogs. I never had a day's " driving,"
and have been present at very few " battues," therefore anything I
could write upon shooting would be of little interest to the present
generation, which, as a rule, knows little of the delight of watching two
or three dogs doing their business properly on the side of a mountain,
through the turnips, or over the stubbles. Young men of the present
day care more for the " hot corner," the " butts," or walking up birds
in places where they can bag twenty to fifty brace in a few hours, and
with little exertion.

That skill with the gun is brought under much more severe test in
driving than in shooting over dogs there is no manner of doubt.
A man that can kill five out of ten birds he fires at, coming towards
or across him at the rate of 150 miles an hour, and which have to be
taken at every possible angle, is a much better shot than the man
who can kill eight out of ten which get up slowly in front, and fly off
in a straight line, as is the case when shooting over dogs.

To shoot grouse or partridge at all in some places, driving them to
the guns must be resorted to. Upon low-lying flat moors where the
heather is short, such as are found in parts of Yorkshire, grouse will

235

not stand to a dog after the first couple of days. Neither will
partridge lie close upon fields off which the corn has been shaved
within an inch of the roots, as is the case where reaping machines
are used. From such like places both grouse and partridge fly in
scores the moment a man or a dog appears within ten shots of them.

Besides enabling men to shoot these places, driving, we all know,
has been most beneficial in its results of killing oft a greater number
of old birds than can be done by any other kind of shooting. Cripples
too are unknown, for the force of the fall alone kills the bird.

In spite of all these advantages obtained from the drive, give me
the shooting which I have been accustomed to. Apart from my
liking to see dogs work, and exercising my own legs and sagacity
to find birds, perhaps the fact of my not being a very good shot
may induce me to prefer the easy to the diflicult work.

I was never a reliable shot. One day I might shoot as well as
most men, and the next, perhaps, just as badly. Hitting birds without
killing them I always hated myself for, but instead of seeking fresh
shooting I searched for the wounded. To leave a crippled bird
a moment longer than necessary without putting it out of pain is most
inhuman ; whether search for it interferes with the shooting or not,
the bird should be caught and killed.

It is horrible to see a heartless keeper holding by the legs two or
three wounded birds flapping their broken wings, before he gives them
the coup de grace. When this is given it is often in a most cruel manner
by crushing the back of the head with the thumb nail, or striking the
bird's head against something — both painful and oftentimes slow pro
cesses. The best, quickest, and easiest death to a bird is to place him
on his back on the doubled palms of the hands and press the breast-
bone firmly, but not suddenly, with both thumbs. A second or two's
pressure over the heart in this manner inflicts the easiest death a bird
can iDOSsibly sufi'er.

As I said before, I had no experience of driving and little of battue
shooting, but I think it is not much fun and less sport to be put in a
hot corner at the end of a covert, or into a butt on the side of a moun-
tain, and there blaze away until a succession of guns get almost red hot
in your hands. The sport affords neither the exercise nor venatic skill
attendant upon hunting a mountain or lowland with a brace of good
dogs, where a man's knowledge of the haunts and habits of the birds
must be equal to his skill in working his dogs to enable him to bring
home a fair bag.

I never cared to have coveys of partridge marked for me, unless
they were very scarce, and my time was limited ; and until fairly beaten
I seldom took advice from or accepted the guidance of keepers or
watchers. A bag of five to ten brace of grouse or partridge, killed
over a brace or two of good dogs (particularly if trained by myself),
after seven or eight hours' hard walking, and unaided by anyone except
my dogs, would give me infinitely more satisfaction than making the
"best record" of a big shoot behind sod embrasures, or from hot

286

corners, although I might leave off with thirty or forty brace to my
credit. Moreover, I liked to bring my birds home with their plumage
as little disturbed as possible, and see them spread out on the kitchen
or larder table clean and well shot ; and if, as was sometimes the case,
a bird happened to get unduly riddled, or mouthed by one of the dogs
(a rare occurrence with mine) I would throw it away rather than bring
it home. To prevent the disarrangement of plumage by rain I always
had my game baskets and bags secured against such. In big shoots
these particulars cannot be attended to, and birds are thrown into the
creels in heaps, and often taken therefrom in a disgustingly crushed
condition.

Again, compare driving birds to butts or corners with a day's rough-
shooting in the late autumn, when a man brings home his mixed
bag of snipe and woodcock, with an odd brace or two of grouscj
partridge, and wild duck— the grouse being then so wild that only long
and quick shots can be had at them, and twice as fine, both in con-
dition and plumage, as they are in August. I am an antiquated old
fogey, and in point of downright genuine sport can't see any compari-
son at all between the two systems.

Of the practice of phooting pigeons let loose from traps I have a
very poor opinion. It is not manly, it is cruel and unfair. No doubt
it is shooting and is a fine medium for betting, but assuredly it is not
si^ort. To shoot wild "blue rocks," flying like rockets from their
native cliffs, or wood quests, flashing from ash trees, is sport and no
mistake.

In these days of breechloaders the present generation knows little of
the paraphernalia requisite in the old muzzle-loading days, the roll of
which we had to call over before starting. It was : — Gun, powder-horn,
shot-pouch, wads and caps, whip, whistle, and game-bag, sandwich-case,
flask, pipe, baccy, and fusees. And oh ! what an amount of work we
used to have cleaning the old muzzlers — half-an-hour's at least — which
had to be undertaken after each day's work.

There are three golden rules, observance of which will banish the
possibility of accidents while out shooting : —

a. Never carry your gun with the muzzle pointed towards anything
it is not intended to kill.
h. Kemove the cartridges directly you cease shooting,
c. Be as careful with a loaded gun as you would be with an open
razor.

Even where the party consists only of steady and experienced men
there must of necessity be some danger attendant upon big shoots ;
but when the young or excitable are included, the risk of being
peppered is very great indeed. Luckily, I have not been upon any
of those dangerous expeditions. I shot only in company with another,
but until I ascertained that he knew how to handle his gun and was
a steady shot, I took very good care to keep on his rights unless he
was left-handed, when I kept to his left. I never carried my gun
except under my arm or over my shoulder with the hammers next

237

the shoulder, and when expecting a shot the muzzle always pointed
skywards and never horizontally. As a boy I was so taught, and
following the instructions, even when shooting alone, I got into the
habit and could not with ease to myself carry a gun in any other
position. In every detail I was cautious and careful with firearms,
and had a safety-guard to my gun which prevented it going off at
full cock, except when the guard was pressed and trigger pulled at
the same time. I don't think any gun should be made without such,
and still the simple appendage is seldom seen. I never could endure
a hammerless gun ; one never knows whether it is cocked or not ;
besides, cropped of the hammers, a gun has the appearance of a horse
without ears.

Treatises in the sporting press upon choosing guns and shooting
straight may be measured by the yard, but I am quite content to think
that to enable him to kill birds with it, a gun must '* fit " a man
accurately and be properly charged. To find out if it does is simply as
follows :— See that it comes up to the shoulder handily, and well
clear of the armpit. Fix your eyes on some small object at any distance
between fifteen and fifty yards, bring the gun up quickly to the
shoulder, and then shut the left eye. If the object is covered in a direct
line from breech to muzzle, the gun suits (or " fits ") and you can kill
with it ; but if you can see along the barrel, though the muzzle may be
right on the mark, or that the breech may be on the mark and the
muzzle under it, then the gun does not fit, and you will shoot over or
under, as the case may be.

There are, of course, men who see with one eye better than the other,
and others whose peculiarities of vision require specific modes of
measurement for a gun. Luckily I know nothing of these infirmities,
therefore I can't suggest provision for their individual treatment.

In Land and Water we had early in 1892 some letters upon the
subject of "jump and recoil." As is generally the way with people
engaging in a written controversy, they resort to animadversion
upon each other because there exists a difference of opinion, so it was
with some of those gentlemen who entered the lists upon this subject.

Peace to your manes, dear old Jorrocks ! You, indeed, gave a true
exposition of the general run of controversial scribes in your lecture
at Handley Cross, when you referred to how writers of books upon
the horse abused each other. Yes, true it is that after having read
treatises by different parties upon the same subject, ** one arrives at
the grand climax of hignorance instead of gleaning wisdom as one
went " !

I owned only three guns in my life, and I don't think I shot out
of more than half a dozen others. I am, therefore, a very indifferent
authority upon the subject of jump and recoil ; nevertheless I will say
a few words about it. I have no doubt many guns jump and others
recoil, while some do both the one and the other. I am however
of opinion that if a man buys a first-class gun, and charges it with a
properly proportioned quantity of powder and shot confined in a well-

238

made cartridge, he can kill most birds he fires at which are within
range, made and provided he fires straight after them if they are
flying from him, or sufficiently before them if they are coming towards
or crossing him.

I have a gun which I bought twenty years ago from Messrs. J. and
W. Rigby, and I have shot with it ever since. It is of their then
very best make, is of the celebrated old " Damascus twist," and is a
pinfire, with old-fashioned hammers, andjl2-bore. The gun " fitted "
me when I bought it and has continued to do so, but when I began
to use it, as Soapey Sponge said to Joggleberry, although I made
good shooting, I made bad hitting. Guessing that the charge was
wrong, I practised at a target, 6in. long by Sin. wide, made of sheets
of brown paper. I fired just as I would at a bird ; /.c, looking at it,
putting up the gun quickly, and firing the moment it touched my
shoulder, keeping both eyes open. I found I generally missed, just
as I had done the birds.

I don't know whether it was my own fault for not having shot
straight, or the gun's for having jumped or recoiled or done both.
Anyhow, I changed the charge, and with marked eflfect, for I began
to hit the target. I continued altering both powder and shot
until at last I found myself "on the spot" every time. The sheets
of paper pierced showed me that the strength was sufficient to bring
down a wild goose at the distance, so I left off satisfied with my gun
and my hitting, and so I have remained ever since.

I should mention that the distances I practised at were twenty-five,
forty and fifty yards, and I experimentalised with No. 8, 6, and 4
shot. The charge which I find suits my gun and myself is 3 dr. coarse
grain " Battle Powder" with l^oz. of shot — a thick felt wad over the
powder and a thin one over the shot, the former rammed tight, the
latter not.

Perhaps some young gentlemen whom I have seen out shooting,
and a few old ones too, might put more birds into the bag than they
do if they tried similar experiments with their fire-irons, instead of
reading scientific discourses on the subject, which at times tend more
to muddle than to clear their vision.

However, unless a man has an eye naturally adapted to shooting
straight, neither the gun or its charge, nor yet instruction or practice,
will make him a good shot.

I win now give a " tip," and it is not a bad one. As everyone
knows, the more a man drinks, even though it be water, during exercise
the more he perspires, the more he wants to drink, and if he continues
to drink he becomes incapable of hard work. At times, however, a man
must assuage his thirst and then his best plan is to wash his face and
hands in a stream or well, then rinse out his mouth, and finally dip his
face in and take a great gulp, which, however, he must stop before it gets
past the uvula. This answers all the purposes of a big drink, is mani-
festly cool and refreshing, and in no way will it impede the walking
powers.

239

About the year 1874 my friend, the late Mr. Frederick Malcomson,
and I rented a mountain in the west of Ireland, and brought with
us for a month's shoot three setters and eight pointers. This number
was, of course, over that required, but I always loved seeing dogs work
more than I did the shooting, and for that reason I generally worked
more at a time (particularly on a mountain) than most people.

One day I took out the whole crowd, and gave them a run together
for a couple of hours. Oh, such sport as that was ! for all my dogs
knew their business, and so did those poor Fred brought. On several
occasions two packs, or odd birds, would be found at the same time by
different dogs, with some of the others backing them as they set, while
the remainder were ranging far away, or doing work which drew their
attention from the others. Fred would go to one lot while I went to
the other.

On one occasion three dogs set the same pack of grouse, and every
one of the others backed them. So perfect a sight I never saw with
dogs before, nor shall I ever see again. Those eleven dogs setting and
backing were in every conceivable position, some sitting on their
haunches, others half turned round towards the dogs with the birds,
while these would ever and anon turn their heads cautiously to see
why we were delaying, for, truth to say, Fred and I were transfixed with
the exhibition, and stood for many minutes admiring its perfection.

However, it would not do to continue that sort of work if we wanted
to shoot grouse ; for a few repetitions, needless to remark, would
have made the birds so wild they would never let us near them. In
spite of this I think I should have continued it, but Fred would not
have it, so afterwards we took out the dogs only in orthodox fashion.

Our shooting was in about the wildest place I ever visited ; it was
forty miles from the nearest railway station, ten from a post-office and the
place where we could buy fresh meat. We put up at a farmer's house on
the banks of the river Moy, but it was harvest time, and no one could
be spared to go to market for us.

We brought some fresh meat with us, of course, but it was not long
before our supply was demolished, or succumbed to the hot weather, so
that we had none except what we shot. For the first ten days we
had for dinner soup made with the essence of hare and grouse, trout and
salmon caught in the river within twenty yards of the house, while
grouse, hares, snipe and plover were our releves. We came well supplied
with Ayala, 1868, not to speak of "John Jameson," so with tea and
delicious mountain cream, butter, eggs, and griddle-bread, we were well
*' done." Although we cooked the hares and birds in every imaginable
manner (and well, too, albeit I was the chef), we got tired of roast,
jugged, and hashed hare, roast, baked, and broiled grouse, and longed
for beef or mutton. Poultry we got from the farmer's wife, but had a
surfeit of it also, as we had to make breakfast and luncheon, of course,
off the same fare as the dinners.

By-the-by, we found no way better for cooking a grouse than, after
having him drawn, and a large piece of butter put inside, plastering

240

him — feathers and all— over with mud, and baking him in the ashes of
a good turf fire. After about fifteen minutes or so we took the bird
up, and the hardened mud, falling off in one mass, exhibited our grouse
without the trace of a feather, and cooked in the superlative degree of
excellence.

This continuance of game fare became at last so intolerable that only
the capital sport we were having, even though the birds were begin-
ning to get very wild, prevented our returning into civilised regions.
One day, however, a happy thought struck me : to wit that, perhaps, I
might, by stalking or driving, manage to shoot one of the wild mountain
sheep we occasionally saw, but which never allowed us within a mile
of them. Accordingly, without telling Fred of my intention, I got up
one morning before daylight, and trudged up the mountain to a sort of
defile, towards or through which I had seen the sheep sometimes go
when disturbed. I confided my plan to a couple of the farmer's boys,
and gave them instructions that as soon as they thought I had gained
my cache they were to try to drive some of the sheep to me.
They succeeded capitally, and no long time elapsed before I saw a
flock of about a dozen wending their way right up to me, and
following each other slowly along a pathway they had no doubt
often travelled. Fortunately I was down wind of them, and the
morning being bright and clear I was able to pick out the fellow I
considered would make the best mutton. This was a game-looking
little chap with black face and crooked horns. The path I saw led
right up to within about fifteen yards of me, when it bore to the
right, which would afford me a full broadside shot ; so I waited my
opportunity and let drive both barrels almost instantaneously at the
little wether, aiming just behind his left shoulder. To my intense dis-
gust, away he went with the rest as hard as he could split, and
disappeared behind a ridge. 1 knew I could not have missed him, and
on examining the path I found a lot of blood ; so I hurried on and
soon discovered the poor little fellow in his last throes. Waving my hat
to the boys, and giving a loud Whoo-whoop ! they were soon at the
spot We bled and gralloched him in true Highland fashion, just as-
i£ he had been a Blair Athol royal, and the boys bore the carcase
between them to the house.

Never was meat sweeter to men than was this mountain mutton
to Fred and me, and though it was rather tough for a day or two, and
had precious little fat, we devoured it with ravenous gusto, after such
a long course of fur and feathers.

That was, indeed, a jolly sporting trip, and many a time afterwards,
we talked it over and agreed that we never tasted such ripping good
and well-cooked game as we had in that lonely but lovely place ; yet.
Fred had a chef io whom he paid £100 a year.

This, however, was not my first turn at cooking game of my own
shooting, and for my own subsistence. Years before that, another fellow
and I had to live upon snipe for nearly a week under somewhat similar
circumstances. We put up in a rather rough-and-tumble old shooting;

241

lodge, and though it had a good kitchen, there was no range and only
a bad grate ; hence we had to do the best we could in the dining-
room. We cooked our snipe thus, and I will back the method against
any other that circulates in the cranium of any cook in Christendom :
I drove six nails into the wooden chimney-piece in the dining-room, to
each of which I attached a short piece of twine, and underneath I put
a saucer with a piece of butter in it. To each of the strings I hung a
snipe, tied by the bill, regulated to let him hang just opposite a hot,
clear fire. I then twisted the strings, so that the birds revolved round
and round, and I basted them well with the pure butter well melted.
As soon as the trails began to drop they were taken off, and replaced
by another lot, which were cooked in like manner, while we discussed
the others in the perfection of hot juiciness. We each ate for dinner six
or seven snipe, with wild duck or teal to follow.

The time I refer to was when our daily bag ran from twenty to
thirty brace of snipe, with several duck, teal, and widgeon. Times are
changed, however, and so are laws since then. Over the same ground
the best shot in the kingdom would not now get a quarter the number.

If the iniquitous 10s. gun certificate and game-dealer's licence had
never been heard of, we should still have good shooting in many places
in Ireland. The first day we held the races over Williamstown Course
hares were so plentiful that six were killed by the crowd, and on the
same farm I had no difficulty in often getting my two or three brace of
partridge before going to my office at 9.30 a.m. Xow you might as well
look there for hyenas or ostriches as for hares or partridges. I got fifty
hares once to stock the same place for coursing, and let them all go
myself, every one being as strong and healthy as it was the day
before, when caught. I marked each by clipping off the top of the left
ear. Within a week nearly half of them were sold to licensed game-
dealers in Waterford ! The same story can be told of hundreds of other
places in Ireland.

I may here remark that hares should never be turned down on strange
ground in the evening, for if they be, they will travel all through the
night in the direction of their old home whence they were taken. Hares
feed in the evening and early in the morning, and roam about at night,
never stirring from their forms in the daytime unless disturbed. There-
fore, the time to put them out is from an hour after daylight to noon,
and then in the vicinity of good covert and feeding ground. If this be
done they will take refuge in the former immediately, and come out to
the latter in the evening for food, for which they will then be ravenous.
There, if they are not disturbed and find the place comfortable and tlie
feeding good, they may remain ; but turned-down hares seldom stay
where they are put if the place be unenclosed.

In my younger days selling game by the proprietors of preserves was
never thought of in Ireland nor was it practised much in England ;
in fact to do so would have been considered outr4 to a degree by
the great majority. Now that is all changed, and game is sold by the
lords of the manor as universally as are their sheep and cattle. A

242

man may be on a shooting visit with a friend for a week, and be the
means of having more birds put into the creels than any of the party,
yet very likely he will not be given more than a few brace for himself or
to send his friends when he is taking his departure. All is sold that
is not actually required for the table of the host, or for a few presents.

In some places in England after a big shoot a brace of pheasants and
a hare or two are sent to some tenants of the estate, and during the
partridge-shooting a few birds are given to those over whose farms they
were shot. Xo doubt these little compliments and attentions are duly
appreciated, but I take the liberty of stating that the practice should
be much more usual than it is among our shooting magnates, and,
moreover, that there should be a still more liberal distribution by
some of those who already adopt the proceeding.

In fact, I don't think I am going too far when I say that, instead of
selling their game, the proprietors would serve the interests of sport very
much better if they distributed the greater portion, after supplying
themselves and their friends, among those who preserved it and the
foxes. Of course some game should be sent to market for the use of
those who neither shoot nor preserve, but there is no need whatever
for such quantities as are sent at present. Besides, those who sustain the
sports of our country are more deserving of consideration in this matter
than are the townspeople and others.

In the case of a man, or number of men, who pay a high rent for a
shooting, jDerhaps only for the one season or vv'here they may have no
connection with the take other than the shooting, it is quite a different
matter. They have every right to sell the game so as, to some extent,
recoup themselves their great expenditure of money.

Large territorial landlords have no such excuse. Their incomes do
not require to be supplemented by money got for cheir game, which is, as
a rule, preserved for them by their own tenant farmers. A great deal of
damage is done to crops by game, as recompense for which, and as
a reward for the preservation as well as to encourage it in future, the
greater part of the dead game should be distributed among the farmers.
Again, most of our great landowners are foxhunters. With the
assistance of the farmers in preserving foxes, and with their permission
to ride over their grounds, foxhunting can alone be carried on. There-
fore, to the farmers every recompense, every indulgence, and every
compliment should be paid. To send as a present to their wives all
over a foxhunting country two or three times a year a basket contain-
ing a few brace of birds and some bares, with their landlord's com-
pliments, would, I am sure, have a most marked and beneficial effect
upon our foxhunting.

Of course, the general public must have a chance of buying a bit of
game during the season. Tha,t can be afforded them in abundance by
what is sold off the rented moors and manors, supplemented as it
no doubt would be by that taken unlawfully, and for the sole purpose
of sale,
H.RH. the Prince of Wales, than whom there is not a better sports-

243

man in Great Britain, takes this view of the subject and gives away^
mostly to his tenantry, all the game which is shot in his preserves
except what is used in the Royal household.

To interest fellows like myself who have never had anything like
first-class shooting, I shall in the next few pages give records which
will open their eyes. I take them from Sportascrapiaua, the Bad-
minton Library, and my old scrap-book, which contains a curious
collection of sporting mems collected by me during the past thirty
years. The records are therefore thoroughly reliable.

I begin with some of the shooting in olden time, and I may state that
up to about 1840 flint guns only were used, and in about 1870 breech-
loaders took the place of the muzzle-loading detonator.

It appears from White's Natural History of Selborne, that iDartridge
were unusually plentiful in the years of 1740-41, and that "parties of
unreasonable sportsmen killed twenty, and sometimes thirty, brace in
a day."

At Holkham — Lord Leicester's seat in Norfolk— I find the amount of
game shot in the following years to have been : —

Year.

Partridges.

Total.

1793
1800
1818

1,349
3,865
1,711

This shows that where pheasants and hares increase partridge will
decrease.

Hares seem to have been wonderfully abundant in those times, for in
1806, on a complaint being made by the farmers of their being too
numerous on Sir Thomas Gooch's estate in Suffolk, no less than 6,012
w^ere killed over it in six weeks.

As encouragement to Suffolk gamekeepers to increase their stock of
hares, pheasants, and partridges, a prize was offered, in 1811, to the
keeper who could show the best record, as regards quantity shot and
quality of the shooting, in any six days between 8th October and 8th
December. The prize was awarded for the following, which was shot
by thres guns over 4,000 acres : —

-

Killed.

Missed.

Cock Pheasants

378

51

506

177

j 190

Hen ,,

39

Partridges

301

Hares

94

1

Totals

1,112

, 633

2U

A capital killing average, and shows how the old fellows with their
now-despised flint guns could shoot.

Vermin in those days seem to have swarmed in some parts, for over
this estate, in the same year, w^ere killed by the keeper and two assistants,
9 martins, 31 pole-cats, 416 stoats, 120 magpie?, 167 hawks, 310 field-
rats, 19 brown owls, 7 cats, and — which shows there was no hunting in
the locality — 22 foxes.

In the game-book at Riddlesworth for 1809, six guns are stated to
have shot in January, 1 duck, 93 pheasants, 2 snipe, 19 hares, and 10
rabbits, total, 125 head, to which is appended a note in Mr. Thornhill's
handwriting : " Have not heard so many was ever killed before." It
was not long until he found the score beaten, for in the next year his
return, in one day, was better by 150 head, standing as it did at 110
pheasants, 96 hares, and 63 rabbits, with ten guns. And again in
November, 1813, with eight guns 143 pheasants formed part of the
Riddlesworth bag of 232 head.

The following is a delightful record, and, as the Badminton volume
says, " the carefully kept table must be one of the most interesting
shooting records in existence." I have more pleasure in relating the
performance than I have with any other in this chapter : —

" The late Lord Malmesbury kept a journal of his sporting life even
to the quaatity of powder and shot he used, the game he killed each day,
the time he was out, the distance he walked, and the weather."

Here are th-i totals of the game which fell to his own gun over the
Heron Court Manors, his property in Hants, in forty seasons from 1798
to 1840 :—

Blackgame ^ 81

* Pcirtridges 10,744

Quails 50

Landrails 95

Pheasants 6,320

AVoodcocks 1,080

* Snipes 4,694

Wild Swans 3

Wild Geese 8

Other Fo^vl 2,7f6

Bitterns 10

Golden Plover 6

Haves 5,211

Rabbits 7,417

Total 38,475

To shoot the above Lord Malmesbury was out 3,645 days, walked

36,200 miles (about once and a half round the world), missed 16,766

shots, and fired away about 750 pounds weight of powder and four tons

of shot !
His daily average bag was only about eleven head, but he got them

in fifteen shots, a marvellous record over so many years. And that was

* PtBudering plural the words snine and partrld--^ by adding a final s
crives words the sound of which has always been horrible to me. We never
hear of grouses.

245

clone with the old flint gun, and of course either over dogs, stalking, or
walking up the game. During the whole time this sportsman, noble
in every sense of the word, was never confined to bed for one day by
sickness or accident.

In the present day, when birds in thousands are driven to a turf
bank, which they fearlessly fly for, and from there are shot in hundreds
hy a man with two or three breechloaders supplied him in rapid suc-
cession by attendants, of course the daily average just given is only
live minutes' work. I should like, however, to know if some of the
present- d-iy shooters could, starting level and at even weights, beat
the record of this great and grand old sportsman.

One of the first instances, if not the first, in which a thousand
pheasants were shot in a day was in 1845, when a party of nine guns
shot something over that number on Lord Ashburton's estate at Bucken.
harn in Norfolk.

Mr. J. Sidney Tbarp, of Chippenham Park, Cambridgeshire, in
October^ 1826, with one gun, one dog, and one attendant, bagged
ninety-nine partridge between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. He was then so
knocked up that he was unable to go on to kill one bird more and
so make up the hundred. He picked up all the birds and shot quite
fair, not killing more than one at a shot. Moreover, the birds were
very wild.

At Orwell Park, near Ipswich, the property of Mr. Tomlins, in about
1830, five guns in four days bagged 1,348 partridge.

In January, 1858, in four days. General Hall and seven fritnds at
Wedton Colviile bagged 2,155 partridge. Only one day was fine, high
wind on the others, with a hurricane on the first day.

The largest bags of partridge made by walking in line were in 1858
and 1859 on Lord Ashburton's estate in Norfolk, when 314 brace and 332
brace were shot by eight guns, some of whom were not first-class shots.

In Staffordshire, over Lord Stamford's property, in January, 1869,
eleven guns in one day's driving shot 551 partridges, and in another 615.

In January, 1864, one of the largest bags of game on record was
made at Bradgate Park, the seat of Lord Stamford, in Leicestershire.
In four days were shot by thirteen guns for three days, snd fourteen
guns for one day, 4,045 pheasants, 3,902 rabbits, 860 hares, 59 woodcock
which, with 4 partridge, 2 snipe, and 28 various, totalled to 8,900 head,
showing an average of 2,225 head a day.

At Six Mile Bottom, Cambridgeshire, during the last week of the
season of 1869, nine guns in four days shot, driving, 1,940 partridges ;
a daily average of 242| brace, or 22 brace to each gun.

At the same place in December, 1861, three bags were made in one
v^e^k which are worthy of record. First day v/ith thirteen guns, 193
hares, 267 rabbits, 736 pheasants, 7 woodcocks, 3 varioup, total 1,206.
Second day with fourteen guns, 173 hares, 190 rabbits, 1,605 f)heasants>
2S woodcocks, and 3 various, total 1,997. Third day thirteen guns shot
3,333 rribbits, beside 26 head of other game. A three days' shoot by, say
thirteen guns of 6,562 head.

2-46

The heaviest bag of grouse made by a party in a day was in the
extraordinary good season of 1S72, when Mr. Kennington Wilson and
his friends shot 1,313 brace. In the same year 1,006 brace of grouse
were killed in a day on Lord Ripon's moors in Yorkshire.

Coming to recent years I find that in 1885 a party of ten guns in four
consecutive days in December shot at Holkham 3,392 partridge, being
848 a day with 85 birds to each gun. Mr. Gurney Buxton headed this
enormous score on each day with 172, 112, 95^ and 96.

0.1 the property of Mr. J. Price, at Rhiwlas, North Wale?, two
weighty bags of rabbits v^rere made in 1883 and 1885, when, with nine
guns in one day, they r.^spective]y amounted to 3,684 and 5,086. Of the
latter Earl de Grey shot no less than 920, but he is one of the best all-
round shots ever known.

Sir Vici^or Brooke, Bart., is referred to as being one of our best rabbit
shots, and that in his own park at Colebrook, Ireland, he in the year
1885 killed to his own gun in one day 740 rabbits out of exactly 1,000
shots. Moreover that one half of the day he shot from the right
shoulder and the other half from the left.

The largest bag of grouse shot over dogs made by one man in one
day was naade at GrantuUy, Perthshire, on 12th August, 1871, by the
Maharajah Duleep Singh, who killed 220 brace. He also made the
largest bag of partridges on record, killing 390 brace on 8th September,
1876, on Hall Farm, Norfolk.

Elveden in Suffolk, once the estate of this Indian prince, is about the
best for partridge in England. Over that property, in 1876, four guns
killed in four days in October 2,531 partridge. In 1878 801 birds fell
to three guns in a single day. In 1885 that record was beaten by
three others shooting in one day the extraordinary number of 856
partridge. The Elveden game books show another great shoot in
September of the same year when, in fifteen days, the same three
guns thot no less than 6,509 birds, giving an average of 72 brace per
day to each gun !

Those great bags can only be made in the Eastern counties. Forty
brace of partridge to six guns, walking up the birds, is a fair day's
sport in the north, south, and west of England, or in Scotland. In the
north of England there is no partridge-shooting to compare to Lord
Londesborough's in Yorkshire. Over it in 1884 a party averaging six
guns in four days killed, driving, 1,540 birds, one day's bag being 557.

The quantity of game killed in the season of 1880 on the Duke of
Sutherland's property in Scotland was wonderful : Stags 284, hinds
32, roedeer 104, hares 5,940, rabbits 12,543, grouse 52,613, ptarmigan
142, blackgame 1,997, pheasants 170, partridge 920, woodcock 713,
snipe 661, plover 36, ducks 220, various 99— total 76,474 head. This
did not include the game and rabbits killed by keepers.

In the year 1872, famous for abundance of grouse. Sir Frederick
Milbank and his party, averaging six guns, in six days shot, over
the Wemmergill moors in Yorkshire, 3,983| brace of grouse, or which
Sir Frederick killed 1,099^ brace. One day in eight drives he shot

247

364 brace, in one of which he knocked down in 23 minutes 95 bra je,
or over eight birds a minute. He had three guns and two men
loading for him.

The great bag of the season 1882-83 was made at Croxteth, Lord
Sefton's seat in Lancashire, where six guns killed 7,674 head in five
days, averaging 1,279 a gun. Of the lot 5,543 were pheasants, 1,25Q
hares, 440 wild ducks, besides snipe, rabbits, etc. ; of woodcocks only
eight were shot in the five days.

1,313 brace of grouse were shot in one day by a party at Bromhead.
1,100 brace were bagged by another party in a single day on the
Wemmergill grouse moor ; and 1,000 brace in one day by a shooting
party at Studley Koyal. Unfortunately I have not the date or further
particulars of these shoots.

On his Blubberhouse moor, in Yorkshire, on August 30, 1888, Lord
Walsingham made the largest bag of grouse ever made in a day to
one gun. It totalled J, 058 birds, and was made between 5.15 a.m. and
7.30 p.m. He had twenty drives, which occupied seven hours and
twenty-nine minutes, the rest of the time being spent in waiting for
the drivers or in picking up the birds. From 7 to 7.30 was spent in
walking home, during which fourteen birds were shot. Deducting
these, and the half-hour occupied in shooting them, 1,044 birds were
shot in 449 minutes' actual shooting — ^.e., for seven hours and a half —
an average of one bird in every twenty-five seconds ! Four guns were
used, and two loaders employed. Not a shot was fired by anyone
but Lord Walsingham.

I find that " 70,000 partridges and 125,000 pheasants are the ap-
proximate estimate of the number of these birds annually sent to
London markets, coming mainly from jSTorfolk and Sufiblk, and these
numbers have probably been exceeded during the last few years."

It is also stated that "in 1884 the number of pheasants killed every
season in the United Kingdom was estimated at 335,000, but this
calculation is probably much below the mark."

I next find " figures taken from the accounts kept on an estate of
10,000 acres of preserved land in Norfolk which will give some idea of
the rate of increase in the number of pheasants during the present
century, and of ttie substantial advantage to the proprietor and his
friends as well as to the community in general." I quote the years
only in decades as nearly as they appear. Doubtless the rate of
increase has been maintained to the present time, but the return ends
in 1881.

Year.

Pheasants killed.

Year,

1860
1869
1881

Pheasants killed.

. 1821
1830
1840
1850

39
119

778
1,716

2,256
2,697
5,363

248 •

When we read in Mr. Tegetmeier's excellent book on pheasants that
*' one pheasant had in its crop 726 wire worms and another 440 grubs
of the crane fly,"' it is easy to understand that where pheasants are
numerous insects destructive to crops are scarce.

That big bags are still made is in strong evidence, for in December,
1892, we find recorded in the Field that at Sudbourne Hall, Suffolk,
in three days with eight guns were shot : 3,567 pheasants, 103 par-
tridges, 464 hares, 473 rabbits, 37 woodcock, and 19 various— total
4,663 head, that is an average daily bag of 1,555 head, with 1 94 to
each gun.

In the same month at Bishop's Wood, Herefordshire, in two days
with seven guns were bagged : 2,725 pheasants and 81 other head —
total 2,806, or an average of 1,403 a day and 200 to each gun.

A pleasing record is also given in that paper, where it states
at Trewern, Oswestry, a country foxes are preserved in, five guns in
November, 1892, in one day, and within an area of 35 acres of coverts,
shot 353 head, consisting of 328 pheasants, 4 partridges, 9 hares, 9
rabbits, 1 woodcock, and 2 various — an instance among hundreds which
shows that pheasants and foxes can be preserved in the same coverts.
A wonderful shot at wildfowl is reported to have been made in
Scotland during the hard weather of Christmas, 1892. Sir Charles
Ross's puntsman seeing a great congregation of birds on the ice, got
within sixty yards of them and then fired; killing in the one shot 147
birds cf different sorts, principally plover ; the charge used was 4ozs.
powder and 14ozs. No. 3 shot.

A gentleman of my acquaintance, who does not wish his name men-
tioned, and a friend of his, towards the close of 1892, shot in the High-
lands in five days' stalking and driving twenty-two hinds. This is, I
think, the best record of such shooting.

As a specimen of what can be done with a gun by crack shots, two
marvellous incidents may be given. The sportsmen on both occasions
were the same, and notably the two best marksmen in England.
Both (noblemen whose names I know, but am debarred from men-
tioning them also) were standing side by side at the end of a cover
expecting pheasants, instead of which a covey of eight partridge swept
overhead, and, seeing the shooters, scattered in all directions, Each
man got four shots, and with them brought down singly the eight
birds, which were picked up on the spot ! Another daj^, shooting
pheasants at Studley in Yorkshire, the birds crossing high over their
heads at tremendous pace, these sportsmen by agreement took alter-
nate birds, and to their right or left as they chanced to come. They
killed and picked up 98 pheasants, shooting bird for bird between
them, and missing only one shot apiece !

The late Mr. David Beatty of Borodale, who was for over forty years
master of the Wexford Foxhounds, was a wonderfully good shot.
In about the year 1846 or 1847 he backed himself to shoot thirty snipe
with thirty charges of shot. The shot was carefully measured, and
the shooting began. He killed every bird up to nearly the end, when

249

he missed one; he then lessened the charges, and won his match
without another miss. He continued shooting and added largely to
the bag with proportionately good work.

The late Mr. Edmond Power of Clonmel and the present Mr.
Patrick Power of Faithlegg, near Waterford, were quite our De Greys
and Walsinghams. Karely would these men miss anything they fired
at, and they shot regularly throughout the season. The first-named
gentleman on the 12th August, about twenty years ago, in Scotland,
bagged in single shots, without a miss, 58 grouse and a hare. This
would have been recorded as the best shooting of that year's " twelfth "
had not the late Captain Horatio Ptoss of Rossie accounted for 86
grouse out of 89 shots, and to him was accorded the palm of merit.

Although having a stiff leg, which occasioned him to walk lame, and
being somewhat corpulent, Mr. Edmond Power was an extraordinary
good walker, particularly on a mountain. He had a wonderful breed
of pointers, and they knew their business as well as any dogs in the
kingdom. Upon one occasion when on a visit in Scotland for shoot-
ing, he overheard his host and the keeper arranging the beats for the
first day. After assigning the best to some of the other visitors, a flat,
easy- walking outside beat was laid off for the laird and " the lame
gentleman from Ireland." In the evening Power, after having walked
his host to a stand, was less fatigued than any of the party, shot,
without missing a bird, more than anyone else, and for his brace of
dogs he refused fifty guineas. Needless to state thenceforward he
was given good beats.

Mr. Power of Faithlegg had a dropper bitch which was gifted with
extraordinary sagacity. She would never leave heel until she came to
a field in which there were birds, but directly she came into one with
birds, she would go straight to ivhere they were and set them. Thus
without beating a yard she would find five times more birds than all
the other dogs put together. But for having often witnessed this
wonderful manifestation, I would not believe such power could exist.

The best man I ever shot in company with was John Brady, a
servant of my brother's. It wa? from him I learned my A. B.C. of
Sport, and were it not for that man I might never have ridden a hunt,
shot a bird, or trained a dog. In gratitude for what he taught me, and
in tribute to the memory of an honest man, I record the fact that
during the many days I was out with him, both as a small boy
before I carried a gun and later on when we shot together, extending
altogether over twenty years, I could never recall to memory his
having missed anything he fired at. No doubt the number of shots
got daily were not very many, but everything Brady fired at he
killed, ofttimes while smoking his pipe. He was a wonderfully good
walker, and first rate to train dogs and hunters, while no man could
ride better to hounds. He tied flies beautifully and could fish well.
He was a capital groom, and knew more about farriery than many
veterinary surgeons. With all these outdoor accomplishments, he was
a good indoor servant, and served our family for forty years.

■2o()

Many years ago Brady and I were after grouse over old Blackstairs
and, smoking at the time, an old cock unexpectedly got up. My pipe
was in the right side of my mouth, so the gun sent it flying, splintering
two of my teeth, and I missed the grouse, while Brady wiped my eye !
Xever since, although always a heavy smoker, have I smoked a pipe
from that side of my mouth.

To schedule the marvellous feats of shooting which I have recorded
is but right and proper. I therefore give a table of

Notable Bac;s of Gamh made in Old axd Recent Times.

Tear.

Head.

Days.

Guns.

Remarks.

Partridge—

1740

40 to

1

Over dogs.

1858

2,155

4

8

Driving.

1859

628
064

1

1

^

y Walking in line.

1869

551

1

11

>

J J

015

1

11

5J

1,940

4

9

1876
1878

2,531
801

4

1

4
3

^ Driving or walking

1884

1,540

4

6

in line.

1885

856

1

3

,,

6,509

15

3

.J

3,392

4

10

/

Grouse—

1872

7,967

6

6

5J

2,626

1

Not given.

".

2,012

1

)>

- Driving.

>.ot given.

2,626
2,200

1

1

>>

5>

2,000

'

JJ

f

Rabbits—

1883

3.684

I

9

>5

5,086

1

9

Hares—

1806

6,012

6 weeks

Od the one estate.

Pheasants—

1821
18.30

39
119

1

Totals shot in each

1840

778

season over an estate

1850

1,716

1 in Norfolk of 10,000

1860
1869

2,256
2,697
5,363

"acres, showing the
steady increaseVhich

1881

1

has taken place.

351

Mixed Bags-

Year.

Partridge.

Pheasants.

Hares.

Rabbits.

Various.

Days.

Guns.

Total.

1793

1,349

262

358

_

—

season

1,969

1800

3,865

355

854

—

season

—

5,074

1809

93

19

10

3

1

6

1251

1810

110

96

63

6

1

10

275

1811

506

429

177

—

—

6

3

1,112

1818

1,711

1,227

3,176

—

—

season

—

6,114

1861

2,341

366

457

39

2

13i

3,203

1864

4,045

860

3,902

93

4

13

8,900

1880

See page

246 for

particul

ars.

70,474

1882

—

5,543

1,250

—

881*

5

6

7,674

1892

103

3,567

464

473

56

3

8

4,663

'-•

—

2,725

—

—

81

2

7

2,806

* Including 440 wild duck.

i" Best one day's record up to then.

Individual Shooting.

I

1798
to .
1840. J

1826.

1871.

1872.
1876.
1885.

1888.
1892.

Lord Malmesbury

Mr. J. Sidney Tharp

]SIaharajah Duleep Singh

SirF. Milbank

Maharajah Duleep Singh

Mr. Gurney Buxton ,

Sir Victor Brooke, Bart.

Earl de Grey

Lord Walsingham

A punts man

38,475 various game.

f 99 partridge, with 1 gun
\ over 1 dog in 7 hours.

440 grouse in 1 day.
2,199 grouse in 6 days.

780 partridge in 1 day.

475 partridge in 4 days.

740 rabbits in 1 day.

920 rabbits in 1 day.
1,058 grouse in 1 day.

147 wild fowl in 1 shot.

From what I have recorded of myself as a fisherman and shooter,
it is plain I have not had experience in big fishings or with exten-
sive shootings. Moreover, shooting has so changed in its system since
I engaged to any extent in it, I confess I do not feel as confident in
dealing with it a? I do with hunting, racing and other sports. Of
course there are hundreds of men who have seen a vast deal more
of hunting and racing than I have, but I think for a considerable
number of years I saw in both as high-class sport as most men ; I was
therefore able, u'aassisted, to deal with them. Entering, as I am now
about to do, upon a treatise on big shootings, and calculating what is
spent upon them and upoQ fishing, I have had to get some assistance
from others.

The gentlemen who helped me have had a life-long experience of the
very best deer-stalking, game-shooting of all sorts, and salmon-fishing,
they therefore know all about them, and having taken a great deal of
pains to put me right, I may fearlessly lay the following statement
before the public. The undertaking is infinitely more difficult and
compliccited than the others, but I shall follow my precedent and keep
figures below rather than above the correct amount.

252

I take for my basis the tables which are given hj Mr. Watson Lyall
ia his Sportsman's Guide for October, 1892, and shall proceed system-
atically and deal with matters in detail.

Mr. Lyall treats only with the shooting and fishing in Scotland, but
does so in very comprehensive style. In his tables he sets forth the
name of the shooting and fishing, proprietors, tenants or occupiers, and
the rent.

In a compilation such as his it would be quite impossible to obtain
complete information, doubtless this is the reason why so many blanks
are left in the rent column, although in nearly every instance the name
of the tenant or occupier is given. We may also take it for granted
there are some shootings and fishings of which no return has been
made, and therefore they are not mentioned. The print used in the
book is very small and in two or three instances a figure has been
"dropped." Making, however, all due allowanceSj the following will
be found to be a pretty accurate analysis : —

Table of Scotch Shootings.

Set to tenants, with rental recorded ,
Set to tenants, rentals not recorded .

Set to tenants at under £30

Shootings retained by the proprietor?

Number of
Shootinf'-s.

1,450

698

1,000*

1,129

Rental.

£492,500
2S7,300t
20,300
Not estimated.

Total 4,277

£750,100

For round numbers, and for what may not have
been returned, we will call them

4,300

£757,000

* Estimated by me.

t Calculated at same average as the recorded rentals, say £340.

In their proprietor.^' occupation are 1,129 shootings — say they, on an
average, are of the same extent as are those let to tenants, consequentlj'-
they require the sam3 outlay. If I were to charge these with rent at
same rate the amount would exceed £384,000, and they would not be
parted with for half a million.

Unlike Irish shootings small shootings in Scotland do not, as a rule,
require keepers or watchers— the shepherds do all that is needful.
Upon extensive deer-forests several men have to be permanently
employed for various duties, particularly to feed the deer in hard
weather ; likewise on large moors men must be kept to kill vermin,
attend the dogs, prevent poaching, etc., etc. Leaving out the 1,000
small shootings and taking the larger, one with the other, we may
allocate to each one keeper and two assistants, with wages respectively

253

of 20s. and 153. a week. During the first six weeks of the shooting, and
at other times during the season, additional gillies have to be employed,
their wages being 253. to 303. a week. I average their number at two.
Thus we would have for the

Annual Expenditure in Wages,

3,300 keepers, at 20s. a week £171,600

6,600 assistants, at 15s. ,, 257,400

6,600 gillies for six weeks, at 25s. a week 49,500

Total, 16,500 men £478,500

To the 3,300 shootings which are either let to tenants or are in the
ocoupation of the proprietors, there would be invited during the first
six weeks a great number of guests. Of necessity they come in relays.
Say three at a time are invited, and that there are four relays, we
would then have twelve individual guests to each shooting. That would
give us a total of 39,600, most of whom have to travel long distances to
the houses of their hosts. Put down to each £10 as his expenses of
travelling, ammunition, and gratuities, we would arrive at £396,000 as
the sum laid out by the guests, and this does not include the expenses
of wives and daughters who are often invited.

We now come to deal with the " Shootings under £30." As seen in
the table I have given, they total about £20,300, which I divide into
1,000 shootings. To each of these two friends go for a fortnight's shoot.
Th-^.y, almost to a man, have to put up at an hotel, the nearest to their
shooting. From the time they leave home until they return these
young fellows will each have had to pay daily at least 25s. to cover
travelling, hotel-bills, ammunition, gratuities, and other expenses.
Therefore, from gentlemen who take the small shootings we have, in a
fortnight, an expenditure of £35,000. Their rents are included in the
general rental already given.

Dogs are used in great numbers over nearly all the moors in
Scotland. It is only on very few where they are not a necessity early
in the season. I shall, however, allot only six dogs to each of the large
shootings, and two to eich of those under £30. That gives us 21,800
dogs. They are attended to by the assistants, but to feed during, say,
four weeks, they will cost Is. 6i. each per week. That comes to, say,
£6,500. Of course, nearly all the dogs come from England and return
there for the autumn and winter shooting.

The shepherds are a very important factor in the maintenance of a
grouse moor. Lucky it is that as a class the Scotch shepherds are
exceedingly loyal, well-disposed men, for in their power lies a great
deal towards rendering a season good or bad. Constantly on the moors
attending their flocks, they without extra trouble do good service
to the owne;- or lessee, and for this they get gratuities in some shape or
other. There are no shepherds on the deer forests, but upon some of
the extensive grouse-shootings there are many. I shall therefore put
down three shepherds to each of the large and one to the small
shootings, and that they get in donations 20s. per annum. That totals
up lo, say, £11,000 for the shepherds.

25^

A lot of money is spent upon the hire of ponies to convey men to the
shooting, carry the game, luncheon, etc. These are supplied generally
by the gillies, and they get about 3s. a day for each pony. I estimate
the sum at £10,000, and include it in the expenses of the guests.

I now come to treat with the salmon fishing of Scotland.

From the same source as I took my statistics of shootings I compile

the following

Table of Scotch Salmon Flshings.

I
Number of ! -R^„^-^l
Fishings, i ^^^*^1-

1

Set to tenants, with rentals recorded

276 £21,510

Set to tenants, rentals not recorded

210 ^ 16,380*
196 Isot estimated.

Fishings retained by the proprietors

1

Total

6S2 , £37,890

For round numbers, and for what may not
have been returned, we will call them

690 £38,500

* Calculated at same average as the recorded rentals, say £78.

Retained by the proprietors are 196 fishings. They, we must likewise
suppose, are on an average of the same extent as those let to tenants,
thus requiring the same annual care and expense. If I charged them
with rent it would come to £15,300 a year, and they would not be given
for £20,000.

To "Net Fishings "Mr. Watson Lyall gives a rental of some £45,780,
but as catching salmon in a net cannot be included in the category
of Sport, I eliminate altogether that item.

No doubt some tenants of the grouse moors and deer forests rent, in
addition, some of the salmon fisheries. If the shooting and fishing be
handy, the latter may be worked upon somewhat cheaper ratio than if
it were taken alone. I don't think, however,' anything appreciable is
saved thereby.

The open time for rods on Scotch fishings varies between January 10
and November 1, but for many reasons, well known and not neces-
sary to mention, some waters are not fished continuously. We may,
however, with safety put down six months as the average duration
of the season, and that one gillie employed on each water for that
time at 15s. a week. That figures up to, say, £13,500. Each of these
men will get in tips from guests at least 5s. a week, or £4,500, but,
like the ponies, that item is included in the expenses.

For salmon fishing alone guests are not invited in numbers at all like
those for the shooting ; still, a good many come, and they stay longer.
Let me put down the very moderate 1 as the number invited at a
time to each of the 690 fishings, and that each remains for a month ;

255

that represents 4,140 visitors to Scotland for the fishing. Their
expenditure may be proportionately less than the shooting guests', so I
will put it at £20 each for the month, against £10 allocated to the
shooters for a week or ten days. We then arrive at £82,800 as the
sum spent by the Waltonians.

In round numbers the expenses of the lessee for a season's shooting or
fishing in Scotland are equal to the rent he pays.

I shall now, as I did with Hunting and Racing, for the convenience of
my readers, tabulate together the

Cost of Shooting and Fishing in Scotland.

Shooting.

Rentals of tenants recorded and estiaiated ... £757,000

Wages of keepers and gillies 478,500

Gratuities to shepherds 11,000

Keep of dogs for four weeks ... ... ... 6,500

Expenses of guests 396,000

Do. tenants of small shootings ... 35,000

Total cost of Shooting in Scotland ... £1,684,000

Fishing.

Rentals of tenants recorded and estimated ... £38,500

Wages of gillies 13,500

Expenses of guests 82,800

Total cost of Fishing in Scotland ... £134,800

Grand total cost of Shooting and Fishing in —

Scotland £1,818,800

This table refers only to Scotch grouse and mixed shooting, deer-
stalking, and salmon fishing ; but it does not include quite all the
lowland sport. Neither is trout fishitig included, on which a vast
amount is spent in Scotland, but no rent is charged.

It is to be observed that I have taken my basis from the returns given
only by Mr. Watson Lyall. He is but one of a great many agents for
the letting of moors and forests, and may have given only the properties
on his own books. If, therefore, he has not included all the shootings
and fishings in Scotland, of course my estimates are the more under
the mark. I think, however, he gives practically them all.

What may be the amount spent all over England, Ireland, and Wales
upon grouse, partridge, and pheasant shooting, salmon and trout fishing,
not to speak of rabbit, cock, duck; and snipe shooting, I have not so
ready a means of calculating as I have had from the statistics given in
the SportsmavJs Guide.

However, to carry out my programme I shall cross the border, but I
must give an explanatory introduction.

I don't know if the rentals of shootings and fishings outside Scotland
figure as much as those paid in Scotland. Perhaps they do not.
Partridge-shooting is not as costly sport as grouse-shooting. At the
same time enormous rents are paid in Norfolk, Cambridge, and
other crack counties; some run up to 5s. and 6'. an acre. On the
other hand very good partridge-shooting can be got elsewhere for Is.
an acre or less. In Ireland long ago I had ground for next to nothing

256

over which ten to fifteen brace in a day could be bagged easily by an
ordinary shot.

Grouse moors in Derbyshire or Yorkshire yield &, bird an acre, while
those in Scotland do not give more than a bird per ten acres on an average.
Then, on a 2,000-acre Yorkshire moor, twenty or thirty men have to be
employed on a drive. On a 10,000-acre moor in Scotland only about six
gillies are needed. The English drivers would only be employed about
six times a year with the grouse, but partridge-shooting then absorbs
them, and after that the covert shooting. In England I have heard it
calculated that every 1,500 acres of moor or farm land employs one
gamekeeper all the year round. In Scotland 15,000 acres in some
places employs only one keeper with one or two assistants permi^nently.
I think, therefore, there can't be much difference between cost in
England and cost in Scotland of grouse moors alone.

Twenty thousand acres of good grouse-shooting can at times be got
in Scotland for £500 ; however, 10,000 acres for £350 would be about
the average of good Scotch moors.

In England 10,000 acres of good partridge ground would cost at least
£500.

Pheasants are, I think, quite as numerous as grouse ; but pheasant
shooting is not so generally let to tenants. Home-bred pheasants cost a
lot of money, and those bought fully grown to be turned down for a
shoot cost much more. Grouse cost nothing to rear but only to shoot.
Pheasants cost quite as much to shoot as do grouse.

Scotland is only about one-fourth the extent of the whole kingdom,
but it is nearly all shooting or fishing ground. The shooting season
lasts there practically for only six or eight weeks, during which the
sport is carried on everywhere every day. Over the remainder of the
kingdom, although shooting of one sort or other is followed up from
August 12 till the end of February, the area is not as generally covered
with game preserves a^ is Scotland, neither is the sport continued so
universally. At the same time shooting in England necessitates a vast
amount of travelling, and the tips to keepers and carriers are higher
than in Scotland.

Shooting nowadays is vastly more expensive than it was formerly.
To provide for the big shoots pheasants and partridge have to be home-
bred and reared in enormous numbers, and to prevent poaching keepers
have to be employed wherever game is required. If not strictly pre-
served every head would be killed, as is the case in Ireland. When I
was a boy we had partridge, quail, hares, and snipe in plenty where not
one is to be found now. Snipe, however, have been driven away princi-
pally by the drainage of the bogs.

A friend has lent me for a day or two the Shooting volume of the
Badminton Library, and from it I extract the following, which gives
further explanation on the subject I am dealing with : —

" It may be said that in England at the present time (1886) fifty to
seventy brace of grouse to five or six guns shooting over dogs is an
excellent day's sport, and over a hundred brace the exception. In

257

England a hundred brace of grouse obtained by driving is a moderate
bag, a hundred and fifty to two hundred brace a fair day's sport on a
large and well-stocked moor, two hundred and fifty to three hundred
and fifty brace a good day, and anything over this very good indeed.
It is only in Yorkshire that such large totals as five to seven hundred
brace, the result of one day's grouse-driving, are obtained, and the moors
on which such sport can be found may almost be counted on the fingers
of one hand.

"In Scotland driving is little practised, as the birds are far less
numerous and not nearly so strong and wild as in England. Grouse in
Scotland lie to dogs long after August 12. In England they certainly
will not do so. In the former country from thirty to forty brace of
grouse in a day to one or more guns is considered average sport ; any-
thing approaching a hundred brace unusual.

" In North Wales good bags are made over dogs, especially in the
neighbourhood of Bala.

" In Ireland twenty brace is a very successful day, forty brace un-
common, and as far as our experience goes fifty to sixty brace phenom-
enal, if not, indeed, unheard of.

" Partridge-shooting is in some respects akin to grouse-shooting, and
the bags made of these birds are generally very similar in number to
those of grouse. But partridges are nowadays hand-reared in many
parts."

So far for the shooting. The fishing luckily requires less explanation.

In no part of the kingdom can you find such abundance of good rod
salmon-fishing as is to be had in Scotland, although in some parts of
England and Wales very good sport is to be had, while at Castle-
connel, Ballinahinch, and one or two other places in Ireland, as good
salmon-fishing is to be found as in any part of Scotland. It is, however,
to the trout we must look to bring up the figures for the estimate of
English and Irish fishing. No doubt it totals a very large amount,
but I can't fix it. Even so, I doubt if the fishing can hold its own
outside Scotland, as does the shooting.

After all this explanatory preamble, and dealing only with the items
alluded to, I think I may be considered safe and well within the mark
when I estimate the annual expense over all parts of the kingdom
outside Scotland during, say, six months' shooting and six months'
fishing, at double the amount of their cost in Scotland during its season,

England, in addition, has to be charged with the cost of the dogs,
less the sum spent on them in Scotland ; and, as will be seen, it comes
to a very nice little sum.

As I said, nearly all the dogs used in Scotland are brought from
England and return for the other shooting, but there are a vast number
which are never brought to Scotland, certainly double. That would make
in the kingdom a total for pointers, setters, and retrievers of something
like 65,500. As they are laid by for half the year, they can be fed for
one shilling a week. To keep up the kennels a tremendous lot of puppies

s

258

have to be bred yearly, and they cost more than the old dogs. But
putting the old and young down at the same figure, we come to £340,600
as the enormous amount spent annually upon the keep of dogs u«ed for
shooting. From that, for the purpose of this calculation, has to be
deducted the £6,500 for the keep in Scotland, leaving, say, £334,000 to
be charged to England.

To this has to be added what is called dog tax. In IreUnd we pay
only 2s. 6d. a dog ; over the rest of the kingdom 7r>. 6d. is paid. Giving
to Ireland, say, one-tenth of the dogs, the tax will come to £22,900.

Putting a value of £2 on each trained dog all round, the let would
be worth £131,000, throwing the puppies into the bargain.

Not yet have we nearly accounted for the money which these two
grand old sports ciuse to be expended. We have still to deal with
such trifles as licences, guns, rods, clothing, etc., articles which, of
course, must be put to the general account, and before focussing the
totals in table form I shall, in further explanation, deal shortly with
these items.

As we have 44,870 men, including guests, proprietors, and lessees,
going to shoot in Scotland, we may take it that, all over the kingdom,
at the very least 150,000 men shoat game. Each must take out a
licence ; say, 100,000 at £3, 25,000 at £2, and 25,000 at £1. That
figures up to £375,000. I can't form any idea of the number of
gamekeepers for whom certificates are taken out. Anyway they will
bring the amount up to £400,000.

Now about the guns. Considering that hundreds of men are
possessed of three or four, each of which cost from twenty guineas
upwards, and that very few shoot with a gun for which they paid less
than £10, and that every fellow must have one, we may allow a gun
and a half to each of the 150,000 shooters, and assess the cost price all
round at £l3 a gun ; that with the rifles will figure three millions of
money, which at 10 per cent, per annum for renewals means £300,000
a year.

A tidy sum also is spent annually, and permanently invested, in
such articles as game bags, baskets, and creels, together with belts^
boxes, and bags for the cartridges, '^ et cetera ceterorxim^'' as Jorrocks
says. Say each man has £2 invested in such like, it totals £300,000,
with £30,000 for yearly renewals.

We may with all reason put down that 75,000 men fish for salmon-
Lots of them have most expensive rods, with valuable assortments of flies
and other minor tackle. Allowing that each, together with his trout
gear, has invested £5 in that stock, we come upon £375,000 with £37,500
a year for repairs and renewals. Rod licences will come to about
£30,000, although no licence is required in Scotland to kill salmon with
rod and liLe.

Shooting and fishing necessitate getting from our tailors, hosiers,
and bootmakers a rig f-pecially adapted to the work. Luckily fashion
does not require us to dress for the mountain or river in style so costly

259

as the covert side, and old clothes being more comfortable to walk in
than new, a rig for shooting or fishing lasts a long time. Give to each
man £10 worth of these clothes we tally up £1,500,000, which for wear
and tear will cost £225,000 a year. Of this I shall charge one-fourth to
Fishing.

Now to bring all these calculations into a concise form I set forth, in
accordance with the foregoing exemplification.

The Totals of the Cost of Shooting and Fishing in the
United Kingdom.

Shooting.

Fishing.

Total.

Scotland

£
1,684,000

3,724,900
400,000
330,000
168,750

£
134,800

269,600
30,000
37,500
56,250

£
1,818,800

England, Ireland, and Wales.

Shooting £3,368,000

Keep of Dogs... 334,000
Dog tax 22,900

3,994,500
430,000

Licences

*GuDs, Rods, and Requisites.
*Clothing

367,500
225,000

Grand totals

6,307,650

528,150

6,835,800

Thus do these two great branches of Sport nobly fill their places
in the roll of money-circulating mediums.

As hunting is to the farmers, and as racing is to the townsfolk, so are
shooting and fishing to the cotter and the labourer. Into the pockets
of these poor and hard-worked people over one million and a half of
the money spent upon shooting and fishing finds its way. While, bar
rents and rail fares, the tradesmen and their ivorkmen get the balance.

To many of those employed the wages and perquisites they receive
for caring the preserves and attending sportsmen are their sole support,
while to them all, the pay is a very material addition to whatever other
means they may have of livelihood.

In addition to their regular wages and monetary gratuities, the gillies
and the crofters in Scotland get as perquisites every year nearly all the
hinds. These are shot a little before Christmas, and number from
4,500 to 5,000. Needless to say, this great quantity of good wholesome
meat contributes largely to the sustenance of these poor people during
the winter.

During the process of making out these abstruse calculations and
apportioning the expenditure, I came across some details which I
daresay will interest some of my readers ; I shall therefore relate them.

* Interest on money invested to provide for repairs, wear and tear.
Official returns of some of the above are made annually, but I had not an
opportunity of consulting any of them. — The Author.

260

The licences and dog-tax total to £453,000, which, going to the
Revenue, relieves the country of so much taxation.

In the item of cartridges there is a marvellous outlay. Giviog to
each of the 44,800 men who shoot in Scotland, say, only 200 shots in
their few days' visit, we gather up 8,960,000 empty cartridge-cases.
These when full cost l^d. each, so the little item of cartridges shot off
in Scotland costs annually £42,000. Double that for the shooting
outside Scotland, plus what may be fired by keepers, schoolboys, and
by those who, beyond ammunition, incur no other expense, we can
reasonably assess the cost of cartridges used in shooting game at an
annual amount of some £130,000.

In Mr. Lyall's book I find those paying the heaviest rents recorded
as follows : Mr. Hamar Bass, for Achnashellach, £4,500; Lord Hindlip,
for Invermark, £3,500 ; Baron Schroder, for Glenfeshie, £3,300 ; Lord
Burton, for Glenquoich, £3,022. Then come many tenants with rentals
of from £1,000 to £2,500, and scores of men paying from £500 to £1,000
a year for their sport of a month or two. He does not record the rental
paid by the American, Mr. Winans, who, for the past seven or eight
years, has rented at some £10,000 a year enormous ranges of moor and
forest which he neither shoots himself nor allows anyone else.

From the Sportsinan's Guide I also extract the following informa-
tion : " The largest shooting rental of any county in Scotland is Inver-
aess-shire, with over £90,000. Perthshire follows with about £75,000,
then Ross-shire with nearly £60,000, Argyllshire with about £35,000,
and Aberdeenshire with over £30,000. The other counties figure at
smaller sums.

According to the figures given in the recent report of the Crofter
Commission, " there are 109 deer forests in Scotland, having an area of
1,975,000 acres. The yield of stags from these forests may be fairly
taken at about 4,500 each season, and the rental at about £30 per stag^
or £135,000." That shows a rent per acre of just sixteenpence half-
penny !

From another authority I learn that the average size of the deer
forests of Scotland is something under 20,000 acres each. The Duke of
Fife's Forest of Mar, in Aberdeenshire, is the largest, extending to over
•80,000 acres. Next comes the Black Mount Forest, in Argyllshire, the
property of the Marquis of Breadalbane, which is very nearly the same
size. The largest holder of afforested land in Scotland is the Duke of
Sutherland, who owns 212,658 acres, yielding the comparatively small
rental of £6,845, or 7|d. per acre !

In proportion to the rent of a moor, the grouse shot cost about
twenty shillings a brace. When all other expenses are calculated, each
bird will cost the lessee twenty shillings. Pheasants cost quite as
much. Likewise with regard to a deer forest. Each stag shot has
to be paid for in rent something like £30, while the other expenditure
brings him up to from £50 to £60. Every salmon caught in Scotland
with rod and line costs the lessee at least £5. When sent to market

261

this excellent food, supplied alone through the means of Sport, does not
fetch one-eighth of what it cost to kill, therefore the British public
can buy it as cheap as any other fish, flesh, or fowl.

Emanating from land agitators we hear constantly outcries against
tracts of land being set apart to grouse moors and deer forests to the
exclusion of cotter and crofter tenants. Does it occur to those one-
sided soothsayers that, with the exception of a very limited area, the
land devoted to the grouse and the deer is totally unouited to cultiva-
tion ? Except after years of the hardest and most unremunerative
labour these wild districts will grow nothing but their own ferns, rushes^
and heather. Then, if the same labour be not continued, the land will,
in a couple of seasons, revert to its original and natural herbage.

Portions of some of the deer forests might, in the spring and summer,
be grazed by sheep and cattle ; but would the same rents be paid for the
grazing as are paid for the shooting ?

Again, we know that, except when wonderfully well cooked, the meat
of a wild red deer is often not very good eating. If therefore, deer
cannot grow fat and become sweet venison on their highlands, sheep
assuredly could not there become good mutton.

This was demonstrated forty or fifty years ago, when there was a
general exodus from the Highlands of the cotter and crofter tenantry.
Such became a necessity, for there was no other alternative for them but
starvation, even if the low rents they paid were to be reduced to
nothing. The ground occupied by these poor people had then to be let
run into grouse moors and deer forests. Since then it has many
hundreds of times been the experience of the landlord to have an
extensive sheep-grazing thrown upon his hands by the tenant, and by
the rule in Scotland, he had to take over the sheep at the market value
of the day. Say the landlord paid £500 for the sheep, to get interest
for his money, and the rent he was paid by the tenant, he should
make some £50 a year out of his sheep -farming, an occupation, with
all its worry, he would be very unlikely to undertake. As a grouse
moor for this sheep-walk he would get at least £100 a year rent
without any trouble to himself, besides being able to sell oflf the sheep
at the price he paid for them.

Is it therefore to be wondered at that Scotch lairds prefer to see on
their properties grouse and deer to sheep and cattle ?

The keepers and gillies now employed on the moors and forests are
worthy descendants of the old crofters and cottagers, but they are much
better off by their weekly wage and are better housed than were their
fathers when tenanting the place.

Experience has taught us and history relates that to make money on
Highland moors or forests, by either grazing or tillage, is an impossi-
bility, and when such was the case in the past, there is no chance of
success in the future.

There are many reasons for this, among them being the following : —

Most of the deer forests and much of the grouse ground lie over

262

mountains, which are from 1,000 to 4,000 feet high, a great deal of
which are rocky or heather-clad, and in winter these regions for many
months are covered with snow. They are proverbial for thunderstorms,
and the consequential rainfalls cause torrents to tear down the steeps
and flood the glens. Where the valleys are sheltered and not flooded
the snow lies deep, and often does not disappear till late in the spring.
These wild regions are far removed from populous parts, and connected
thereto only by the very worst of roads.

Moreover, while the lowland Scotchman is about the best agricul-
turist in the world, and prides himself in the vocation, a Highlander
hates farming or any work requiring hard labour, and being an inborn
sportsman much prefers to earn his livelihood out of shooting and
fishing.

No doubt large tracts of land can be found among the shootings
which are of a quality excellent for tillage, while here and there are
patches varying in small extent which, in olden times, were cultivated.
Hills covered with good grass and extending over thousands of acres
are sometimes seen which would, under favourable circumstances,
afford a profitable undertaking through grazing of sheep and cattle.
They, too, were let to tenants for the pasturage, but although the
rent charged for the arable land ranged from only 5s. to 15s. an acre,
and the grazing sixpence to a shilling an acre, a dead loss was sustained
to both farmer and grazier. That being so it is manifest if crofters had
the land for nothing nowadays they could not even live out of it.

The rent now paid for deer forests, including of course all the bad as
well as the good land, is about Is. 6d. an acre, and by reason of employ-
ment thereon and the grouse moors the Highlanders are not alone far
away better off than they could possibly be by farming, but derive their
money from a vocation they much prefer. To substitute farming for
shooting would, of course, change for the bad this happy state of affairs,
and would raise the rates to double or treble what they are at present,
while, of course, the incomes of the landlords would be reduced to a
quarter of what they are.

No man with capital, if in his senses, would think of embarking it in
farming among the Highland shootings ; therefore, to populate these
tracts with crofters the Grovernment would have to find the capital, and
when found it would, in a few years, be entirely lost. This is in
evidence from the miserable state in which the small farmers live in
the Highlands who have not steady employment on the shootings and
fishings.

Over some of the Highland properties a great deal of employment is
given by the proprietors. In making roads, fences, planting trees, and
drainage, thousands upon thousands of pounds are expended every
year. Some of the territorial owners have individually, within the
past twenty years, expended in labour, consequent upon these im-
provements, amounts varying from £10,000 to nearly £100,000.

This vast expenditure was nearly all occasioned by reason of the

263

shooting, and were it not that deer and grouse are preserved, and
•extensive manors reserved for them, the proprietors would have
-required to lay out tens instead of thousands of pounds among the poor
people.

Through the means of the shooting and fishing the rate of wages in
the Highlands, during the past twenty or thirty years, has risen 50 to
100 per cent.

To your moors, your mountains, your rivers, and your lakes are you,
•bonnie Scotland, indebted in a very much greater degree than I have
shown in this chapter. Your shootings and your fishings, located as
they are amidst the grandest and most beauteous scenery, cause to be
spent in the land of heather thousands upon thousands of pounds per
annum 7nore than I have figured up.

The sports of the Highlands induce your wealthy lairds and landlords
to dwell for many months of the spring, summer, and autumn, in their
ancestral homes, and there mix among the tenantry. What these
territorial magnates expend within that time, particularly during the
grouse-shooting, must be counted only by thousands— a no small item
of which is the employment as cooks and housemaids hundreds of your
Highland lassies, for, with the exception of ladies' and children's maids,
female servants are not usually brought with the familu s from England.
Besides all this, to her Highland home in favoured Scotland goes our
gracious Queen oftener than she does to any of her many residences,
and spends thereat more time.

To poor old Ireland our Queen has come but twice during the fifty-
iive years of her reign, and upon each visit spent less than a week
there I Perhaps her Majesty would have come oftener had we Irish
been as peaceable and law-abiding as are the canny Scotch ! Albeit,
had our Queen paid regular visits to Ireland she would have received
there as loyal receptions as have been accorded her in either Scotland
or England ; and who knows but her gracious presence would have had
a soothing influence upon the sympathetic and impressionable Irish ?

An article appeared in Land and Water on December 24, 1892, which
seems so excellent in principle and detail, moreover it is written
upon the lines I have adopted for this book— i.^., the perpetuation of
our sports by adjustment of abuses — I shall therefore reproduce it.

"The shooting tenant has become such a recognised institution both
in England and Scotland that it is as well that his position should be
■clearly defined. Everyone who can, and many of those who cannot^
afford it, rent shootings not merely for the sport of shooting, but
because it is the right thing to do, and as a rule these persons are
equally ignorant of the usages between country gentlemen and their
tenants, and of the legal rights of the shooting and farming tenant. It
is, we think, one of the most difficult situations a man can be placed in
to become the shooting tenant on a large estate ; nowhere will his tact
■and temper suffer greater trials. Unless he gets on with the occupier
■of the land, his sport will certainly suffer, and if he does get on with

264

the occupier, it is often because of the sacrifice of his own sport. The
usual thing, we are afraid, is that the shooting tenant does not get on
with the farmers. There are, of course, shooting tenants and shooting
tenants, but we think that in the majority of cases the farmer is in
the right— certainly legally, and often morally as well. Leaving out of
sight the few shooting tenants who are real good fellows and true
sportsmen, who act on the idea of living and letting live, and who
wo aid get on with any farmer, the modern shooting tenants may be
divided into two great classes : the one who takes shooting in order to
kill a big head of game, and the other who takes shooting hoping to
make the place pay, if not wholly, at least to a great extent. Both
these classes are undesirable ; we hardly know which is the most so,
but feel inclined to say, ' A plague on both your houses ! ' The one is
sometimes a snob, the other always a screw, and there is not much to
choose in sporting matters between two such persons. It may be that
a series of game farms is the most profitable use that land can be put
to in these bad times, but then it must be by the occupier of the land,
not by a person who has merely a right to sport over it. A Scotch case,
bearing on the question of the rights of a sporting tenant to keep an
excessive stock of winged game, has just been decided, with the result
that such tenant has had to pay damages. There are a number of
English cases to the same effect, the question always being one of fact —
has an excessive stock of game been kept up or not 1 This often is a
difficult question to answer, as the term excessive has different meanings
to different minds. Before the Ground Game Act was passed, we have
heard occupiers cry out if there were half a dozen rabbits. Now as
they have an equal right to the rabbits and hares, the complaint is as
to winged game. No one will pretend that in some places an excessive
quantity of winged game is not kept up, and it often happens that a
tenant looks in a very different light on the head of game his landlord
keeps and the head of game the shooting tenant keeps. There can be
no doubt of the liability of a man who keeps up such a stock of game,
whatever kind it may be, that does damage. It may be that now an
action would not lie for the damages done by ground game at the suit
of the occupier, as it would be said you ha.ve the remedy in your own
hands. You could have killed down the hares and rabbits if you
pleased, and as you did not do so, you cannot make anyone else liable
for your own neglect. But this does not apply to winged game ; here
the occupier of the land has no right to kill a head of game. If he does
he is guilty of an offence, and, therefore, in return for the protection
the law has placed round the game, it has made the owner of the game
liable for the damage it does. As a rule, this question as to damage
arises solely in the case of pheasants. We have never yet heard of an
action where it was sought to recover damages for partridges or grouse,
but pheasants are a very different matter, and no one who has seen a
field of corn near a cover where a number of pheasants are kept but
will agree that they both can, and do, do very substantial damage. It

265

is exactly the same as turning out a lot of fowls, and the rules as tc
liability for damage are precisely the same in each case, only the person
who kills the fowls would not be guilty of a criminal offence ; but the
person would be who killed the pheasants. Apart from this distinction^
the cases are identical, and as the owner of fowls who injures a neigh-
bour's crops is liable to be sued for the damage his fowls do, or have
done, so is the owner of pheasants liable to be sued for whatever injury
his birds do or have done the farmer. We do not think that shooting
tenants fully recognise this fact or their position. They often think, or
act as if they seemed to believe, that the old times had returned ; that,
as in France before the Revolution, a seigoeur was legally entitled to
keep what number of pigeons he pleased to eat his tenant's crops, so
now the shooting tenant can keep what number of pheasants he pleases,
and so he can, with the trifling difference that the seigneur had not to
pay for the damage the pigeons did ; the shooting tenant has to pay, if
the tenant requires it, for the damage done by the pheasants. We do
not think that farmers as a rule — of course, there are churls every-
where— are inclined to grumble at a moderate supply of pheasants.
We never heard any objection to the birds that, are naturally bred on the
place, however numerous they might be, being considered as excessive.
Nor do we hear very much grumbling at a moderate supply of hand-
reared birds. What causes the complaint is the modern habit of
excessive breeding on one or two fields, from whence the birds stray in
a body to the nearest cornfield. The reasons are obvious when we read
that an exalted personage is going to honour Lord A. by shooting with
him. The guns are carefully picked so that only the best and most
reliable shots should be present, so that the bag may be as large

as possible ; a bad shot is not tolerated however great his rank.

**********

"We confess we have little sympathy with the man, whether the
great landowner or the rich sporting tenant, who, to enable him to
swagger as to having had the largest bag of the season at his shoots^
gets up an abnormal head of pheasants ; and we are not sorry to see
that the farmers are making a stand. Times are too bad for the farmer
to allow any part of his crop to suffer. If a man will swagger, he mus
pay for his swaggering, and we cannot say that the fact of his having
do so causes us any regret. We were never among those who ran down
covert-shooting, but covert-shooting is one thing, excessive breeding is
another ; even to turn out pheasants in moderation is not objectionable
if they can fly, and have not been kept for weeks in wire netting ; but
it is the indiscriminate turning out to kill a big bag that we feel to be
so very objectionable, because it is so very unsportsmanlike. The case
of the tenant who goes in for making shooting pay is rather different
from that of the swaggerer. He will never turn down pheasants unless
it pays to do so, and the dread of having to pay for compensa-
tion to the farmer will usually deter him. The cost of the pheasant&
alive is so out of proportion to the value when dead, that the stingy

266

man is not likely to make himself liable to much compensation to the
farmer. He rather tries to breed as much as possible on the ground, so
as to be able to kill off or sell off as large a quantity as he can. But
he often makes himself liable to the farmers for acts of sheer meanness.
If he can save a sixpence in food, even although thereby his birds do
harm to his neighbour, he will do it. If he can by not keeping up his
fence?, or in any other way, obtain an advantage, he has no regard to
the interest of his neighbour. It is not to be feared that he will cause
very much complaint, except, perhaps, in this, that he will be unwilling
to pay for the damage his servants and friends, or even himself, may
do in the pursuit of game. He may be permitted to take care of
himself without causing very much harm. But the rich snob is a
different and more dangerous person. He seems to increase, and to be
likely to increase. So long as it is fashionable to kill a large bag, so
long shall we have him with us, and so long as he is patronised by
great people, year by year we shall hear more of him. Pheasants are all
very well, but if a man wants them he should feed them on his own land
at his own cost, and not at the cost of his neighbours."

More than a year after putting together the MS. of this chapter,
and while it was in the printers' hands, there appeared in the Daily
Telegraph (August 8 and 12, 1893) two articles which I, with great
pleasure, reproduce.

The year 1893 was phenomenal for sunshine and little rainfall.
Game of all sorts were never more plentiful and seldom as forward as
they are now, the near approach of the glorious "Twelfth." In
years to come it may therefore be interesting to read what was said in
that paper about the prospects of sport and other matters relating to
Scotch shootings, which happen to be germane to this chapter : —

The approach of gi-ouse-shooting has been causing the tenants of Scottish
sporting domains to troop northward for the past fortnight. The traveller
down the Highland line during these days has found his progress impeded
at everj^ stage by trains of portentous length, conveying sportsmen to their
respective quarters. The time has been, not so very long ago, when, on
this same Highland line, business was so slack that the engine-driver has
been known to pull-up in order to give a lift to the stray shepherd and his
dog whom he might overtake in climbing the slopes of Drumuachdar, or
rounding the end of Monadhliath ; but in these days of continuous brakes
and corridor carriages, the traveller to the Highland capital hnds himself
whirled along as swiftly and as comfortably as if he were on his way to the
metropolis itself. Not even on the eve of the Twelfth, however, when every
station-master and porter is working his hardest to cope with the demands,
is the dislocation of traffic so serious as was quite common in these parts
a few years ago. The only fear, from the visitors' point of view, is that
they may be getting the tag-end of the best season on record. Never, in
the memory of the oldest inhabitant, has there been such summer weather
in the North, It is not in the least degree paradoxical to say that the
summer this year commenced in the middle of spring, and until three weeks
ago the weather had shown one unbroken record of sunshine. It has

267

been such weather as has pleased everybody except the Highland hotel-
keeper, who looks upon the Sassenach as a fair subject for spoliation, and
who got his house early in order in hopes of making tbe nn'St of him. But
the visitor did not come any the earlier on that account. Hence the grumbles.

One effect of the unprecedented weather has been that the season is every-
where six weeks earlier than last year. The hills on which you look to
have the heather in full bloom in the beginning of September, have been
ablaze with purple since the beginning of July. The sportsman has every
right to expect a good time.

There is only one thing which may have the effect of chastening his
hopes. A party of respectable and worthy gentlemen, headed by a sheriff
and two M.P.'s, and called Deer Forest Commissioners, have been going
about the northern counties for the last three months, and there are some
ardent people who foresee in their proceedings the early extinction of
wild sport in the north highlands. They have been commissioned to
inquire "whether any, and if so, what lands" appropriated to grazing
or sporting purposes in the highlands are capable of being "advan-
tageously occupied by crofters or other small tenants," and in the
sweltering heat of June and July, arrayed ofttimes in outlandish costume
befitting a Wild West show, they have tramped the heather in search of
such land, while startled hinds and whirring grouse have fled in terror at
their approach. Whatever the Deer Forest Commissioflers may have to
recommend, or the Government who appointed them are prepared to carry
out, the sportsman may find a grain of consolation in the fact that of the
two and a half millions of acres devoted to sporting purposes in the crofter
counties the Commission, in the better part of a working year, have not
been able to overtake a fourth part, so that he may lay his plans with
assurance for some years to come.

In discussing the sporting prospects in the North a sharp distinction must
be dra%vn between the areas devoted to deer forest and the ordinary grouse
moors. Most of the deer forests have low ground shootings attached to
them, but it is as deer forests that they are organised, and everything is
sacrificed to that Royal sport. In Argyle, Inverness, Ross, Sutherland, and
Caithness there is not much else in the way of sporting territory except deer
forests, and these extend to not far short of two millions of acres held by
about a hundred persons. In the deer forests grouse and other small game
are looked upon as a nuisance to be kept under at any cost. At the critical
moment of the stalk, the whirr of a grouse, or the rousing of a mountain
hare may spoil the result of a day's work by putting the stag on the alert,
and the gamekeeper, when he falls in with them, shows them no mercj*.
For the same reason the eagle, the fox, and other natural enemies of ground
game are encouraged to thrive in the forests, and the seclusion of these vast
areas is also enabling the marten and the badger, which have been regarded
in some places as practicallj^ extinct, again to increase in numbers.

For the deer the season has been an exceptionally favourable one. The herds
are numerous, and the calves have progressed so well that already they are
almost as big as their mothers. The stags at this season of the year have a
habit of keeping pretty much to themselves and well out of sight in the
high grounds ; but they are reported to be in grand condition and unusually
well advanced. The sportsman has therefore good reason to expect that hig

268

average of weights should be a fairly heavy one. The forests have been
well let, and one scarcely hears of a single one without a tenant. The-
rents which are being paid are as high as ever, and as an example may be^
quoted the deer forest of Auchnashellach, in Western Ross, which Lord
Wimborne has let this season to the Postmaster-Geneial and Mr. A. von
Andre. The forest, one of the finest in the north, extends to 50,000 acres,
and the rent is £4,500— not a bad sum to pay for a couple of months'
shooting, though it is not to be compared with the £10,000 or more which
Mr. W. L. Winans has been paying annually for his Highland moors, in.
which he has not fired a shot for the last eight years.

The great grouse districts of Scotland are the moors of Perthshire and of
Galloway, and there the prospects are of the brightest sort. The moors
last year ha<l been shot sparingly and there was a strong brood of healthy
birds left on them. The dry spring weather was most favourable for
nesting, and the warm and early summer brought on the young birds to
such a state of maturity that, by the middle of July, they could scarcely be
distinguished from the old grouse. The coveys are large all over. Half a
dozen in a covey is not an unusual number, and on some moors they number
nine and ten. The reports show all but entire absence of disease, and
only on high ground and on dry shootings has the lack of moisture had a
hurtful influence. The same applies to all kinds of winged game, and
similar accounts come in from all the Scottish moors. The only fear is that
the weather, which has been so phenomenally brilliant during the earlier
part of summer, may not hold.

The article which appeared in the D.T. oi " The Twelfth," 1893, i&
most interesting, giving, as it does, a charming extract from the diary
of a man who is, evidently, a sportsman. With infinite pleasure I put it
into my book. I wish I knew his name, so as to record it : —

Happy indeed should be the sportsman who wakes this morning Avith th&
knowledge that for a whole month to come keepers, gillies, and dogs will be
at his beck and call so soon as it pleases him to tub and breakfast. To a
keen man there is no pleasanter sensation than the consciousness that for an
absolutely fixed period — a time long enough to insure him against all freaks
of the clerk of the weather — he will be at liberty day after day to tramp the
moors while sound lungs and tough sinews carry him up hill and down
dale in search of the bonnie red grouse. Some " Twelfths " are fine and hot,
some fine and cold, some pelt with rain and blow with Avind that drives the
moisture through and through all protection; other " Twelfths " are foggy,
drizzly, and close, and in 1884 there was one special opening day marked by
thunderstorms of phenomenal severity and mournful tragedy, for on that
day Lord Lauderdale and his pony were killed by lightning whilst shooting
on his moors in Berwickshire. As this sad occurrence took place but a few
miles from where I was beginning my campaign against the grouse, the
melancholy event is still strongly impressed on my memory. The same
storm overtook our party just as we reached the top of a hill 2,000ft. high,
and for a long time we laid flat on the heather, at a distance from our guns,,
literally afraid to stir. Not 300 yards from us a flock of sheep had taken
refuge under an overhanging cliff of rock, and, as nine of them Avere killed
by lightning, our precautions and state of "funk " were fully Avarranted.

On moors AAdiere a good stock of birds Avas left last year, the season
commencing to-day AA'ill be nearly as good as the great grouse year of 1881.

269

In that year and in the one following I had the good luck to shoot over the
^ame 30,000 acres of moor ; but in the season of '82 the bag to our two guns
was nearl}'- 350 brace less than that which we put together in the good year ;
thus it may easily be seen what a great difference fav^ourable weather and a
good nesting season makes to a moor. The sport of the first month of season
1881 was so good that a record of it may amuse old grouse-sliooters, and
perhaps convey information to those younger ones who are hoping to have
their turn on the heather. It will be seen that, although we had great
sport, we yet had a sufficiency of contretemps and rough weather to make
the good days doubly pleasant.

Commencing with August 11, it is recorded that, having left Euston the
previous evening, we arrived at a small station on the Highland line about
■ten o'clock that morning, and then by posting thirty-two miles we reach
Ossian Lodge some time in the afternoon, and spend the rest of the
day in getting ready for the morrow. Our establishment consisted of my
host and myself, butler, cook, housemaid, dairymaid, and laundry maid,
three keepers, two gillies, four ponies, six brace of well-broken Gordon
setters, three deerhounds, two tame red deer hinds, and a ghost that kindly
kept in the background during our stay.

August 12, 1881. — A dark, windy, showery day, with a very bad light,
and this, combined with the shaking up in the limited mail and the jolting
of the " machine " during the long drive here, which had made us both a
little bit "livery," helped to save the lives of a good few wild-rising birds.
We agree that neither of us are shooting up to concert pitch, and so we stop
=early, and come in at about six o'clock with sixty -two and a half brace and
two white hares.

13th. — Weather much the same, but we shoot up to our best form, and
carry on the war till dusk, and bring home seventy-nine brace.

14th (Sunday). — Glad of a rest. While taking a stroll in the afternoon
Ave came across a small herd of deer standing on the pony track and with
them was a splendid royal stag, and though his horns were yet covered with
velvet, it was at once arranged that we would be called quite early to-
morrow and start off to see if his majesty yet lingered on the grounds of
Ossian.

15th. — Called at three o'clock only to find the hills enveloped in a very
dense mist, so turned into bed again, and eventually sallied forth about
•eleven o'clock, and returned with fifty brace taken from Corrie Bran.

16th. — Very, very wet ; impossible to shoot. About midday my host
spied two stags and five hinds from dining-room window. Started in
pursuit, and after an hour's hard crawl the deer " picked us up " just as we
were near enough to shoot. I, being nearest the deer, ran forward at best
pace and killed one stag and wounded another, and they were both going
full tilt at about 130 yards away. We chased the wounded one for over
two miles, and got him eventually.

17th. — Torrents of rain. Went out at 4.30, and bagged twenty brace.

18th and 19th. — Very fine. 118^ brace and four hares in the two days.

20th. — Fished Loch Fingal, and caught about 200 small trout; the
monsters reported to be in the loch would not look at any lure we could
offer them.

21st (Sunday). — A lazy day of letter-writing and pottering in general.

270

22nd. — On meeting our men in the morning we found all of them half
stupid, and evidently not recovered from an over-night drinking bout.
Host very angry with the butler for giving them whisky. It turned out,
however, that they had saved up their daily flask " allooance " all through
the week, and had determined on a Sunday booze. Took good care this
did not happen a second time. Sent for head keeper, and got out at mid-
day, and came back with fifty-two brace.

23rd. — We each went different ways for der-r that had been seen. Host
did not get a shot at a stag, but he spied a fox asleep on a rock, and
stalked and killed him without ever waking him. I had two stalks, but
was not very well taken up on the first occasion, and had a long shot at a
running stag half hidden by rocks, and missed. In the second stalk the
stag defeated us before there was a chance of a shot. Did not get dinner
till the fashionable hour of 10.30.

24:th, 25th, and 26th. — Three very fine days, and we bagged 168 brace,
seven hares, and five teal.

27th. — A gale by mid-day, and we came in at three o'clock thoroughly
wet through.

28th (Sunday).— Rain and gale.

29th. — Torrents of rain and gale continues, and we hear that during the
night our ponies have bolted for shelter. Keepers sent in pursuit, and the
strayed ones were eventually found twelve miles away and safely brought
back.

30th and 31st.— Gale changed from S.W, to North; bitterly cold, with
heavy snow showers. Thirty-nine and a half brace and a stag to host's
rifle was all we got in these two days.

September 1. — Host went after deer. I shot fifty-five brace of grouse by
myself. Very fine again, and quite hot. During the day we saw an eagle
take a grouse, and, having seen it settle, waited for it to take its meal ;
then stalked it, but we had marked the place badly, and the bird sailed off
a long way out of shot.

2nd and 3rd, — Both days fine, and we got 118 brace and two teal.

4th. — The usual Sabbath. We were twenty-four miles from any kirk.

5th. — A splendid still, clear, hot day. So we attacked the ptarmigan
and got twenty-one brace, five and a half of grouse, and forty-six hares — a
fine day's sport in splendid weather and magnificent scenery.

6th. — We spied a large herd of nearly a hundred deer. I was sent in
pursuit, and after a very long and wet stalk an old cock grouse rose and put
them all into a trot just as I was preparing to shoot. Fortunately they
went off bmadside to me and I made a good right and left. Both very fat
beasts, one a royal, the other an 8-pointer. Beached home at 10.30, and
found host asleep in front of a peat fire. He had bagged forty-seven brace
and two teal.

7th and 8th. — Ninety-five and a half brace. Both days fine.

9th. — Attacked ptarmigan again ; but had no sooner reached the top of
the hill than down came a dense mist, and, after getting five brace of
ptarmigan, two brace of grouse, eighteen hares, and three golden plover, v/e
were forced to give up.

*10th. — Sunday. Did a lot of packing up.

* A slight inaccuracy in the date occurs here, and also in the total of bag, but so it appeare I
in D.r.— [Author.]

371

11th and 12th. — Very, very wet, and the two days yielded but twenty-
seven brace.

13th. — We stalked. Host got no shot. I got an 8-pointer. Iroquois won
the Leger. We both had backed him.

14th. — Finished packing, and with great regret turned our faces London-
ways. Our bag was 6 stags, 1,875 grouse, 52 ptarmigan, and 86 various — a
total of 2,023 head.

In Chapter XXII. will be found records of the shooting of Mr.
Osbaldeston, Captain Ross, and Lord Kennedy, which quite equal any
of those given in this chapter.

That Rheumatism is a dreadful complaint everyone who has suffered
from it will readily admit. Right well I know what it is, having been
laid up a cripple for nine months with sciatica and able to move about
only on two sticks, and for years past I have been subject to terrible
attacks of lumbago. At times so helpless was 1, that had the bed or
couch caught fire, I could not have got up. By adopting preventive
measures, these attacks are now not nearly as frequent as they were,
while the remedies I use cure, in a day or two, the horrible malady. I
shall, therefore, for the good of my readers, and sportsmen in particular,
tell what I do.

First I may state that I attribute my lumbago to a bad '* rick " which
I got out hunting many years ago, from the effects of which I was laid
up for a long time.

Prevention is better than cure, and being convinced that to keep the
back extra warm is the best, I always have on one of AUcock's Porous
Plasters, and next my body I wear night and day, round my waist,
a band of red flannel (I don't know why red is better than white, hut
it is), and also by day I wear outside my vest a body-belt of worsted
thickly knitted.

Owing to these precautions, which I adopted only within the last
three years, the attacks are less frequent than they were, but my old
enemy pays me periodical visits. Directly I feel the first twinge I tackle
him. If attacked in the daytime, I get hot salt tied up in a sock
clapped to the small of my back, which I keep on in relays, according
as it gets cool. Before going to bed I sit in hot water, with plenty of
mustard in it, for fifteen or twenty minutes ; after that I take off the
porous plaster and get my back well rubbed with the following liniment :
Spirits of turpentine, |^oz.; spirits of hartshorn, |oz. ; spirits of camphor,
Joz. ; laudanum, 6 drops. In addition to the red belt, I wear, during
the nights of visitation, the worsted belt. I get my back rubbed with
the liniment twice a day, and I repeat the hot salt application while the
pain continues. I also take two or three glasses of gin a day. Directly I
stop the liniment I put on a fresh plaster. By using immediately these
strong though simple remedies I hunt the lumbago in a day or two,
but if not taken in time he will hold on for a week. I have been told
that a dose of cubeb is excellent, but I never tried it. I am certain,

272

however, that to dry-rub oneself with a magnetic towel regularly after
the matutinal tub, and before getting into bed, is a capital thing,
tried it for some time, but being somewhat troublesome I gave it up.
To substitute washing soda for mustard in the sit-bath might be very
good. I will try it next time.

To cure the Gout is often to kill the man. To assuage the pain so
as to allow the patient to obtain a few hours' sleep is a different thing.
Now the following process will effect the purpose : —

Into a foot-pan of hot water sufficient to cover the foot put |lb. of
common washing soda, and soak the foot in it for at least half an hour,
keeping the heat up by wrapping over with flannel and renewing the
hot water. Then steep flannel in the solution, wring out, and wrap the
foot up in the hot damp compress, covering it over with oil-silk and dry
flannel.— Then go to sleep.

PS —The season of 1893 will be memorable as having been one of
the best on record for shooting and the very worst for angling ever
known. It was not until the last fortnight that the rivers had water
in them sufficient to permit of sport. Enormous bags of grouse were
made, while sport in the forests was magnificent, and never were so
many exceptionally good heads got. Lord Burton, on Glenquoich, beat
all previous record by bringing down a stag with a head of twenty points.
The stag was very old and not in good condition, but he had the best head
that was ever got in Scotland. In many of the deer forests stalking
ceased earlier than usual. From returns given in the papers I find
the ten best records as follows :— Major W. H. Walker on Fasnakyle,
185 stags ; Mr. A. W. Merry on Affarick, 136. These two forests being
in Mr. Winans' possession, were not shot for several years. Lord
Burton on Glenquoich, 112; Mr. T. F. Laycock on Letterewe, 107 ;
Lord Tweedmouth on Guisachan, 105 ; Sir John Ramsden on Ardverikie,
92 ; Sir Charles xMordaunt on Memore, 80 ; Mr. F. Shoolbred on Kil-
dermorie, 67 ; Mr. Walter Shoolbred on Wyvis, 57 ; Mr. Bradley
Martin on Balmacaan, 57. Thus we have shot on ten forests 998 stags,
for which sport the owners or lessees had to expend every shilling of
£55,000, and probably a great deal more.

273

CHAPTER XVI.
COURSING.

Coursing as a Branch of Sport— Expenditure and Employment— Author's Estimate— Unfair
Play and Cruelty— Public Coursing- Sport on a Mountain— Jorrocks's Opinion—
Gambling— Breeding Dogs— Physiological Facts— Mr. W. H. Dewe's Article on Grey-
hound Breeding— Size and Quality— Weight of the Bitch— Worms— Feeding—
Physicking— Mange- Choosing a Brood Bitch— Running Blood— Rearing Whelps-
Weaning Them— Feeding Them— Walking— Shoulder Action— Exercise— The Food-
Puppy Diseases- Their Tee^h- Luck— Exercise Again— Fascinating Occupation-
Training Kennels— Warmth and Cleanliness— Medicines— Worms and Distemper—
Benbow— Kidneys and Liver— Mischief— Results— Additions by the Author— Ver-
mifuge—Rackham's Balls— A Simple Emetic— The Stomach of a Dog— Walking Grey-
hound Puppies— Not Suitable to Other Breeds— Brainlessness of the Greyhound-
History of Master McGrath— His Early Days— His Escape— His Coursing Career—
McGrath for the Waterloo— The Lamb for the Liverpool— Visit to the Queen— His
Death— His Performances— Dogs he beat— His Measurements— Description— His
Grave— Names Given to Dogs— Those given to Greyhounds- Physiognomy and Phren-
ology- Characteristics of Various Breeds— The Foxhound— Author's Enthusiasm-
The other Breeds— The Setter and Pointer— The Author's Opinions of Coursing
Justitied— The Waterloo of 1893— Records of that Memorable Meeting— Fuller ton—
Kennel-Companions Left in for The Final— Luck— Colonel North and The Waterloo-
Lord Derbyjand The Derby— William Irvine— Muriel's Waterloo,

Coursing, as a branch of our sport, no doubt stands high up in the
scale of popularity. To a vast number of people it is a source of great
enjoyment, and it can be carried on without any great expenditure of
money.

At the same time a large amount is, on the aggregate, expended upon
coursing in the year, and keeping up a kennel of greyhounds necessi-
tates a fair share of expenditure and gives a good deal of employment.

Notwithstanding all this I must say I never cared for it, more
particularly for public coursing as it is at present generally carried out.

As to the enclosed business, with newly turned-down hares let out
one by one from pens like sheep, I dare not trust my pen to deal with it,
hating as I do unfair play, and being unable to endure anything which
has even a taint of cruelty.

To my mind, cour.sing as conducted at public meetings, has not a
particle of fair play in it. I consider it a very cruel type of amuse-
ment, and not sport in its true form . A brace of dogs, in the best
condition, are slipped at a fat over-grown hare with its belly full of
food, and that on level ground, sometimes covered with thick and
perhaps high herbage. The consequence is that after a few turns the
poor animal is killed in nearly every course.

If, however, we could hold meetings on the side of a hill or mountain,
where the ground would be smooth enough for the dogs, and the scant
herbage favourable to the hares running, then I should like to see what
a brace of greyhounds could do with the tight, hardy little jack hares
which are only to be found on mountains, and where, with the hill in

T

2U

their favour and themselves in good condition, they would start with
an " odds-on " chance of escaping.

However, all being said, I go a long -way with my old friend Jorrocks
in what he says of coursing in his famous after-dinner speech on the
evening of Doleful's Ball, and I agree with him in thinking that "of
all the damned daft devils under the sun a greyhound is the daftest" !

Bar that 1 believe a good greyhound goes from the slips to his hare
at a greater pace than any other animal can travel at, I see nothing
in coursing to commend itself as sport, or anything but a cruel and
unfair pastime eminently calculated to produce and encourage gambling.

Kacing is uncertain, but coursing is doubly so. A dog to win a 64
dog-stake must win 6 courses, a 32 dog-stake 5 courses, and a 16 dog-
stake 4 courses. Still, we see fools and partisans taking odds as short
as if the lot were slipped in a pack and one course was to decide the
winner.

^ Holding the opinions I do on coursing I cannot enter upon any of the
details, but having begun a chapter on the subject I must fill it up
somehow. I shall begin by saying something about the breeding of
dogs in general.

The principle of breeding in accordance with physiological doctrine
applies equally to all species of animal, as has already been stated in
the chapter on the breeding of horses.

One should never breed from a bitch which has had her first litter
to a dog which is not of her own species, for females of every race are
liable to throw back in future conceptions to their first impregnation.
In the canine race this is particularly so. If a greyhound bitch has
her first litter to, say, a water dog, she wuU be liable to throw puppies
like water-dogs in every litter she has afterwards, no matter how purely
brtd her mates. It therefore behoves breeders of hounds and dogs of
all sorts to ascertain that the bitch they want to breed from has not
had her first litter to any dog other than her own species, and he should
be well bred.

I never had any experience with greyhounds, therefore I don't know
how they should be treated when puppies or at any other time. I have
been told they require a deal more care and attention than other dogs
by reason of their want of sense and high spirits. This I readily accept
as a fact, for no other species of dog has so small a head in proportion
to its body, ergo, so little brains. Their eyes, expressive of frivolity
without a particle of sagacity, and set in a forehead as flat as a hawk's,
at once show what harum-scarum creatures they are.

An article upon greyhound breeding appeared some time ago
in The County Gentleman, by Mr. W. H. Dewe. It is evident that
gentleman knows what he wrote about, and the article being published
by a sporting journal of such high standing must be a guarantee for
the soundness of the principles. I therefore reproduce i^, knowing as I
do that some of the treatment (but not all) is good for pointers, setters,
and foxhounds.

275

Greyhound Breeding.

The rearing of greyhounds is quite as much an art as the rearing of
thoroughbreds. There are two things that must be constantly kept in view
— viz., size and qualit3\ In breeding greyhounds it is useless to expect
satisfactory results without these qualities, though exceptional instances
occasionally occur. Short, undersized dogs rarely distinguish themselves,
and a really good strain of blood will invariably be found in all our great
and consistent performers. To obtain the first there are many things that
help. There is size in the dam, the number of the litter, and the way in
which they are reared until they are six months old. I much prefer to breed
from a bitch of at least 55lbs. weight — she generally carries her puppies
better — although a small bitch from a big stock often throws large whelps,
but then there are generally several small ones as well among them. A litter
over seven rarely proves a large-sized lot, and to prevent a greater number
it is best to cross young bitches with old dogs, and vice versa.

It is perfectly useless to breed from unhealthy bitches, as their whelps are
always very delicate, and liable to distemper, yellows, etc. Greyhound
bitches that have been run hard, and have had much training, however good,
seldom produce their equals, and this may be attributed to their constitu-
tions having been undermined. It stands to reason that a bitch worked hard
and fed lightly during the winter, then allowed to have her fill and lie about
all the summer when not in training, must injure her liver, etc., which I am
positive she transmits to her progeny. Coarse and badly-cooked food also
helps the mischief, with the result that worms are transmitted to the whelps.
It seems as if few people take the trouble to physic their kennel now and
again, and thus drive out these fearful scourges to the dog. Half the diseases
of puppyhood may be attributed to these parasites. I once had a whole
litter of whelps down with " yellows," and I had them killed and opened.
They were literally full of worms, although not six weeks old. Since then
I have physicked the brood bitches twice a year,, and the whelps (if it
appeared necessary) once a week for a month when six weeks old. A little
areca-nut and santonine mixed with jalap and a little opium, and given on
an empty stomach first thing in the morning, is all that is required. Feed
as usual one hour and a half after. The physic has no ill effects at all on
the whelps. It is best, therefore, in procuring brood bitches to know their
antecedents. If possible have them in your own hands from the time they
are whelps, and keep them specially for the purpose. Of course, putting
them by is very risky. The litter may not be a success as a running lot, and
constantly the bitch comes in season wrong, and is useless for years. Never
breed from a bitch that has had mange badly, as her whelps will always be
subject to heat of blood.

In choosing the brood bitch always carefully examine her dam's pedigree.
It is most important the dams of both father and mother should be nailers,
and this is a great help to success. So many exemplifications of the above
fact are to be seen in the best running blood of the present day. Look at
the Gallant Foe blood reproduced in Fullerton ; the Annie Macpherson blood,
the Terrific and Hush; Stargazing II. in Herschel ; the Kuby and Lady
Lizzie, and many more that could be mentioned.

With regard to the rearing of whelps, however, this fact must always be
before the breeder, that his whelps must never stand still. The best of food

276

must be given, and that often. Directly the bitch has pupped down a dos©
of castor oil should be given her. I generally give two tablespoonfuls of
warm oil directly the first puppy makes its appearance, and invariably find
it assists the bitch, also thoroughly cleanses her. After two days on slops,
which must be judiciously regulated — viz., if a small litter, and the bitch
has much milk, little liquid food should be given ; if the reverse, give as-
much milk and broth as she will take— feed the bitch three times a day
plentifully, bread and milk morning and evening, and a good dinner of meal,
meat, and broth at midday. Fed thus a good-sized bitch will rear seven
whelps with ease, but would of course manage a smaller number better. At
three weeks old whelps will generally begin to lap warm milk from a saucer.
Let them take a little (sweetened with sugar) twice a day at first, and in-
crease to four times a day, when, if they feed readily, begin to thicken the
milk with flour, and feed five times a day, taking away the bitch from early
morning until evening. Begin weaning at about four weeks old, and take
the bitch away altogether at six weeks. In this way the whelps do not miss
their mother or fall away, losing the puppy fat which it takes months to
recover. I am certain that during this period the size and strength of the
greyhound is to a great extent made or marred.

Directly you have weaned your whelps put them into the largest and
airiest kennel you have, taking care not to put them too thick— in fact, the
fewer together the better. They should have a nice warm nest to lie in, with
fresh straw every day, if necessary twice a day, and be kept rigidly clean ;
here let them remain until at least ten or twelve weeks old. The least
change in the weather, if let out, affects them, and they pick up every bit
of filth it is possible to get at, which quickly upsets their stomachs. They
will take all the exercise that is necessary if given room enough, and will
play nearly all day long together. Of course if late whelps they can go out
sooner in the summer weather. Feed at least five times a day. At seven
o'clock give milk straight from the cow, nine o'clock bread and milk and
water, at twelve o'clock oatmeal porridge and good broth (and after four
weeks old with sheep's head in it minced or torn up very small indeed), at
4 p.m. milk, and at 7.30 oatmeal porridge and broth, taking care to leave
enough by them at night, so that they can have a light feed directly they
begin to play in the early morning. Little and often prevents pot-bellied
whelps, indigestion, hiccoughing, etc. When three months old the whelps
can go into a field or yard twice a day for an hour each time, and let their
feeding be knocked down to four times a day. Increase the exercise as they
grow older, and when four months old feed three times a day — bread and
milk morning and evening, meat, porridge, and good broth midday. I almost
think that whelps do best when they have milk once a day and broth twice,
but where cows are kept it makes a considerable difference as to cost.

Many people hold that greyhounds should have their entire liberty, but if
you wish to bring saplings to perfection and to extend themselves this is
quite a mistake. They grow crooked on their legs if left to lay about the
cold, wet ground, and they never have the size and development as when
kept in kennel part of the day. If a puppy is born crooked on his legs, then
I should send him to walk, as he gets a lot of slow exercise, which keeps his
body light, and he lies about instead of galloping, as puppies reared in the
way mentioned always do. Young greyhounds should always be made to

277

gallop, as they then use their shoulders. Puppies at walk seldom gallop,
but shut up that puppy a bit, and when let loose he will gallop freely, which
is so necessary for the full development of his shoulder action. At six
months old puppies should be led and taken on the hills, or any strange
ground, and let loose. The downs are preferable, as it is necessary to teach
them to gallop up and down hill. I always prefer down hill, as it brings
the shoulders more into play. This is the period when greyhounds improve
And lengthen out. After they are six months old, twice a day is ample feed-
ing, say morning at eight o'clock, afternoon at three o'clock. About twenty
minutes in the home fields after last feed is advisable if the weather will
■admit.

The food used should be the best oatmeal, bullocks' and sheeps' head broth
(with the meat therefrom), and plenty of onions in it. During the winter
celery and vegetables and sheep's tripes mixed with the above, well boiled.
The latter are light of digestion, nourishing, and inexpensive. Sheep's and
bullocks' liver (baked or boiled) is an excellent change, dogs being extremely
fond of it, especially when baked, and, if given underdone, it is a good sub-
stitute for a mild dose of physic. During the summer months, when you
cannot stew vegetables in the broth, have at least two vegetable boils a
week. In this way you save chemists' bills, and your pups are always
healthy in skin and body. Rice boils are useful for a change, but it is not
a good article of diet, being too fattening and binding. Brown bread is also
useful, but inclined to be heating if used too freely. Ship biscuits are a
-capital help, and saving good bread in the mornings and evenings. Of
■course, they must not be used for very small puppies, but after about four
months' old, and Spratt's fish and meat biscuits can be given with wonder-
fully good efiect once or twice a week. Change of food is everything for
health, and with a little management this can easily be done.

As to puppy diseases, I rarely have distemper in my kennels. Yellows is
the hete noir, though I did not have a case until 1 had bred greyhounds for
•several years. I have latterly lost many from this awful complaint, and
^tribute it to having had so many dogs on the same ground, and, in a
measure, to the style of feeding. Which, however, is best ? Feed high, and
rear a magnificent lot of whelps, chancing yellows, which is not infectious>
or feed poorly, have a moderate lot, and, if you have distemper, lose many
I prefer the former, and find very few of the puppies succumb to distemper
— in fact, for several seasons I knew of hardly a case, because they are so
strong in constitution. Another important point, tliey always get over their
teething very easily, and the size of their teeth is enormous. Plenty of good
liard bones should be given, and also have an old bag or sacking in the field
^here the whelps play when they are teething. They will invariably tug
one against the other, and in this way will soon loosen and extract their
puppy teeth.

Luck is a most important factor in rearing greyhounds. You may have
■the luck to get a dam who will throw nearly all winners, like many 1 could
mention. Then, whatever you do, or however they arc reared, they turn out
trumps. Fresh ground has much to do with success, also whether you live
in a civilized part of the world or not. Rear dogs in the North of England,
the Hampshire Downs, or in the wilds of Wales, and they will do well, as
they can have free liberty when walking ; but wherever there is much traffic

278

or many other clogs about, it is impossible to take the pups out without
leads, as they chase every "mortal thing they see, and chastisement,
especially when little, is most injurious, as it kills all the finest instincts
in the greyhound, and destroys their fire and dash. To a certain extent
Sussex is well situated, as once on the South Downs, with no flocks of
sheep about, you can walk for miles, with the puppies playing about loose.
You must, however, have a couple of men — one on either side of the "pack'^
— to prevent them from getting too far away.

Greyhound rearing is a most fascinating occupation. To see a favourite
win a stake or to go well, is ample recompense for many disappointments ;
while the summer spent in the fields watching tlie gambols of the youngsters
makes many amends for their obstinacy and foolishness when they arrive
at more mature age. One thing is certain — if a puppy can get killed it
will ; therefore too many precautions against casualties cannot be taken.
The chances against success in breeding good greyhounds are great. Much
depends upon the kennel a puppy goes into for his running career. Inju-
dicious treatment in running or feeding quickly spoils a good one. Some
coursers seem to think that a greyhound can run for ever. Others think
that they can keep dogs cheaply. A greater fallacy never existed. The best
of food and plenty of work is the only recipe for getting to the end of a good
stake. The dog most likely to succeed is one who goes into a small kennel.
A large kennel is generally fatal unless he is a flyer of the first water,
and his trainer finds it out. How few big kennels succeed unless they are
split up and put in diff'erent parts of the country. Tiie best trainers of
the day refuse, however tempting the offers may be, to train more than
a certain number. It is impossible also to do more than a fixed number
of saplings properly, and I think six to each man kept is ample. It is far
better to do a few well than a lot badly, and the success will be much
greater.

The only other important points I can bring before a would-be breeder are
to spare no expense as to straw and keeping his puppies warm, also keep
very clean, with plenty of sawdust on the floors. Directly you notice a
puppy not quite the thing, give it a dose of castor oil (with warm milk after-
wards), and knock off" his feed for a few hours. Then if no better isolate it,
and if the case is bej^ond your knowledge send for your vet at once, as a few
hours' delay in many illnesses proves fatal. The less physic puppies have
the better, and if healthy, and kept and fed as directed, they will seldom, if
ever, require it. I have found Messrs. Holman and Harris' (Exeter) pills
for distemper and yellows very useful, and Shawyers' tonic pills are excellent
for dogs not quite the thing. This letter merely deals with practical
breeding and rearing of greyhounds, and, therefore, does not touch on their
later management.

Another breeding season has passed since I wrote the aljove, and I find
my ideas are practically the same. I have experienced good luck on the
whole, and have as grand a lot of whelps as a man need wish to see. Un-
fortunately my best bitch was full of worms, and unable to eradicate them,
I lost five out of seven of her whelps at six weeks old. I was sure what was
wrong, and told my man to kill one at once and open its inside. He tells
me it was " heaved some minutes " by the worms inside. This was a bitch
which was the best performer I had, but whose coursing career had been too-

279

much for her breeding one. 1 now give tlie whelps a worm pill at five
weeks old while on the mother, and another at six weeks old a day or two
before I take her away, as they will always suckle when you can't get them
to feed. I hear many trainers and others say their whelps had distemper
when being weaned. I am sure it is worms. To show how hard it is for a
sucking whelp to take distemper, I had one last year reared on a bitch fiom
the "Lost Home." 1 destroyed the bitch when the pup was about four
weeks old with the most virulent kind of distemper on her, yet the pup
never took it, nor did the litter into which I put her.

I also find that Benbow is very useful to put whelps on their feed, but I
do not find it the slightest assistance in getting rid of worms. I give it
freely, however, whenever a whelp goes off its feed. I lost a great many
whelps last year through yellows, but in the last few cases was wonderfully
successful. I think we saved five out of the last seven. The great thing
was to make the kidneys work, and also to give a strong liver tonic, and in
this way, by diffusing the disease and working it out by other means than
the old-fashioned w\ay of purging the liver, we were very successful. No
rich food, but as much nourishment to be given as possible. The most
annoying and aggravating part of the business is the persistent way in which
greyhounds try to kill themselves. Leave a door open and they gallop
straight for the most dangerous places. Let them loose in a field, and they
gallop into one another and do all they know to break their own or one
another's necks, and if one does go wrong you may be sure it's the best, not
the worst. However, there are many worse amusements than sitting in a
field of tliree or four acres, and watching the youngsters play during this
splendid weather.

I may add to the foregoing— from long experience of my own— that
as a VERMIFUGE — or a preventive of worms would perhaps be the better
term — nothing is better than the skin of any furred animal, such as
the rat, rabbit, or hare, chopped up raw in the dogs' mess.

Messrs. Piackham, chemists, of Norwich, supply dog medicines which
I found wonderfully efficacious, notably their balls for distemper, and
those for yellows.

Nearly every ailment a dog is subject to proceeds from his stomach,
and an emetic, if given in the early stage, generally prevents bad conse-
quences ; therefore, the moment a dog seems to be ill give him an
EMETIC of butter and salt. The quantity, of course, is to be regulated
according to his age and size.

I don't know anything about greyhounds being sent to the country
to walk, but I do know that pointers, setters, foxhounds, and even
terrier puppies, if not sent to the country, seldom turn out satis-
factory. They are far more likely to get crooked if kept in the kennel
while they are young, than if they be allowed to enjoy the freedom
of a farmer's home.

The breeds I refer to are not so brainless as greyhounds. They have
too much sagacity to try conclusions between their heads and a stone
wall, overloaded though they invariably are with youthful impetuosity
quite equal to that of the long tails.

280

Bred by one of my greatest friends, and claiming as I do the famous
Master McGrath as my own county dog, I shall give a short history of
the bsst greyhound that ever coursed in public, some portion of
which was never published before. His sire was Mr. Douglas' Dervock,
his dam Lord Lurgan's Lady Sarah, and he was whelped at Colligan
on February 16, 1866. His brothers and sisters were Master McFaddin,
Master Heme, Lady Meta, and Lady McCarthy.

Mr. James Galwey of Colligan was at that time the coursing
confederate of Lord Lurgan, and being a first-class judge of greyhounds,
their breeding, and their work, he looked after the kennel while the
nominations ran in his lordship's name.

The dogs had "Master " and the bitches "Lady" as a prefix to
their names, which were usually taken from the family who walked
them.

]\Iaster McGrath was sent to walk with Mrs. McGrath, who lived
between Colligan and Dungarvan in Co. Waterford. Her son Johnnie
and the puppy soon became the greatest, friends ; it was the delight
of the lad to have the dog held at oae end of a large field, which was
intersected by a wide stream, while he went to the other end ; the dog
was then let go and ran at his best pace to the boy, jumping the stream
in his stride. To this early training the Master owed much of his future
prowess over Altcar, for he there took the drains without hesitation,
giining several lengths, and more than once actually caught his hare
in the jump.

When the puppies returned from walk the Dervock and Lady Sirah
litter did not appear to Mr. Galwey a promising lot, so he gave orders
to have them sent as a present to some young gentlemen in the neigh-
bourhood, who were home for the holidays. Tom Hennessy, who then
cared the Colligan greyhounds, luckily thought better of the puppies,
£0 he kept them and sent others to the schoolboys.

Next time Mr. Galwey saw the saplings he was astonished with their
improvement, and upon trying them found they were most promising,
while Master McGrath showed at once extraordinary powers.

His first essay before the public was in October, '67, for the Visitors'
Cup at the Lurgan Meeting for thirty-two puppies, which he won.
Within a week he divided the Moneyglass Purse for thirty-two puppies
at the Creagh Meeting with his kennel companion Master Nathaniel
showing splendid form. He next won the Waterloo Cap of '68, his
performance being so truly excellent as to stamp him a greyhound
whose equal it is the fortune of few owners to breed in a lifetime.
Well he earned his fame, for although a puppy he beat for that
stake such clinking good greyhounds as Belle of Scotland, Kalista,
Marionette, Brigade, Lobelia, and Cock Robin.

He was then put by till the following October, when, on his own
ground, he had no difficulty in finding his way to the end of the
Brownlow Cup, which he divided with Mr. E. W. Stocker's Sir
William. L rd Lurgan, like a sportsman, would not run it off against

281

a visitor to his own meeting, and handsomely presented the cup to the
Englishman. McGrath was then looked upon as invincible, and was
freely backed for the next Waterloo at 6 to 1.

He was the model of a greyhound when he appeared at Altcar the
following February, and he was slipped for the first round a ttrong
favourite. When in the last four, 6 to 4 was absolutely laid on him
against the field, which comprised Lobelia, Bab-at-the-Bowster, and
<Jhillie Galium, all of whom he bowled over, and thus won his second
Waterloo.

The great dog was not again asked to run in public till the following
anniversary. Money was piled on him at 3 to 1 for the Waterloo of
1870, scarcely anything else getting substantial support, and of course
he was again favourite.

The night before some scoundrel, paid well, no doubt, by still greater
ruffians, got at the dog and drugged him. Johnnie Walshe, his trainer,
had ample evidence of this in the piece of liver he found beside the dog
early next morning. The consequence of this villainy was that McGrath
went down pointless to the moderate Lady Lyon in the first round.

Lord Lurgan naturally felt greatly annoyed, and resolved never again
to run the dog. However, in the following September he put him
through the mill in a trial at home, and having disposed of all the
private tackle with ease, his lordship slipped him for the Brownlow
Cup in the next month. Through it, for the three days, he showed
quite as good form, pluck, and killing powers as ever, and won the
stake, beating such cracks as Smuggler and Fritz. Accordingly, the
now old dog was put in training for his fourth Waterloo, and again
ivas he made favourite, but at longer odds than previously.

Some weeks before the day, Master Ronald and Lady Grafton, most
excellent puppies of Lord Lurgan's, and the best in his kennel, were
selected as the trying tackle for McGrath, but he cleared them out
with consummate ease. No secret was made of the result, so Ireland
got on to a man. Not so the English, who went for Bendimere,
Smuggler, Countryman, and Pretender, believing it to be out of the
power of an old dog to beat such slashers. Still the Master was second
favourite to Bendimere the night of the draw. Time soon told its
tale, and although the little black had, in this Waterloo, once or twice
luck on his side, he ran in simply magnificent form, no one attempting
to dispute his right to any of the courses.

When Wilkinson, then a very young man, put into the slips for the
"decider" of 1871 Mr. Punchard's Pretender and Lord Lurgan's Master
McGrath, never before or since was there such intense excitement on
Lord Sefton's plains, and probably there never will be again. Waiting
for a good hare, Wilkinson delivered his dogs to a long and splendid
slip. Amidst profound silence the cracks raced head and head for
sixty yards, when McGrath drew to the front, and, well clear of the
fawn, shot like a flash of lightning into his game, effecting a brilliant
kill without allowing his adversary to gain a single point. Tremendous

■was the cheering over the gallant victory, losers joining with the
winners ; nor did it cease for half an hour. Thus, out of four essays,
did our Irish crack land himself three times the winner of the blue
riband of the leash.

A great amount of money went to Ireland over this event— more,
perhaps, than upon either of the other wins. A small and humble
tradesman in Waterford had, as his first bet, backed (coupled) McGrath
to win the Waterloo and The Lamb the Grand National, which double
event landed him £1,300. Directly he got paid he invested for hi&
family, beyond reach of all others, £1,000 of it, and went, with his wife,
a Continental trip on the balance. He never made a bet afterwards t
That is what I call a sensible man.

Winning his third Waterloo brought our little dog into such notoriety
that a command was graciously given by the Queen that he should
visit her at Windsor Castle. This he did soon after, led by his owner,,
who was then Lord-in- Waiting on Her Majesty. After paying visits to-
other distinguished personages, he returned home to end his days at
the stud.

Marvellous as it may seem, McGrath proved himself still the cream of
the Brownlow Kennel, which during all the season of '71 was in tip-
top form.

Xo sooner was it known that at home he was infinitely superior ta
Master Nat, then the best puppy in Ireland, than Lord Lurgan's chance
for still another blue riband was esteemed second to none, and his-
nomination for 1872 became, for the fifth year in succession, first
favourite, and was freely backed early in December at 7 to 1. Had the
dog lived a few months longer he would have, in all probability, started,
for the fourth time, first favourite.

" Dixie," as was his kennel name, appeared a bit dull on December
23, '71, but nothing to alarm Walshe occurred till next morning, when
he refused to leave his bench. He rapidly got worse, and despite every
attention and medical assistance procurable, the great dog died at
Brownlow House Kennels on Sunday, Christmas Eve, 1871.

Sorrow for the gallant dog spread all over Ireland, while absolute
grief spoiled the Christmas of every inhabitant of Lurgan.

A post-mortem examination showed he had long suffered from tubercle
in the lungs, and that the immediate cause of death was acute pneumonia.
A report having gone abroad that he was poisoned, it was pleasing to
hear that there was not the least appearance to justify any suspicion of
the sort.

During the career of this wonderful greyhound he appeared in public
eight times altogether — at Lurgan three times, when he won the
Visitors' Cup as a puppy and the Brownlow Cup twice as an aged
dcg ; four times at Altcar for the Waterloo Cups— three of which he
won ; and once on the Creagh Meadows, Co. Antrim, where he divided
the Moneyglass Purse, winning in all thirty-six public courses and
losing only one ; whilst he ran but three undecided courses, namely.

283

with Belle of Scjotland, Sir John, and Eyes of Fire. His first undecided
was in his first course for a Waterloo, but he ran it off successfully,
whereas both Sir John and Eyes of Fire were drawn from him.

The following will be found a correct list of the greyhounds van-
quished by the mighty monarch, and amongst them will be found a
long line of celebrities : Polly Pelham, Louie, S. S., Cricket, and What's
the Tip, at Lurgan, October, '67 ; Brilliant, Master Frederick, Little
Sly, and Warranted, at Creagh, October, '67 ; Belle of Scotland, Kalista,
Marionette, Brigade, Lobelia, and Cock Robin, at Altcar, February, '68 ;
Lady Meta, S. S., Sir John, and Sir William (Lonsdale's), at Lurgan,
October, '68 ; Borealis, Hard Lines, Charming May, Randolph, Lobelia,
and Bab-at-the-Bowster, at Altcar, February, '69 ; Old Rosy Maid,
Precentor, Double-or-Quits, Smuggler, and Fritz, at Lurgan, October,
'70 ; Wharfinger, Eyes of Fire, Rocketer, Letter T, Black Knight, and
Pretender, at Altcar, February, '71, suffering defeat alone from Lady
Lyon as already described.

I have before me an authentic record of his measurement as taken
most carefully just before the Waterloo of 1871 by the late Mr. W. J.
Dunbar, editor of the ItUIl ^Sportsmcai, and a prominent member of the
Leash. I therefore give the particulars : —

Head. — From tip of nose to neck, 9^ins. ; girth between eyes and
ears, 14ins. ; girth of snout, 7|in9. ; distance between eyes, 2|ins.
Neck. — Length from joining on of head to shoulders, 9ins. ; girth
round neck, 13|ins. Back.— From neck to base of tail, 21ins. ; length
of tail, 17ins. Intermediate Points. — Length of loin from junction of
last rib to hip-bone. Sins. ; length from hip-bone to socket of thigh
joint, 5ins. Fore Leg. — From base of two middle nails to fetlock
joint, 2ins. ; from fetlock joint to elbow joint, 12jins. ; thickness of
fore leg below the elbow, 6ins. Hind Leg. — From hock to stifle joint,
9|ins. ; from stifle to top of hip-bone, 12ins. ; girth of ham part of
thigh, 14ins. ; thickness of second thigh below stifle, 8|ins. Body. —
Girth round depth of chest, 26^ins. ; girth round the loins, 17iins. He
stood 26^ins., and weighed 54lbs., never varying 2lbs. whether in or out
of condition.

.Thus is seen how wonderfully well shaped he was. Although not
tall, he was hig^ and could cover an immensity of ground in his stride,
He displayed extraordinary muscular development, had a plain, short,
but honest head, good neck and shoulders, and stood on the very best of
legs and feet. His tail was short but remarkably fine ; in colour he was
black, ticked with white spots and a blaze down the front.

That McGrath was metaphorically a great-hearted dog few will deny,
but he was one in reality, for when taken from the carcase at the post-
mortem examination his heart was found to weigh fifty-four ounces^
just double the ordinary size for a dog of his weight.

In every detail of his w^orking he was first-class. Although his tail was
shortish he could turn as quickly as his game, while a better killer was
never slipped. Except on the one occasion, not alone was he never

284

beaten, even in private, but he was never led to his hare, while every
hare he was slipped at was killed— generally by himself.

He served at the stud for a few months before his death, and, unlike
the modern crack FuUerton, proved himself a sire.

He was buried near the kennels in Brownlow Park, and over him
stands a handsome white marble monument to mark the grave of the
best greyhound that ever went from slips.

Few people are aware that Master McGrath was descended from a
champion thoroughbred English bull-dog, hence his courage and
stoutness.

Our forefathers assigned to each species of dog a certain peculiarity
of nomenclature, and that style has been perpetuated. For small dogs
a short name is generally chosen, while to the larger breeds names of
greater import are assigned. To my ear no class of name has such a
ring in it as that which has been assigned to foxhounds, particularly
when tri-syllabled. For instance, compare Grouse with Gossamer, Ponto
with Paragon, Wasp with Warbler, Wag with Warrior, Sting with
Statesman, Snap with Senator, Nip with Xiobe, Mag with Marigold,
and so on. Defend me, however, from some of the names given to
greyhounds. Looking over the pedigree of Fullerton I find ancestors
of this illustrious dog rejoicing in the names of Bed of Stone, Bab-at-
the-Bowster, Bit of Fashion, Repealed Hop Duty, Piocca Chica, while
Colonel North's famous dog is descended on the side of both dam
and sire from a bitch rejoicing in the crack-jaw name of Racketty
Hop-picker !

We can form an opinion of a dog's character from his countenance
and bearing quite as well as we can a man's. Moreover, I think
the physiognomical cast and phrenological development peculiar to
particular breeds indicate the characteristics of each. To explain, I
think the following breeds enunciate their proclivities as follows : —

The St. Bernard — supercilious self-conceit, with resultant in-
dolence ; the MastiflF— domineering overbearance, demonstrated at times ;
the Great Dane — capability for re-capturing an escaped convict, whom,
with close - cropped skull, he so much resembles ; the Bulldog —
sensuality and brutality ; the Setter and Pointer— sagacity and truth ;
the Spaniel — docility and meditation ; the Terrier— energy and devil-
ment ; the Greyhound — nervous excitability and mental incapacity ;
the Pug and Lap Dog— good-for-nothingness ; the Sheep-dog— vivacity
and intelligence, with treachery ; the Dachshund — with all the points
considered bad in other breeds centred in this and constituting its ex-
cellence, we plainly see how useless the creatures are ; the Bloodhound is
an exception to other breeds — his eyes like poached eggs, long beagle-
like ears, and drooping jowls betoken docility rather than sanguinary
propensities; the long "flue" shows, however, wherein the power lies
which makes this breed useful and by which it has got its title.

But now we come to the Foxhound. Whatever diflference of opinion
there may be with regard to what I have said about the other breeds
all must admit, despite bias or prejudice, that we see depicted in the

285

English foxhound, in head, face and form, all the higher qualities
with none of the lower discernible in the aforesaid breeds. Whether
we take him on the flags of his kennel, returning to the benches with
hackles up, or in any of his out-of-kennel paces or work, aye, even in
riot, vie cannot fail to admire the uniform dignity and elegance
of mien, with perfect poetry of motion which characterises the well-
bred, true-shaped foxhound. As to contrast, the howling and growling,
barking and yelping of the others with his medodious tongue is to
compare the organ of a grinder to the band of the Guards.

Again, contrast a pack of well-disciplined foxhounds, with sterns up,
trotting gaily along to cover on a fine morning, with any congregation
of other dogv", whether they be led, loose, or muzzled, and see what
a difference there is between them in character, mien, and motion.

Of course the other breeds of dog deport themselves in all becomicg
manner to the different callings they so nobly and sagaciously fill in
useful requirements of man. None of them are, however, required to
fulfil as high or important duties as the foxhound, and therefore they
need not to be so aristocratic. As long as the proud JSt. Bernard and
stately Mastiff be used to defend a man and his property ; the denuded
Dane to kill boars and wolves (very useful requirement in England ! ) ;
the savage Bulldog to fight ; the beautiful Setters and Pointers to find
live game; the hardy Spaniels to retrieve it when dead ; the jolly little
Terriers to hunt, worry, and kill ; the Greyhounds to win Waterloos; the
CoUie-dcgs to collect sheep (and not to kill game or eat eggs) ; with the
Pugs and Dachshunds to amuse the ladies— nothing more is required
of the lot beyond a general and uniform observance of good manners.

Next to the Foxhound in standing of elegance and utility to the
sportsman come the different breeds of Setter (particularly the Irish
red) and English Pointer, while their extraordinary sagacity in finding
game, indicating in beautiful attitude the precise spot the birds are, is
in itself unique to a degree. In the eye of the sportsman it is as much
to be admired as anything even a foxhound can do. I go farther and
say that a brace of dogs, be they setters or pointers, standing properly
to a pack or covey of birds, is a finer sight than any which a couple of
foxhounds can show us.

I wrote the foregoing many months ago. Since then I have seen
the first day's coursing at the Waterloo Meeting of 1893, and as I am
jufct in time before my book goes to print, I shall describe it in justifi-
cation of what I have said about coursing as sport.

The Press, and all others competent to judge, are consentient that
this meeting was the very best that was ever held over Alt car. The
stoutness with which the hares ran was the admiration and astonish-
ment of everyone. With very few exceptions the courses were good,
while many of them were as fine as ever were seen with grey-
hounds, and the trimming some of the dogs got will be remembered by
them for some time.

Notwithstanding this, every hare slipped at during the three days

286

was killed ; 63 in the Waterloo Cup, 31 in the Purse, and 15 in the
Plate. In all 109 of these game little creatures killed in 109 consecutive
courses ! This would not have been the result if the hares had had
fair play. They would have beaten the dogs many times to the coverts
for which they were making, if they had not been cut off by the crowd
who were congregated along the bank which intersected the coursing
grounds. Several were killed actually amidst the spectators.

Amongst the vast assemblage of people who attended this meeting
not one could have admired those magnificent courses more than I did,
but to see the gallant little hares, after well gruelling their dogs and
still full of running, cut off from the refuge they were well able to gain
made me indeed sick and disgusted. I would not go to the meeting on
either of the succeeding days, nor shall I ever go again to public
coursing where hares won't have a fair and clear run to a refuge,
and that u}^ hill.

As the Waterloo Meeting of 1893 is put down as being phenomenal,
and as it brought forth, in the Cup, exceptional features, I shall record
shortly some of the leading particulars.

Not for ten years did wagering over this event rule as high as it did
upon the night of the draw. Colonel North's dog, FuUerton, who
had won it for the past three years, and divided with a kennel companion
the year before, was favourite at 4 to 1 — the ridiculous price at w^hich
he had stood for some weeks previously. Curiously enough, his was
the first name drawn from the jug.

In my judgment there was not a dog slipped on the first day who
appeared to run as badly as he did. The poor old fellow did not show
to advantage even in the first course, which he won, while in his
second, when he suffered his first defeat, he seemed quite unable to
use himself even before he fell helplessly into a drain. This was
explained by Colonel North in a letter to the Press a few days after,
wherein he stated that Fullerton sustained a severe injury to his knee
early in the first course, and, in the owner's opinion, to that alone is to
be attributed his not, for the fourth time, winning the coveted prize.

Be that as it may, it appeared to many^ as well as to myself, that it
was a pity to send a dog of his age, with such a brilliant record, to
compete with young ones.

When Full Captain beat the crack there was a lot of cheering from
the bookmakers who made a big haul over the result ; but it would
have been more seemly and sportsmanlike had they kept silence over
the defeat of a good gallant greyhound. Outside that fraternity regret
was general, and had Fullerton won the Waterloo of 1893, he would
have received an ovation such as was given to Frigate when that
equally popular favourite won the Grand National in 1889.

All the favourites except FitzFife were beaten before the third
round, and he was beaten in the fourth. The long odds agaicst the
winner and runner-up on the night of the draw were 1,000 to 15 and
1,000 to 10 resjDectively, which does not speak much for the sagacity
of our coursing cognoscenti.

287

Only four times in the history of the Waterloo Cup have kennel
companions been left in for the final, and they occurred within the
past nine meetings. Strange also is the fact that the honours were
shared equally by two public kennelp. Mr. Edward Dent in 1885 with
his own bitch, Bit of Fashion, divided with Mr. C. Hibbert's Miss
Olendyne. Again in 1889 the same trainer brought out Colonel North's
two dogs Fullerton and Troughend, who also divided. In 1887 Herschel
for Mr. T. D. Hornby and Greater Scot for Mr. R. F. Gladstone
divided, both being trained by Mr. Archibald Coke of Southport.

It remained, however, for the memorable meeting to which I sra
alluding to have all such records broken, when for the first time
devolved upon the one trainer the high honour of leading to the slipper,
to run off the deciding course for the Waterloo, two dogs trained by
himself. This fell to the lot of the son of the trainer of Herschel and
Greater Scot, when in each hand Mr. John Coke led to Bootiman his
own dog Character and Mr. T. Baxter's fourth-season dog Button Park.
The former won the stake, and, as has been shown, they were both rank
outsiders on the night of the draw.

Character, who w^as vv^helped in August, '91, ran unsuccessfully four
times when a puppy, and never won a stake before he won the blue
riband. So little was he thought of two months previously that he
could have been bought for £25, yet he has the best greyhound blood
in his veins, including that of Master McGrath.

The trials on Monk's Carr on the first day were pronounced to be the
best hitherto seen at Altcar, while those on the second day, over the
Engine House Flats, were still better. Those of the concluding day at
Lydiate were not so good. The going there, and on the Withins for
the last seven courses on the first day, was sloppy and greatly against
the hares, but Monk's Carr and the Engine House Meadows afforded
the best of going. The attendance has been estimated at the greatest
which ever visited Altcar— that on the first day being put down at
30,000 people.

For the information of those who never saw the Waterloo or other
such big coursing meeting, I may state that on the first day the crowd
had a full view of forty-one courses without having to move from the
one spot. And if hares had come to hand in as great numbers as they
did on former occasions, the whole forty-eight courses, which were set
down for the day, could have been run off in the same place. The
conduct of the spectators at this meeting was beyond all praise, and so
were the arrangements except in the one cardinal point— fair play to
the hares. From the nature of the ground at Altcar it seems to be an
impossibility to provide such, and without it, coursing there cannot be
included in the category of, what I call, Sport.

What a rum thing is luck ! Men have spent a lifetime striving to win
a Waterloo and can't succeed. Those who from their practical experience
and thorough knowledge not only of the sport but of how greyhounds
should be bred, reared, and trained for an event of the kind fail year after
year in their endeavours to win the blue riband. Yet Colonel North at

his first attempt had his two dogs, FuUerton and Troughend, left in to
divide the stake in 1889, and the next three years in succession Fullerton
won ontright.

No one begrudges this to the gallant Colonel, for he is a downright
good sportsman. It only shows what luck is, same as does the Derby,
which, despite their many endeavours, was never won by either the
nobleman who instituted the race a hundred and fifty years ago or
by any of his successors, while it has been won by men the very first
time they tried.

The late Mr. William Irvine of Hawick was a man highly cultured
and endowed with great refinement of taste. In every phase of life he
was poetical, and no companion was more genial. He loved coursing
and enjoyed friendly relationship with the leading coursers of the day,
with none more than Mr. Robert Jardine of Castlerailk. When that
gentleman's bitch Muriel won the Waterloo in 1873 Irvine composed a
song to commemorate the event, a copy of which in manuscript he gave
me, and as I don't think it ever appeared in print, I now produce it
in memory of my very dear friend.

Mueiel's Waterloo A^ictory.
Air : " Adieu, a warm, a fond adieu.'

Auld Scotland now may raise her pow,

Her coursers one and a' git fow,
For twal lang years hae come and gane

Sin' she has won " the Waterloo."

But now the thistle brag? the rose
And shades the shamrock in the vale ;

The Cap has gone to Castlemilk

And .Jardine's fame rings in the gale.

Prince bow'd the knee to MiirieVs power,

Chamelion flashed her hues in vain.
The haughty Croesus bic the dus<-,

Mage7ita's laurels strew 'd the plain.

The Welshman's Peasant Boy looked grim
While touts and backers yell'd his name j

The sprit-like Muriel bowl'd hi;n out
And bore away the wreath of fame.

Down clash'd the Welshman's brimming pot
And up went Jardine's spotless silk ;

While shouts of triumph rent the sky
To cheer the Laird o' Castlemilk.

Long live the Laird o' Castlemilk !

A sportsman good and true is he,
And few will grudge our genial Laird

His beauteous Muriel's victory.

The above when sang by poor Irvine in his rich melodious voice was
indeed a treat to listen to.

289

CHAPTER XVII.

SPORT
A NATIONAL BENEFACTOR.

1 AM not going to put a heading of reference to this chapter ; it is too
short to require one, and it is of such importance it should be read from
•end to end, and the contents indelibly impressed upon the memory.

Ffom this short chapter can be learned the enormous amount of
good which, in the most practical manner, is done to our nation by
Sport pure and simple.

In this book I have not dealt with Yachting because I know nothing
about it. I am, however, enabled to make an estimate of the amount of
money spent upon it, by reason of the courtesy of the Editor of the
Fields who gave me figures to start with. He tells me that approxi-
mately there are 3,300 craft belonging to members of our various yacht
clubs. Their tonnage comes to something like 140,000 tons, the cost
of building is about £40 a ton, and that of maintenance £10 a ton
yearly. That about 8,000 able-bodied seamen are employed during the
season at an average of 25s. a week, they finding themselves in food.
The pay to skippers averages about £75 a year. These estimates refer
•only to yachts of ordinary construction whether for steam or sailing.
In no way do they deal with vessels built for millionaires, nor yet for
race yachts of the extraordinary class.

According to these figures, and putting the season at four months, I
shall bring out the cost of yachting in a table with the four grand and
•cardinal branches of sport with which I have already dealt.

When dealing with hunting, I made no allusion to what is expended
by gentlemen upon clothing requisite for that sport, nor did I provide
for wear and tear of their hunters. These are items of such im-
portance I shall now bring them in. With regard to wear and tear
•of racehorses, I consider that, as so many of them increase in value to
such a wonderful extent, depreciation in the others is thereby fully
provided for. Not so with hunters in a gentleman's stable. They
seldom sell at a profit, and most of us know they get torn and worn
out with marvellous rapidity.

As is shown in a former chapter, the value of our private hunters is
£9,900,000. For wear, tear, and renewal that must be calculated at
15 per cent., therefore it represents £1,485,000 a year. We have 33,000
hunting men. Say the value of the hunting wardrobe of each is £25,
and that to renew it annually costs £10, we would have invested in
hunt toggery £825,000, which, to keep up, takes £330,000 a year.

u

290

With this explanation and adding the figures to those which I have
already given,

The Cost of our Five Great Sports will work out as

FOLLOWS :—

Invested.

Spent Annually.

(1 Hun tin f

£11,954,250

h 3,825,500

c 4,556,000

d 750,000

5,600,000

£6,090,850

Racinf

9,430,200

Shooting

6,307,650

Fishing

528,150

6 Yachting

1,807,500

Total

£26,685,750

£24,164,350

a Hunting — as per page 81, and items in this chapter.

h Racing — Horses only.

c Shooting — Guns, dogs, requisites, and clothing.

d Fishing — Rods, requisites, and clothing.

e Yachting — as per items in this chapter.

The value of Shootings and Fishings can be fixed at any number of
years' purchase which the readers choose.

Were this account to be dealt with according to commercial principler
it should be charged with interest at 10 per cent, on the invested or
sunken money, and that would further handicap our sportsmen to the
tune of nearly two millions and three-quarters per annum.

To some people, probably, the minute explanation I gave under the
respective heads may^be wearisome, but to those who are sportsmen I
hope they will not be so. Anyway, it is plain to be seen that I have
put down nothing in the shape of expenditure which is not absolutely
requidte towards carrying out the above branches of sport. Nor
is anything provided for extravagance or bad management. To keep
within my figures men must know what they are about and exercise
economy.

Amongst other items I forgot to include racing caps and jackets.
We have about 1,100 men whose colours are often seen, and at £10 a
year we have expended in the " silks and satins " £11,000 a year.

The tax on hounds and dogs used for shooting, together with game and
rod licences, amount to something like £'460,000 a year. To this has to
be added what is paid on greyhounds and terriers, the number of
which I can't assess. However, we may safely take it that the British
ratepayer is relieved annually by the sportsman of nearly half a million
taxation.

With the exception of the rents paid for Shootings and Fishings, the
remainder of the above colossal sums is spent among our farmers,
tradesmen, and in wages. The latter item absorbs fully one quarter.

291

and in our racing stablea alone goes to pay a number of men and boys,
which exceeds, as I said before, the full strength of ten regiments of
the lioe.

The added money given to racing in England and Ireland in 1891
has been shown to have amounted to £617,839. To this has to be
added the cost of the various cups, including, of course, those of Ascot,
Goodwood, and Doncaster. These moneys and cups, being premiums, as
it were, are not to be added to the cost of racing, but if it had not been
for the sport that money would not have been subscribed for or laid
out.

I have not dealt with what may be termed " consequential" expendi-
ture—such as houses kept permanently or temporarily, but specially
for hunting, racing, shooting, or fishiog, nor with entertainment therein
of guests invited for the sport. Neither have I provided for the enor-
mous amount laid out at Newmarket and other places upon residences
and stabling. Were I to have done so the totals to be brought out
would have been so astounding they would not be credited. I therefore
refrained from attempting to enter into that labyrinth.

To calculating what is spent upon the minor branches of sport and
upon our pastimes, I have no time to devote at present. I shall,
however, in a cursory manner, refer to some, and to institutions, the
oflfspring of sport.

To play polo regularly and in proper style costs a man as much as to
hunt. Four-in-hand and tandem driving, also otter-hunting and
coursing cost a lot of money in their way. Cricket, football, and the
newly-introduced golf cost the players more or less according to the
distances they travel, while the multitudes of people who go weekly
to witness matches of their favourite games cause thousands upon
thousands to be circulated, even though but a trifle is spent by each
individual. The same remark applies to regattas, foot, boat, and cycle
races, while the prizes given for these sporting contests total annually
an enormous sum.*

Stud farms are numerous in many parts of the country and cause
Vcis' employment. No doubt, with few exceptions, they are got up for
commercial speculations ; nevertheless, were it not for our hunting and
racing there would be no need for such establishments.

Horse and Dog shows are got up as a direct result of Sport. Hotel-
keepers, ladies with " rooms to let," and hackney trap drivers, not to
speak of railway managers, know full well what sums of money come
to them out of these annual reunions. There is more money spent in
Dublin during the weeks of the Dog Show in spring, the Horse Show in
August, and that given in April jointly to Punchestown and Leopards-
town, than there is probably during the rest of the year !

* A leading paper in the spring of 1S93 stated that " nearly seven millions
sterling are paid annually by spectators as gate money at football matches
in Britain ! "

292

Thus have I shown what a gigantic medium Sport is for the circula-
tion of money— the vertebrce of our common weal.

To these facts and figures would I draw the attention of those who,
through humanitarian or ultra-righteous ideas, are detractors of sport.

To the subject I invite the consideration of Radicals and Socialists.
Let these step-political brethren ponder well before they strive to injure
the classes who maintain our sports. Let them recognise the fact that,
as a universal benefactor in hringing to the poor the rich man's money,

A SUBSTITUTE FOR SpORT CAN NEVER BE FOUND.

These revolutionists should also assure themselves of the fact that
never can they devise a system which will carry out the principle of
communism as practically and universally as that which has always been
adopted by our territorial landlords. Be it £5,000, £20,000, or £100,000
a year which may be focussed in the one individual, he spends it all
among the community. Yet these are the men who are marked for
destruction by the Eadical, the Socialist, and the Anarchist, and not the
andlords alone, but all other moneyed-men, no matter of what class.

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CHAPTER XVIIl.

MANLY GAMES AND EXERCISE.

A Comparison— " The Noble Art of Self-defence "—Natural Weapons— Wrestling— A Few
Remarks— When you Hit, Hit Hard— Tips from Jem Mace— The Fists— Nose Tapped —
Black Bye— To Box Scientifically— Results-Ill-conditioned Fellows— To go Further—
Bullies— Best way to settle Matters— Author's Experience-" Tom Smith" and " Jack
Musters" — Masters of Schools — Another Tip — Hints to Young Boxers — Pierse Netter-
ville Barron — Vast Improvement in Manly Games — Archery — Croquet— Gymnastics —
The Gloves — Cricket — Football — Handball — Rackets — Lawn Tennis— Cycling — Polo —
Tennis Parties vice Dinner Parties — Cycles v. Horses — James Selby — His Record
Beaten — Author's Estimate of Cycling and Cyclers — Marvellous Record — Mr. Wedder-
burn Webster— "Sportascrapiana"— A Nut to Crack— Hunt Runners— Nickey
Conoran — Wonderful Feat — Swimming — Dunmore — Kelly's Rocks — What we Did
There— " The Forty-foot "—Author in the Bay of Biscay— Awkward Predicament —
Skating— "The City Man"— Thirty Years Ago— His Tastes— His Sons— His Clerks-
Office Hours— Holidays— Author a Scamp— Warehousemen— Work, Work— Great
Change for the Better— Exhaustive Particulars— What is the Cause ?— A National
Calamity— Stock Exchange of London—" On the Flags " of Liverpool— Commercial
Buildings of Dublin— Rattling Fine Fellows— Good Sportsmen— A Question— The
Answer — The Volunteers — Bank Holidays — Results— Author's Notion — Convincing
Evidence — Author Frames an Act of Parliament — Half Holiday Weekly— Whole
One Monthly— Beneficial Results— Alfred the Great— The Twenty-four Hours— All
Work, no Play— A Mighty Bad Rule— British Trading— Uniform Hours— Strikes —
Radicals- Early Hours — Advice to Young Gentlemen — A Fact — A Disgraceful Record.

Although glorious are the subjects of some of my chapters up to
this, most of them, from one cause or another, have been at times some-
what unpleasant to deal with.

Some of the chapters may be likened to vast woodlands where, when
the trees were young and before the undergrowth became entangled,
good scent lay. But now overhung as the ground is with offshoots and
deprived of the sun's influence, it has become in places a slough over
which scent lies badly and it is difficult to ride in safety.

We now leave such dark and dismal regions and come to a fine open
country wherein there is nothing but oceans of grass and not a covert
to be found but that of the ever green gorse !

Yes, we now reach a chapter the subjects of which we cannot find
fault with ; on the contrary, everything connected with it is to be
highly commended, for boxing, athletics, and manly games never stood
in this kingdom as high as they do at present, and they are fast pro-
gressing. I must not, however, put the car before the horse.

Boxing, I consider, stands first in the category, I therefore begin
with it.

For over two centuries this fine old sport has been dubbed the
"Noble Art of Self-defence." Rightly it deserves the title, for it is a
noble art, and the very best means by which a man can defend himself.
The fists are man's natural weapons, and, unlike those wrought, they

294

cannot be taken from liim and used upon himself, and, as long as his
wind lasts, he never runs out of ammunition. They are always
ready at hand upon an emergency, no matter how sudden it be. Even
if in a man's pockets on a cold night the fists are out in a second, and,
like a flash of lightning, can be sent between the eyes of the intruder
or obstructionist, to be followed up as fast and etFectively as the skill
and condition of the owner can send them. As wrote someone : " The
fists are the formidable antagonists of the knife, the bludgeon, and the
heavy boot."

Boys, from ten years old up, should be taught how to box scientifi-
cally. In the first place there can be no better exercise for the body and
limbs than a few rounds with the gloves, for if they be merry oneS)
every thew and sinew will be in use ; the wind is improved and the
chest enlarged, while the eye is made quick and sharp.

Gloves should be small and hard. Large ones often stop a well-
directed blow, and to have them soft they must be large.

In conjunction with boxing wrestling should also be taught. At
times to be able to use one's feet in tripping up, or one's arms in giving
a cross buttock, is highly advantageous. A man who can both box
and wrestle is indeed an awkward customer to tackle.

They, like so many other accomplishments, cannot be taught on
paper. A good master and constant practice, with natural taste for the
art, are the only ways by which proficiency can be acquired. There is,
therefore, no use in my trying to give a lesson even if I were qualified,
which I am not ; I may, however, make a few remarks.

Don't hit a man for insufficient cause, but when occasion or provoca-
tion requires you to hit another, let there be no half measures adopted.
Therefore, never hit till you mean to hurt ; so when you hit, hit hard,
and let him have it — quick as a flash, and straight from the shoulder —
right on to whatever portion of his head, face, or body you can land
with the most efi'ect and the greatest readiness. Such work generally
shortens the business", while half measures only prolong it, and what
is worth doing at all is worth doing well. A blow is a blow, and in law
a silly little tap constitutes an assault, and will count against a man
just as much as if he had sent his antagonist flying heels over head.

Above all things, never lose your temper when boxing.

If a man can get well home with a hot one on to the side of the chin
of his adversary, there is no better means oi instilling into his head the
illusion that he has two skulls, and that one is clattering inside the
other, while every tooth in his head chatters time thereto. It was Jem
Mace gave me that and the following tip, and both are worth taking.

Practise to box equally well with either foot forward, which of
course necessitates the corresponding fist being forward. A man who
can box so has a decided advantage over the man who can box only in
the usual position of left foot and left fist foremost.

The hands should be closed in the natural way with the end joints
of the fingers doubled in such a position that they won't get hurt from

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the concussion of the blow ; the middle joints should recede from the
index to the little finger.

Not so.

The fists should be kept loosely closed until just going to strike ; they
should then be clenched like a vice, and the blow driven straight from
the shoulder, throwing as much weight into it as possible. While a
hard fist will punish better than a soft one, the effect of a blow is
regulated by the force with which it is sent from the shoulder and not
by the consistency of the fist alone.

When the nose gets tapped, snuff up and don't blow out. The
best thing for a black eye is to clap a piece of raw beef to it and keep
it there for a couple of hours.

It is all nonsense for some people to say that a knowledge of boxing
induces a boy or a man to become quarrelsome and often a bully.
Even if such were the result it would not be sufficient reason for his
living in ignorance of the best means of defence God has given him.
Knowing how to box scientifically has, however, quite the contrary
effect with well-conditioned and well-educated men, and this has been
demonstrated by thousands of examples where men who were good
with their fists never gave offence, and were the very last to get into
a row. When in it, of course they knew how to get out of it. I do
not allude to ill-conditioned fellows ; they are the exception and only
prove the rule.

But to go further into the subject. If nearly every man was known
to be handy with his fists there would be little or no fighting, for most
fellows would know they were likely to get as much as, if not more
than, they could give, and the bully, almost always a coward, would be
the most sensitive on that point.

If two young fellows are constantly squabbling, or have a serious
misunderstanding, the very best way for settling the matter is to have
it out with the gloves — by no means with the naked fists. Seconds to
each and a referee should be provided, and, if they be boys, they should
be of fairly equal height, weight, and age. Unless they are badly-
disposed chaps they will most likely be good friends for ever after, even
though one may have given the other a sound thrashing.

I know an instance myself where two fellows could never agree, and
were always wrangling, making it most unpleasant to those they might
be in company with. At my suggestion one day they both peeled off,
and at it they went with the bare fists. They certainly gave and took
punishment like men, and for some three or four rounds they milled
merrily. W^e then separated them before either had got the best of it,

296

although each showed unmistakable evidence of the other's handiwork.
They shook hands, and ever since, just five-and-twenty years ago, they
have been good friends and allies of each other.

It is well known how the great Thomas Assheton Smith and the
equally famous John Musters (" Tom Smith" and " Jack Musters " in
hunting history) had, at Eton, one of the greatest battles ever fought
there, but for the remainder of their lives the greatest friendship
existed between them, which even their rivalry as masters of hounds
and as the very best men to hounds in England of their day wa»
unable to undermine. Hundreds of similar instances could be quoted
of lifelong friendship arising out of a fair stand-up fight.

Masters of schools should adopt a similar system among their pupils
for settling their disputes ; instead of which they punish boys for
fighting, no matter how great the provocation may be. Squabbling
and wrangling should be severely dealt with, but not a fair fight,,
fought for sufficient reason.

That excellent periodical Cassell's book of " Sports~and Pastimes "
contains what may be considered all the instruction upon boxing which
can well be given on paper. I shall, therefore, ofifer to my young:
readers the benefit of it.

Hints to Young Boxers.
It is a singular fact that the beginner is almost sure to put himself in an
attitude which combines every possible fault. He plants himself firmly,
braces up every muscle, and holds his hands hijrli. Now it is impossible to
be too easy and unconstrained, or to let the limbs play too freely. It is only
at the moment of striking or parrying that the fist should be clenched tight
and the muscles contracted. The left foot should be in advance, witii the
sole flat on the ground ; the right foot about half an ordinary pace in rear,
with the heel slightly raised, and the toes in line with the left heel ; care
being taken not to bring the left foot too far to the right, which would
destroy the balance. The knees should be very slightly bent, just as in
dancing. And mind carefully that when you advance, the left leg must
always step out Hrst ; when you retire, the riglit leg must step back first.
When you move to the left, the right foot takes the pace, the left foot
following it. When you move to the right, the left foot is first shifted, then
the right. All this is very important, for if the legs and feet get confused,
their owner must lose his balance, and become powerless either for attack or
defence, and a slight blow will suffice to knock him down. You require to
step forwards, backwards, sideways as lightly and quickly as possible,
always keeping the right foot in rear of the left. Thus, when you deliver a
blow, the whole weight of your body is thrown into it ; when you receive
one, you give to it, as it were, and much of the force is lost. Or, if you step
back very smartly, it falls short altogether, while, your left foot being still
in advance, you are ready to step up again at the instant and deliver your
return before your opponent can recover himself. The left arm must be in
advance, playing backwards and forwards easily, the fist on about a level
with the centre of the chest. The right arm held across the body, but not
stiffly. Keep the chin down and the mouth shut. If you want to know the

297

reason for this last recommendation being printed in italics, you may have
your mouth open, just for once, and get somebody to give you a slight tap
on the jaw. Bat you had better take the hint without trying the experiment.

Before leaving the subject I may impart to my readers the advice I
got myself nearly forty years ago from one of the greatest friends I
ever had, and a splendid exponent of The Art, the late Pierse Netter-
ville Barron, of Waterford : " Kick a cad, snub a snob, beat a bully."

As I have said there has been a vast improvement brought about
in manly gamts during the past quarter of a century, and the youth of
to-day have far and away more advantages than were to be had when
I was a boy.

Except handball and rackets, we had scarcely any outdoor game in
Ireland carried on under recognised rules. Cricket was only then being
taken up. Football was played without rules, and consisted in merely
kicking the ball to the goal or the shins of the opposite side for oppos-
ing its progress.

Beyond what we could do on parallel or horizontal bars, gymnastics
were very little practised. Even the bars were not to be found in every
playground, and if they were, there was no one to teach us how to
perform on them. The '' wild cat," therefore, was the extent of our
achievements thereon. Boxing we were never taught either, and w^hen
a dispute had to be decided by the fists, the performance was nothing
but a slogging match in the Ball alley without the least attempt at
science. Archery certainly we had, and there was a club of toxophi-
lites in most of our counties, but that can hardly be classed among
manly games. We had also the ladylike and innocent croquet, not
very scientific or exhilarating either ; no doubt if the game was a
private match it afi*orded means for quiet flirtation, while it gave a
pretty girl the opportunity of showing what sort of a foot and ankle
she had. Archery and croquet are now nearly extinct.

Nowadays, we have public and private gymnasiums in most of our
important to^vns, where men and youths are taught by competent
masters to develop their muscles and agility, and to use the gloves
properly. Cricket is now as great a favourite in Ireland as ever it was
in England, and we have men who can handle the willow with aty
Saxon.

Football, too, is played all over the country under regular rules,
and there is no game more conducive to manliness. In it, particularly
if played under Rugby rules, has to be displayed an amount of courage,
endurance, and determined combativeness not required in any other.

Handball and rackets have, I am sorry to say, nearly disappeared in
Ireland, which is a pity for they were rattling good games. I can't say
I lament the loss of archery and croquet, for they have been succeeded
by lawn-tennis and cycling, both being infinitely more active, healthy,
and useful, and are for ladies the very best outdoor recreation ever yet
invented. Cycling, from its pre-eminent utility, has become simply
universal as a means of locomotion. To people who could never do

298

so before, it affords a facility for travelling and seeing tlie country at
no expense beyond the first cost of the machine.

Polo, although alluded to by me last in the series of manly games,
takes the firfc:t rank, for it is the game of games, the cream of the cream
of summer amusement. In fact, I look upon polo as the connecting
link between pastime and sport. It has been introduced into this
country only within the last comparatively few years, although a
game in India of very ancient origin. From the East it was brought to
England by, I think, the 9th Lancers in about 1875. It was not in
Ireland when I could have gone in for it, and never do I look on at the
grand game without regretting the fact.

Many and great as are the advantages derived from lawn tennis and
cycling they, like most new institutions, have done injury to the old
ones. Owing to scarcity of money in Ireland amongst those who
formerly ga7e them, the good old-fashioned dinner-parties began some
years ago to disappear, but directly lawn-tennis went to the front the
dinner-parties vanished altogether from the country. It was soon
found that with sandwiches, tea, and light claret, people could be
brought together in social intercourse in much greater numbers and at
a cost of a shilling in the pound as compared with the good dinners
and better wines of years before. Pity it was, for at these festive
gatherings friends and acquaintances met, and over the mahogany the
latter became the former and the former became the faster.

Cycling for its part is interfering greatly with the utility of the
horse, and in many places livery stable owners feel the effects greatly.

Yes, truly cycling has driven itself rapidly into a most important
position on " the road." There it takes the lead, in every sense of the
word, of all other means of locomotion. Even coaches, horsed with
the best of cattle, changed every seven or eight miles and driven by
the best " whips," cannot hold their own with a good man on a bicycle,
whether it be over a short or a long distance. The late James Selby's
unparalleled performance with four horses from Piccadilly to Brighton
and back in 7hrg. 50mins. has since been beaten upon two or three
occasions by bicyclists.

The best record which I have seen was that of Mr. S. F. Edge who,
in July, 1890 (evidently to beat Selby's record), started from the White
Horse Cellars at 9 a.m. and did the journey from thence to the Ship at
Brighton and back in 7hrs. and 3min., taking only three rests— 8min.,
3min., and 2min. This was at the rate of fifteen miles an hour for
nearly seven hours, and that, too, without a cliaiuje.

Selby's fame nevertheless is safe. He will ever be remembered as
the prince of coachmen, not alone for this one performance to Brighton
and back, but for his well-known skill as a whip all his life. Men
may have been able to drive four horses as well, but no man was
ever able to drive them better than James Selby. I knew him, and
as a tribute to his memory I make these remarks. For the information
of my readers, who do not know the particulars of his Brighton feat, I
refer them to my chapter on Driving.

299

iNotwithstanding all that may be said in favour of cycling, I confess I
am personally prejudiced against it. Probably it is because I don't like
to see an infringement on the prerogative of the horse, or it maybe from
the fact that one of the worst falls I ever got in my life was from a
bicycle, when learning the art of straddling it years ago. Be that as it
may, personally I do hate the sight of a cycle, whether it be a " bi " or
a "tri. " I think a man looks more to disadvantage riding one, no
matter how artistic he may be with the pedals, than he could do at any
other work he might engage in, bar, perhaps, running after his hat.
The position is ridiculous and the motion is truly absurd.

Why can't the pedal ists adopt a better and more upright seat 1 That
contracted chests and round shoulders will be the results of their
crooked position I have not the least doubt, and what is worse, they
may transmit to their offspring the horrid deformities.

Nevertheless, the records made by bicyclists are wonderful. The
twenty-five miles champion race in July, 1890, was won by Mr-
F. J. Osmond in less than one hour and fifteea minutes. Out of the
eighteen who started in the race, thirteen did the twenty-five miles
within the standard time, which was Ihr. 19mins. 50secs. Since then
probcibly that record has been beaten, marvellous as it was.

To return to coaching, but as an example of hardihood, I will relate,
upon the authority of the Licensed Victuallers Gazette of May 6, 1890,
what occurred as far back as 1809. A match similar to Jim Selby's was
made by Mr. Wedderburn Webster, of the 10th Dragoons, who backed
himself for 1,000 guineas to drive a curricle and four from Brighton to
London in four hours, and for a similar amouat that he would ride the
same distance in three hours. Neither match, however, came off, owing
to the heavy losses Mr. Webster sustained to Captain Barclay over the
latter's celebrated walk of 1,000 miles in 1,0U0 hours at Newmarket.
Now, although these matches were never decided, it is clear that there
were men eighty years ago who were considered to be able to
accomplish these prodigious feats.

This same Mr. Webster in 1809, at a moment's notice and without any
special training whatever, set off to walk from Ipswich to London, a
distance of seventy miles, which he backed himself for 500 guineas to do
in twenty-four hours. He accomplished sixty-five miles in nineteen
hours. He then rested, having five hours to complete the remaining five
miles. A week or two later he covered the same distance on his favourite
mare Buzzard in four hours and fifty minutes, winning another 500
guineas. Again, on May 25 of same year he rode one of his leaders from
Brighton to Westminster (fifty-two miles) in three hours and twenty-
two minutes, the wager being 1,000 guineas that he would not do it
in three hours and a half. He stopped twice, two minutes on each
occasion, during each of which he drank two glasses of port and gave
the remainder of the bottle to his horse.

"There were giants in those days." If the young athletes of the
present day will but read Sportascrapiana, they will find many such

300

feats recorded, and, with all the advantages they have now over the men
of old, they may find more than a nut to crack in beating the records of
Gecrge Osbaldeston, Edward Budd, Captains Ross and Barclay, or
Lord Kennedy.

Long ago, and up to a few years since, many hunts had " runners."
These were men deeply imbued with the love of sport, and they at
times performed mosc wonderful feats of pedestrianism. I remember
some of them myself with the Tipperary and Curraghmore. Tbey
generally wore a cast-otf red coat and hunting cap and ran barefooted.
They seemed to know every field in the country and every line a fox
•would take, and marvellous was it how these half-clad, half -fed men
would turn up at the end of a long run. Extraordinary are the stories
told of them, but none that I ever heard of comes near that which is
narrated in Sportascrapiana of one James West, who some sixty years
ago was in the habit of running with the Berkeley hounds. He is
accredited with having made in one day " a pretty little run of about
a hundred and twenty-six miles ! "

Be that performance a fact or a fancy, I shall record a feat of pedes-
trianism which I know to be a fact. My step-brother, the late Mr. Joha
Richards of Grange, in the County Wexford, had in his employment
a gamekeeper named Xickey Conoran. In the year 1855 this man, then
nearly fifty years old, had occasion to go to Waterford, which from his
house was twenty-four Irish miles. He started at 4 a,m. and walked to
New Ross, a distance of nearly twelve miles. There he expected to
catch the steamer which plied daily to Waterford and back, but he was
late. He then walked to Waterford — twelve miles — did his business
there, which necessitated some two miles ; returned by steamer to New
Ross, and walked from there to Grange. At the entrance gate, about
9 p.m., he met my brother, who was going in search of his groom who
he feared had met with an accident, as he had not returned from Ennis-
corthy where he had gone with a hor=e in the morning. Conoran»
without a moment's hesitation, joined his master and walked to Eanis-
corthy, a distance of eight Irish miles. They found the groom all right,
and straightway returned to Grange, where they arrived about 2 a.m.^
Conoran all the way keeping up with my brother, who was a very good
walker.

Thus, in the ordinary condition of a cottier tenant, and without the
least preparatioa, did Nickey Conoran, in twenty-two hours, walk some
fifty-two Irish mi]es,which equal sixty-six English. He had no rest, except
an hour and a half while oq board the steamer, which gives an average
of nearly three miles and a quarter per hour actual walking. He had
no refreshment except a very light dinner in Waterford about 2.0, for
nothing could be got in Enniscorthy. The hardy old fellow told me he
was not a bit the worse for the walk, and the only inconvenience he
suffered was that on the return journey from Enniscorthy, having no
matches, he could not get a smoke, and upon going to a house for a
light, he found the family wailing over the corpse of an old woman they
were " waking," so he bolted without efifecting his purpose.

301

In none of our manly exercises has more advancement been made of
late years than in swimming. In the generation before my own
it was little practised in Ireland, nor was it, I think, in England.
Beyond having a bathe in hot weather I am afraid our fathers were not
over-fond of immersing themselves in water at all ; nor was the
morning tub considered a necessity to a gentleman in his preparation
for the day. Even in my own boyhood lads were not, as a rule, good
swimmers, and many could not swim at all, but most of us took our
matutinal tub.

There is a village at the opening of Waterford Harbour called
Dunmore, and to this charming seaside resort many of us went every
summer. "Kelly's Rocks" afiforded excellent bathing, and at the
lowest ebb tide we could get headers into at least ten feet of water,
pure from the sea. A great many young men bathed there daily, and
all of course were swimmers, but there were only about half a dozen
who were really good ones. There is no doubt these few were very
clever in the water. I never saw a feat performed by anyone, not
even the Beckwiths, which some of us could not do five-and-twenty
years ago. None of us went in for swimming long distances, neither
could we swim very fast, but we could do almost anything in or under
water — leap-frog, porpoise turni^og, diving, swimming under water, and
numbers of other feats we thought nothing of. A couple of us often
jumped in fully dressed with collars and ties, and having our boots
laced, all of which we were able to take off in twenty feet of water. I
once got my feet tied closely together at the ankles, and my wrists
equally so behind my back, and in that hobbled state threw myself into
Kelly's hole when the tide was full in. Still, up I came, and by not
moving body or limb my face kept well over the surface for the few-
minutes I chose to stay in the position. I was perfectly powerless,
as may be supposed, and had to be towed ashore. I allude to the event
to show how easy it is to keep one's head above water — nothing being
required except a little self-reliance. At the same time, a feat of the
sort could only be performed in strong deep sea w^ater.

" The side stroke " was only just coming into vogue in my young
days, but I never cared for it, and always stuck to the old breast
stroke.

There is nothing more useful to learn in the water than how to save
a drowning man, and it should be practised as often as possible. To
make the task the more realistic, it is requisite that the subject of
rescue should do all he can to drown his rescuer. What fun we used
to have at that work long ago !

Practising feats such as some I have alluded to served me well
twenty years ago in Waterford Harbour. A sail boat went down under
me, and owing to the main sheet having got round my leg I was
dragged with her but I was able to liberate myself, some fathoms under
water, from the rather awkward predicament.

Yes, I think few places in Ireland, perhaps not one, could produce

303

better swimmers than Dunmore could from, say, 1860 to 1875. But now
lots of seaside places have tip-top aquatic performers, and nearly every
boy, not to speak of young man, cm swim well. They, too, have games
in the water we never had — polo, tug-of-war, &c., and sp'endidly do we
see them played, particularly in the " Forty- foot " at Kingstown, where
hundreds of young and old men bathe every day in the summer. Mr.
Carson, to whom we are indebted for the comfortable accommodation
found there, bathes all the year round, showing himself light with a
lantern for the operation during the winter !

What a wonderful difference is to be found in the buoyancy of water,
of course attributable to its degree of saltness and depth. I was
returning home once from Oporto in a cattle steamer bound for London.
The Bay of BitCiy was smooth as glass, the day intensely hot, the
markets were low, so there was no particular hurry, and there was but
one other passenger on board. I therefore asked the skipper, a good-
natured fellow, to stop the engines and let me have a header off the
steamer's tide. He demurred at first, fearing I might not be as good
in the water as I told him I was ; or, if so, that there might be some
hungry shark on the look-out for a meal. However, he consented at
last, and in I went head foremost. The drop was, I should say, twelve
feet, but so strong was the water I did not go more than two feet under.
I could tread water with my body as far as the armpits over the sur-
face, while to float was as e isy as to lie on a sofa. I did not stay in
long, however, f-ir the water was very cold. I forget how deep the
captain told me it was, but I think the fathoms represented something
like a mile on land.

This long yarn must be wearisome to the reader, but as I considered
a"prank like that real sport in those days, thinking upon it now is quite
on the line of my hunt.

That the British excel all other nations in manly exercise no one can
deny, for to us all games and pastimes come easy. None, however, de-
monstrates the fact clearer than does skating. With only very few days in
the year to practise this invigorating pastime, we have, taking them all
round, as good performers on the ice as are to be found in any of the
countries where skating is the principal means of locomotion When
hard frost comes on in England we see all through the country men and
also ladies go on skates over our frozen lakes in style, whether as
regards pace or in graceful execution of fancy cutting, which neither a
northern European nor yet a Canadian can excel. For my part I did
nob take much to skating, and could never do more, when shod wdth iron,
than go ahead. I disliked the frost because it stopped hunting, and in
the early stages of its appearance I betook, with my dog and gun, to
following snipe and wildfowl in preference to having anything to do
with what had caused the stoppage of the king of sports, and thereby
showing even a semblance of sympathy with it.

In selecting London, as I do in the next few pages, to show how great
has been the improvement in the condition of men within the past five

303

and- thirty years, I do so simply because I know it better than I do an^
other of our large cities ; but what I say applies equally to most other
towns in the kingdom.

I was sent to London when a boy in 1855, to learn my business, and
I stayed there until 1857. Since then I have paid off and on a great
many visits to our capital, and I have had ample opportunity of
acquiring the knowledge which I am about to impart to those of my
readers who may not already be in possession of it.

" The City man " of my young days was an awe-inspiring gentleman
invariably clad in black broadcloth. His deportment and manner of
speech were in accord with the sombre character of his garb. Beyond
an occasional visit to the opera or theatre, with a fortnight at the seaside
in summer, this old gentleman never sought recreation. Being brought
up to business, to it he stuck, and he educated his sons pretty much
in the same way. As to smoking in the streets, not to speak of the
office, it was a thing a man would have been almost incarcerated for.

The clerks in the counting-houses of the City, from the strict discipline-
they were subject to duriog office hours, were as sedate in their behaviour
as their masters. A visit to " Evans's" or " The Coal Hole," and occa-
sionally to a theatre, where from " the gods " they witnessed the play,,
were all the amusements these poor fellows ever enjoyed. They knew
of no other recreation, therefore they cared for no other. Their office
hours were from 8 or 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. On Saturdays the hours
were often even longer. A holiday was unheard of unless a fellow got
off on the excuse of paying a visit to some dear aunt. Old Farley and
his good-natured partner, John Boyes, thought I had mora aunts
requiring visits than all the chaps they ever met with !

Needless to mention an idea of sport, not to speak of a love for it,
never entered the heads of either the principal of a City house, his sons
or his clerks in the days I refer to. Because I entertained sporting
proclivities, I was looked upon as a scamp bound to go to the deviL
Upon several occasions I narrowly escaped being " rusticated," only
because I came to the office with certain marks about the nose and
eyes, indicative of a visit to Nat Langham's the night before.

Except in the parks upon the few occasions they visited them, the
warehousemen and shop assistants of London might, and often did,
live half their lives before they saw a green field.

Taking them all and all, the " business men " — employer and
employed— of the City of London thirty to forty years ago were a
community as uninteresting as could possibly be found. Work, work,
and no play, was the daily order.

1 shall pass over the transition state since then and come at once
to what these men now are ; and in no other section of the British
public has there taken place during the present century so great a
change for the better.

The " City men" nowaday?, when they have occasion to do so, turn out
in garb as orthodox as any man of the West End. The rig these

304

gentlemen adopt generally has, however, an air of negligent elegance
about it which betokens other than matter-of-fact business pursuits. Pot
hats and tweed suits are quite as usual in Mark or Mincing Lanes as the
topper and black ; while a cigar is an indulgence during business hours,
alike in the street and the counting-house. The lachrymose visage with
doleful manner of speech no longer exists as a qualification for business.
The clerks are of a much better social class than were their predecessors,
while they, too, bear upon them an unmistakable hall-mark. The
workmen in the cellars, the docks, and the warehouses show in their
complexions a healthiness which they never inherited from their
parents.

What is the cause of all this change, a change brought about in such
magnitude and within so short a time 1 I unhesitatingly reply, SPORT !

Business houses all over England, as a rule, have their doors closed
upon Saturdays at from one to two o'clock. ([ regret to say such is not as
yet the custom in Ireland. It soon will be, I trust.) Directly the keys
are turned away to the country go the clerks and the workmen, there
to engage in sport— the younger portion to enter practically into the
game of cricket, tennis, or football, while the elder look on with the
most intense interest. I have seen old men get perfectly demented
from excitement over a game of football when their local club played
another, yelling with all their vehemence, " Go it, Leeds ! " " Smash
em, Everton ! "

Saturday being so short a day, the heads of the houses often don't
attend business but devote it to field sports of one kind or another.

When, therefore, a Saturday or Sunday, not to speak of a Bank
Holiday, is spoiled by bad weather it is positively a national calamity.

In our commercial community a man devoid of knowledge of sport in
a technical sense is now not to be found ; nor can we except with
difficulty find one without the capability of taking an active part in some
branch of sport ; while men possessing all the attributes of the sportsman
and well able to carry out in practical efiiciency their proclivities are
now to be met with in abundance among our merchants.

Yes, among the thousands who daily transact the business of the
nation witbin the neighbourhood of Mincing Lane and the Stock
Exchange of London, " on the Flags " of Liverpool, in the Commercial
Building of Dublin, as well as elsewhere, are now to be found hundreds
of as fine a lot of sportsmen as exists among the ranks of the patricians.

These rattling fine fellows, while maintaining the trade of our nation
in a position by far the most honourable and gigantic in the universe,
are well able to hold their own across country, over the moors or in
hot cornerp, on rivers or in the cricket field.

What engendered in our present business man these newly-acquired
tastes and to what do we owe the development ? The answer is simple :
Love for Sport is inherent in our nation, be the class what it may ; and
shorter business hours affording the opportunity, the latent desire
immediately hurst Jorth.

305

The Volunteer system which extends to England has on its part done
much towards this happy result ; for to be a soldier is to be a man.
I wish heartily poor old Ireland could be got into a state such as
would justify the Government in extending to it the Volunteer system.
Perhaps some day it may, but at present the time seems far off.

Bank Holidays, too, have done much towards the development of
manhood among the employee class. On the other hand, much harm
is done by these Bank Holidays. They come so seldom, men naturally
take all the value they can get out of them. Estimates of what is
called enjoyment are various, and unfortunately include drunkenness-.
This vice is indulged in by hundreds on Bank Holidays, and for days
afterwards they are incapacitated from performing their duties, and
thus is the object of a general holiday abused.

Now, my notion is that we have too few general holidays ; that if we
had them more frequently little or no abuse would result. I speak from
experience, and when I give my reason I shall be understood. Long
ago we had very few race meetings either in England or in Ireland,
compared with what we have now. When it so happened that we
could go to a race meeting, say, only three or four times in the year, the
event almost invariably culminated in a debauch of more or less degree.
This is a general fact which no race-goer of as long experience as myself
can dispute. Moreover, the propensity to get across the line was alike
in all classes, even up to twenty years ago. Now, when an opportunity''
to attend a race meeting is afforded nearly every day in the week, and
when it is availed of by the public to tenfold greater extent than it was
long ago, what do we see? No drunkenness at race meetings, and
no debauch overnight — at least among respectable people.

This fact, which has been brought emphatically under my own
immediate observation, I adduce as an example of what would be the
result of having general holidays more frequent than they are.

I have no hesitation in stating that I believe if an Act of Parliament
was to be passed by which every Saturday would be made a half-
holiday and the first Monday in every month a whole one, little or
no abuse of the indulgence would accrue, but on the contrary a vast
deal of benefit. Those who, like the police, railway and post-office
officials, could not be spared off duty on the regular days should be
given others instead. In fact, every man in the kingdom should be
entitled to a half-holiday in every week, and a whole one in every month.
As a matter of course, no deduction in pay should accrue, but the
present general holidays, except those attendant upon Christmas and
Easter, should be abolished.

We must realise the fact that while bodily labour is less, that of the
mind is vastly more arduous nowadays than it was thirty years ago.
More is done in a week now within commercial circles than could be
done in a month then, and everyone knows the mind needs rest more
than the body. Therefore, occasional respites from labour such as I
have suggested would bear results to the employer even more beneficial

X

306

than to the employed. The strain upon his mental capacity which at
present is continual would then be regularly relieved.

Furthermore, I will say that, in my opinion, no better allotment of
the twenty-four hours can be found than that proposed by Alfred the
Great just one thousand years ago. It was : "Eight hours for labour,
eight hours for sleep, eight hours for feeding and recreation."

I write thus after having a long experience as an employer, and
knowing well what the employed is capable of doing with such
efficient results as will give his employer an adequate return for his
wages.

By according to all men such privileges as I have mentioned, I main-
tain, first, that both employer and employed would alike benefit from
their business point of view ; and second, that, having so much more
additional time for recreation, our young men would develop into
even greater and finer fellows than they are, by, as they are bound
to do, devoting all the more time to manly exercise and to sport.

" All work and no play" has in England long since been found to be
a mighty bad rule. Trading has in no way suffered from the weekly
half and occasional whole holiday which have existed for some time.
On the contrary, despite exceptionally bad times, Great Britain never
stood firmer than she does at present, and the adoption of uniform
hours for labour, with more holidays, would, I am strongly con-
vinced, tend to make her stronger. Moreover, such a step would go
a long way towards the prevention of strikes, the curse of everyone,
and would frustrate many of the doctrines which are now being-
preached by advanced Radicals with such evil results.

For many years it has seemed to me a pity to keep in this country
such late hours as we do. I speak still of the commercial class, for, of
course, a suggestion to the upper classes to keep early hours would be
as useless as that which I made in the chapter on Racing with regard
to changing the Derby and other classic events into four-year-old races !
If we began business at, say, 7 or 8 a.m., and left off at 3 or 4 p.m.,
would it not be more rational and far better for employer and employed
than beginning as we do at 9 or 10 a.m., and working away till 6 or
7 p.m. ? The evening hours could, with the holidays, be devoted to
sport by the employers, and to manly games by those they employ,
and we should then live the 7,300 hours more than we do in every ten
years which I allude to in a following chapter.

The English and Irish are undeniably the hardiest nation in the
world. It is sport and manly games that have given them that proud
position : let us therefore the more encourage the cause so that the
effect may be proportionately increased.

To some young gentlemen from our cities who may select hunting as
their principal recreation or even a portion of it, I would take the
liberty of here giving the following little bit of advice : — Read, mark,
and inwardly digest what is inculcated by the master of the Gorse
Covert Foxhounds, and also by his secretary, in the chapter of this

307

TDOok devoted to Hunting. I would also have them bear in mind
that

The fox takes precedence of all from the covert ;

The horse is an animal i)urposely bred
After the pack to he ridden, not over—

Good hounds are not reared to be knocked on the head.

I venture still further with these young fellows, and I do so with
all delicacy and with the sole object of promoting sport. Let them
•recognise it as a fact that any damage done by them in the hunting field
is looked upon by masters of crack packs in a much worse light than
would the same if done by members of the hunt. If on the other hand
these young men from our cities conduct themselves like sportsmen in
'the field, are courteous and civil to the farmers, and subscribe liberally
to the hunt fund, I am very sure they would be welcomed to the
meet of any pack of foxhounds. If they don't behave themselves they
«deserve to be ordered away directly they appear.

Hurrah for old England and Ireland ! Never shall we see in the
annals of our sports a record so disgraceful and unmanly as the following
the reproduction of which I trust may not pollute the pages of my
book : —

Bull-fighting Statistics.— During the past year (1892) the number of
first-class bull-fights in important cities in Spain was 289, the bulls killed
being 1,594. There have also been 307 fights of young bulls (novillos), in
which 1,407 were slaughtered. Of the chief fights 26 took place in Madrid,
13 in Seville, 12 in Barcelona, and 11 in Valencia. Two men (picadors)
were killed ; one of the espadas and banderilleros, while 16 others were
more or less seriously wounded. In each course from six to eight bulls are
done to death ; but recently in Madrid, in a fight which extended over two
days, 18 were finished off. On some days 24 horses, or even more, are gored
to death by the long horns of the Spanish bulls. The bull-ring in Madrid
holds 15,000 spectators," nor dames, in high rapture, the spectacle shocks !"

Thales, the greatest of all Greek philosophers, and renowned to this
day for his wisdom, thanked the gods daily that he was a Grecian and
not a Barbarian. We Britons should feel equally proud of our
nationality and thankful for it.

308

CHAPTER XIX.

THE PRIZE-RING AND THE COCKPIT.

Author's Excuse for Referring to above— Dangerous Topics— Old Patrons— Prize-fighting:
V. Cock-fighting— Brutal and Degrading— Admiral Rous' Opinion— Ruffianism—
Result— Last Battles— Revival— Slavin and Smith— Marquis of Queensberry— New
System— Boxing and Cocking— Wilts and Cheshire a Hundred Years Ago— Major
Wheble— Harry Flowers—" White Piles "— " The Cheshire Drop "—The Cholmondeleys
— Egertons— Warburtons— Mexboroughs— Meynells— The Knowsley " Black-breasted
Reds"— A Great Doctor— " The Turf and the Sod"— Great Cock-fights— Great Men-
Earl of Derby— Enormous Stakes— A Great Cock-setter— His Fees— Squire Legh and
Major "Wliebie- A Level Thousand— A Match Made— More Great Men— Wiltshire v.
Cheshire— William Keate— Preparations for the Fight— The Company— The Men— The
Fight— Enthusiasm— Tremendous Fighting— Results— Major Wheble's Gallantry-
Remarks by the Author— Royal Cock-pit in 1805— A Prize-fight Thirty Years Ago—
Tom Sayers and John C. Heenan— Their Births— Early Days— Their Fights— Prepara-
tion for the Great Fight— The Attendance— The Men— Full Particulars of the Battle-
—After it— Opinion of the Author— How Both Fought— Belts for Both Men— Sub-
scription for Sayers — His Death— Heenan— Author's Opinion of Him— His Death —
Old Battles Compared with what are now called ".Fights."- Tom Sayers' Record.

My hand shakes and my heart palpitates as I write the heading of this
chapter, knowing as I do how distasteful prize-fighting and cock-fight-
ing are to so many of the present day. In fact I don't think I should
have referred to these branches of old English sport but for the
fact of having come across a copy of the Licensed Victuallers' Mirror^
in which is iven an account of how they were organised and carried
out a hundred years ago. The description is so interesting, I am
tempted into reproducing the article, as it delineates perfectly the
whole proceeding, and shows the class of society which surrounded
the prize-ring and cock-pit in old times.

The subjects of this chapter are dangerous topics to ofi'er an opinion
on nowadays, but when the cream of the cream of English society
showed the interest in them which they did up to about thirty years
ago, as is described in the following account, they must have seen
some useful as well as exciting end to be gained therefrom, at all
events, as regards the prize-ring.

I can't understand what good they could have ever seen eventuate
from the cock-pit. Beyond to view courage displayed in the highest
degree, there could be nothing gained by setting two poor birds to fight
to the death with artificial spurs, except brutal gratification of the lust
for gross and most abominable cruelty. No bird in creation— perhaps
no beast— has more courage, combined with combative propensity, than
the appropriately-named gamecock. To let two evenly-weighted birds
have a few bouts with the "gloves" {i.e., having their short-cut natural
spurs well padded) is good fun and does no injury to the combatants,

309

while their skill in offence and defence is displayed as much as when
they have battle spurs. I am glad to say I saw only two cock-fights
with artificial spurs, and most certainly I shall never look at another,
but I often saw cocks spar with gloves, and I hope to see the same
again.

Prize-fighting with the bare fists, as carried on formerly, was brutal
and degrading, but, after all, the combatants were rational beings, and
if they chose to batter each other till one was beaten, and to be well
paid for doing so, why, it was their own concern. Therefore, I don't
look on prize-fighting as badly as I do upon cock-fighting, where
two poor birds are set at one another, and death alone decides the
battle.

Men in the highest position in society have upheld prize-fighting
down even to the very present day. Admiral Rous, only a few
years back, looked upon its suppression by the authorities as a national
calamity. He thought as many others did, and do still, that it tended
to encourage and sustain the pluck and endurance that the British
were always celebrated for. Whether it did or not, there is no denying
the fact that prize-fighting could not, in this enlightened and senti-
mental age, be tolerated. At the same time, it must be explained
that during the last few years of the history of the ring there was very
much more brutality shown among the roughs and seam of the earth
who were the spectators than was shown by the men within the ropes.
In the days to which the following article refers there were seldom
rows or bad conduct at the ring-side. It was later on that ruffianism
crept in, until at last almost every fight ended in riot and disorder.
This, of course, disgusted the upper classes, and they withdrew their
patronage. When left without that support the P.R soon got perfectly
•demoralised, and had to be stamped out by the authorities.

The last great genuine fights were on November 26, 1862, and
December 8, '63, when Tom King on both occasions was victorious,
beating, on the respective dates. Mace and Heenan. The former battle
was decided by the most terrific blow ever given in the ring, King,
with a counter, knocking Mace so completely out of time that he did
not recover consciousness for over half an hour. Some time before
that the celebrated battle between Sayers and Heenan took place at
Farnborough, of which I give, later on, an account.

Prize-fighting was not attempted to be revived for some five-and-
twenty years, but efforts were then made, and so-called fights were
brought off. So disgraceful were the exhibitions, owing to the
Tulfianism of the spectators, the cowardice and want of skill of the
men, and the fact that each * fight " was invariably got up for dis-
honourable motives, that the public immediately got quite disgusted
and would not tolerate a revival of prize-fighting, and it is to be hoped
we have seen the last of it. The fight at Bruges between Slavin and
Smith, where a brave and good boxer like the former was denied even
!the fair play Englishmen always boast of showing, particularly to a

310

stranger, should for ever wind up the annals of the P.R., which,,
according to "Fistiana," began in 1700.

While rejoicing to see the demoralising exhibitions alluded to-
abolished, I should be sorry to see the "noble art of self-defence''
interfered with, and glad I am to know that boxing is as popular in
England as ever it was, while in Ireland it is far more so than ever. The
Marquis of Queensberry has done much for it, and has introduced rules,,
some of which are sound and good.

As experience has shown, however, he made a great mistake in
trying to bring back prize-fighting by means of glove contests to be
decided in a limited time, or within a certain number of rounds.
Anyone might have seen such a rule could not work out, and it has now
been shown plain enough these " glove-fights " are far more brutal than
were the old fights with the fists, while they have not one single
redeeming quality. Little science is attempted in the first round,
and after that none whatever. Hammer and tongs the men go at
each other like wild beasts, and to decide the fight is simply a
matter of which in the shortest time, by the most powerful blow, can
knock the other out of time. From curiosity I went to see a couple of
these affairs. Fights they are justly called, and it is, I thiuk, impos-
sible to conceive how the word, in its sense of savageness, could be
more practically demonstrated.

Very soon will these exhibitions be put an end to if they be continued
on the system on which they have begun.

I now reproduce the article I alluded to in the first paragraph of
this chapter. Not alone does it describe the ring and the pit of long
ago, but it gives curious particulars and interesting information of the
men and manners of a past age.

The Old Gamesters of Wilts.

Major Wheble and his Fighting Coachman.

A Main of Cocks in the Old Chester Pit.

A Fight in the Major's Park

7th July, 1809.

There are few counties in England where you will find such a marked'
difference existing between the one half of the shire and the other as in
Wilts. The southern part of the county consists of wide plains and rolling
downs, now sinking into valleys, now rising into hills, a varied sea of
"chalky waves." The northern part is a broad, fiat track of alluvial soil,
thickly wooded and >Yatered by the Thames, the Kennet, and the Lower
Avon, where rich pasture alternates with fruitful corn land. And the
inhabitants of the two districts are equally distinct in character. The simple
shepherds of the South, the " moonrakers/' are as different as possible from
the sturdy agricultural labourers of the North, from time immemorial
renowned for their prowess as cudgel players. It is in this portion of the
county that the scene of our present narrative is laid. Up in the North-
eastern corner of Wilts, about ten miles from the borders of Berks, in the-

311

little village of Dansden, at the time of wliich we are writing, there had
been settled for several generations a family named Flowers, of tlie small
yeoman class, which hud produced a race of singularly athletic and stalwart
men. Personal strength, high courage, and a fine, hearty, old English love
of fair fighting were hereditary qualities in the house of Flowers, and had
been handed down without a break through all the males of the stock.
There was no record of a Flowers who had not been an enthusiastic lover of
fighting— whether with cudgel or fist— and the family had largely con-
tributed towards upholding the honour and glory of Wiltshire in the annual
matches at stickplay against the men of Berks, Somersetshire, and Glouces-
tershire.

A tine old English sport, by the way, that same stickplay, or backsword-
ing, was, and one we should dearly like to see revived. I^et whoso doubts
our word read the graphic description of a bout at stickplay, as one of the
features of the good, old-fashioned "Veast," given in that manliest and
healthiest of all boys' books, "Tom Brown's Schooldays."

The head of the family at this time was Harry Flowers, the blacksmith,
who, we should imagine, realised the picture which Longfellow has given —

*• The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands ;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands. "

He had two sons, Harry and Bob, both of whom were famous fighters in
their time; but it is with the former that we are now concerned. Though
originally brought up to his fatlier's trade, young Harry, who was from his
boyhood fond of horses, eventually found more congenial employment at the
stables of Major Wheble, of Tockenham Park, close by, who was also the
owner of Bulmershe Court, near Beading. Now, the Major was a fine
specimen of the good old English country gentleman. He loved sport of all
kinds — hunting, racing, shooting, cocking, bruising, and was an enthusiast
at all of them. At the cockpit, on the racecourse, by the ring side, there
was no more familiar figure than that of the burly, jolly-faced squire of
Tockenham. The Major had known the whole family of Flowers from his
boyhood, and had heard countless tales of their prowess. He took a par-
ticular fancy to young Harry, who was in due course promoted to the higher
post of coachman, but this by no means precluded the young man from
indulging his fighting propensities. On the contrary, the Major encouraged
his coachman to keep up the prestige of the house of Flowers, and constantly
backed him to tight. Up to the year 1809, young Flowers had never known
defeat. He had thrashed Black Jem, the famous gipsy fighter ; Sweet, the
Somersetshire champion ; and half-a-dozen other men of lesser note. On the
20th of January, 1809, Flowers fought a big sawyer named Rossett, whom
Mr. Charles Dalbiac, of Hungerford Park, had backed for a hundred guineas
against him. Rossett's patron made sure that the Berkshire man would
win, and wagered heavily on him, but Flowers hit his foe all to pieces in
ten minutes, and the unfortunate sawyer was carried away senseless from
the field of battle. After this signal proof of the coachman's prowess it was
not easy to get anyone to stand up before him, and young Harry's next

312

antagonist was imported from a far away shire, to which the fame of
Flowers had never reached. It came about as follows : —

Major Wheble, as we have said, was an enthusiastic turfite and cocker.

Now, in those days (1809) the two counties which were pre-eminently
famous for their combination of both these sports were Cheshire and Lanca-
shire. Chester and Preston were the two great centres of cocking in the
North. Lord Sefton, Mr. Price, of Brynprys, Captain White, Mr. Bold
Haughton, and Doctor Bellyse all fought at Chester. Lord Derby and Mr.
Legh, of Lyme, reserved tlieir cocks for the Preston mains. There was a
famous breed of " white piles " in Cheshire then, which carried such a
wonderful spur that "the Cheshire drop," which would occasionally come
out in a long battle, when the odds were 20 to 1, was considered as fatal as
" the Chifney rush." These were the cocks with which the Cholmondeleys,
the Egertons, the Warburtons, the Cottons, and the Koylances fought all the
great county mains, sometimes against each other, but more often against
the Mexborough and Meynell families. The Chester race meeting was
always a great trysting place for cockers from all parts of England. That
grand old English sportsman, the twelfth Earl of Derby, great-grandfather
of the present Earl, was always a conspicuous figure there in his gorgeous
family coach, drawn by six superb horses, and attended by a numerous and
imposing retinue. Fond as he was of seeing his home-bred horses carry the
black and white to victory, if it were possible for him to love anything better
than a thoroughbred horse, it was a thoroughbred game-cock, and the
Knowsley breed of black-breasted reds were deemed well-nigh invincible in
the North. It may be .truly said of him that he was the greatest cocker that
ever lived. And next to him, at no great distance, we might place another
familiar figure in Cheshire sport, the celebrated Dr. Bellyse, of Audlem, who
was not only renowned for his medical skill, but was perhaps the greatest
authority of his time on the pedigrees of racehorses, the rearing of grey-
hounds, or the breeding, training, and feeding of game-cocks. The doctor's
professional duties forbade his going far afield in pursuit of the sports he
loved, and keen as he was on horse-racing, he never in his life saw either a
Derby or a St. Leger run. But he was in his glory at Chester. Nothing
would have induced him to forego his annual week on the lloodee.
Patients, no matter how important their cases, had to give up all hopes of
seeing the Doctor for that week. On the Saturday previous to the races his
yellow gig with his fourteen-one, Brown Tommy, turned up as regularly as
the seasons themselves in the yard of the Hop Pole Inn at two o'clock in the
afternoon. On the Monday he sallied forth to the Hotel Row and received
a hearty annual welcome from the lovers of the " Turf and the Sod," to whom
from his quiet worth and his wonderful memory and information on every
point, he had become so endeared. Years wrought no change in the dress
or figure of this fine old Cheshire worthy, nor quenched his love for either
science. Everyone knew the blue dress-coat with brass buttons, the light-
coloured kerseys and gaiters, the buff waistcoat, the golden greyhound, the
gift of his friend Lord Combermere, which lent a tasteful finish to his snowy
frill, and the pig-tail just peeping from beneath a conical low-crowned hat,
which completed the attire, from which he never varied. The cock-pit began
at eleven, and the go-in ended soon after one ; and then, before a grand stand
was known, the Doctor was always to be seen stationed on Tommy in the

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middle of the lioodee, to watch what the horses were doing, armed with a
gigantic umbrella. For he held the belief that there were " always a swarm
of fools on a racecourse," and hence he kept the huge "gamp " to shoot it in
self-defence in the faces of the young blades as they galloped recklessly
across him from the cords to the rails. His great friend was Squire Legh, of
Lyme Hall, who was as famous for his breed of cocks as for his breed of
mastiffs, and they both employed the greatest cock-feeder that ever lived, Joe
Gilliver, of Polesworth. Cocking was then the chosen amusement of the
race mornings, and vied with the Turf itself in the interest it excited among
aristocratic sportsmen. The old families in Cheshire and the neighbouring
countieg were as proud of tlieir breed of black-reds or birchen duckwings as
Sir Tatton Sykes of his Sledmere Leicesters, or Lord Wilton of his Melton
hunters. The feeling had struck deep root for years. It had penetrated
almost within the sombre walls of York, and quiet burgesses remembered
how Harry Mellish and Sir Francis Boynton had fought main after main at
Bootham Bar. There was a dim story, too, that Colonel Thornton had
matched his best hawk against a game-cock at Preston or Knutsford, for
1,000 guineas a side. Ten guineas a battle, and two hundred the main, was
the usual standard. At race meetings they often fought one "in-go" by
candlelight, amid a perfect Babel of bets ; and in the Royal Westminster Pit
of yore no mains were ever fought by day. The Earl of Derby built at his
own expense at Preston the best appointed and most commodious cockpit in
the kingdom, which now — such is the irony of fate — has been converted into
a temperance hall. Here his lordship attended in state. Five shillings was
the price for admission when the Derby mains were being fought, and the
*' main-bag," which was generally a mere calico affair, was on these state
occasions of embroidered needlework, bearing the arms of the Derby family
wrought in gold, and ornamented with the richest lace. The stakes in these
big combats were sometimes enormous. The largest ever fought for were,
we believe, a thousand guineas a battle, and live thousand the main. The
cocksetter's fee was from fifteen to thirty guineas a main, and old Joe
Gilliver managed to save quite a snug little fortune out of his fees. It was
generally one of the articles that the cocks were to fight in "fair reputed
silver spurs," but these were little more than steel, thinly washed over with
the more precious metal, and a single crashing stroke through the skull from
one of them administered the death-blow as instantaneously as a pistol-bullet
would have done. The reader must pardon us for digressing into a disserta-
tion upon a sport for which, at the time of which we are writing, there was a
passionate craze among the nobility and gentry of England. And now to
return to our muttons.

At the Chester Races of 1809 it had been arranged that there should
be a great main between the Gentlemen of the South and the Gentlemen
of the North, for five-and-twenty guineas a battle, and five hundred the
main. This event naturally attracted a great number of sportsmen from
the southern shires, and among them Major Wheble, who had sent his
choicest cocks to contend for the honour of the South. We need not dwell
upon the sport— it is enough to say that the Gentlemen of the North were
victorious— what we are concerned with is an outcome of this meeting
between the Northern and Southern sportsmen. Squire Legh, of Lyme Hall,
overheard Major Wheble boasting of the prowess of his coachman, and was

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nettled at a remark of that gallant officer's to the effect that the North had^
never produced a great fighter yet, and that the South was the true nursery
of British boxers. " I'll lay you a level thousand, Major," said the Squire,.
*' that we in Cheshire will find a man withiu three months who'll thrash your
coachman." The Major promptly accepted the bet, feeling sure that in a
match of this sort he should recoup himself for his losses over the cocking.
Several other Cheshire gentlemen present backed up the Squire of Lyme
Hall, Mr. Egerton, of Tatton Hall, to wit, INIr. Thomas Cholraondeley, of
Vale Royal Abbey, and young Sir Oswald Moseley, of Bolesworth Castle..
The terms of the wager were that the Cheshire gentlemen were, within three
months, to produce a man who should thrash Major Wheble's coachman^
Harry Flowers, the prize for the combatants to be two hundred guineas..
The Wiltshire gentleman and his friends were so confident of success that
they betted heavily, and many thousands of pounds were laid on the event.
In due course Major Wheble returned home, and within a week of his return
he received a letter from Squire Legh, informing him that they had found
their man ; that his name was William Keate, and that he would be ready
to tight Flowers six weeks from that date.

And here let us say a word or two about this Cheshire worthy whom
Squire Legh and his friends had unearthed. The man was an iron- worker
by trade, and had been picked up first at Nantwich by INIr. Peter Legh, of
Booth Hall, who had seen him thrash a big salt-miner there. He was a
powerful young fellow, over twelve stone in weight, and had a slashing style
of hitting, which attracted Mr. Legh's attention. It subsequently transpired
that this Keate was a well-known man in that part of the county, and had
fought many battles with unvarying success. But outside Cheshire he was
unknown. Such was the man, then, upon whom the Cheshire squires relied
to win them their money against their Wiltshire rivals. The battle was to
take place at Major Wheble's park, at Bulmershe Court, near Reading, on
Saturday, the 7th of July, to suit those Cheshire sportsmen who were coming
up to London for Goodwood. The news had spread far and wide over Berks
and Wilts that Harry Flowers, of Dunsden, was to fight the Champion of
Cheshire, and there was great local excitement over the event. Major
Wheble had offered the hospitality of Bulmershe Court to a number of.
Cheshire sportsmen, among them the Earl of Grosvenor, who was as fond of
prizefighting as W'illiam Windham himself; Lord Penrhyn, of Winnington
Hall; Mr. Peter Legh, of Booth Hall, and his brother, Tom Legh, of Lyme
Hall ; young Sir Oswald Moseley, and Mr. Egerton, of Tatton. The inns at
Reading were full of visitors from various outlying parts of Wilts and Berks,
and even from London, forty miles away, and much grumbling there was at
the accommodation. For the Reading of 1809 was a very different place from
the Reading of 1890. It was then one of the dirtiest, the worst lighted, and-
the v/orst paved towns in England. Of course, many of the country people
drove straight from their own residences to the field of battle. Sir Francis
Sykes had tooled over his dashing four-in-hand from Basildon, and had
brought with him Mr. Richard Benyan, of Englefield ; Mr. Charles Fyshe
Palmer, of Luckley House ; and Squire Brummell, of Dorington Grove. Tlie
Marquis of Blandford, too, had driven his drag over from W^hite Knight's,
and so had Viscount Folkestone (Lord Radnor's eldest son) from Coleshill
House. Charles Dalbiac, of Hungerford Park ; Lord Craven from Benhanx

315

House, and many others had ridden to the rendezvous. Wiltshire, too, had'
sent out a strong contingent. Sir Henry Daryell, Master of the South Wilts
Hounds ; Mr. Barnard Dickenson, of Bovvden Park ; Lord Ailesbury from
Savernake ; Mr. Paul Methuen, of Corsham House, one of the most liberal
and enthusiastic patrons of the Prize Ring then living ; General Popham,
Sir George Dashwood, Captain Unwin Smith, young Fulwar Craven, the
Squire of Chilton, who had not yet attained his majority, and other good
sportsmen and true.

The spacious park encircling the mansion of Bulmershe Court presented a
lively scene of bustle and activity on the morning of Saturday, July 7, 1809.*
From an early hour in the morning vehicles of all descriptions and pedes-
trians by hundreds had been making their way towards the scene of battle.
As many guests as the Major's house would hold had been accommodated
within its hospitable walls on the previous night, and every spare bed in the
little neighbouring village of Earley had been tenanted by ardent sportsmen,
who had come from thirty miles and more away. From Eeading crowds of
foot people and carriage folk of every degree were flocking towards Bulmershe
Court before the clock of St. Mary's had chimed six. For his aristocratic
visitors, who must have numbered upwards of a hundred, the genial master
of Bulmershe Court had prepared a hearty breakfast such as country squires
of the good old times loved to do justice to— mighty joints of beef, and chines
of pork, and towers of brawn and vast veal pasties, washed down by the
famous Kennet ale. After breakfast the lawn in front of the house presented
almost as gay an appearance as when the meet of the season was there. The
hunting scarlet, of course, was absent, but there was plenty of variety in the-
colours of the gentlemen's coats. Nor were the fair sex unrepresented. Even'
if they did not propose to witness the fight, the dames of the country squires-
saw no harm in accompanying their husbands to a jolly sporting gathering,
where they could meet the wives of their neighbours and gossip over the
matters that interest matrons. In the park below the crowd was less select,
but quite as jolly. It was a glorious July morning, and everyone was in the
best of humours. Half-past ten was the time fixed for the fight, in order
that it might be over before the sun reached its meridian height and heat,
and long before that time the Ring, which had been carefully formed by Bill
Gibbons and old Joe Ward, specially retained from London for that purpose,
was surrounded by a dense crowd, which could not liave numbered less than,
three thousand persons. A wooden stand had been erected for Major Wheble
and his friends, whilst a circle of a score or more of wag;4ons offered excellent
views of the ring to those who were willing to pay a shilling or two for sitting
or standing room. Keate had come up from Cheshire on the previous
Wednesday in company with his trainer, Isaac Bittoon, whom Lord.
Grosvenor had paid to come down and look after him. During the interval
the pair of them had put up at a neighbouring farmhouse, where Major
Wheble had procured them rooms. Flowers, of course, was under his
master's eye at Bulmershe Court.

When at last the two champions appeared on the wooden stage which had
been erected— for the Major was a stickler for the old style— there was
tremendous excitement. Flowers, of course, as the local champion, received

* *' Fistiana " gives 7th July, 1810, as date of this fight.

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all the cheering, for the other man was an absolute stranger to everyone
present except the gentlemen from Cheshire. Keate was waited upon by
Isaac Bittoon and a man named Jacomb, from Nantwich. Flowers had the
invaluable assistance of the experienced veterans, Bill Gibbons and Joe Ward,
who were objects of much reverence to the admiring yokels. Mr. Paul
Methuen was referee. Mr. John Isherwood, of Maple Hall, Cheshire, was
umpire for Keate. Mr. Charles Dalbiac, of Hungerford Park, Berks, for
Flowers.

Neither man had ever set eyes upon the other until they met on the stage.
As they stepped forward and shook hands, the crowd cheered lustily, whilst
the men themselves eyed each other curiously and critically from head to
foot — then parted to join their seconds in their respective corners, and to
make ready for the fray.

When at last Mr. Paul Methuen, in that clear, melodious voice on which
be prided himself (he was a distinguished amateur actor as well as a keen
sportsman), called " Time," and the combatants, stripped to the waist, stood
up face to face and foot to foot in the centre of the stage, every eye in that
vast concourse was eagerly fastened on them. The Cheshire man was
obviously the taller and heavier of the two. He could not have been far off
oft. lOin., and his weight was certainly not less than twelve stone. Flowers,
on the other hand, stood but 5ft. Sin., and scaled only just eleven stone.
The stranger was certainly a fine, powerful man, with a look of dogged
resolution on his fair, florid face ; but his attitude was awkward and he
lacked the lissomness and spring which characterised his opponent. Henry
Flowers, indeed, was a model of what a man of his size and weight ought to
be. A hardy-looking, swarthy, black-haired man, firm and well-knit, with
bold, bright, dark eyes and a beautifully symmetrical figure. He was, more-
over, in splendid condition, and had the confiidence begotten of an unbroken
series of victories.

It was evident that they meant business these two sturdy countrymen.
They had not been spoiled by the affectations of the Fives and Tennis
Courts. It is to fight and not to spar that they have come here, and after
just one long steady look at one another from head to foot they put up their
hands, set their teeth, and prepare for a battle even to the death. The
Wiltshire man leads off with a hot one from his left which grazes Keate's
right ear. The Cheshire man is just in time to jerk his head on one side
and avoid the full force of the blow, and straightway swings a roundhanded
crack with his right into Harry's face ; thump it goes against the man's
cheek, and the little knot of Cheshire sportsmen applaud vigorously.
Another roundhander from his left catches Flowers on the side of the head
just over the ear, and Squire Legh, in his excitement, stands up and weaves
his hat, as though he were hallooing on liis hounds. " Hammer him, Keate,
hammer him ! " shout Mr. Egerton and Lord Grosvenor simultaneously, and
he does so. Smash goes his fist again into the Dunsden youth's face, and
this time blood follows the blow. What is the Wilts man after? Three
clinking hits he has napped, and given never a one in return. This is not
what his friends have been accustomed to from Harry Flowers. But he is
not long idle ; crash goes his right, straight as a dart, at Keate's mouth.
Whew ! '* That's a warm one," cry the swells on the Starid, for home the
horny fist of Flowers has gone with a vengeance, and the blood spurts from

317

the Cheshire man's lacerated lip. Close quarters, yard arm to yard arm,
each fibbing like mad at the other till they roll over together. It is hard
to tell which has had the best or worst of it.

It needs more sponging than can be done in half-a-minute to wipe the
traces of battle from the faces of the two men, and both are still bleeding
when they come up once more to the call of "Time." Not a fraction of a
second is lost in sparring : Keate walks up to Harry, and lets fly without
ceremony. The blow catches Flowers on the shoulder, near the collar-bone,
but the counter, swift as Tom Belcher's, from Hal's right lights upon the
Cestrian's nose, and seems to flatten it all over his face, sending the blood
squirting to right and left. " Bravo, Wiltshire ! " The Cheshire lad, who
will not hit straight, though his friends say straight hitting is his forte, aims
a terrific roucdhander at Harry's nob, but the keen eye of the Southerner sees
it coming, he ducks, and the iron fist of Keate whistles harmlessly past his
ear. Not so his own return, for he sends in a cruel uppercut, which jerks
Keate's head up, and lifts his chin suddenly to an angle of forty-five degrees.
Tremendous cheering and chevying from the hearty lungs of the Wiltshire
and Berkshire sportsmen. Keate was stung by that blow — he comes on
with a sour and fierce look on his face — from which the blood trickles
steadily. And now, for full two minutes, there is such fighting as works
the spectators into a perfect frenzy of enthusiasm. Without the faintest
attempt to stop or avoid a blow, the two men stand up and punch away,
left, right, left, right — the blows falling like the strokes of a hammer on the
anvil — every hit tells, yet neither flinches or quails. The air is rent with
shouts of "Well done. Flowers!" "Bravo! Keate!" "That's one for
old Wiltshire. Go it, Harry."- "Cheshire for ever. Hammer away,
Keate." The excitement is maddening. Forgetful of everything but the
two panting, struggling gladiators before them, the spectators press forward,
wave their hats, and shout themselves hoarse as if their very lives depended
upon the issue of the combat. Both men are pretty nearly hit to a stand-
still, yet both have their wits about them, when Flowers dashes a tremen-
dous lefthander full into the pit of Keate's stomach, which doubles him up
and tumbles him over in a heap almost at the feet of his seconds. And so,
amid loud and continued clapping of hands, the round ends. The Southern
gentlemen are in ecstasies, ready to bet 6 to 4 on their man, but their rivals
are equally ready to take these odds for the latter, thinking their man has
given quite as good as he has got.

Both men are very slow in coming up to the call of time, and no wonder,
for that desperate, hammer and tongs, ding dong, give-and-take business in
the last round was enough to take the buckram out of the best trained man
that ever chucked his castor inside a twenty-four foot ring. For quite a
minute they stand facing one another with their arms down— each panting
and breathing hard — then Keate wakes up, and sends in a terrific right-
hander ; but Harry dodges it cleverly, and then dashes in his own right
straight as an arrow full and fair between the eyes, with a spank that is
plainly heard by those on the very verge of the crowd. The blow would
have felled a bullock, and Keate after one long stagger backwards again
measures his length on the stage.

But somehow those knock-down blows do not seem to affect the Cheshire
man much. He comes up looking as resolute and confident as ever, though

'318

ills face is sadly altered in shape His eyes, moreover, have begun to swell,
and old Joe Ward tells Flowers to make that his aim now, and in a few
rounds he will have his man completely blinded. Harry follows the sage
counsel of his mentor. But though Flowers almost invariably succeeds in
planting a stinger the instant he meets his foe, it is noticed as the fight goes
on that Keate generally lasts the longest, and despite the punishment he
receives, often has decidedly the best of the latter part of the round. Evi-
dently the Cheshire man is as game as the best black-breasted red that Lord
Derby ever bred at Knowsley, and is as hard as the metal in which he works.
But he will not hit straight, and that is where Flowers has such a pull over
him. Keate's roundhanded blows catch Harry on ihe back and side of the
head. Harry's arrowy hits go straight from the shoulder into Keite's face.
The blood is flowing from half a dozen deep cuts on the Northerner's visage ;
whilst Harry's punishment consists mainly of bruises ; bad enough some of
them are, no doubt, but they don't show much. All this time Flowers has
been steadily pegging away at his opponent's eyes, Avhich are now badly
swollen and discoloured. It is clear that in a few minutes more the man
will be blind, unless he succeeds in knocking his foe out of time. A couple
more taps from Harry and the shutters are pretty well up -2 to 1 on Wilt-
shire is the cry, and things look very fishy indeed for Keate. But an idea
has struck Mr. Peter Legli, of Booth Hall. He leaves his seat on the stand,
hurries up to the stage, and says to Bittoon, " Here, Isaac, you must lance
his eyelids ; take this lancet, and lose no time." Keate has no objection, he
is delighted, indeed, at the idea of recovering his sight, for he feels quite
strong ecough to win the fight yet. So the Cheshire Champion has his eyes
lanced, and from that moment fortune begins to smile upon him, and
Flowers is a bit disheartened when he sees that all his steady hitting at the
eyes has gone for nothing, and that his adversary can now see almost as well
as ever. Nevertheless he fights desperately, and one of the finest rallies in
the battle follows. The blows fall ?o fast and thick that it is impossible to
note the effects of each. Flowers hits the straighter of the two, and seems
to do the more damage because his hits draw more blood ; but the round
blows of the Cheshire man come with a thump and a thud on the side of
Harry's head, on the back, and around his throat with stupefying force.
The din and uproar among the crowd— now frightfully excited — is terrific,
for two minutes this slashing business goes on as hard and fast as the men
can hit. Flowers lashes out and sends a sledge-hammer blow into Keate's
mouth which knocks one of his teeth out. But William gives a counter
with his right on the neck, which, though less showy, does quite as much
harm, and then for the first time they close and grapple for the fall.' Flowers
tries all his wrestling tricks in vain upon the Cheshire man, who stands like
a tower, till the other's grasp weakens, and then Keate grasps his man
round the middle and flings him with such force on the boards that the whole
stage trembles and threatens to collapse. Flowers has had a bit the best of
the hitting in this rcrund, but the Cheshire gentlemen think that the bursting
fall has made matters even.

Keate, despite the gap in his gums, comes up the fresher of the two, and
has evidently almost got his second wind, whilst the other man is still puffing
and blowing with his mouth open, Tiie Cestrian sees his chance and avails
himself of it. He hits Harry a blow on the side of the head with his left

319

;and follows it up witli another on the throat which knocks him clean off his
feet. The Cheshire gentlemen are greatly excited ; their man has had it all
his own way this round — has put in two tremendous blows and not been
touched in return. 5 to 4 on Keate, and the Wiltshire men are for the first
time rather shy about taking the odds, for their man's wind is dicky, and
unless it speedily improves t'other chap will assuredly knock all the fight
out of him. But, alas ! for poor Harry, that tremendous fall had so shaken

him that he couldn't get back his wind. He grows weaker and weaker it

is pitiable to witness his gallant but unavailing efforts to turn the tide of
•"battle in his favour— he can scarcely steady himself to strike— when he does
hit, his blows are delivered so slowly that his antagonist easily avoids them
— he has shot his bolt — Keate either knocks him down or throws him in
every round, till at last the brave fellow cannot leave his second's knee, and
■the sponge is thrown up to signify that Keate has won his hard-fought battle,
which lasted seventy minutes.

The downfall of the Wiltshire Champion is, of course, a terrible dis-
appointment, not only to Major Wheble, but to the vast majority of the
spectators. But they bear it like true Englishmen, and the stalwart
Cheshireman is heartily cheered as he steps down from the stage and makes
his way to the stand where Lord Grosvenor, Squire Legh, Mr. .Egerton, and
■the rest of his backers shake hands with him, and warmly congratulate him
•on his victory. The gallant Major, after seeing his brave coachman taken
up to the house— the crowd cheering him, too, all the way, for Harry has
fought like a hero —comes back, and going up to Keate shakes hands with
him and says : "You're a game man and a good fighter, and you've beaten
my man fairly." Loud cheers greet this manly speech, and then the great
>crowd disperses.

The foregoing gives a perfectly true description of how prize-fights
•were conducted in old times, supported as they were by the first
families in England, both noble and gentle. If we could have them
carried out now upon similar lines with the same class of patron"', and
to the exclusion of rowdyism, perhaps there would be found many of
the present day who would still like to see British skill, courage, and
•endurance thus tested within the twenty-four foot arena.

Those of my readers who may turn up their eyes in horror at what
I have just recorded and will record before I finish this chapter, should
bear in mind the fact that in doing so they express horror at what their
own fathers and grandfathers in all probability gloried in !

In an interesting work entitled " The Dawn of the iN"ineteenth
'Century," there is much mention of cock-fighting, which at that period
used to be largely advertised in the fashionable Morning Post. Oae
advertisement is quoted ; it runs : — " Cocking, to be fought on Monday,
January 7, 1805, and continued all the week, at the Cock Pit Royal,
south side of St. James's Park, the gentlemen of Suffolk and the gentle-
men of Hampshire's main of cocks, for five hundred guineas the battle,
and one thousand guineas the odd. To begin fighting each day pre-
•cisely at half-past five o'clock." This pit was in Birdcage Walk, and on

320

such occasions the peer and the corner-boy met on the common ground
of sport ; and very lively times they seem to have had, judging by the
description of the scenes.

What extraordinary adventures were had by many who attended
prize-fights during the last years of their history ! One had to remain
up all night or to get up at two or three in the morning to be in time
for the special train which we were told was to start punctually at an
hour which was usually long before daylight. Provided with tickets
the day previous, as most were, we sallied forth in the dismal morning,
and in due time arrived at the station. There was encountered, no
matter how secretly might have been kept the rendezvous, oh ! such a
crowd of ruffians. In fact, the scum of the scum of London. These
rascals might perhaps let pass, without much molestation, any of the
respectable class or upper ten who they might know, but a man like
myself who was not honoured with their acquaintance would be
badgered for tickets, and upon his not giving money for or getting
them, he would, amidst the foulest abuse, be jostled and knocked about.
After elbowing his way on to the platform and securing a seat in a
first-class carriage, he would have to wait goodness knows how long before
the train would start, but before its doing so the carriage would often
be filled by representatives of the class met outside the station, many
without any ticket, the rest with third-class tickets. Needless to say
the conduct and language of these barbarians during the journey to
wherever the fight was to take place was of the most disreputable sort-
Arrived there, in the early morning, after a tedious and horrible
journey often of from two to three hours, we made the best of our way
to the scene of battle.

First thing the stakes and ropes would be produced, and the ring
pitched. The seconds to the men would be selected beforehand, not
so the umpires and referee. As a rule, these officials were not chosen
until the ring was made, and over their nomination and election rows
and ructions at times took place.

Well, in process of time these preliminaries would be arranged
and with a rope run through posts, stuck some few feet outside the
fighting arena, the inner ring was formed. This was the dress circle^
and to it only those holding special tickets were admitted — at leasts,
during the beginning of the fight. I should have mentioned before
that for train-fare and admission to this exclusive circle a sum of from
one to three guineas had to be paid the day before. Men provided
with chairs accompanied the party, and those of the inner ring,
who desired the luxury of one was accommodated upon shelling out
four or five shillings extra. Outside the oipoiloi congregated. Between
the seconds a toss for corners was made, according to the result of
which they took up their places. Around the stake of their respective
corners would the colours of the combatants be tied. These con-
sisted of common cotton pocket-handkerchiefs, of whatever colour or
device each man might have chosen. They would be sold to those

321

assembled at as many shillings as would represent the enthusiasm
the purchaser might have for his man. After each of the com-
batants had shied his hat or cap— or as old BeWs Life used to call
it, his castor — into the ring, they entered. Immediately they
were disrobed by their seconds, and stood clothed only in light
breeches, stockings and shoes or boots, with, at times, their colours
tied as a sash around their waists. Advancing to the scratch, the men
shook hands, in accordance with P.R. etiquette. Then, upon "Time"
being called by the referee, the fight began.

For the first few rounds between two well-matched scientific boxers,
in good condition, and fighting to win, there is no doubt a great deal
to interest a man who is fond of the science. After that, however, when
the men get badly punished, the exhibition, to a man of ordinary
susceptibility, ceases to have interest, and it gradually becomes to
him disgusting.

No need to describe a prize-fight, as the narratives of Flowers and
Keate, and that which I shall give of Sayers and Heenan, sufiice ; but
I shall describe the conduct of those who, in greatest numbers, consti-
tuted the outer ring. During the whole time the fight lasted these
demons would keep up tumult and uproar, each shouting remarks upon
the fighting or encouragement to the man he wished to win. According
as the fight was prolonged, and became doubtful as to result, the
excitement and vociferation increased until at last Pandemonium could
not possibly surpass it. Along the line of demarcation would usually
be arrayed a lot of bullies and prize-fighters, to keep from breaking
into the inner ring those of the outer. Sturdy and determined as these
fellows were to do their duty, towards the end of nearly all great and
protracted fights the precincts would be broken and the reserved space
invaded by a crowd of howling rufiians maddened with the most brutal
excitement. Owing to their conduct, seldom had there been for years
a conclusion of a prize-fight brought off with fair play. And, as was
the case in the great fight between Sayers and Heenan, the ring itself
was continually broken into.

Degraded as these men were, and with organisation not superior
to the brute creation, some of them possessed a degree of courage
quite phenomenal ; and many of them would fight until they died
rather than give in to an antagonist.

With all their brutality these roughs were to some extent amenable
to the law, for a few policemen were, as a rule, sufficient to put a stop
to a prize-fight around which would be gathered two hundred of the
greatest ruffians in London.

Rum conditions exist even m English law. A prize-fight would be
stopped by the local authorities, but by removing into the next county,
which might be within a few hundred yards, the fight could be continued
and ended, the same officers of the law who had prevented it in the first
instance looking on, inasmuch as it was then conducted on ground
outside their jurisdiction !

Y

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The return home from these gladiatorial exhibitions was generally as
fraught with adventure as was the journey down. Between one extor-
tion and another no man going to the inner ring of a prize-fight thirty
years ago could return under the cost of at least three sovereigns, and a
vast deal more if he was at all indiscreet or happened to get into more
than the ordinary bad luck attendant upon them.

In olden times, before railways offered to the town roughs facility for
attending prize-fights, these horrible scenes at the ring-side were
unknown. Fights took place in the country, and the only spectators
outside the upper ten were the yokels from the neighbourhood, and they
behaved themselves.

The fight between Sayers and Heenan, occurring as it did over thirty
years ago, is now never referred to or even thought of. Nowadays, when
everything is carried out at high pressure, recent events, no matter
how great, are soon forgotten, while those of a decade or two ago are
looked upon as ancient history.

Dealing with the subject of this chapter and especially after referring
to the sham fights of the day, it would be wrong of me not to say
something about the greatest battle, and the one of all others the
most sensational that ever took place in the annals of the British Prize
Ring. To do so will recall to men like myself, who took deep interest
in the manly fights of old, memories of their heyday, while some of the
youngsters will learn the particulars of a great historic event which,
hearing of it only by tradition, they know no more about than probably
they do of the fight between David and Goliath.

Tom Sayers was born at Brighton on May 15, 1826, and began life as
a bricklayer. He stood only 5ft. 8in. to 9in. in height, but being a
remarkably active and muscular youngster he was taken notice of by
some of the fancy and taught to spar, and when nearly twenty-three he
fought his first battle. It was with one Abey Couch for a modest fiver,
and Tom beat him on March 19, 1849. He then, within the next few years,
fought and beat, in succession, Dan Collins (after a draw). Jack Grant,
and Jack Martin. Then came upon Tom his first and only defeat. It
was given to him by the celebrated Nat Langham on October 18, 1853,
but not until after a most determined and desperate resistance through-
out sixty-one rounds, which occupied two hours and two minutes.
" Old Nat " found Sayers so rough a customer that he refused to fight
him again when Tom challenged him soon after.

In four months after he backed himself at £50 to £25 to beat George
Sims, which he did easily in five minutes.

Sayers did not then fight until 1856, when, with Harry Poulson, he
again showed what a wonderful man he was. Poulson was about the
best middle-weight of the day, but after a tremendous fight, which
lasted three hours and eight minutes, and after the 109th round, Tom
was declared the winner. Then in February, 1857, he fought Aaron
Jones, but, night coming on, the fight ended in a draw, but was brought
oflf soon after, when Sayers won. This victory established him champion
of the middle-weights.

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William Perry, " the Tipton Slasher," then held the Champion's Belt,
and although he stood over six fee": and weighed nearly fifteen stone, the
:gallant Tom challenged him. Up to then no fight had ever caused
more interes", for although Sayers had proved himself by far the best
of his clas?, he was not considered good enough to be Champion of
England, and being so much beiO\y the Slasher in height and his weight
bsing only lOst. 5lbs., the pluck he displayed in challenging him was
greatly admired.

The fight came off on June 16, 1857, and after one of the most
determined and desperate of battles Tom, to the surprise of many, beat
Perry, and thus took the Belt and became Champion of England

Bill Benjamin was the first to challenge Tom for the trophy, but he
was beaten easily in three rounds, in January following. On the first
anniversary of his winning the Belt he had again to defend it against
Tom Paddock, another heavy-weight, whom he also beat. In April, '59,
Bill Benjamin again tack'ed Tom, but he was beaten in twenty-two
minutes.

Sayers was so fond of fighting he would allow himself little rest ; so
five months after, backing himself at £600 to £400, he fought and beat
Bob Brettle in fifteen minutes. This fight was not, however, for the
Championship, for Sayers would only consent to have the Belt thrown
in if the match were at even money.

Sayers had by this time shown that, irrespective of c'ass, he was, bar
none, the best man in England, but he was not long left alone, for his
old antagonist, Anron Jones, again challenged him. Soon after
signing articles news came from America that John Heenan wished to
fight Sayers for the Belt of England, whereupon arrangements were
made with Jones to withdraw in favour of Heenan.

Sayers had up to this time fought no less than fifteen battles,
including the draws with Collins and Jones, and was beaten only once.
John Carmel Heenan was born of Irish parents in May, 1834, at West
Troy, Xew York, when Tum was exactly eight years old. At the
age of twelve he was sent to his uncle, who lived at Benicia, Califorijia,
and there he got apprenticed to a smith. Young Heenan soon developed
into a splendid specimen of manhool, and be:ame powerfully muscular
through wielding the sledge-hammer ; he was very fond of the gloves,
and so n got so handy with them that he was dubbed among the
Califoinian miners their ''Benic'-a Boy."

At th's time Cu^ick the pug'list vi>ited the West, and meeting the
young gian*-, whc s ood 6ft. l|in. anl weighed between 13s'. and 14st.,
persuaded him to come Eist and aspire to first honours in the pugilistic
circle. H enan accordingly arrived in New York in 1857, and took a
position as a leading pugilist, but, holding a Government appointment,
he d':d not phow inclination to enter the Prize King. After a time,
however, he fought John Morrissey for the Championship of America
a d 5,' 00 dollars a-side. The battle was decided at Long Point, Canat'a
West, on October 19, 1858, and after a sloggingconttst of eleven rounds

'd-2-i

in twenty-two minutes (the first lound lasted six), Morrissey wa&
declared the victor. It is justice to Heenan, however, to state that the
latter part of his training was interfered with by an old sore in his leg
breaking out, which necessitated his lying in bed for the week before
the fight. Albeit, he fought well and with great courage.

Growing into still finer physique, and improved greatly in the science
of boxing, Heenan, towards the end of 1859, determined to have a shy
at the Championship of England, then held by Tom Sayers. To effect
his purpose, on January 17, 1860, he landed in Liverpool. Next day he
called on Mr. Frank Dowlirg, the editor of Bell's Life, for many years
the acknowledged head of the P.R., to open negotiations. The gentle-
manlike appearance and courteous demeanour of Heenan, contrasting
with wonderful advantage over what they were accustomed to from
English pugilists, quite astonished the staff of good old "Nunquam
Dormio." They were still more surprised and taken with the man
when he assured them that " he came to this country with the express
purpose of measuring his strength with our champion, and was
influenced by no other feeling, speculative or otherwise ; if defeated he
could not help it, and if he should be so fortunate as to win, it would be
to him for ever a source of the greatest pride." Preliminaries were
soon got through, and after signing articles to fight for the Belt of
old England and £200 a-side, Sayers and Heenan went at once into
training.

Then commenced, both in this and the new country, excitement and
enthusiasm over this match the like of which was never known in
respect to any other ; proportionate with which came zeal among the
authorities to prevent its coming off.

Whether the fact that Sayers was more judicious in the selection
of his training ground and kept more in seclusion than Heenan
prevented his being interfered with by the authorities I know not, but
certain it is that his training was not interrupted. Xot so with
Heenan. Xo stone was left unturned by meddlesome and ofl&cious
persons to cause annoyance to the Benicia Boy. Three times had he
to charge his quarters, and finally, upon taking refuge at Trent Lock,
near the junction of Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Leicester, he was
betrayed, and after a chase of a mile and a half across country, without
shoes or stocking?, he was captured by the police, and lodged in gaol
only a few days before the fight was to have taken place. He was
liberated next day on bail, himself in £50 and twosuretif s of .£'25 each.
Owiog to this interruption and the continued pestering he got from the
police, the day originally fixed for the fight had to be postponed.

Had the authorities worried Sayers it would have been bad enough
or had they treated each man alike nothing could be said against them
but to leave unmolested our own countryman and hound down the
brave foreigner who came to England to fight her champion was little
short of a disgrace to the nation.

The nation, however, was not to blame ; all true Englishmen

3:25

denounced the treatment to which Heenan was subjected, unuational
as it was in every one particular. It was all occasioned by a clique of
goody-goodies and a handful of J.P.'s — custodians, no doubt, of the
peace, but assuredly devoid of ail notion of justice.

Luckily, the haras3ing he got had no effect upon Heenan, for he
stripped on the morniog of battle in as fine condition and as grand a
specimen of a gladiitor as ever pulled off a coat.

The first man who aspired to the title of Champion of England was
the celebrated Figg, w^ho, in about the year 1719, first wore the Belt.
Since then many scores of brave men have toed the scratch, and within
the twenty-four foot arena fought doggedly and scientifically for the
championship. Excitement, at times intense and widespread, prevailed
over some of these fights, but it may with safety be said that never did
any fight for the championship produce quarter the excitement and
enthusiasm as did that between Sayers and Heenan. Every paper in
the country, including those of the highest class journalism, opened
their columns to the all-engrossing topic and, to the credit of their
editors, by far the greater number abstained from adverse criticism,
while many gave to the great event friendly comment.

The authorities as the day approached redoubled their efforts
to prevent the fight, and sought ddigently, luckily without success,
for the principals. With such publicity and with every man in
the kingdom talking about it, to keep secret to the last moment
when, but more particularly ivhere, the fight was to come off was a task
difficult in the extreme. Effectually, however, was it performed. The
day at last became generally known, but not until it had almost arrived.
To put the authorities off the scent no end of ruses were adopted, and
on many a wild-goose chase were hundreds of police sent to places
given out as being selected for the battle.

Considering the amount of interest which had centred in this, a great
international contest, not alone from every part of our own kingdom and
America, but from, I may say, all over the globe, I do think the
heads of our authorities would have shown more discretion and
diplomacy had they shut one eye, at least, and let the great question be
decided without the worry which they occasioned. To have done so
would, at all events, have saved them from the ridicule heaped upon
them at the signal and huoiiliating discomfiture they happily sustained.
About one o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, April 17, 1860, the
rendezvous was made public. "London Bridge at four o'clock.'' The
scene at Owen Swift's and Harry Brunton's, at Nat Langham's and Alec
Keene's beggars description. It was known towards midnight that
the announcement would be made at these houses, and that tickets
would be issued, so each place was crammed.

Two monster trains were prepared and in readiness at the station.
The first, consisting of no less than thirty carriages, was despatched,
full as it could hold, at 4.30. The second, nearly as long, and quite as
full, followed soon after. All along the line for nearly twenty miles

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were police on the look out, both mounted and on foot, and all armed
with swords ; however, the oaly reward for their early rising these
poor baffled fellows received was booing and grimacing from the
occupants of the flying trains. Great preparations to stop the mill
were also made farther down on the Dover and Brighton lines. They,
too, were needless, for our trains, turning off at Reigate Junction to the
Guildford line, gave them the slip, and along it there seemed to be no
preparation. Xear here the engines, for the first and only time, stopped
to take in water. Starting immediately, and not knowing where we
were going to be set down, on they rattled till they reached, at nearly
seven o'clock, on a lovely spring morning, Farnborough Station. Here
all got out and, led by the only tltree men in the vjorld who up to then
hieiv where the fir/ht was to take i>hice, adjourned to a field close by and
on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey.

On a spot which had been selected beforehand with excellent judg-
ment— for it was level as a billiard table — the ring was quickly staked
off by old Tom Oliver and his son.

Around it immediately gathered over twelve hundred spectators to
see this, the great and long-talked-of fight for the Champion of
England's Belt and £200 a-side. Within the inner circle congregated
representatives of the highest classes in England. I had not the honour
of being acquainted with any of them, but I was told that among the
lot were to be found high dignitaries of the Church and State, ex Prime
Ministers and Cabinet Councillors, Generals and Admirals, while M.P.'s
and officers of both services mingled thickly with scores of those who
held distinguished positions in the pages of Burke and Dehrett. In
fact, never before that memorable morning of April 17, 1860, did
an assemblage nearly as numerous, much less aristocratic, stand round
a public prize-ring. Anticipating, as everyone did, a great fight, the most
sanguine could not have expected to see anything like what was in
store for them.

All being in readiness and the enormous crowd disposed in tolerable
order, Tom Sayers appeared, and, chucking his hat before him, was the
first to enter the ring. He was attended as seconds by Harry Brunton
and Jemmy Welch. Heenan follovred immediately, with Jack
Macdonald and his trainer Cusick as attendants. The men had
never met before and, after eyeing one another curiously for a few
seconds, they advanced and shook hands most cordially, engaging at
once in friendly conversation which they continued while the umpires
and referee were being chosen. This manly demonstration called forth
from all present most tremendous cheering.

Sayers' colours were the Koyal Standard of old England, while
Heenan's were the immortal Stars and Stripes. Heenan won the toss
for corners and took that next the sun, whereupon the colours were
tied to their respective stakes.

When the men had stripped and advanced to the centre for the final
shake, two specimens of manhood grander developed or in more perfect

327

condition were never before seen. Tlie contrast as regards height and
weight was, however, most remarkable. Tom was within a month of
being thirty-four years old, stood 5ft. 8|ins., and weighed lOst. 9lbs.,
as recorded by Sam Rogers' racing scale in which Johnny Gideon,
his backer, weighed the champion two days before. Heeaan, who was
exactly eight years younger, towered above him by 4^ins., and scaled
just half a pound under 14st.

There was still further contrast between them. Tom was swarthy as
a gipsy, with a hide tough as an otter, every thew and sinew was
strung like catgut, while the muscles showed like hempen hawsers.
His back and loins were magnificent and his thighs were those of a
giant, and Avith his short thick neck, close-cropped head, disfigured
face, and agile frame, truly Sayers looked the personification of a prize-
fighter.

Not so Heenan. His skin was white as a woman's, but through
it shone muscular development most remarkable, that of the biceps
and deltoid being prodigious. His chest and back, broad to a degree,
were likewise covered in rolls and flakes, but he had neither the loins
nor the legs of Sayers. His neck was also thick but long, while with his
well-shaped head covered with curly black hair, and particularly
handsome face, he looked a gentleman. Standing forth in the prime
of youth with such magnificent bodily development, Heenan presented
symmetry perhaps as perfect as was ever seen in a prize-ring. Of a
truth he was a model for a sculptor.

As far as appearance went, and their powers subsequently proved,
human art could not turn out men in more perfect condition than were
these two gladiators.

To refresh my memory I have before me BelVs Life^ of April 20, 1860,
wherein is given, in most minute detail, the particulars of each round,
but I shall not enter upon them further than to summarise generally.

The fight began precisely at 7.29 a.m., with odds of 2 to 1 on Sayers.

When the men put up their fists it was seen how much longer was
Heenan's reach than Tom's, and that the latter must use all his science
and activity to keep beyond it. Notwithstanding which, Tom drew
" first blood" in the first round.

In the second, after some pretty fighting, Heenan caught Sayers, and
throwing him heavily fell on top of him.

In the third Heenan knocked Sayers clean off his legs with a tre-
mendous left-hander on the bridge of the nose, which was " first knock
down " for Heenan.

Tom seemed greatly bothered with the sun which shone straight in
his eyes, and he was again knocked down in the next round, and odds
of 6 to 4 were offered on Heenan, the Sayers' party looking very
blue. The fifth round also was all in favour of Heenan, who, although hit
hard by Sayers in every round, had not a mark on him, while Tom
showed plainly " the Boy's " handiwork.

In the sixth round, when stopping one of Heenan's tremendous left-

328

banders, Tom's right arm received its full force, and was dashed against
his face.

^Yhen coming up for the seventh round it was plain that Tom's right
arm was badly hurt, for already had it become swollen. In this round
was displayed an amount of skill on the part of Sayers combined with
pluck and determination never before exceeded. With his right arm
resting across his chest useless, and giving him most excruciating pain,
did Sayers fight his man all over the ring. In vain did Heenan strive
to get away from Tom or administer another knock down. After him
Sayers went, planting shot after shot from his left fist straight on to
Heenan's right eye. Three times in this round did Heenan retire to
his corner for rubs down, while the gallant champion waited for him
in the centre of the ring, getting but one wipe from his sponge. Upon
one occasion, when Tom got Heenan into his own corner, he seemed to
have the giant at his mercy, and the crowd yelled to him to use " the
auctioneer " ; but there it lay disabled. Had this not been the case,
Sayers would then have finished the battle, for he never hit a man
with the full force of his right arm without knocking him out of time.
Not using it in this instance, with Heenan partially demoralised and
nearly blind of his right eye, everyone knew that Sayers' arm was
broken. This round lasted thirteen minutes, and was all through fast
and furious. Odds now veered back to 2 to 1 on Sayers.

Xo. 8 was a repetition of the former round ; equally magnificent
was the fighting, but Tom hit his man nowhere except on the right
eye. Heenan, again preferring his corner to the scratch, sought several
times the advice and consolation of Jack Macdonald, and upon one
occasion, while sitticg on his second's knee, Tom went close up and, after
scrutinising the damaged eye, came away satisfied and smilingly
informed the spectators that having bunged it up lie would now see
what he could do with the other one ! This round was closed after
twenty minutes' fighting by Heenan giving poor Tom another clean
knock down.

Both men now showed signs of heavy punishment, Heenan much the
worst, while Sayers seemed the weaker and most in want of wind, so
much so that in the tenth round Heenan lifted and threw him heavily
with the greatest ease.

The men had then for a few rounds to spar for wind, and neither
answered with alacrity the call of " Time." In the thirteenth Heenan
again knocked Sayers down.

Tom was very weak in the fourteenth round and Heenan forced the
fighting, but with consummate skill Sayers sparred till he somewhat
recovered wind, and then, with extraordinary activity, let fly stinger
after stinger on to Heenan's left eye, and both men closing, Tom, amidst
tremendous cheering, threw the Benicia Boy and fell on him.

So matters progressed till the twenty-third round, when a stool was
given to Heenan to sit on, but it was ordered out of the ring by the
referee as being contrary to the rules. Heenan's hands had now

329

become much swollen and did not do their work as effectively as before.
One hour and eleven minutes had run off at the end of this round, with
Heenan favourite at 5 to 4.

Strange to say, both men recovered wonderfully in the next round or
two, so that in the twenty- sixth was desperate fighting ; in the end Tom
got down and Heenan by accident struck him. An appeal of " foul"
was made, but it was properly overruled.

The twenty-seventh was also hard fought. All this time Tom con-
tinued popping on to Heenan's left eye, which was now fast closing
up, the right having gone totally blind long before. He was stronger
on his pins but showed far more punishment than Tom, who, wonderful
to relate, showed little considering all he had gotten.

Heenan in the thirty-first round again stuck to his corner and had to
be drawn by Tom, who went again to see how the left eye was improving,
but another tock dollerger sent the gallant champion for the ninth
time heels over head.

In the next round Tom was very groggy and had to be visited in his
corner by the Boy, and after a lot of heavy in-fighting Sayers was again
floored. Heenan was now fast getting totally blind, and although
stronger than Sayers, unless he could finish the battle within a few
minute«, he would be unable to do so. He then forced the fighting
while Tom dodged for wind and rest.

In the thirty-fifth round Heenan so peppered Tom that he turned
and ran with Heenan after him, but turning short he landed another
stinger on the fast-closing eye. Then followed rapid fighting, when
both fell, Tom under. Time up to now exactly two hours.

Coming up for the thirty-sixth round, the Benicia Boy's face was a
si^ectacle to behold, while Tom was very weak. Heenan at once rushed
to a close, and catching Tom round the neck tried to get him across the
ropes ; but getting free, he slipped down. The police, who had arrived
a long time before and had been trying to get to the ring, now made a
determined effort to stop the fight, but were again kept back by the
crowd.

For the thirty-seventh and last round Sayers came up first and
seemed the better man, while Heenan was almost totally blind ; but
catching Tom round the neck he then got him across the ropes, and
with all his weight lay across the poor fellow, who, nevertheless, kept
pegging into his man. To prevent Sayers being strangled, for he now
could not get away, the ropes were cut at exactly 9.35 a.m., after two
hours and six minutes' fighting.

There was immediately a general rush made by the crowd into the
ring, and with the police striving to take into custody the men and the
seconds, a most furious riot ensued. What in reality took place no one
could tell, for everyone was hustled about, while the umpires and
referee were chucked clean out. There is, however, no doubt that
the combatants got together and fought five more rounds in a small
space made for them in the crowd, but there being no referee present,

330

and he having ordered that the fight should cease when the ropes
were cut and the police appeared, the men should have been taken
away : no cognisance was therefore taken of these supplementary-
rounds.

Heenan, seeing how matters stood, and that the fight must be
declared " a draw," behaved himself, it must be regretfully stated, in a
most scandalous manner, and, to quote the words of BelVs Life, "while
Sayers was on his second's knee, Heenan rushed at him in an excited
state, let fly left and right at Tom's seconds, floored them, and kicked
them when on the ground in desperate s*-yle, after which he closed
with Sayers, and after a wild rally they fell together."

The referee was then able to get near and again ordered the men to-
desist from fighting. They did so after having added five rounds and
fourteen minutes to the authorised termination. Many accounts of
this fight give forty-two rounds with two hours and twenty minutes.
But what I here state is the/«c^ of the matter.

That Heenan was comparatively fresh, although terribly punished
and almost stone blind, is proved by his having rushed with the crowd
and run for some distance with the activity of a deer, immediately
after which he lost his sight totally, and collapsing altogether, he had
to be lifted bodily up the embankment and into the railway carriage.

Sayers became quite fresh after a few minutes, while his eyes were
as good as ever, and, with the exception of his broken arm, he
showed comparatively few signs of the fearful punishment he
sustained.

Upon returning to London, Heenan had to be put to bed, and did
not turn up for some days. Sayers, on the contrary, appeared in the
evening at one of the fighting pubs — I think at Langham's — and went
about London next day apparently as well as ever, but with his arm in
splints, hung in a sling, the radius bone having been broken.

Never in the annals of British prize-fighting was there such a battle as.
this ; skill, science, and tact were displayed by both men to a degree
perhaps equalled but never surpassed, while each fought with courage
and determination to be admired for all time. Manliness and fairness
were displayed by both men, and without an attempt at shifting, each
gcorned to take a mean advantage. Evidence of this they frequently
gave during the fight, for which they were loudly and repeatedly
cheered alike by backers of both.

AVhiie according to each equal share of courage, manliness, and
dogged determination to win, there can be no doubt Sayers was the
best man. This is abundantly proved by the fact that for thirty- one
rounds, occupying just one hour and forty minutes, he, with his left
hand and bothered with the sun, fought, until he blinded him, the
man who was four inches and a half taller, weighed three stone five
pounds more, and was eight years younger.

Of course it was Heenan's blow broke Sayers' arm ; but that, it cannot
be denied, was nothing but a chance blow. If that fluke had not

33 L

occurred, Sayers most undoubtedly would have beaten Heenan before
the tenth round, and in all probability would have done so in the
seventh, when he had him so at his mercy in his own corner.

To see Sayers continually knocked clean oif his legs and sent spin-
ning over and over like a rabbit from Heenan's terrific left-handed
blows, which he was no less than ten times, was lamentable in the
extreme ; to see the gameness with which he picked himself up and
retired smiling with good humour to his corner was admirable beyond
measure ; and to see what little effect that terrible punishment had
upon his tough and wiry frame was simply marvellous. Besides the ten
clean knock-downs, Heenan in wrestling and rallies threw Sayers six or
seven times, al'ways falling on the little man with all his weight.

This only shows to what a degree of hardihood the bodily frame of
man, when sound and well developed, can be brought by "condition."

When he found his right arm was broken, Sayers throughout the
remainder of the fight strove only to blind Heenan. This he did by
beginning v/ith his right eye and never leaving it till he bunged it up,
and then until the end directing his attention only to the other. Many
times he had to give up grand chances he had at other parts, while
Heenan pegged away at any place he could find on Tom.

It is generally conceded that Jim Mace was the most scientific boxer
that ever crossed fists in a ring, and having often seen him spar I
readily agree with the decision, but lacking pluck and stamina, he
could not for five rounds stand against Sayers. Knowing well Sayers'
history, andhowhe fought men so much above him in height and weight,
considered as they were the best of their day, never will I believe that
a better man was ever stripped than Tom Sayers.

At the time I felt pleased this great fight ended in a draw, for it
would have teen a pity that either of these brave men should have
been put in a position to crow over the other. Consistent with fair
play— the magnificent and leading trait of British character— Sayers
and Heenan were, by the oracles of the P.R., declared equal, and each
was presented with a belt, a facsimile of the original champion's. This
excellent and admiral arrangement was brought about by Mr. Frank
Dowling, the editor of BelVs Life, who, at the Alhambra in London, on
May 30, 1860, presented on the part of Great Britain each man with
his belt.

In addition, members of Parliament, the Stock Exchange, and
Lloyds, together with London merchants, subscribed for Sayers in
recognition of his gallantry, a sum of three thousand pounds. This
was invested for him, so that he could only draw the interest during
life and dispose of the principal at his death. He then came to
live in Camden Town, where, for some time, he stayed at the house of
Mr. Menzies, the bootmaker in High Street, and there he died. Poor
Tom, like too many other fine fellows, did not possess moral courage
equal to the physical, and despite all persuasion he took to drink
which hurried him into consumption, and he died on November 8, 1865,

333

aged only 39^ years. He was buried in Highgate Old Cemetery near
the top gate. A massive marble monument, with an excellent likeness
of the gallant fellow carved on the front and another of his favourite
mastiff at the foot, now marks the resting-place of the greatest prize-
fighter that ever lived. Two days ago I hung a wreath of oak leaves
over the poor fellow.

I met Heenan soon after his fight with Sayers and we spent some
evenings together. Xo one would ever take him for a prize-fighter
unles? they crossed fists with him. He was refined both in manner
and taste, while ia figure he was about the most perfect model of
a man I ever saw. Some of the old folk of Waterford may still
remember the time when he came there with some big travelliog circus,
and when " a local amateur " entertaiaed a large audience by putting
on the gloves with him in the sawpit.

He subsequently fought Tom King for the original belt and £1,000
a-side on December 8, 18G3, but was defeated in thirty-five minutes
after a hard fight of twenty-four rounds. Observing the etiquette of
the P.B.A., Sayers seconded Heenan in this fight. Alas ! what a
miserable and melancholy remains was he of what he was when the
two met but a few years before in the famous Farnborough field.

Heenan also went into consumption, but I don'c think it was pro-
duced from dissipation. When travelling south to a warm climate
he was seized with violent hemorrhage at Rawlin Station, in Utah
County, on the Union Pacific Railway, where he bled to death in a
few minutes on October 25, 1873, aged, by a curious coincidence,
exactly the same as Sayers, viz., 39| years.

I suppose I shall be pitched into by some of my friends for thus
describing at such length the prize-fight between Sayers and Heenan.
Valuing as I do the good opinion of everyone, I care not if I be. To give
an account of a fight such as this, unparalleled as it is in every way for
magnanimity, is what I feel pleasure, if not pride, in being able to do.
Were I to allude in these pages to other so-called fights, particularly
those which have taken place within recent years, I would indeed not
alone deserve condemnation but, absolutely, I should disgrace my
book.

The "fights" of the present day with stakes of £2,000 and upwards
are more inferior in manliness to the old than are the stakes superior
in value.

Throughout portions of this book, when making comparisons between
the past and present, I gave my opinions. Many of them, including
what I now say about the old and new system of prize-fighting, will
doubtless be traversed by my readers. I shall therefore bring evidence
to back me in this case as I did in others. It will be found in the
following record of Tom Sayers, by which it will be seen that out of
sixteen battles he was beaten only once. He fought three draws, and won
outright twelve battles. He won the Belt by his victory over the
Tipton Slasher, and had four times to defend it (marked a). Deduct-

333

ing the defeat and draws, all he netted for fighting 381 rounds, which
took fourteen hours, was £1,505, or £125 8s. 4d. a battle !

Some of the fellows of the present day, with neither the pluck nor
the science of Sayers, would make more money in ten minutes in a
glove fight of three rounds !

The Battles Fought by Tom Sayers.

Date.

Mar.

19,

1849

Oct.

22,

1850

April 29,

1851

June

29,

1852

Jan.

26,

1853

Oct.

18,

1853

Feb.

28,

1854

Jan,

29,

1856

Jan.

6,

1857

Feb.

10,

1857

June

10,

1857

Jan.

5,

1858

June

16,

1858

April

5,

1859

Sept.

20,

1859

April 17,

1860

Beat Abe Couch

Draw with Dan Collios

Beat Dan Collins

Beat Jack Grant

Beat Jack Martin

Beaten by Nat Langhani

Beat George Sims £50 to

Beat Harry Poulson

Draw with Aaron Jones

Beat Aaron Jones

Beat William Perry, "The Tip-
ton Slasher," for the Belt and

Beat Bill Benjamin a

Beat Tom Paddock a

Beat Bill Benjamin a

Beat Bob Brettle £600 to

Draw with John C. Heenan ...a

Total, sixteen battlts ..
Average of each

Stake. Pi(

5
25
25

100
50

100
25
50

100

100

200
200
150

200
400

200

Time.

1930
120

10

3

21

11

48

2

19

44

1

24

04

2

30

23

0

55

61

2

2

4

0

5

109

3

8

63

3

0

85

2

0

h. m. s.
0 12 28
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0

590
37

42

6

20

22

0 15
2 6

23 26 58

1 28 0

334

CHAPTER XX.

BETTING.

Author's Object in Writing Tliis B )ok— A Parasite— Antithesis of Sport— Birth of Betting-
Early History— As Time Advanced— Bookmaking Born— The Upper Ten— Method
Changed— The Patricians— " The Betting Ring "—Gambling on Cocks ani Cards—
— The Professional Bookmaker— Crockford— Gully— Davies— The Derby— Greatest
Betting Race — Great Bettors— Leviathan Bets— Miserable Examples— Betting Lists—
Origin— Race Meetings Increased — So Did Backers and Bookies— Bett'ng in the
Abstract— Universality— Infatuated People— Unreliable Tips—" In the Know "—Odds
Against— Sure to Lose— Lofty Principles— Author Often Made a Book —Always Won
— A Trainer's OpinioQ— That of Shop Boys— T/ieiV Fancies !— Great Fun— " Romped
Home"— Criticism— A Knowing Shot's Opinion of the Hardwicke Stakes, 1887—
Pitiable Sight— Heads or Tails— Simpletons— Paying Bookmakers Beforehand— The
Bishop of Durham— Author's Enjoyment on a Racecourse— Bookmakers— Author
takesTheirPart— "The Noble Army " v. Other Communities— Insurance Companies
—A Simile — " Lloyd« " v. " Tattersall's "—Downs and Ups— Great Changes— Equality
— UltimateResult— Money —Betting the Socialist's Ally— Magnitude of Exchange-
Difficulty in Dealing with Betting — Certain Result— Impregnates other Branches of
Sport— How to Deal With It— Make it Lawful— Existing Laws— Stock Exchange v.
Tattersall's— Horses v. Bulls and Bears— A Gruesome Story,

I HAVE striven through the various chapters of this book to deal
with sport, or what pertains thereto, as best as I could towards its
advancement. I now come to treat of a subject which partakes of the
nature of a parasite of sport ; in fact, betting must be looked upon as
the very antithesis of sport.

Neither the birthplace of betting nor the date of its birth do I
know. Assuredly when horse racing was first introduced to England
it was uoboro, for in the early history of the Turf no mention is made of
it. After awhile, howe^^er, we d) find records of wagerS; but they
seem to have been confined to the owners of the horses and their
immediate friends or followers. Most of the races in olden times were
matches, the'efore the wagering had to be confined to backing one
horse against the other, so there could have been no bookmaking.

As time advanced a change took place in racing, and consequently in
th3 wagering ; numbers of horses being started, bookmaking came into
creation, but the practice, as well as backing, was followed only by the
Upper Ten.

It was the custom of these patricians of old to congregate on the
morning of the race meeting either in the town, near the course, or on
the course itself, and there make their Ijets among themselves. This
they did by forming a ring, to the centre of which he who wished to
wager advanced and proclaimed whatever bets he wished to offer or
to accept. Hence comes the word " Betting ring, " so very well known
at present.

335

In these old times large sums were also betted upon cock-fighting. Lord
Derby's " black-reds " would be matched against the " Cheshire piles "
for enormous amounts. Five-and-twenty guineas a battle, with five
hundred on the main, was a stake often fought for in the Chester and
Preston Pits. On one occasion, as is recorded in the previous chapter,
the stakes were a thousand a battle and five thousand the main. As in
racing, betting on cocks was restricted to the upper classes.

Gambling over cards also took place to a fearful extent, as the early
minutes of " Brooks's " and " White's " record. It is related of the cele-
brated Henry Mellish that after having lost £100,000 one night at
hazard he was going home, but met one of the Royal Dukes who
persuaded him to return and see if luck would change. It did
change, whereby he won back what he had lost, and, in addition, a
great deal more than £100,000 from H.K.H. This debt was squared
by settling on Colonel Mellish for life ^£4,000 a year. Fancy what the
play must have been to have enabled a man in one night to lose
^100,000 and then win over ^200,000 !

In due time the professional bookmaker made his appearance on
the racecourse, but I can't fix the date of his advent. I should say
Crockford was one of the first ; at all events, a hundred years ago
he was a bookmaker, and of the greatest magnitude. He afterwards
started a gambling club in St. James' Street, where the Devonshire
Club now stands. In this place numbers of the finest fellows in
England were ruined, while the owner amassed a tremendous fortune.
This fiend, hideous in body as in mind, was dubbed *' the father of hell
and hazard," a title which, by infernal right, was truly his own.

Then came John Gully ; then William Davies, called the " Levia-
than," from the magnitude of his transactions, and numbers of others.
With them the upper classes gambled to a fabulous extent, and
wagered sums now happily unknown.

From an authority of the day I learn that in 1810 John Gully, who
essayed to be champion of England, began as a bookmaker. This he
did with a capital of three or four hundred pounds, which he won in
his last battle with Gregson. Gully, in a very short time, made a lot of
money upon bookmaking and became the owner of several racehorses.
For nearly forty years he was among the most prominent men on the
Turf, and was one of the heaviest bettors. This quondam pugilist
died with a racing reputation which any patrician might be proud of.

As far back as 1823 the Derby was a race upon which tremendous
sums of money were laid out, and from then up to even now it has
remained the heaviest betting race in the world.

We have chronicled among the heaviest bettors of their day such
men as the Duke of Queensberry, Colonel Mellish, Lord Foley, Sir
Charles Bunbury, Lord George Bentinck, Sir Joseph Hawley, Mr.
James Merry, Mr. R. C. Naylor, the Marquis of Hastings, and Mr.
Henry Chaplin. For these men, and scores of others, to lose or win on
a single race £10,000 to £50,000 was by no means uncommon.

33()

To illustrate some operations which took place, Davies, in two
bets, lost £55,000 to £1,000 over Daniel O'Rourke, £30,000 to £2,000
in one bet over Teddington, and £25,000 to £1,000 over West Australian.
But this was when winter and yearling books were made on the Derby,
and long before post and starting-price betting was thought of. This
same Davies lost over the Derby several thousand pounds to a man
who died suddenly after the race, but Davies found out his widow
and paid the amount to her, which she was very much in need of. In
acting so Davies did only what any honourable man would have done,
and what scores of the " noble army '' of present-day bookmakers would
do, for among them are many possessed of the highest principles of
honour. Like Guliy he sprang from very low origin and left after
him an honourable reputation.

So far as figures go, the largest stake ever won by a man is accorded
to Mr. Chaplin over Hermit. His account is said to have shown a
credit balance of something like £150,000, but a considerable part of it
was on paper, and is owing to this day. The person who won the most
money, and got it, was Mr. Naylor, who had over £100,000 paid in to his
bankers the week after Macaroni won the Derby. Mr. Merry is popu-
larly supposed to have won upwards of £100,000 over Thcrmanby, but
those in a position to form a proper judgment believe the sum did not
exceed £70,000, which is about what Sir Joseph Hawley won on
Teddington, and also on Musjid. Next to these probably comes the
Marquis of Hastings' coup over Lecturer's Cesarewitch, which was put
down at some £60,000, w^hile the owner, trainer, and two stable com-
missioners netted between them £47,000. His winnings over Lecturer
did not benefit the youthful marquis much, for by backing Vauban
and lajing against Hermit in the next year's Derby he lost £95,000,
and the year following, in the same race, his own mare. Lady Elizabeth,
lost him £80,000.

Lord George Bentinck's transactions with the "Ring were of a magni-
tude as gigantic as was ever chronicled. Unluckily for himself the
losses far exceeded the winnings, and had he gone on it is highly
probable his financial end would have been similar to that of the unfortu-
nate owner of The Earl and Lady Elizabeth. It is said that he went
in for breaking the bookmakers. I thiok it likely his lordship did
nothing of the sort, but if he ever entertained the idea he went about
it in an honourable straightforward manner. He stood to w^in £160,000
on his horse Gaper for the Derby of 1843, but Bill Scott on Cotherstone
frustrated the object.

A man named Walton came to England from America in about 1881,
and through disreputable means got possession of stable secrets by which
he won large sums. £75,000 was put down as his winnings over Foxhall
and Iroquois in the Cesarewitch, Cambridgeshire, and St. Leger. This
fellow wished and tried to break the Ring, but I am happy to say it
broke him.

Like breaking the bank at Monte Carlo, to break the Ring is easier

337

talked about than accomplished. No one has ever broken either the
bankers or the bookmakers, while they have broken and beggared
thousands upon thousands of people. The Ricg had an escape, how-
ever, in 1852, for had Hobbie Nobh won that year's Derby, Mr. Merry
would have hit it for the greatest amount that man ever won over a
horse. I heard the sum estimated at nearly a quarter of a million of
money, but I don't vouch for the accuracy. At all events, instead
of winning, he lost a sum which no one but a millionaire like him could
afford, and which, goicg to the Ring, made it all the more invulnerable.

For one man that makes money by backing horses at least one
hundred lose. Thousands of instances have we of members of some of
the oldest families in England, not to speak of parvenus, ruining them-
selves through betting. Happily, however, most of them did so without
dishonour, and many are to be pitied for their folly and — shall I say
it ?— bad luck.

We Irish are not, as a rule, credited with having more wisdom and
discretion than the English, albeit I can recall to memory only two of
my countrymer, who moved in the best society, having come to utter
grief through gambling on horses within the past thirty years ; yet it
cannot be said that we have been backward in the game of betting.
Proud also am I to be able to state that during that time an Irishman
of position has never been accused, much less found guilty, of dis-
honourable conduct on our Turf.

The fashion as well as the method of betting has, like other things,
undergone changes for the worse within the last half century.

In the beginning of the sixties race meetings began to increase and
multiply in England. At that time first came out betting lists, while
Holt and Crook, also Reynolds and Fisher were those who first circulated
them. These documents were sent broadcast all over the country
and were got up in a most comprehensive manner, quite as much so
as were the circulars which emanated from the most precise of business
firms. To these lists I attribute the first conception of betting in the
minds of the middle classes. Up to their appearance betting was
restricted to the upper and wealthy classes ; the others scarcely knew
of any races beyond the great events, but the^e and such like catalogues
soon enlightened them and sowed the seeds of bitter fruit, for immedi-
ately began the middle and poorer classes to back horses.

With the Derby and other classic races the newly-started meetings
shared the patronage of the betting public. Race meetings still
continued to increase, with them increased the backer.-^, and to meet
their requirements the ranks of the bookmakers were proportionately
added to. Thus progressed matters till within the last ten or fiftten
years backing horses has become part and parcel of the daily occupation
of the greater portion of our population.

There is scarcely an establishment in the kingdom, from Somerset
House down to that of the humblest trader, which has not in it employees
who habitually back horses, not alone for the principal, but for the

z

338

minor events of the year. These men indulge their taste for betting
without the slightest knowledge of the horse they put their money on ;
they know absolutely nothing about him, but act on the "tip" they get
from a friend, perhaps as ignorant as themselves, or from those
" selections " seductively given in almost all the daily as well as all the
sporting papers. These infatuated people are, as a rule, innocent of
every sense or love of the sport on which they risk their bard-earned
pay, and only take to the vice of betting for the sake of gambling or to
supplement their salaries, which are, too often, scant. It is to this
betting and to its twin brother, stock- jobbing, that many a man who
was naturally honest and honourable has to attribute his downfall.

Of course there is no harm in a man backing his fancy according to
his means to give him an interest in the race, particularly when he
would have none in it from a sportsman's view ; and it is very produc-
tive of innocent excitement to have a friendly bet for a trifle with a
companion while seeing the race run. Neither is there much harm
in having a little on something for the great races, such as the Grand
National, Derby, or St. Leger. But what I do object to is the all-round
betting for the pure love of gambling by men who can't afford to lose
the stakes they put on ; and it is to them, and them alone, I wish to
give the steel !

Some men take from the betting ring the same pleasure as others do
from the theatre and the opera. Therefore let them indulge their
propensity, but keep within bounds, and spend on betting only what
they can afford, same as the others do upon the drama and music.

It is all very well for those who can afford to lose, and have the
mania for gambling, to bet heavily, for it is about the most practical
way for them to part with the money they so little value ; but it is
dreadful to think of the many thousands who, unable to afford to lose,
back horses, every one of whom lose sooner or later.

What do these fellows know about a horse 1 What can they know
about the intentions of a rider or an owner in respect to any given
race 1 Certainly they are always well posted in the previous perform-
ances of the horse— thanks to the records of "Ruff," their constant vade
niecum. But without the essentials of practical knowledge they risk
their money upon unreliable tips of one sort or another.

A man who is "in the know," and is sufficiently sagacious, may
occasionally win money by judiciously backing horses even though the
odds are immensely in favour of the layer, but the outsider cannot ; on
the contrary, he is bound to lose, and so is the man "in the know " if he
only sticks to it. Even with sagacity and a know^ledge of what is
"intended," and all else that maybe in the backer's favour, there are so
very many more chances against his favourite winning, not to speak
of squaring, roping, and scores of other means of robbery, together
with unfair odds given, at times, by bookmakers, that backing horses
is about the most certain method of losing money at present invented.
Though a man has the funds of a millionaire at his back he will lose all
if he backs horses heavily and habitually.

339

Let not the reader imagine that it is from the standpoint of lofty
principles I write against backing horses ; for if 1 thought I could
win I would do it myself. But I know I cannot, therefore T do
not, and during the many years I have been going to races I never
backed twenty horses in them all. I only made one bet at Punchey-
town during the thirty-two years I have ben going to it, and then
I won £7 on Pa'^sion Flower with Mick Widger up. When I was
a youngster I often made a book in a Fmall way among friends ;
and though I had few backers and could seldom get "round," 1
always found myself a winner at the end of the year. This perhaps
first showed me the folly of backing horses, and the experience of
years since has confirmed me in the opinion that it is folly.

As I said elsewhere, one of the greatest trainers in England, knowing
as he did the uncertainty of racing, allowed a great portion of his horses
to run unbacked by him, and that in the face of the fact that he seldom
ran a horse that had not a reasonable chance of winning.

Now, when a man in the position of him to whom I have alluded,
possessing as he did good knowledge of the horses which were engaged
against his in a race, and knowing all about the capabilities of his
own, considered it to be a losing game to back horses, how in tbe
name of wonder can the general public imagine that they can m^ke
money by the process? Still, we hear bank and insurance clerks,
draper's assistants, grocer's counter-hands, aye, even the very newsbovs
in the streets, giving their opinions of horses and backing their fancies.
Their fancies ! At the same time I mu^t confess that I have had great
fun listening to some of these fellows talking to each other on a race-
course and elsewhere. One chap having landed three or four sovereigns,
after dropping twenty on the day, jubilantly assures his hearers that his
selecti m "simply romped home," the fact being that he had won by a
short head, and entirely owing to jockeyship.

Wifh nothing else to do I have also listened to these simpletons
critici-ing this jockey for making the running, and another for lying
too tar away, they being as (jualitied to give an opinion on what they
were talking about as they were of giving a practical lesson to the
jockeys. It is pitiable that these men should be so egnti'^tical, although
hugely amusing to hear them display their ignorance with such
confident effrontery.

In the lailway carriages en route to the meeting are these fellows
marking their cards with the " winners " (?) given by the daily papers,
every one of which these boobies back, and often two or three in the
one race. Arrived within the enclosure nothing is heard among them
except the question, " What's to win ? " To look a horse over much less
walk the course never enters their heads, nor would they look at the
race if doing iro would in the least degree interfere with their betting
operations. This is very, very sad.

We hear funny opinions given upon racing by others besides the
shop-boy lot. A man who considers himself a good judge of racirg

340

and a "knowing shot" said to me, not long ago, that Ormonde beat
Minting for the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot "in a walk," and when
I laughed at him he pompously informed me that he saw the race, and
that I did not. Upon this Juggins' dictum I wa^ therefore to assume
that Fred Archer was wrong when he said that the only horse in
England able to stretch Ormonde's neck was Mirjting, and that the
Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, in 1887, was not entitled to be enrolled
among the greatest races of the century !

Such are examples of the nonsecse we hear from scores of people on
every racecour.-e in the kingdom.

How pitiable it is to see scores of these infatuated young men shelling
out, with long-drawn faces, the sovereigns they can so badly spare, and
nearly as pitiable is it to see those few who do win a trifle pocketing
their gains.

Yes, the winner over horse racing is almost as much to be pitied as the
loser, for the winnings are seldom put to good account, nor are they
usually reserved to meet the losings. As soon as a young fellow has
had what he calls a " good day " he proceeds to tr^at his friends, and so
scatters most, if not all his winnings, thus annihilatmij the only means
he has of recouping his losses, and shows conclusively that " heads " he
loses and " tails " he does not win.

Again, what simpletons some of these young fellows exhibit them-
selves to be when, to a man they never saw before and know nothing
about, because he is a bookmaker, they pay their stake beforehand.
Surely when they have lost the bet is time enough for them to pay.
The bookmaker does not pay before he loses. Why, then, should
the, backer do so ?

To borrow some of the phraseology employed by the Bishop of
Durham wht-n he, not long ago, delivered a lecture iu condemnation of
this horrible vi e, I will say that betting to the extent it is at present
practised disturbs and dl^credits honourable, resolute and patient
labour, and tends to encourage recklessness. It isola-es, hard«-ns, and
deadens sympathy, and it destroj^s alike social life aud domestic happi-
ness. Betting is the embodiment of selfishness, and selfishness is the
essence of sin, and, with his lordship, I feel convinced that gambling is
hecomiwi a naticmal peril.

I don't care for any sort of gambling. I don't want to possess
myself of ether people's money, nor do I want others to get mine ; but
I do dearly love to look at a good and well-ridden race. My chief
enjoyment at a race meeting is first to inspect the cour.-e, then to look
over as many hor.-es in the paddock as I can get the chance of,
and therefrom to pick out the one I fancy most. If be pleases me
in his preliminary gallop I watch him through the race, and by the
manner in which he acquits himself I flatter, or nor, myself upon
the judgment I showed in selecting him. As a rule it is a matter of
perfect indiff'-.rence to me which horse wins other thun the one I select
myself, unless a fii^nd of mine rides or has a horse engaged. All I

341

want is to see the best horse win, and that after a good race, each horse
having been ridden out in artistic style.

Among some peoMle it is at times the habit to speak of bookmakers
in a hard and disparaging manner. To best a bookie is considered a
fair game by a gre^t many men ; to send him an excuse on a
settling day for n<jt piying punctually what is owed him is by no
means unusual, while the bad debts in the books of most pencillers
total a large amount, and among the list are to be found the names of
men of noble as well as gentle birth.

Although never a bettiog man I have, all my lifp, associated with
men who bet, and that heavily. From my observation I am led to the
■decided opinion that a bookmaker to start fair with his clientele must
at all times keep his weather eye open. The backer strives to get 6
to 4 the best of the layer, and it behoves the lat.er to see that the
object be not attaiaed. Among the "fraternity" are to be found men,
if not as cultured in manners or as well bred, quite as honourable, fine
principled, and geoerous as ?.re to be found among the classes they lay
the odds to ; whil ^ among the first and second class bookmakers an
account is never left for a day unsettled. I am of opinion that the
members of Tattersali's are as a body quite as honourable in their
dealings as are the members of the Stock Exchang-:} or the Law, the
Banking or Insurance Societies, aye, or of any other commercial
community.

By the way, has it struck any of my readers that insurance
companies aie, to all intents and purposes, bookmakers 1 They lay the
odds against a man dying or having his property burned. Those who
insure simply back themselves to die or their property to be tired
within a given period. Furthermore, if a risk upon any given life or
property be consid^-red too great — in other wordn, that the insurance
company has laid too heavily against it — it will cover itself with
other companies precisely as bookmakers lay-oft" or hedge their bets
upon too heavily laid horses.

Among the directorate and managers of various insurance companies
I have many old and valued friends, some of whom look up'U betting
in quite as bad a light as I do, so I tiust their feelings may not be
hurt by the simile I have just drawn. However, if they analyse the
vocation of the bookmaker and compare it with their own they cannot fail
to see that I am right. What is "Lloyds" to the s-a bat as "'TattersalFs"
to the Turf 1 Are not the Sun, the Scottish Widows, and the Globe of
assurance the Silk, Kavanagh, and O'Connor of the King ?

We see every day of our lives great men falling, .small men rising.
The gulf which twenty years ago separated the aristocracy from the
middle classes has now become but a stream. Aye, a stream which in
many places can be stepped across.

The lower classes are acquiring through advanced education exalted
ideas, and having acquired wages for their labour which their grand-
fathers never dreamt of are fast raising themselves to the level of the

342

old middle classes. Other and many instances there are before us
of similar lowering down and rising up. Signs arouad us show plainly,
to all who are not blind through bigotry, that a gradual but steady
advancement is being mady towards ''equality," and anyone possessed
of ordinary mental ca])acity can gauge what the ultimate result of
that will be.

The main root of all this radical growth and these latter-day ideas is
MONEY. We all agree that there is no means more conducive to the
attainment of socialism than the circulation of money, and the quicker
the process of course the sooner will come the great equali.-ati'>D.

Betting on horse racing causes a larger amount of money to be
circulated than does some oi the greatest branches of trade we nave in
the kingdom, and it is the readiest means under the sun for circulating
money.

Betting, therefore, is about the greatest ally the communist possesses ! !

How to deal with this terrible malady — this pestilence— I know not.
Legislation has failed even to infiuence betting, not to speak of con-
trolling it ; all other means have been equally unsuccessful. Yes,
even the experience reaped, as it is in bitterness, does not influence
the backer of horses, he still persists in his downward course. Not
alone does the habit bring ruin upon thousands, but assuredly a c m-
tinuance of it iu its present magnitude will before long thoroughly
demoralise the sport of racing. Of late years betting has become a
feature of not alone racing, but of nearly every one of our games and
pastimes. Football, cricket, boat-racing, all are impregnated with the
same horrible adulteration.

Perhaps the only means whereby a check at all appreciable could be
brought to bear upon the vice would be for employers to insist that
those in their service should, v.ncW pain of dismissal, refrain from the
propensity.

Inasmuch as it is impossible for legislation to suppress betting, perhaps
it ^YOuld be wiser for the authorities to open their eyes to the fact and
frame laws to govern it, and so admit it into the company of other
iniquitous institutions of the country.

Lender the circumstance of betting being kept outside the pale, our
legislators have, I think, done pretty nearly all they could to carrail it
and lessen the evils ; assuredly they have done a lot towards harassing
those who bet. Some of the laws, however, appear very absurd.

A man may bet in thousands on a racecourse so long as he stands on
the ground in the open air ; but if he stands on a stool or holds an
umbrrlla over him he can be had up.

In drawing the line between betting in a social club and a public-
house the authorities are accused of making one law for the rich and
anotaer for the poor. They certainly have done so in this case, but
very properly. Their object manifestly is to protect the poorer meoibers^
of society and prevent them from engaging in the pernicious practice.
Likewise is it right and proper to make raids upon houses notoriously

343

kept for the poor people to bet in. These dens of iniquity are all well
known to the police, and every one of them should be swept from out
of our cities the same as any other abominable matter.

Iniquitous as gambling on horses undoubtedly is, compared with
transactions on the Stock Exchange those on the Turf stand far away
higher in the standard righteousness. No bogus race meetings are
floated at Tattersall's. No owner enters to be started a horse which
he has no right to, not to speak of one which never was foaled and
never will be. To peruse the list of a bookmaker we see in it none
but horses which are in existence, and which have some sort of
chance to win, while the prices set opposite them are bond fide.
Do we ever find emanating from the Stock Exchange such affairs as
" bogus companies " ? Do we ever know of brokers buying and selling
shares which are not, and never were, in their possession — aye, perhaps,
never in existence ?

Comparisons, however, are odious, and two blacks do not make one
white ; I shall therefore leave to others to deal with gambling on the
Stock Exchange. I allude to it only to show that, at all events, we get
a fairer run for our money by backing horses than by backing bulls
and bears.

I wind up this chapter by relating a gruesome story told some years
ago, the truth of which I have no reason to doubt. A young man
employed in a Dublin place of business had, through betting, got into
extreme difficulties, but determined upon a venture in the hope of
extricating himself. He made a book on the Curraghmore Hunt
Plate of 1874, for which he backed Scot's Grey for all he could get on,
and laid against everything else, particularly a mare named Departure.
He saw the race run at Williamstown, and thought, as everybody else
did, that Departure had won ; but the judge awarded it to Scot's Grey
by a short head. The man I allude to was never heard of afterwards.
The conjecture was that directly the race was over, and before the
numbers were hoisted, he, thinking he had lost everything, bolted,
and as he never turned up to claim his bets, all of vjhicli he had ivon^
it was supposed that he had drowned himself in the river Suir ! !

344

CHAPTER XXI.

HYGIENIC PmNCIPLES.

Prevention better than Cure— Author's Eules— Sleep— Second Deatli— £03-3 will be Boj's —
A Curious Calculation — A Cold Bath— Author's Experience of Drowning — Dumb-
bells— Eating and Drinking — Bad Outside — Best Inside— Advice — Smoking — Cigar-
ettes— Juvenile Smoking — Inductive Philosophy — Wine and Whisky v. Meat —
Fashionable Cooking— Author's Ideas — A Modern Dinner — To keep Meat— Professed
Cooks — Their Incapabilities — Their Capabilities— Good Plain Cooking v. Professed —
Out of Season — Eat too often — 9.0 a.m. — 7.0 p.m. — Exceptions — Kound-of-Beef Break-
fast—A Cirte— What an Eminent Doctor said— Digestive Organs— Their Work— Day
Drinking— After Dinner — The Author — His Peculiarities — Likes and Dislikes — A
Pernicious Habit — Its Origin — Good Old Custom — Dr. Abernethy — His Practical
Illustration— Hints by the Author— " Hignorance is Bliss"— A Mutton Hash— Sleep-
ing Hours — Fresli Air — Night A'r— The North— Exercise — Dumb-bells again — A
Rough-up— Same Age and Weight— Boxing— Foot Beagles— A " Night-cap" v. Fresh
Air — Clothing— Warm v. Heavy — Texture — The Sailor's Opinion — Banting — Weight —
What to Bat— What to Drink— What not to— Verb. Sap.— A very bad Habit— Go:d
Proportions — In a Nutshell — A Homily on Rheumatism.

To engage in field sports, not to speak of to follow them energetically,
a man must be possessed of fairly good health and be in pretty hard con-
dition. I shall, therefore, give a short treatise upon hygienic principles,
and as I followed pretty nearly the rules I advocate in the following
pages and had not to fee a doctor from boyhood for anything except
accidents until I approached the "nasty half hundred," they may
perhaps be considered worth mentioning.

As a rule men eat, drink, and sleep too much, and don't take enough
exercise.

Xow, in my younger days I looked upon sleep as a second death,
during which all the pleasures of life are, so to speak, dead — conse-
quently I spent as little time in bed as possible. I am afraid, however,
that in addition to getting up early I often went to bed late 1 Boys
will be boys, and having a good constitution it did me no harm, and I
had lots of fun at the old Waterford club which I could not have
asleep in bed.

Most men require their eight hours' sleep and can't do without that
complement. Many, however, do very well with six hours, and they
in ten years have lived 7,300 hours more than the fellows who have
slept eight hours. That is just ten months, but as the whole time will
be spent awahe it is in reality equal to one year and eight months of
extra life. If my six hour friend does not enjoy and improve himself
during that time more than the eight hour chap he is not, in my
opinion, much of a fellow !

A cold bath every morning, I need not say, is indispensable to
thoroughly good health, but in very cold weather the water should be

345

brought to the temperature it is in at ordinary times. The shock of
icy cold water is very bad, and though a fine hardy young man may
enjoy it for years, it most assuredly lays the basis for rheumatics in
his after life.

Before getting into a cold water bath a man should wet his head
so as to prevent an effusion of blood thereto. This is all the more
essential in the case of full-blooded men.

Let me, while this hardy fellow is having his bath, relate what
happened once to me. I was dressing in a hotel in Dublin many years
ago, and was in a great hurry as I had to meet the Meath Hounds
fifteen miles off, and I was very late. The bath in the bath-room being
of stone had an obtuse-angular bottom, so that the sides slanted down-
wards, unlike a metal bath which has the sides and bottom hollowed
out. Well, as is my custom I stretched full length, but doing so
hurriedly and with more than ordinary force, my shoulders got
completely wedged in between the sides of the bath, and there I was
absolutely drowning with about an inch of w^ater over my nose. It
was only after a life or death struggle that I got myself extricated from
this most ludicrous but at the same time unpleasant yz\i'. People talk
of drowning as being a pleasant death. After having had two
rehearsals, hosh say I as far as the first part of the play goes !

Let us now return to the poor fellow we left in the other bath, with-
out, perhaps, having reduced its temperature from forty degrees of
Fahrenheit ! After a good rub dow'n with a rough towel, and five or ten
minutes devoted to the vigorous use of 71b. dumb-bells, he should feel
warm enough.

Hot or even tepid baths are enervating and should not be indulged
in by hardy fellows except under peculiar circumstances.

Be it in the sea, bath, or basin, the eyes, when under water, should
be kept open, the action of the water being most beneficial to them.

We all know that eating and drinking are the most important matters
a man has to consider if he wants to keep in good health and the fair
condition requisite for the enjoyment of field sports or any other
occupation he may have. I am quite confident that half the disorders
men are subject to are caused by improper use of "the table."

Everything we eat, drink, and smoke should be of the best quality ;
one may wear cheap and bad clothes, but what goes inside should be
the best. As a rule men order the best meat and pay the highest price
for it ; not so their liquor, cigars and tobacco. They ofttimes strive to
get the best at the lowest price and deceive themselves by imagining
they succeed. If a man cannot afford to pay for good wane, let him
drink the best whisky ; if he can't afford that let him take to the best
ale or porter ; and if he can't afford them, let him have the best milk or
spring water.

Smoking should be dealt with in the same way. It is a much better
plan to smoke the best and purest tobacco from an honest pipe than to
impregnate the system with fumes which come from indifferent

346

cigars, and most assuredly a good cigar can't be bought at as low price
as the best loose tobacco. As to cigarettes, no matter of how good
quality, I am sure they are in this country very injurious to anyone who
smokes them. In hot countries it may be different.

That smoking in any form is bad for youths goes without saying, and
as I have just read in the Liverpool Echo an article, portion of which,
if written specially for this page of my book, could not be more appro-
priate, I shall reproduce it.

"There is no doubt that juvenile smoking is very largely on the increase.
The too early adoption of the use of tobacco is recognised by all
authorities as a most pernicious evil, stunting both frame and intellect,
and cramping the moral no less than the mental and physical develop-
ment. Yet, especially since the introduction and wide extension of cigar-
ette smoking, itself the most injurious, because most insidious form of
tobacco smoking, boys of immature years have taken to the habit with
an avidity unknown when the terrible ordeal of the first pipe had to be
passed before the practice could be reduced to a habit. The first
cigarette has no terrors for a fairly strong stomach, and consequently
it is fearlessly indulged in, and it carries no warning against the
consequences of future excess. What the result of this injuriously
early indulgence in the tobacco habit upon the physical growth and
intellectual development of the country may be, the next halt-century
will probably show; but if we may judge from its present tendency it is
not unlikely that the nervous dyspepsia which is so prominent a feature
of the present generation will be greatly intensified, unless a more
healthy and manly tone can be cultivated amongst the growing youth
of the nation."

I would add to the above truthful exposition that a law should be
introduc<^d prohibiting the sale of tobacco in any form to youths, and
that anyone under the age of eighteen found smoking should be
prosecuted.

I think it was Lord Macaulay who said that " inductive philosophy "
was to eat what agrees wuth you and not to eat what disagrees.

Although best be the quality of our meat, in the cooking is harm
often done. Meat plainly roast, boiled, or broiled, with an occasional
well-made hash, is decidedly the most wholesome food. Dinners with
numerous made-dishes served up with all sorts of sauces and flavouring
till not a trace of the natural taste of the meat is left are the source
of gout, " liver " indigestion, and a hundred other ailments. Besides,
they enervate a man. Xor do I think the present system of large
fashionable dinner-parties is rational. A lot of entrees are handed
round, one in particular a man might like to have more of than the
small portion he has taken, but he does not get the chance. Then,
again, game, the most delicious food of all, is kept until the end of the
dinner, when men's appetites have been nearly satisfied.

My idea of a good dinner is to have few courses, each of the best, and
cooked in plain fashion. Soup, fish, one meat, vegetables, one sweet

347

or savoury, sakd and cheese, with plenty of fresh fruit after, ought
to suffice most men. I would have a total change every day, and no
matter how partial a man might be to a certain dish, he should not
have it of tener than once in eight or ten days, so that when it comes to
table he might be able to enjoy it with all the more relish. Instead of
getting a slice off the breast of a grouse or half a snipe after he has
dined, a man should, if he likes game, eat his entire dinner off one sort
one day and another the next, likewise with other meats.

To have a good dinner three things are essential — the meat must be
of the best quality, it must be sufficiently long kept to render it tender,
and then it must be properly cooked. Simple as they are we don't
always find the triple alliance. I believe in the old-fashioned plan of
having meat roasted before a good bright fire and having it well basted
the while thus preserving all the natural gravy. When cooked in a
range meat gets dried up through want of basting, and the flavour is
not nearly as good as when the old plan is followed.

To preserve meat in hot weather no better or simpler plan can be
adopted than placing around the joint pieces of dry turf [peat], same as
they are cut for fue . Flies then will not go near the meat, and it will
keep good for ten days in the hottest weather ; besides, a dozen
pieces of turf will suffice an ordinary larder for years.

Many of the " professed "cooks of the day whose places are worth
£100 to £500 a year would scorn to follow plain old fashioned cooking.
They must have the Continental. The consequence is their lords and
masters are often kept in ignorance of the natural flavour of a leg of four-
year-old mountain matton ten days hung, and sent to table done to a
turn and so full of delicious natural gravy that the dish well is half
filled after the joint has got the first cut. Neither do they know the
taste of a snipe or a woodcock one day killed, cooked before the tire
and served with no other condiment than their own trails. No, those
and other joints are glazed, and braised, and baked by swell cA<?/«, but
they are seldom roasted before the fire and sent up plain.

I am not for a moment to be understood as finding fault with first-
rate fashionable cooking for any reason other than that I believe plain
cooking to be more wholesome, and that, personally, I like it better.
That the entrees and other dishes handed round at large dinner parties
are, as a rule, most excellent in taste there is no manner of doubt, and
as fashion at present exists this mode of serving dinner must be
followed, and I confess I enjoy very much dining occasionally at these
recherche repasts, while no man accords more credit to the chef. All I
would ask these professors in the art of cuisine to do is to occasionally
send up a joint or a dish of game dressed in the old English and Irish
style, for I do think that while nearly all their dishes are good for the
mouth some of them are bad for the stomach. Anyhow, after dinner a
very refreshing thing is to dip a finger of each hand in the finger-glass
and apply a drop of the cold water to the back of the ears.

Dining after 7 p.m. is, I am sure, very bad for health and diges-

8.0 p.m.

Dinner, six courses.

9.30 p.m.

Colfee.

11.0 p.m.

Tea.

1.0 a.m.

Supper, two courses.

818

tion, so, also, is eating things out of due season. Think of lamb at
Christmas, ducks in February, or turkeys in June. Why, they have not
attained quarter their natural flavour; they are tasteless and indigestible
instead of being tempting and wholesome. Forced fruit and vegetables
are equally to be objected to.

Many people eat too often, even though they may do so in a small
quantity at a time. A good substantial breakfast of meat and eggs,
or whatever else a man can make best his morning meal oflT, at 9 a.m.,
and a good plain dinner, such as I have described, at 7 p.m., with a
biscuit or small sandwich for lunch, is all a healthy strong man ought
to require for food in the twenty-four hours. To be sure, there are
many who cannot eat a substantial breakfast, and to them their mid-
day meal is the meal of the day ; but give me the " round-of-beef
breakfast." Decidedly if a man has breakfast earlier than 9 a.m. or
dinner later than 7 p.m. he must have a fairly good luncheon, but
what I find fault with is eating little and oftt-n.

There are many, both men and women, who eat daily as follows : —

8.0 a.m. Tea with bread and butter,

generally in bed.
10.0 a.m. Breakfast, often in bed
1.30p.m. Luncheon, three courses.
5.0 p.m. Tea and cake. |

Could any except cast-iron organs stand such wear and tear ?

An eminent doctor once told me — and I think his observation from
a common-sense point of view is conclusive on the subject— the digestive
organs require rest just as much as any other portion of the human
structure. Thus if through continuous eating the gastric organs are
kept in perpetual exercise, they break down just the same as any other
machinery would do. Directly food enters the stomach digestion
begin.^, and continues till its work is finished which takes some three
or four hours, more or Itss. If, therefore, a man eats, though little,
every three or four hours, the organs of digestion never get any rest,
and so they in a very short time wear out. Whereas if a man feeds, no
matter how heartily, only tvvice a day, with a light collation in the
interim, those most important functions get a chance, and they return
it by doing their work eflfectually, thus promoting both good health and
long life.

Of all things in the world a man should never touch a drop of liquor
between meals. Let him drink what he may wish for at and after his
seven o'clock dinner, but at no time else. Day drinking and nipping
are some of the curses of the present generation. As 1 said before,
fifty years ago a man would be blackballed for a club if he was known
to drink before dinner.

I am looked upon by some people as a sort of lusus naturce because I
neither back horses nor drink in the daytime, but, adopting Jorrocks's
translation of the appellation, I think the " loose 'uns by nature " are
generally found among those who practise both. To my mind, anyway,

349

there is nothing under the sun more calculated to lessen a man's stock
of cash than backing horses, or to diminish his stock of vitality and
manhood than "tippling."

As ia the case of not backing horses, exalted principles of morality
are not the cause of my abstaining from drink in the daytmie. I
simply dislike the taste of all intoKicants before dinner, and I know to
indulge in them is highly pernicious to health. There is, however, no
man who enjoys his liquor much more thin I do at dinner, nor a
judicious continuance of the supply from that hour until bedtime. In
fact, as I often ,say, I am a teetotaller for some twenty hours out of the
twenty-four. I also proclaim the fact that although I don't drink
before dinner I do so plentifully every day of my life before breakfast
[i.e , afiej' dinner /].

A source of great annoyance to me is the fashion which has of late
years crept in — that of coffee and cigars immediately after dinner. In
they come just as I am about to tackle a bottle of prime claret or old
"beeswing." This to me pernicious habit has been contracted from
various sources. Men travel now so much on the Continent where
drinking wine after dinner was never the custom, they have got broken
off the good old fashion. Then the late hour dinner is now served at»
and the length of time it takes owing to the number of courses, gives
men sufficient time to drink what they want at dinner, and leaves little
time to do so after ; besides, owing to their drinking a good deal before
they are not able for much during or after dinner. Another factor
in the matter is whisky having taken the place of wine on our dinner
tables as much as it has done of late years. For my part I heartily
condemn the causes and the effect.

A story is told of the celebrated Dr. Abernethy that upon a patient
coming to him with a disordered constitution, the result of improper
mixtures of food and eating too often — a fact the patient could not be
persuaded of — the doctor, wishing to try an experiment, asked his
patient to dine with him. There was for dinner but ordinary fare,
but the host told the servant to put into a large bowl an equal
quantity of everything the guest eat and drank, and just before his
leaving to mix together the whole mass. As the patient was about
taking his departure Dr. Abernethy expressed his hope that he liked
the humble fare provided, it being so much inferior to that he was
accustomed to. The guest replied that for a plain homely dinner it
was very good indeed. The doctor then showed him the contents of
the bow), telling him what the servant had done, and that the contents
of the bowl represented precisely those of his stomach ! So horriHed
was the man at seeing claret and coffee, soup and sirloin, sauce and
champagne, cutlets and cream, fish and fruit, all mixed up in an
abominable mass, that ever after he dined upon the plainest food he
could get and took that seldom and sparingly, with the result that his
constitution was thoroughly restored to health and vigour.

The above reminds me to caution my readers against taking cofFte

350

with uiilk and sugar after having drank claret. I can't conveniently
explain the " why," but if some of them will just put a small quantity
of both into a cup or wine-glass and smell the decoction I'll be bound
they won't taste it. Still, that is the mixture which is usually in their
stomachs after dinner.

We had many years ago in Ireland a baronet celebrated for his wit
and repartee who was over fond of port wine, with a result that he got
into bad health. His medical man cut him down to one bottle a night,
and after a week found such improvement that he remarked that if the
Sir restricted himself to that allowance he would live a long time. To
this the wit replied, " I don't doubt it, doctor, for the last few nights
were the longest I ever spent."

A friend of mine some years ago also got into a bad state from
too much grog, and on consulting his doctor he was cut down to one
glass a day. This seemed such a terrible sentence that the patient
suggested that he should drink nothing duricg the week, but take
the seven glasses on Sunday.

Yet another hint — never put ice into your glass of champagne ; at
best melted ice destroys the flavour of the wine, but if the ice has
been frozen upon dirty water the consequences are not pleasant.
Yet we often see men, who should know better, put a lump of ice into
a glass of prime old champagne and afterwards light a big strong
cigar just when a bottle of Lafite '64 is making its first circumnavigation
of the mahogany. As my friend Jorrocks says, " If hignorance is bliss,
oh 'ow 'appy they must be ! "

To those who, like myself, think a mutton hash a good thing I can
recommend the following recipe, which was given me by Mr. William
Macdonagh, who was our excellent house steward at the Waterford
County and City Club for many years. Cut the mutton in thin slices,
flour and season them over with pepper and salt, and set them aside on
a plate. Then put some chopped shalot in a stewpan with a dessert-
spoonful of King of Oude sauce, a piece of glaze the size of a walnut,
two glasses of port wine, a little Harvey sauce, and a tablespoonful of
currant jelly, w^ell stirred up in about half a pint of gnod unsea>oned
but vjdl- skimmed gravy. Add the prepared mutton, and simmer
together for five minutes. If King of Oude sauce and glaze are not pro-
curable, half a pint of good o-idt beef gravy and a little Worcester sauce
will do instead. The above proportions are for about 2^1b. of mutton.

People should make better provision for their sleeping hours than
they are in the habit of doing. The windows should He left open at
night at least two inches at top and one inch at b "ttom, and they
should run as close to the ceiling as possible so as to allow the foul
air to escape. To provide ready exit for the foul air is far more im-
portant than letting in the fresh, which is pretty sure to find its way in
according as the foul leaves room for it. Sleeping in unventilated
rooms is one of the very worst things for health. Where windows
don't run up to the ceiling ventilators should be put in, more especially

351

in bedrooms with alcove ceilings. It is the height of ignorance
to think " night air " is bad. What other air is there to breathe at
night ? Do we ever suffer from it when travelling at night, or does
the fear of breathing it prevent our going out at night 1 Yet how
often do we hear people talking of the bad effects 'of " night air " ! I
have not slept with my windows shut these thirty years and I have
never found bad effects from the practice, but quite the contrary.

We should also sleep with our heads to the north, or as nearly so
as possible. Those who know the fact that our bodies are charged
with electricity, and that during the day it has free escape towards
the point of the compass nature induces it to select, will understand
the reason of this remark, and the danger there is in frustrating any
object of nature. They can explain it to those not so versed in
physiology. It would be too long and tedious for me to do so in
these pages.

No matter what a man's calling may be, he should manage to take
sufficient exercise daily to keep him in good health, and if he is not of
the eight-hour-sleep sort, he can easily manage to do so if he chooses.

First thing in the morning and last thing before going to bed a man
should work medium-sized dumb-bells — about 7lb. weight — for five to
ten minutes. Heavy ones are bad, and light ones are no use. Nothing
can be better than this exercise for those who can't regularly attend
a gymnasium, and it should be practised all through life, even up into
the "sear and yellow leaf." It will keep the body fairly supple and
the muscles fairly strong, and will maintain a man in a tolerable state
of condition for being able to tackle another in a rough-up when
necessary. In fact, every man should keep himself in such a state of
bodily vigour that at any time he will be able to hold his own against
any other man of, at least, his own age and weight. When dumb-bells
are not to be had, a man should exercise his arms without them.

Apropos to the subject of this chapter, and particularly to the last
paragraph, boxing is a thing all men should keep up as much as they
can. I allude to this most important requisite to a man (I employ the
word requisite advisedly) in another chapter, but I may here add that
no grander, no more healthful, or more useful exercise than " the
gloves " can boy or man practise. We all know how useful the fists
are at times, if a man can use them properly, whilst a bout with the
gloves is jolly and invigorating.

I kept a small pack of foot beagles for some years which I hunted two
or three mornings of every week in the year except just immediately
before harvest, and as I had to be in my office by 10.0, to have my
sport necessitated my being out with the little fellows just as soon
as I had light to see. This gave me plenty of fine exercise, often
twenty miles before breakfast. I merely allude to this fact to show
that if a man chooses he can find time to take exercise. It was no
particular pleasure to me to have to get up at daylight and trudge
over a country in bad weather, though I enjoyed it hugely on all fine

352

bracing mornings ; but if I did not get up I could not have either the
exercise or the sport.

There is nothing worse for a man's health than to take a ^'night-
cap," in the shape of a glass of grog, shortly before going to bed. If he
took instead a mouthful of fresh open air for five or ten minutes it
would do him a great deal more good.

Men should wear warm but not heavy clothing; th2 former can be got
light in weight if of good quality, and very often the latter with all its
weight may not be nearly as warm. Texture of an absorbent nature
should be worn next the skin when taking exercise of any sort, whether
it be in summer or in winter ; in fact, it is the more requisite in summer
when one perspires so much more. When I was "young and foolish "
I never wore anything but linen shirts, not even calico, and well do
I remember the icy feeling they gave me on a mountain in August,
when wringing wet with perspiration with a breeze blowing. It
was enough to give anyone rheumatism for life, but I escaped. At the
same time I soon learned that to do work comfortably in hot weather,
inside clothing of woollen texture is the thing. The sailor says of
flannel, " When you are cold and wet, it keeps you warm and dry "—
and so it does.

I may be wrong, but I have a notion that a great many people bundle
into their beds at night without any previous preparation beyond
undressing. If su'-h should be a practice it is undeniably a very bad
one. That partial ablution before going to bed is essential to good
health, there can be no manner of doubt. To those who live sedentary
or inactive lives such observance is requisite, while to those who take
strong or even moderate exercise it is manifestly more so. Apart from
cleanliness, nothing tends more to peaceful and undisturbed sleep than
a nocturnal sponge over, while nothing causes the teeth to decay
more than particles of food remaining in them during the night ;
it is therefore necessary that they should be brushed before going to
bed as well as in the morning. A most excellent stimulant to the
nerves of the eye is to bathe with cold water behind the ears before
going to bed.

It is infinitely better for a man to keep down weight than to have to
reduce it, and proper regulation of diet somew^hat on the principles of
Banting is the only safe way to prevent a man throwing up flesh. I am
quite sure doing so by means of medicine — patent or otherwise— will
reduce the stock of a man's good health and chance of long life equally
with his weight. From the age of "sw^eet two-and-twenty" till I was
over forty I kept myself at or about 12st. Tibs, by means of the follow-
ing dietary. I adopted it for ten months of each year, and no man
need wish for better health than I enjoyed all the time. During the
two midsummer months I indulged plentifully in cream, fruit, and
vegetables, which always put me up some pounds, but I soon returned
to my normal weight after knocking them off. Physic of any kind I
never took.

353

The dietary was as follows : —

Plain clear soup, all sorts of fish except salmon, all sorts of meat,
all vegetables that are eaten raw, such as lettuce, radishes, celery,
etc., fresh fruit, eggs, hard biscuits or "pulled-bread." My drinks
were tea without cream, milk or sugar, pale dry sherry, claret, and
cold whisky and water. Very little plain water and never a " long
drink " of anything.

I did not eat or drink the following : Rich thick soup or gravies,
salmon, potatoes, cooked vegetables, cheese, bread, butter, sweets,
sugar, pastry, preserved fruits or porridge, never a drop of milk,
cream, golden sherry, champagne, ale, porter, port or punch.

I believe anything that produces sugar or starch is fattening, but the
fat of meat is not, and taking long draughts of anything, even water
produces corpulency, and nothing makes one fat as much as parsnips,
carrots, turnips, bread or potatoes.

Since I had to give up hunting and strong exercise I eat and drink
everything that is good whenever I get the chance, with the result
that I am now 14st. weight ! Were I to reduce this to my old 12st. Tibs,
form I am pretty certain bad health would be the result.

We know that animals of medium size are the best for doing hard
work with ease to themselves. The same, I think, applies to the
human being. Men 5ft. Sin. or 9in. and weighing about 12st. Tibs., and
women of stature 5in. shorter and 2st. less in weight, if well made, are,
in my opinion, the best at playing the game all round.

I have for years been addicted to what I am sure would be to many
a very bad habit. I smoke before breakfast and immediately before
dinner. From so doing I have derived no bad effect, and I look upon
these two smokes as the most enjoyable of the day, doubtless from the
fact that upon an empty stomach the flavour of the tobacco acts more
pungently than it does after meals. That I am singular in this taste is
proved by that, with the exception of Lord Waterford, I never met
anyone to agree with me on the subject. During cub hunting his
lordship acquired the habit of smoking before breakfast, and I learned
it while hunting my foot beagles in the early mornings. I am far from
recommending others to follow this example of mine.

To sum up the rules which, in my opinion, are best to follow so as
to preserve good health and give a man the best chance of a long life,
I should say : —

a. Early to bed, early to rise.

h. A cold bath after sleeping in a well-ventilated room with his head
to the north.

c. A substantial breakfast and dinner cooked plainly.

d. No drink in the daytime, but a fair allowance of best quality at

and after a seven o'clock dinner.

e. Gloves, dumb-bells, outdoor evercise, and Sport of any sort.

This regime can be adhered to even by those employed many hours a
day at business, and until they become octogenarians, if they only
choose to do so.

AA

354

CSA^PTER XXII.

OSBALDESTON, ROSS, KENNEDY, BUDD, AND
BARCLAy-ALLARDICC.

George Osbaldestox,
His Youth — The Monson Blood — His Hunting — Many Incidents Thereof — Price
of his Hounds— "To the Best Sportsman of any Age or Country"— His Fall—
His "Two Hundred Mile" Match— Full Particulars— From Start to Finish—
What Bell's Life said in November, 1831 — Good old " Nunquam Dormio ! " —
Osbaldeston's Challenge to the World— His Age at the Time— The Squire as a Shot-
Various Records— His Pointers— As a Cricketer— As a Steeplechase Eider— The Clinker
and Ciasher Match— Grimaldi and Moonraker— His Gallantry to a Lady— His Gal-
lantry to a Lad— Six Pipes of Madeira— His Temper— His Death— Post-mortem
Opinions— That of the Standard — That of Captain Ross.

Captain Horatio Ross.
His lEarly Days— Deer Shooting— Early Training— Ross and Anson Match— Particulars
—Result— The Bag— Spectators— A Challenge— The Hay and Kennedy' Match— Smart
Work— Result — Ross as a Shot — Wonderful Pistol Shooting— An Expensive Entree —
Grouse Shooting — Deer Stalking— Extraordinary Records— Pistol Shooting at a Target
—Ross and Coke Match— Full Particulars— The Squire's Dogs— Their Performance
among Partridges — A Fine Old English Farmer — His Advice and Assistance to Ross —
Result— Different Training of Dogs— Author's Experience— Mr. William Coke— His
Field Craft— His Dogs— As a Deer Stalker— Ross as a Gun, Rifle, and Pistol Shot—
His Wonderful Endurance— His Mode of Living — What was Written of Him — Unlike
Osbaldeston- His Popularity— His Family— Clinker and Radical Match.

Lord Kennedy.
A Marvellous Feat — Great Match at Partridges— Mr. William Coke again— His Lordship's
Perversity- Its Result— A Great Bag— Lord Garlics— A Good Day's Sport— "The
Hundred Brace Match."

Edward Hayward Budd.
His Strength— As a Cricketer— As a Boxer— As a Shot — John Musters— T. Assheton Smith.

Captain Barclay-Allardice.
His Ancestors— His Father — His Mother- Author's Ideas on Good Breeding— Barclay's
Birth— Pedestrian Feats — All Distances— Full Particulars— Four Celebrated Matches
witli Mr. Fletcher— Heavy Wagers — Deaf Burke— More Great Feats — His Regiment
— More Achievements — " One Thousand Miles in One Thousand Hours " — Exhaustive
Particulars— From Beginning to End— Table of the Time— Analysis— His Dress-
His Diet — His Age, H^-ight, and Weight — During the Match — His Winnings — His
Staff of Attendants— The Walcheren Expedition— Two Subsequent Matches— Sad
Falling Off -As a Shot, Rider, Whip, and Boxer— Tom Cribb— Pugilists of Old different
from Now— Hard Training and Long Life— Barclay's Death— Sceptics— Scandalous
Charges — Completelj^ Refuted — Letter from Captain Ross — Opinion of Bella Life —
Remarks by the Author— Sportsmen Past and Present.

Himself a good general sportsman, Mr. C. A. Wheeler of Swindon
in 1867 brought out a book under the title of " Sportascrapiana." In
it he gives most interesting records of the prowess of notable sports-
men who were in their heyday from the beginning to the middle of
the present century. Occasionally, when collecting my thoughts for
this volume, some of these records cropped up, and upon the authority
of Mr. Wheeler I referred to them, but I shall now borrow more fully

355

from his book and other authorities in my possession, and in tota,lly
altered phraseology and changed order give records of five patrician
sportsmen who, in bygone years, made the world ring with their deeds
of skill, pluck and endurance in all that pertained to manhood. Besides
being contemporaries, they were all great personal friends. Necessarily
my reference must be brief and cannot be adequate to the subject, but it
will show that neither in ancient nor modern times have we had such
prodigies, while to our rising generation these men are, as regards
manliness, noble examples to take pattern from. I begin with

Mr. Geoege Osbaldeston
of Hutton Bushell, near Scarborough. He was born in Wimpole Street,
London, on December 26, 1787. At Eton his skill as a boxer soon
developed itself and he became " Cock of the School." In cricket
he took an equally high degree. Directly upon leaving Oxford he
established a pack of harriers, which he hunted from his own place in
Yorkshire; but after a few years he purchased Lord Monson's fox-
hounds and began as M.F.H. in the far-famed Burton country. He
always swore by the Monson blood, and it was from that stock he bred
the best pack of working hounds then in the three kingdoms. His
renown as a huntsman and rider to hounds has been chronicled many
times, I shall therefore refer to his hunting in but cursory manner.

After hunting the Burton country for five seasons, then under thirty
years of age, he took Mr. John Musters' country in Nottinghamshire,
but not liking it he soon after became master of the Atherstone. To
that country he added what Lord Vernon hunted in Derbyshire and
purchased the best portion of his lordship's pack to strengthen his
own, making his kennel up to ninety couple of hounds. Things in
Staffordshire did not turn out to his satisfaction, so when Mr. Assheton
Smith resigned the Quorn in 1817 The Squire succeeded him and
showed wonderful sport in Leicestershire until 1821, when, for a season,
Mr. Belli ngham Graham was master, but The Squire resumed office in
1823. His second term, as the annals show, was one of the most bril-
liant epochs of the Quorn Hunt, but while hunting with Lord Anson's
hounds in 1826 Osbaldeston met with a terrible accident- through
having his leg broken, which laid him up for a year and necessitated
his giving up the Quorn.

In 1827 he became master of the Pytchley. In that country, as in
the other?, he showed the best of sport. In one season he had forty
good days out of fifty and no less than twenty-three first rate runs in
succession.

Mr. Osbaldeston was always his own huntsman, bred his own
hounds, and had for many years as first whip the celebrated
Dick Burton ; also Jack Stevens. During his Pytchley reign he
hunted the Thurlow country in Suffolk for two seasons. To
accomplish which he underwent marvellous exertion, for to meet each
pack on alternate mornings he had to travel most part of nearly every

356

night — and travelling in those days was no joke. Upon one occasion,
after having had three good runs and wishing to go to a ball at
Cambridge, he first rode to Northampton, then back to Cambridge,
danced all night and rode back to Sulby Hall, a distance of sixty
miles ; he hunted the same day, killed a brace of foxes and rode
fourteen miles home in time for dinner. During those two days and
one night of incessant hard work he never once closed his eyes in sleep.

After thirty-five seasons' hunting The Squire laid down his horn and
ceased to be M.F.H., when the followers of the Pytchley presented him
with a splendid snuffbox, on which was engraven, "To the best sports-
man of any age or country."

Mr. Osbaldeston's was admittedly the best pack of foxhounds in
England. None other for breeding, work or stoutness equalled it, and
to the present day are to be found in our crack kennels some of the
best strains running in direct line back to his blood.

Of course we have had a great many gentlemen huntsman who were
quite first-rate at the business, and for many years continued to show
the best of sport ; but most of them confined themselves to only one
or two countries, so that they acquired a thorough knowledge of the
entire area — the good scenting parts and the bad — as well as the run
of foxes.

JSow, Osbaldeston hunted his hounds six days a week for more than
thirty-five years, and did so over the Burton country and the Spilsby
in Lincolnshire, Mr. Musters' in Nottinghamshire, Lord Vernon's in
Derbyshire, the Atherstone, the Holderness, the Suffolk, the Quorn,
the Pytchley, and Hampshire. Together, ten countries, representing
as they did all sorts — grass, plough, and woodland — with peculiarities
different in nearly every one. In them all, and during that long
tenure of office, he showed good sport to an extraordinary degree.
To say that he was favoured all the time with the attention of the
fickle goddess would be ridiculous, although no doubt he had his
share of good luck, and as he could not have had much knowledge of
the countries when he took them up, or have had time to acquire it
during his short stay in each, it is manifest that the result was
produced simply and solely by his own inordinate ability as a huntsman.

It must therefore be accorded to George Osbaldeston the palm
for being the very best man who has ever handled a pack of fox-
hounds. I have many histories of him written by those well qualified
to form an opinion, and they are all consentient on the subject.
Whether the country was cramped or open, the field of horsemen in
hundreds or in tens, to handle his hounds was all alike to this grand
sportsman. He rode the nice weight of list. Tibs.

From Mr. Vyner's able book, " Notitia Venatica," I learn, however,
with surprise that The Squire did not personally superintend the
feeding of his hounds, but left it entirely to his kennel huntsman,
William Gardner. This man must have had wonderful ability for his
calling, for without being able to see them in their work he was able

357

to regulate the feeding of each hound so that the lot was kept
uniformly in the very best condition, and to quote what Mr. Vyner
says at page 83 of his book, " I never saw any pack of hounds in the
whole course of my experience as a foxhunter which could go so killing a
pace both in cover and in the open, run so well together, and carry so
line a head, or last out such long and tiring days as those of Mr.
Osbaldeston ; they would not only go like a flock of pigeons with a
burning scent, but could cold-hunt a fox with as much patience as any
pack of hounds in England."

That the hounds were the best in England and the Odbaldeston blood
the best too, is proved by the fact that in 1830 when drafting twenty-five
couple (of course, the worst) out of his pack of seventy-five couple, they
fetched at his sale at Brixworth 625gs. Again, in 1842, after having
previously passed into the hands of Mr. Harvey Combe, Osbaldeston's
old pack, consisting of sixty-three and a half couple, were sold at
TattersaU's for 6,51 Igs., or over 103gs. a couple. This price has never
been even approached.

The accident I alluded to wasnot alone terrible in its nature but left
a disastrous efiect ever after upon The Squire. It occurred as follows :—
In a fast run with the Holderness his horse gave him a fall over a
high stake and bound fence, and while stretched on the ground the
horse of Sir James Musgrave, who was ridden close in his tracks,
jumped on him, breaking his leg in such a dreadful manner that the
bone protruded through his boot. The Squire never afterwards rode
so hard to hounds as he did previously, and he was exceedingly nervous
if anyone rode close to him, while if Sir James Musgrave happened to
be out he was constantly in the greatest dread of him. Nevertheless
he continued to hunt his hounds, and was always handy to them. He
was lame ever after which prevented him from taking part in shooting
matches which required long walking, and from enjoying his favourite
summer sport, cricket. His fall did not, however, interfere with his
riding steeplechases. He first rode over the course and then, knowing
what he had to ride at, no man cared less for a big place or rode more
determinedly.

In 1831, when in his forty-fourth year and at his zenith as a sportsman,
he backed himself with Colonel Charrite for 1,000 guineas even that he
would ride two hundred miles in ten consecutive hours within the
Houghton meeting week at Newmarket. The event came off on Satur-
day, November 5, of that year, and was won by The Squire in exactly
eight hours and forty-two minutes, including stoppages.

I should remark that long before then he was dubbed " The Squire "
— a came he was universally known by.

From BelVs Life of November 13, 1831, I compile the following par-
ticulars of this wonderful performance : —

Although the match was made some three months previously, Mr.
Osbaldeston did not go into severe training till the last week, when he
increased his ordinary riding to 80 miles a day. This he performed at

358

full speed, and on the horses lie had selected for the performance, to
the number of which there was no limit. As the day approached,
betting became brisk, and on the night before 100 to 40 was freely laid
against time, while a bet of 1000 to 100 was taken by Gully, who
backed the Squire heavily, against his accomplishing the distance in
nine hours. Of this Toe Squire took a large part.

As early as six o'clock on Saturday morning all was prepared at the
Duke's Stand, near the Devil's Ditch ; stoves were lit, and every accom-
modation afforded for the assemblage of the parties interested. Four
miles had previously been measured on the round course, commencing
and ending opposite the stand parallel to the Cambridge Gap, and on
this spot a turf stage was erected for the purpose of ]Mr. Osbaldeston
mounting and dismounting ; of this he made no use, from the difficulty
of getting the horses to stand in position, but got the "leg-up " instead.
An area was enclosed with ropes and stakes to keep the start and finish
clear of people, and this was found most useful.

Mr. Osbaldeston arrived on the scene in a post-chaise at 7 a.m., attired
in his racing colours of purple silk jacket, black velvet cap, doeskin
breeches and top boots. His weight, with saddle and bridle, was
estimated at list. 3lb. The saddles on which he rode were covered
with sheep skins v«ith the wool on, and it was arranged that each horse
at one start should perform four miles. Mr. John Edward Bowater
acted umpire for Colonel Charrite, and Mr. T. Thellusson for Mr.
Osbaldeston. They were prepared with stop-watches which at the
start were set going and placed together in a box.

The morning was extremely unfavourable, commencing with a
drizzling rain which increased to a downpour accompanied by a high
and piercingly cold wind. This did not damp the spirits of the rider
who was in the greatest glee and fullest confidence of success, offering
any odds he won or an even thousand guineas that he did the journey
in nine hours, but betting was at a standstill.

At precisely 7.12 a.m. he was started, riding a mare called Emma.

Here follows in BeJVs Life a record of the time taken by each of the
fifty mounts to cover their four miles, but I shall merely relate the
leading particulars.

The first twenty-four miles, including stoppages for mounting
and dismounting, were done in two minutes under the hour. His
tenth mount, Clasher, broke down and came in at a trot, but the
40 miles were covered in Ihr. 40imin., and the 48 miles in 2hr. Imin. 5sec.
On his fifteenth mount (Emma for the second time) Mr. Osbaldeston
went to the wrong side of a post, but immediately turned and went
back to the point of error. This round completed 60 miles, which were
covered in 2hr. 33min. Long since wet to the skin, Mr. O. now took a
little weak brandy and water, up to which he had taken nothing except
a small piece of gum arable which he held in his mouth. Seventy miles
were done one minute under the three hours, and the 72 miles in four
minutes beyond the three hours. At the end of 80 miles the rain

33y

subsided, but the weather continued cold and cheerless ; time,
3hr. 25min. 30sec.

The hundred railes were completed in four ko2irs, nineteen minutes^ and
forty seconds, and any odds were offered on The Squire. As he appeared
a bit stiff, though still in good spirits, a proposition was now made to
him to change his wet clothes, but he declined. At the end of 104
miles he took a crust of bread and a mouthful of brandy and cold
water, stopping rather more than two minutes. Soon after the rain
came down again in torrents but cleared off after a round or two.

When he had completed his 1 20 miles, which he did in 5hr. 1 1 min. SOsec,
he proceeded to the stand house for refreshment, declaring he was as
hungry as a hunter. He eat heartily of cold partridges and drank a
glass of sherry, but stopped only 6min. SOsec. , during which he con-
versed jovially with his friends, many of whom were ladies. His next
horse — the thirty-first change — was Ikey Solomons, who, like the man
he was called after, did badly, for soon after starting he pecked and
The Squire, who was standing high in his stirrups at the time, was sent
clean over the horse's head and fell full length on the ground. The
brute ran away but was caught 200 yards off and being brought back
was set going again, but that heat took 12 min. On alighting the rider
seemed flurried and distressed, but he pulled himself together imme-
diately and set off again in high glee. 25 to 20 was then offered
against his doing the distance in nine hours, the fall giving new hopes
to the backers of time. At the end of the next eight miles The Squire
showed slight weakness, and for an instant sat on a friend's knee,
nevertheless he was on the road again in SOsec,

One huadred and fifty-six miles were performed in 6hr. 49min., thus
leaving 2hr. llmin. to do the 44 miles to win in nine hours, or at the
rate of 20 miles an hour, which, from what had already been done, was
deemed easy work, the more particularly as The Squire was as fresh
and gay as a lark. He laughed heartily, took a glass of sherry and
said he was as hungry as a hawk. In 403ec. he was mounted and away
again amidst loud cheers, and with 6 to 4 on his doing the journey in
nine hours and 10 to 1 on his winning the match. After the forty-second
mount the weather suddenly changed into brilliant sunshine, and as the
gallant fellow came in, sitting as firm as a rock and apparently as fresh
as ever, he was received with great applause, and started again in 6sec.

The weather became again unfavourable after 180 miles, but The
Squire was undaunted. So bad was it soon after starting for the forty-
seventh round that Streamlet, the mare he was riding, actually stopped
and turned about, afraid to face the tremendous storm. This gave
the "timers'' hopes, only to be dispelled immediately, for the time
taken for this four miles was only lOmin. 15sec.

Surrounded by a tremendous crowd of spectators, the gallant horse-
man started on Skirmisher for the final and fiftieth heat. This waa
done in 9min. 40s3c., amidst thunders of applause, making the whole
time for the 200 miles, including all stoppages, exactly 8hr. 42min.

360

Thus by eighteen minutes Osbaldeston won every bet he made and
had an hour and eighteen minutes to spare for the original match.
Fearing any dispute might arise as to the distance, he proposed before
dismounting to ride another mile, but the umpires declared themselves
perfectly satisfied upon all points of the undertaking. After receiving
congratulations from his friends and putting a top-coat over his
drenched and muddy clothes, he mounted a favourite hack and, sur-
rounded by a large field of horsemen, cantered off to Newmarket.
After taking a warm bath, he turned into bed for a short time and
joined his friends so fresh that he played billiards for a couple of
hours.

As has been seen, he had fifty rides of four miles each and for them
he used twenty-eight diflferent horses. Tranby, the property of John
Gully, was ridden no less than four times and on the second occasion
did his round in eight minutes which was the shortest time of any.
Streamlet and Skirmisher were each ridden three times, Emma, Para-
dox, Liberty, Coroner, Oberton, Don Juan, Morgan Rattler, Cannon
Ball, Ultemar, Fairy, Dolly, Guilford, Coventry, Ringleader and Ipsala
were called on twice, while Clasher, colt by Tramp, Acorn, Ikey So o-
mons, Tam O'Shanter, Eldorado, Donegani, Hassan, filly by Surprise
and a horse by Smolensk© were ridden once. Streamlet, by reason of
the storm, took lOmin. losec. to do the four miles, while Ikey Solomons,
through falling, took 12min. and these were the two worst records.

By reference to old calendars it will be seen that some of these were
racehorses of high class ; most of them were lent to Mr. Osbaldeston
out of the Newmarket stables, but several were his own property.

BelVs Life, through a slip of the writer's pen, states that twenty-nine
diflferent horses were used, overlooking the fact that good little Fairy
who did her second round in 8min. 8sec., next best to Tranby's time,
was ridden twice.

The time actually occupied in riding this match as taken from the
record opposite the name of each horse, which does not include
stoppages, was 7hr. 34min. 34sec. This, for each four miles, is an
average of 9min. 5sec., and for a mile 2min. 16sec. and is a little over
26 miles an hour. The stoppages, including 6min. 20sec. for luncheon,
came to Ihr. 7min. 16sec. but deductirig the luncheon they averaged
Imin. ISsec. and were from 6sec. to 2min. Of course ths first mounting
and last dismounting are not counted.

Mr. Wheeler, quoting from the Standard, gives in his book ihr. 22min.
56sec. as the total time occupied in stoppages, but I prefer to rely
upon good old " Nunquam Dormio," who, on all matters sporting,
was in those days immeasurably more reliable than any other paper—
and, for that matter, remained so until its eyes were closed many years
after by newspapers issued daily upon sport.

Independent of the stake Osbaldeston won a very large amount over
this event, having at first taken all the odds that were available and
ultimately laying odds on. Gully, also, was a big winner. Considering

361

the weather and the cut-up state the ground was necessarily in, the
time even for a short distance must be considered good ; but when it is
recorded that many of the horses when brought out were lame and
that Guilford was badly string-halted on both hind legs, the feat, on
the whole, was the greatest of its sort that ever was, or perhaps ever
will be, performed.

In summing up its article on the match, in its issue of Novem-
ber 13, 1831, BelVs Life says:— '* Mr. Oabaldeston, by this matchless
feat, proved himself a member one at almost every manly exercise save
boxing.* He has carried off the palm at hard riding, steeplechases,
aquatic feats, shooting, and pedestrianism. In fact, he is in his way a
perfect nonpareil^ and outstrips all competitors."

Owing to objectionable criticisms appearing in the press and else-
where on his "200 miles in 10 hours" match, he soon after publicly
challenged any man in the world of his age and weight (or carrying it)
to ride any distance from 200 to 500 miles for £20,000 ; or that he
would take £10,000 to £3,000, or £20,000 to £6,000 that he would ride
200 miles in eight hours. No one took him up I

Mr. Osbaldeston's age at the time of the match just described has
been put down at forty-six and forty-seven years, but inasmuch as he
was born the day after Christmas, 1787, and the match took place on
Saturday, November 5, 1831, it is pretty plain that he was just within
5even weeks of being forty-four years old when he accomplished
the feat.

This wonderful man shot in the presence of the then Sir Richard
-Sutton ninety- eight pheasants out of one hundred shots. And as the
annals of the old Red House at Battersea record, no man of his day was
a much better shot at pigeons.

Mr. Edward Budd, who was an intimate friend of Mr. Osbaldeston,
once backed him with Mr. Thellusson to shoot eighty braca of partridge
in one day. The match came off over The Squire's property at
Ebberson in Yorkshire, when he bagged ninety-seven brace and a half
of partridge, nine hares, and a rabbit, but as there were five brace and
a half picked up next day he in reality shot 103 brace of partridge
besides the hares and rabbit— a feat at that time unequalled in the
annals of shooting. This was, of course, with the old flint muzzle-
loaders. The date is not given, but it was before his fall, about 1825.

He had a wonderful breed of pointers. For a brother and sister,
Mark and Flirt, he refused sixty guineas, equivalent to a hundred and
sixty nowadays. With this brace he offered to back himself for
£10,000 against any man and brace of dogs in the kingdom, but no
one dared to take him up.

Mr. Wheeler devotes many pages to Mr. Osbaldeston's prowess as a
cricketer but I have space only to say that, except Mr. E. W. Budd,

* I don't know why boxing should be excepted, for The Squire
-capital nian with his tists.— The Author.

362

Lord Frederick Beauclerc and Mr. Ward, no amateurs of his day were
nearly his equal, nor were many professionals. He was most noted
for his tremendous-paced bowling, requiring always two longstops, while
at single wicket he was almost invincible. He was also one of the
best billiard players in England.

Steeplechasing in those days, compared with now, was little prac-
tised, but The Squire was the best man then in England to ride one,
and it is recorded of him that he won every such race he rode. I
doubt, however, he was as good in silk as were our Irishmen — the
brothers Allan and William McDonagh— who rode about the same
time. Amongst his most celebrated matches was that on Clinker
against Dick Christian on Clasher. It was for 1,000 guineas, and the
line chosen was about four miles in the Quorn country, from Dal by
Windmill to Lipton. Christian, as a horseman, was then in his prime^
and, with a view to frightening The Squire, the Clashers told Dick to
follow close in his track. These tactics were adopted, but had only
the effect of making him the more determined to get away. A
desperate race this was, and both horses jumped the last fence to-
gether, but Clasher here came down a purler, leaving Clinker and The
Squire to win in a walk.

It is interesting to inspect the exact ground over which some of the
great races of old were run, so I shall tell of a course which can easily
be looked over, and at the same time describe another match of
historic fame. In March, 1832, Mr. Elmore and Mr. Evans made a
match for £500 a-side, between their horses Grimaldi and Moonraker.
It came off on Tuesday, the 13th of that month, and was from a field on
Mr. Copeland's farm near the seventh milestone on the Edgware
Road, down the gradual descent and across the flat country to the foot
of Harrow Hill, where in front of Mr. Hawkins' farmhouse on Harrow
Weald a drain across the meadow marked the goal — distance four miles.
Grimaldi was a grey gelding, then twelve years old, and was by
Grimaldi out of Miss Bab, by Highland Fling out of Lady Bab, and
was bred by Mr. Clifford of Gloucestershire. Moonraker was a bay,
his age or pedigree was not known, but he was then in his prime
and must have been well bred, for he with Grimaldi, Vivian, and Lord
Waterford's Lancet and Cock Robin were then about the best steeple-
chase horses in England. The Harrow course was not as stiff as those
of St. Albans and Leicestershire, but it was trappy and brought to
grief a great many of those who rode over it with the two jockeys before
the start. That ladies could ride well across country in those days is
shown by the fact that no one rode better than " a young and beiutiful
lady" who accompanied them, and she did so without a fall. Her
name, unfortunately, is not recorded in BeWs Life of March 18, 1832,
from which I am now taking these particulars. Mr. Osbaldeston rode
Grimaldi for Mr. Elmore, while Mr. Dan Seffert rode Moonraker for Mr.
Evans. Colonel Charritc was umpire for the latter and Mr. Meyrick
acted for the former.

363

This match created a great deal of interest, and thousands flocked on
foot, horseback, and in carriages to see it, among them being a great
number of ladies. Mr. Elmore, who lived near the start, entertained a
large party to luncheon, after which the race was started a little after
five o'clock, list. 71 bs. was the weight which Osbaldeston had little
trouble to make up, but Seffert had to carry sixteen pounds of lead,
which he did in a belt strapped round his waist. Moonraker was
favourite, notwithstanding that The Squire had given Elmore £50 to
make the match, so confident was he of winning. The race was run at
a good pace and without a fall, but a collision took place which caused
a terrible wrangle afterwards. Seffert made a couple of detours which
lost him ground, but Osbaldeston rode straight as a line from start to
finish and won easily, Moonraker being dead beat. After the race
Sefi'ert lodged a complaint against The Squire for foul riding, and there
was no end of a row ; nor could it be decided who was entitled to the
stakes till finally, after a week's finding and proving, the case was left
to Colonel Anson to decide, and he awarded the race to Grimaldi,
exonerating The Squire from all blame.

Like most foxhunters, he was not insensible to the charms of
beautiful women. One night, at a dinner party previous to a ball in
Lincolnshire, were two rival beauties, one of whom had in her bouquet a
hot-house flower of exceeding rarity, and in the hearing of The Squire
she twitted the other with not having in hers one of equal elegance.
Pleading excuse for leaving the wine party after dinner, he got on his
horse and rode twenty-five miles distant to the house of the gentleman
from whose conservatory the flower had been obtained, and returned
with a still more brilliant specimen. This he presented to the other
lady and she wore it in triumph at the ball supper. He did the fifty
miles in about four hours on the one horse and a dark night.

Running a fox near Bracebridge, in Lincolnshire, the hounds crossed
a river, and while looking at them from a barge a boy fell into deep
water and was drowning. Without a moment's hesitation The Squire
galloped to the bank, jumped off" his horse and plunged in and after
diving for him brought the lad safely to land. He then remounted
and followed his hounds as if nothing had happened.

Like too many of his good sort Mr. Osbaldeston was quick-tempered
and irritable — proud of his abilities and jealous of rivalry — conse-
quently, at time?, he got into trouble with his friends ; nevertheless he
was in his day one of the most popular men in England.

To instance the large quantities of wine which were laid down by
gentlemen long ago and as an example of the improvidence of the age,
I may state about The Squire that in his wine cellars at Hutton Bushell
were discovered by Mr. Budd six pipes of Madeira which had been
entirely lost sight of !

The manly deeds of George Osbaldeston would fill a volume of con-
siderable magnitude. I am, however, unable to devote more space to
the subject, so will conclude my reference with opinions expressed

364

about him j^ost-morteiii which go to prove that since the days of the
Assyrian Nimrod we never had a greater sportsman.

The Standard of Friday, August 3, 1866, gives an obituary, in
which it states : —

" In recording the death of Mr. George Osbaldeston, in his seventy-
ninth year, which took place at his residence, Grove Road, St. John's
Wood, on the 1st inst., we would make a few remarks respecting his
unparalleled career, believing, as we do, that he was the greatest
practical sportsman that England or any other country ever produced;
indeed, there is not a foxhunter, shooter, angler, cricketer or billiard-
player either in this or the last generation who has not, at least, heard
of the wonderful performances of 'the old Squire.'

"There are and have been several 'old Squires' in various parts of
the country, and worthy sportsmen too, but for the last thirty years
the question, ' Which old Squire ? ' was never put, as everybody knew
that Mr. Osbaldeston was the gentleman referred to. Nor can this be
wondered at, for his deeds far outshone those of any sportsman either
dead or alive. He may have been equalled in one particular branch
of sport, as the generality of men excel only in one line, but Mr.
Osbaldeston excelled in everything he undertook, and in his day con-
quered everybody with whom he came in contact."

Captain Ross, writing of him soon after his death, testified that " as
one who went in at everything in the ring he was the best man
England had produced during the present century. He was generous
and kind-hearted, and never spoke harshly of others or allowed it to be
done in their absence."

Owing to his confiding disposition he was robbed and deceived by
some of those he trusted most, with a result in the end that his
financial affairs got into confusion, and not having sufficient moral
nerve to pull up in time, or business capacity requisite to get himself
out of his troubles, this great man who had started in life with the
heritage of a splendid estate and a brilliant fortune had to succumb
to circumstances and end his days in comparative oblivion.

Deep, deep is the pity that such should have been the fate of perhaps
the greatest sportsman England ever produced.

Captain Horatio Ross
of Rossie Castle, in Forfarshire, was another of our great all-round
sportsmen. Born in 1801, he was fourteen years younger than Mr.
Osbaldeston. In his early days, with a large stud of good hunters,
he spent the winters at Melton, and the greater part of the rest
of the year in the Highlands. There, for a trifle, he rented huge
tracts -of land, which, nowadays, fetch thousands a year. Deer were
then scarce, but young Ross was constantly in pursuit of them, and,
after roaming over enormous extents of hill country, would leave off
perhaps twenty or thirty miles from his shooting lodge. To this he
had to walk for there were no roads to ride, much less to drive over.

365

Doubtless by this early training he acquired the astonishing power
of endurance which he so often displayed in walking long distances
without showing symptoms of fatigue.

" The Koss and Anson Match " is of historic fame. It took place
on November 10, 1828, and came about by Lord de Eoos backing
Colonel Anson to shoot more partridges in a day than Captain Ross.
The terms were : Both to shoot in company over Milden Hall estate
in Suffolk, which his lordship then rented ; no dogs ; each man to
walk forty or fifty yards apart, with two or three beaters between,
and it was not necessary to pick up the birds, the umpires seeing them
drop being sufficient. Time, from sunrise to sunset. Colonel Anson
being a particularly fast and strong walker, fancied he could beat
Ross, so he set off at the rate of four and a half miles an hour.
This pace they kept up until about two o'clock, when the Colonel
showed evident signs of getting pumped. The attendants were all
beaten before twelve o'clock and fresh ones had to be found. Although
the match was carried out in the fairest manner and the men
changed order every hour, the Colonel had luck on his side, getting
eleven shots more than Ross and was seven birds ahead of him at
two o'clock. Ross was, however, as fresh as when he started, so he
went right away from Anson and was thus able to make up leeway.
A quarter of an hour before the expiration of the time a message
came to him from Lord de Roos that Anson was unable to walk any
more, but was one bird ahead, so he proposed to make it a drawn
match. This, although as fresh as when he started, Ross agreed to
for it was uncertain he could get another brace within the time,
the birds being then all upon the stubbles and very wild.

The bag made was ridiculously small (only about twenty-five or
twenty-six brace), but that was easily explained, for in November part-
ridges in Norfolk and Suffolk are always very wild, but on the day in
question they were made more so by the fact that the shooters Avere
followed all the time by a multitude of men both on foot and horseback
who, talking and betting on every shot, caused such a row that when
a field was entered hundreds of birds went off in one great flight
at the other end. Scarcely a shot was got within forty yards, while
fifty and sixty yards was the distance of most of them.

After the match, so fresh was Captain Ross, and in the excitement
of the moment, he said to the assembled concourse of people, numbering
five or six hundred, that he would there and then start against any of
them to go to London on foot for =£500, a distance of seventy miles, or
that he would shoot the same match next day against anyone present,
except Mr. Osbaldeston, for ii^)00.

No one took up either challenge, but a young farmer said he would
try a race against him to an inn which was over two miles distant
For the fun of the thing Ross agreed and off they started, accom-
panied by half the crowd ; but Ross won by over a hundred yards
beating out of sight nearly the whole lot !

366

In "barring" the Squire when offering to shoot against anyone
present, Captain Ross was actuated by magnanimity towards his
friend, for he knew the Squire would be the most likely to accept tha
challenge, but not being able to walk fast or long, owing to his
accident, he would have no chance ; and, besides, Ross knew his friend
would be gratified by being " barred," and attribute the reason to his
excellence as a shot.

On another occasion, July 19, 1826, when staying at Blackball,
the seat of his friend, Mr. Farquharson, in Kincardineshire, he had
spent seven or eight hours up to his middle shooting flappers, and after
a good dinner, when the ladies had gone to the drawing-room, he fell
asleep. About nine o'clock he was awakened by the late Sir Andrew
Leith Hay, who said, " Ross, old fellow, I want you to jump up and go
as my umpire with Lord Kennedy to Inverness. I have made a bet of
£2,500 a side that I can get there on foot before him." Nothing came
amiss to men like him, and the reply Ross gave was, "All right, I
am ready." Off they started there and then in evening costume, with
thin shoes and silk stockings ! Their servants followed with more
suitable clothing ; but the boots brought Ross were a pair of tight
new Wellingtons. Lord Kennedy took the direct line which led them
over the Grampians, walking all night, next day, and the next night,
and arrived at Inverness at 6 a.m. — raining in torrents all the way.
Sir Andrew Hay went by the coach road — which was thirty-six miles
longer — but, although level, he did not appear until 10 a.m. The
sole of one of Ross's boots vanished when twenty-five miles from
Inverness, and he had to finish the walk barefooted ; but did so
comparatively fresh. The distance he went over was about ninety-
five miles. This match was, however, by Captain Barclay-AUardice,
declared drawn, as Lord Kennedy, when a good deal beaten, leant
on the arm of his attendant while ascending and descending some
of the hills towards the end.

Ross betted Lord Kennedy £20 he would, in a day, shoot with a gun
twenty brace of swallows, which he readily did at Rossie where these
birds congregated in great numbers. He sent the lot in a basket to
Lord Kennedy and they were brought to him while at dinner. When
sending the money he wrote Captain Ross that it was the most
expensive entree ever handed him.

Two years after, one morning before breakfast, for a bet of £lOO
with Mr. George Foljambe, Ross shot, flying, ten brace of swallows
with pistol and single ball, also at Rossie Castle.

Ross did not go in for record bags of grouse ; sixty-five brace in one
day was about the biggest he ever made. Not ^o deer.

In 1828 he rented, from the Duke of Athol, Feloar, and on it shot
to his ov/n rifle eighty-seven deer. It was in the following November
he had the match with Colonel Anson, and he attributed the good
condition he was in to the grand training he had deer-stalking.

In 1837 he killed seventy-five deer in Sutherlandshire. In 1851 he

367

shot 118 deer in Mar Forest, one day killing no less than thirteen
•with fourteen chances.

In a forest in Inverness-shire he shot eight stags in twenty minutes,
date not given. The deer were driven into a wood and got stupefied.
He had only a muzzle-loading rifle, while loading which he lost sight
of the deer. If he had had a breech-loader, so that he could have run
while loading, he could have killed a great many more.

Matches with pistol and ball were common in England in those days,
and Ross entered into many, but never was he beaten. Once with a
Spanish gentleman he shot for £50 at the old Red House at Batter-
sea, the best of fifty shots. The target was a common playing card
and the bull's-eye exactly the size of a sixpence. The distance cer-
tainly was only twelve yards but he won the wager by remarkable
shotting, and out of the last twenty-five shots hit the bull's-eye twenty-
three times. Short distance alone was not his forte with the pistol,
for he made nearly as good shooting with it up to a hundred yards as
with a rifle. Moreover, with a pistol he killed deer, both roe and
fallow.

In 1825 or 1826 he and Mr. William Coke had a two-day match at
partridges over the Holkham estate. The conditions were as follows :
—Two beats were named and to toss for choice ; a day to intervene
between the first and second day's shooting, when they were to change
beats ; to start as early as they pleased ; to load their own guns ; to
hunt the dogs, and to pick up the birds killed ; to be allowed two
attendants each to help in any other way.

Ross had lost by madness his best dogs, but he borrowed from
Mr. Osbaldeston a brace, which in Yorkshire were perfection.

The Squire was Captain Ross's umpire and walked with Mr. Coke,
while Captain Greville, R.N., walked with Ross on the part of Coke.
They started at daylight, but the first turnip-field Ross entered away
went the Squire's fleet, high-bred dogs, and before they had got half
way down it between four and five hundred partridges were flushed
and went off in crowds. The dogs found a scent under every turnip
and in a few minutes " lost their noses " altogether. They rushed
here and there, and partridges rising every instant they got totally
bewildered. In their excitement they jumped in the air trying to
catch the birds and finally rushei after some which they followed into
the next field and cleared it also, giving tongue like hounds. Not a
shot did Ross get during the first half hour, while he heard his opponent
hard at work. Trying and provoking as it was, this performance of
the dog.^ was so absurd that he and Captain Greville burst out laugh-
ing. At last the dogs were caught and put in couples. A man was
put on each side of Ross, and by walking them up he at sunset had
bagged forty brace of birds.

On his way to the Hall, Mr. Denny, a true type of a fine old English
farmer, joined him, and, although a tenant of Mr. Coke's, he wished
that Ross should have fair play, for he said he was the best shot they

368

had ever seen but that he knew no more how to work Norfolk part-
ridge than a child, and unless he altered his system he must be
beaten. It was then arranged that next day Ross was to come to the
good old fellow to be shown over the ground and get instructions.

Mr. Coke on the firot day killed fifty-four brace, so Ross was four-
teen brace behind him.

Mr. Denny's instructions next day were to this effect :— Early in
the morning to drive the partridge from the stubbles to the turnips.
Then, with two old setters he would lend him which between them
had only two eyes, and would potter about within fifteen or twenty
yards finding the dead and wounded birds, and with a man on either
side, he was to beat the turnips in small circles. If he went straight
through the field the birds would run along the drills to the end and
then rise in one great pack, but by making small circles they would
be cut off and shots could be got.

Captain Ross followed the old gentleman's instructions to the letter.
In the first field, by 9 a.m., he got fifty shots and bagged fifty part-
ridges. He missed once but killed two in a shot afterwards. The
result of the day's shooting was that Ross bagged fifty-nine brace and
Mr. Coke thirty-six, so that on the two days' shooting Ross won by
nine brace.

Thus is shown what different training is required for dogs where
birds are in great numbers to that necessary for wilder shooting. It
reminds me of what occurred over thirty years ago with myself.
Among other good dogs I had a wonderful bitch called Sappho. I
have had as good, but none better. For her I refused several offers
of from £20 to £30, but I would not have taken £50 for her. A
friend of mine from Lincolnshire was shooting with me one day and
greatly admired her working, but told me that, except for a retriever,
he never saw a dog which would be worth £10 for the sort of shooting
they had in the eastern counties of England.

Mr. Coke, with whom Captain Ross had the match just alluded to,
was not a first-class shot, but he thoroughly knew how to get at game
in his own county, with the result that he generally bagged more
than men who could shoot better but had not the same field-craft. His
dogs were perfectly adapted for Norfolk or other crack partridge
shooting ; but were bred between setters and water spaniels. When
on the scent they never pointed, but walked on with their tails straight
out and put their birds up ; but as they were broken to keep within
fifteen or twenty yards of their master, they did no harm in this free
and easy manner of flushing birds for they dropped to shot and
retrieved beautifully. This Mr. Coke Avas the first man who went in
earnest to stalk deer in the Highlands.

Seldom do we find one as a horseman equally good between flags and
with hounds. Still more rare is the man who is first-rate with the gun
at game and the rifle at a target. But in Captain Horatio Ross was a
man still more phenomenal, for he was equally good with shot-gun, rifle,

369

and pistol. Inasmuch, however, as I have not dealt in this book with
target-shooting, my readers must seek elsewhere for his records at
Wimbledon and other places, when they will find they are, on the
whole, unsurpassed by anyone, and that up to when he was nearly
three-score years and ten.

Of him it was written, some thirty years ago, by one qualified to
judge, "that since the invention of gunpowder no other man has yet
been born who was such a complete master of the fowling-piece, rifle
and pistol ; and for many years he offered to back himself for £5,000
against any man in the whole world for a three-cornered match with
these weapons."

Captain Ross attributed his preserving until late in life more
activity than many young men and most men of middle age, to the
fact of his having habitually kept himself in a state of moderate
training. This he did by living well and drinking moderately ; taking
a cold bath every morning, and walking daily, no matter what might
be the state of the weather, from eight to twelve mile?. At the a-.c of
sixty-five he was able, without fatigue, to go right ahead for fifty miles
at three and a half miles an hour.

Unlike his friend Osbaldeston, Captain Ross was all through his
life a pradent man, showing great judgment and sound business
capacity in managing both his own affairs and those which devolve
upon a country gentleman. For some years he turned his attention to
politics and represented in Parliament the town of Montrose, which
was close to his ancestral home, and what was his popularity may be
inferred from the fact that out of four hundred votes he polled three
hundred and sixty. He was familiarly called "The Laird."

In 1833 he married Miss Macrae, a Highland lady, and had five
sons, all of whom have followed their father's good example and are
sportsmen of high order. After his marriage Captain Ross gave up his
Melton establishment, and lived almost entirely in the wildest and
most out-of-the-way part of the Highlands as suiting his taste and
that of Mrs. Ross, who one of the sons described as being " one of the
very best of mothers that a lot of sons ever had to look up to and
love."

He died at Rossie Castle, December 6, 1886, in his eighty-sixth year,
having retained his good health to the last.

For Captain Ross's match on Clinker against Captain Douglas on
Radical, see Steeplechase chapter.

As a contemporary of Osbaldeston and Ross,
Lord Kennedy
was an all-round sportsman of the first water, but he never attained
the superlative brilliancy of the other two.

Of his lordship I shall narrate a performance which, if equalled,
was never surpassed. He backed himself for a considerable sum to
ride from his shooting quarters, then at Feloar, in Perthshire, to

B B

370

Dunottur, liis own place near Stonehaven, a distance of eighty miles,
there to shoot forty brace of grouse and return to Feloar in a day.
He started soon after midnight, and with relays of horses arrived at
Dunottur. By 9 a.m. he had his birds bagged. He then changed
clothes on the hillside, and riding the same horses he reached Feloar
about 8 p.m. Thus in less than twenty hours he rode 160 miles and
shot forty brace of grouse. It rained during part of the time, and
some fifteen miles of the ride was over ground without a road.

In October, 1823, there was a great match shot off. It originated
by Sir Wm. Maxwell backing himself to find a man who would shoot
100 brace of partridge in one day over his estate in Wigtownshire.
He asked Lord Kennedy to do it for him, but, after pronouncing it
impossible, his lordship backed himself to shoot partridges two days
in Scotland against Mr. W. Coke two days in Norfolk, chance of
weather to be run by both parties.

Lord Kennedy was disappointed the first day in the ground he
intended to shoot over and had to take ground of Sir Wm. Maxwell's
at Moureith, which had already been shot. Nor could he begin till
11 a.m. He shot that day between forty and fifty brace. Coke,
shooting the same day at Holkham, got ninety-three brace.

On the second day the " one hundred brace match " was to be
decided, but it did not come oflf for some days after the first. Sir
William wanted Lord Kennedy to look over the ground the day before
but he would not do so. Xor on the day would he use the steady old
dogs provided by Sir William, but insisted upon using his own which
were never before shot over except on moors. Moreover, he would not
go to coveys marked into whins nor take any advice from the keepers,
eeeming to think that it would not be fair, although Mr. Val. Maher,
Mr. Coke's umpire, agreed that he ought to do so.

By 11.30, when they halted for refreshment, Lord Kennedy had sixty
brace in the bag and the best of the ground still before him ; but
instead of taking the advice profi*ered, he persevered over a line of
bare grass fields, with the result that he lost the match he had with
Mr. Coke and also that for Sir William Maxwell. As it was he got
ninety-three and a half brace, while Mr. Coke, at Holkham again, got
niaety-six. A great many dead and wounded birds were picked up a
day or two after on the ground over which Lord Kennedy shot, and it
was estimated he actually shot, though he did not bag, one hundred and
twenty brace that day. No one had the least doubt, nor had his lord-
ship himself, that he would have bagged far over the hundred brace
had he not been so self-willed.

In September, 1822, Lord Garlies backed himself to shoot fifty brace
of partridge in a day over his father's ground in Wigtownshire— ^Aer^!
to he 710 ijreparation whatever. He went out with two guns and his
pointers on a wet and stormy morning, and by ten o'clock had only
fifteen brace in the bag. The wind soon after fell and the sun came
out, and as the birds lay well he had before three o'clock between forty

371

and fifty brace. He then offered to double his bet that he would shoot
eighty brace, but the ease with which it might be done was so apparent
that no one would take him up. He stopped at three o'clock, having
killed fifty-six brace. If he had shot the eighty brace it would have been
a greater performance than either Lord Kennedy's or Mr. Coke's the
year after, for he shot over his dogs as in an ordinary day's shooting,
without preparation or assistance, and was baulked a great deal by his
two guns having stocks of different lengths.

It was considered that had Lord Garlies undertaken the "one
hundred brace match" for Sir William Maxwell he would have won it*
Not that he was a better shot than Lord Kennedy, but he would
have taken advice and kept his temper better.

Lord Kennedy was, when things were going all right, a most
charming companion, and his home, Dunottur, was the pleasantest
place to visit. Unfortunately, however, this great sportsman was
cursed with the infatuation for gambling, and being of an uncontrollable
disposition and violent temper he would take advice from no man.
The consequence was Dunottur, which was the property of his wife,
had to be sold, and this unfortunate nobleman, heir to a marquisate
and £40,000 a year, fell like many others, and died young.

Me. Edward Hai^waed Budd
of Elcombe House, near Swindon, born February 23, 1785, was a
contemporary and associate of all the men I refer to in this chapter.
He was powerfully muscular, and one of the best cricketers that ever
handled a bat, and when four-score years old played in good style*
Lilly white said that he was the hardest hitter and best-made man
he ever saw. No man of his day could run or jump with him, and as
a boxer no pugilist was more artistic. He was also an excellent shot.
In fact, no man in the world had a chance with Budd in an all-round
match of the sports I have associated him with. My readers must,
however, consult " Sportascrapiana " for particulars. Like most men
of his time he hated tobacco smoking.

Mr. Wheeler leaves out from his book the names of such men as
Thomas Assheton Smith, John Musters and others who were
celebrated contemporaries of the men I have mentioned, possibly for
the reason that they were not the all-round sportsmen the others
were. Hunting was in their line predominant over all other sport.
Inasmuch as special histories have been written of these men, not to
speak of countless allusions made in the press, I need not make
mention of them.

Never in either former or present generations have we had in a
gentleman such a pedestrian as

Captain Baeclay-Allardice.

BelVsLife was not started until about the year 1822, so from its own
columns it was not able to take particulars of this officer's feats ; how-

372

ever, in 1874 that paper published a history of them. It was compiled
from authentic sources, including the testimony of his grandson, Mr.
R. Barclay-AUardice of Jordanstoue House, and contemporaries such
as Mr. E. H. Budd of Swindon, Captain Ross of Rossie Castle, also
Mr. A. W. Kinnear of Stonehaven, who, for many years, was his agent
and factor. It may, therefore, be taken that the record is perfectly
truthful, so from it I extract some particulars, which are as follows : —

The Barcliy-Allardice family can boast of a genealogy as old as
any in Scotland. It can be traced back to a.d. 1110. Originally the
name w^as spelt Berkeley, and they were described as " of Mathers,"
but some three hundred years ago it was changed to Barclay, and the
head of the family came to Ury, since when, until near the end of the
last century, they were called the " Barclays of Ury." The paper from
which I am taking these particulars gives an exhaustive history of the
family, by which is seen it always held the highest position in society,
and among its members were some of the most celebrated men of the
day and friends of the reigning sovereign. I skip all this and come to
the father of the subject of this present memoir. He was Robert
Barclay, and is described as a most handsome man of six feet high
and very athletic. He was a great pedestrian and often walked
from Ury to London, on one occasion doing the 510 miles in ten days.
William Pitt was his great friend, and he represented the county of
Kincardine in three Parliaments. He was a great agriculturist, and by
his good management reclaimed his large property froui a treeless
wilderness into one of the most beautiful in North Britain. He
married Miss Sarah Anne Allardice of Allardice Castle, about nine
miles from Ury, and with her the Allardice estates, which w^ere in the
possession of that family since 1167, came to the Barclay? , and Allardice
was added to the surname.

Believing as I do that good breeding is a necessity in man, even
more so than in an animal, to enable him, u'heji the inncli comes, to go
straight, I make this short reference to the pedigree of the man some
of whose deeds I am about to record. " Soft ones " we have in man
and animal, no matter how well-bred they may be, but when in a
difficult 2Kjsitioji, either as regards honour, pluck, or determination,
give me the man who has had, at least, a grandfather !

The other gentlemen to whom I have made mention in this chapter
were likewise descendants of ancient families of the highest standing,
but not having any record of their pedigrees or means of obtaining
them I am unable to give reference thereto.

Captain Robert Barclay-Allardice w^as the eldest son of Robert
Barclay and Miss Allardice just mentioned, and was born at Ury on
August 25, 1779. He was thus twenty-two, six, and eight years
older respectively than Captain Ross, Mr. E. H. Budd, and Mr. George
Osbaldeston, all of whom in after life were intimate friends of his and
witnessed most of his extraordinary feats.

Omitting reference to his boyhood, I come to August, 179G, when

373

his first public pedestrian feat took place. For 100 guineas level
he backed himself to walk six miles in the hour, fair heel aad toe.
This he won without difficulty and in the shortest time then on record.
The exact time is not given, but it was considered a wonderful per-
formance for a lad of seventeen.

In the April following his father died and he succeeded to the family
estates, which remained under guardians till he came of age. His
second match was against Ferguson, the celebrated City Walking Clerk.
It was a seventy miles ran, from Fenchurcli Street, London, to ten
miles beyond Windsor and back. The Captain performed the distance
in fourteen hours on a very hot day in August, 1798, the clerk being
" nowhere." The amount of the stakes is not given.

Captain Allardice then went to Cambridge, but stayed only a year
and did not graduate. Beyond taking " constitutionals " of sixty and
seventy miles to and from London, Oxford, Birmingham, etc., he does
not appear to have made any matches while at College.

In the fall of 1800 he made the first of four celebrated bet? with
Mr. Fletcher of Ballingshoe, a gentleman well known on the Turf.
The first was for a level 2,500 guineas that Mr, F. did not do sixty
miles in fourteen hours, go as he pleased. This he just managed to do
at Doncaster ; but so knocked up was he that he expressed himself
certain that no one could achieve another thirty miles at comparatively
the same rate. The Captain at once backed himself for 500 guineas
to go ninety miles in 21^ hours. The affair was fixed for December,
1800. He ran a good trial of sixty-four miles in twelve hours, but
caught a chill and had to give up the match and pay the stake. In
the following spring the Captain's unceasing perseverance nerved him
to have another shy at Mr. Fletcher, so " 90 in 21^ " was again booked ;
but this time for no less than 2,000 guineas a-side. The match came
off over a measured mile on the high road between Brechin and Forfar.
He ran his first sixty-seven miles in thirteen hours ; but then, owing
to having taken some bad brandy, he suddenly became ill, and
thinking his chance hopeless, gave up the match. Two hours after-
wards he was all right and could have easily run the other twenty-
three miles in the remaining five and a half hours had he not previously
given up and the umpires accordingly left. Here, therefore, was our
hero, within six months, at the wrong side of his book to the tune of
5,000 guineas — exclusive of expenses.

At this early age young Allardice seems to have got hold of the
dogged perseverance which characterised him all through life, for next
year we find him tackling Fletcher again over the " 90 in 2U." This
time the stakes were for 5,000 guineas, and so confident was he that
he allowed November to be chosen for the match to come off in, just
about the worst month of the year, he to choose the ground. Allardice
went into strict training in September under a knowing old tenant of
Lord Fauconberg's in Yorkshire. In a " dark" trial, which came off in his
lordship's demesne of Newburgh Priory at the end of October, the Cap-

374

tain ran 110 miles in 19b, 27min.— /.e., at tlie rate of 5 miles 5fur. 53yds
an hour. This was considered good enough for anything ; so every
available bet was snapped up, and the agreed-on eight days' notice to
start was given to Mr. Fletcher. The Captain selected a mile on the
Hull road, about sixteen miles from York, and a post was set up at
each end for him to turn round, while lamps were placed along the
line to give light during the dark hours. Wisely, ground was chosen on
which were a few gentle slopes which would relieve the muscles.

Precisely at midnight, November 9-10, 1801, he started on his journey,
weather unfavourable. His first sixteen miles were done at the rate of
about twelve and a half minutes to the mile. A rest of ten minutes
was then made for refreshment and change of clothing. After another
fifteen mi'es a similar halt for like purposes was made, and he
appeared dull from the damp night air. After sunrise, however, the
weather became fine and continued so for the rest of the match.
Fifty miles were covered in eleven hours, and the betting waa 5 to 1 on
him. The seventh and last halt was made at the end of the eighty-
fourth mile — 15 to 1 against time — and he gallantly completed the
ninety miles at 8.22.4 p.m. on November 10, in 20hr. 22min. 4sec., being
Ih. Tmin. 56sec. under his time. Thus, by sheer determination, pluck
and endurance, did Captain Allardice win back his previous losings
to Mr. Fletcher. In fact, he finished so strong and well that he could
have gone twenty or thirty miles further. Thousands of people, at
time?, accompanied him upon foot and horseback, and all traffic on the
road willingly made way for him. His dress was flannel shirts, trousers
and night-cap, lambs'-wool stockings and thick-soled leather shoes.
Diet — broiled fowls and mutton steaks, with old ale to drink.

In 1803 he joined the 23rd Welsh Fusiliers.

After the above mentioned big match he found no foeman till June,
1803, when he ran a mile and a half against Deaf Burke, the
pugilist, whom he beat easily. Time or stakes not recorded. After
running from London to Newmarket — about sixty-four miles — in ten
hours in the following month he did nothing till December.
He then in a quarter-mile match with Mr. J. Ward, one of the most
noted amateur sprinters of the day, showed the world that he was
possessed of speed as well as staying powers, It came off in
Hyde Park, and was won by the Captain m fifty-six seconds, beating
Ward by ten yards, after a terrific set-to up to within forty yards of the
finish, when Ward completely collapsed. In March, 1804, he matched
himself for 200 guineas to run twenty-three miles in three hours, but he
became ill and had to forfeit what v/ould have been a certainty bar
accidents. On August 16, 1804, when quartered with his regiment at
Kastbourne, he ran two miles in llmin. 57isec. — the fir.-t mile occupying
5min., and he backing himself to do the distance in 12min. The going
was very bad owing to heavy rains and a strong wind was against
him, which accounts for the bad pace of this match.

Up to then no one had tried Allardice at a mile, but at the same

375

place as the last match and in the following month, he ran Captain
Marston of the 48th Regimrnt that distance for 100 guineas a-side
and beat him easily in 5min. 7sec., Marston being then the best
amateur "miler" in England.

John Ireland of Manchester, probably the best jumper that ever
lived and no mean professional miler, was now sent to lower the
Captain's colours. The stake was 500 guineas a-side, the date October 12,
1804, and the ve7iue again at Eastbourne ; but Allardice ran him to a
standstill at three-quarters of a mile and did the full distance in four
minutes fifty seconds, then the fastest one mile time on record, and
remained so for twenty-one years, when Metcalf accomplished four
minutes thirty seconds.

The 23rd Fusiliers now going abroad with Lord Cathcart's army
for the protection of Hanover, Captain Allardice had no leisure for
pedestrianism until he returned, when on August 4, 1806, he ran Mr.
Goulbourne of the Royal Horse Guards a quarter mile at Lord's
Cricket Ground, but he cleared him out at the end of 300 yards, tha
Captain finishing alone in sixty-two seconds. In the last month of
that year he ran 100 miles from Ury to Craithynaird and back over
bad roads and at the break of a heavy storm in 19 hours.

His second great public match (the first being the "90 in 21 V')
came off at Newmarket on October 12, 1807. It was with Abraham
Wood, the celebrated Lancashire professional, who was backed
against the Captain for 500 guineas a-side as to which of the two
could run the farthest in twenty-four hours, the Captain to receive
twenty miles at the finish. Never did Wood's backers assign him a
more hopeless task. No man then, or probably ever living, could have
given Allardice such a start in a twenty-four hours' run. The Captain
trained at East Dean under the pugilists Gully and Ward. An
enormous crowd assembled to see this match, which was over a
measured mile roped and staked between Newmarket and the Ditch.
It resulted in the Captain's winning, but Wood gave up at the end
of forty miles, having been drugged with laudanum at the end of twenty
miles by some of his own " backers " (?) who had been betting against
him all along. Had Wood stood up he, bar accidents, could not have
beaten the Captain, who, by his ninety miles match, showed that he
could go a little over six miles an hour for twenty-four hours, which
would total some 150 miles, and would necessitate Wood going 170 or
perhaps 175 miles, a feat quite beyond his power.

A great deal of unpleasantness arose over the settlement of bets on
this match, and while no aspersion was made on him or any of his
backers, and they were paid their bets, the Captain regretted ever
after that he made this match, the parties being altogether outside his
own social standing.

In December, 1808, he won a nineteen miles match against Baxter,
the Duke of Gordon's celebrated runner, from Gordon Castle to
Huntly Lodge. He ran the first nine miles in oOmin., and the whole

376

distance in 2hr. 8min., over a hilly road, his opponent being five miles
to the bad at the goal.

N.B. — Of course, in some of the distances, better time has been
made of late years than that made by Captain Allardice, but if so it
was over cinder paths as smooth and level as tables, while his was
made over fields or on the common high roads of ninety years ago,
when even macadamising was unknown.

I no\v come to describe the greatest feat of this the greatest pedes-
trian that ever lived. Of course it is the " one thousand miles in one
thousand hours."

In October, 1808, Mr. Wedderburn Webster,* a gentleman well
known on the turf, laid Captain Barclay-Allardice a level 1,000 guineas
that (to quote precisely the wording) " he would not vjalh one thousand
miles in one thousand consecutive hours, neither more nor less than one
exact mile to be walked in each hour."

Inured as he then was to hard exercise and long journeys, Allardice
thought it unnecessary to go into any special training for this extra-
ordinary undertaking, so he merely continued his usual out-of-door life ;
but went to Brighton to obtain sea-bathing in the early part of the
following summer.

The match was set to commence at midnight. May 31- June 1, 1809,
over a measured mile on Newmarket Heath, and that a journal
of the exact time he started for and completed each mile should be
kept and certified by the umpires — two of whom should be in constant
attendance to see that he faithfully performed the task without assis-
tance in any way.

The course chosen was on the high road passing Mr. Buckle's house,
where he lodged, but this is not likely to have been Frank Buckle the
jockey, for he lived at Peterborough.

BelVs Life gives a " log " of each day's work, with particulars of the
weather and the state of the walker ; but I need refer only to the most
important incidents.

He started at 0.2 a.m. on June 1, 1809, with 2 to 1 on him. He did
not sleep well the first night owing to the novelty of his position and
an uncomfortable bed ; nor did he for the first couple of days lie down
in the daytime, but walked about the streets of Newmarket. All went
well until the tenth day, when he became much fatigued from rain and
high wind ; but continued to sleep and eat well, and was in the best
spirits.

On the twelfth day he complained of pains in the nape of the neck
and shoulders, caused by insufficient clothing at night and sitting in a
draught. On the thirteenth the back tendons of his legs became
painful and he found difficulty in starting. Up to the sixteenth he
had been very uncomfortable at Buckle's house, and annoyed with the

* It has been erroneously stated that the match was made with Mr.
Fletcher Reed.

377

smell of cooking and want of room for his attendants, so at noon on
that day he moved to other lodgings near the "Horse and Jockey,"
and there received every attention till the end of the match. His
walking course was necessarily shifted, and a fresh half-mile was
measured across the Norwich road, up the heath, out and home. This
would be on Mill Hill and near to where the Square now is.

Pain in his legs now increased and ascended up his thighs, which
interfered with his sleep.

Twentieth day. Still troubled with the pains in his legs, which had

to be frequently bathed with vinegar, but his appetite remained good.

Twenty-first day. Pain became much worse, his action stiff and for

a time he went amiss in the right foot. He now began to lie down

during every interval.

Twenty-second day. Pains, which had hitherto abated at daylight,
now became more intense and prolonged, and the ground, although
kept well watered, got hard from the spectators walking on it. Dr.
Sandiver was called in and ordered warm baths and liniment.

On the twenty-fourth toothache, in addition to his other pains,
assailed the gallant fellow, and prevented sleep. The baths softened
his feet so they had to be discontinued, and flannels soaked in boiling
water were substituted but no permanent relief was afforded.

The twenty- sixth day saw him so stiff and ill that he had to be
dressed and taken out before he was wide awake. The flannel ap-
pliances, with oil and camphor liniments, at last began to do good ;
nevertheless, he was gradually becoming weaker.

The twenty-seventh was the worst day so far, and the slowest mile
of the whole match was then walked. Heavy rain having come on
which necessitated his wearing overcoats, he was greatly hampered.

The thirtieth day he was very ill indeed, and could scarcely stand
owing to the pain in his legs, his pace necessarily getting slower and
slower.

From the thirty-first to the thirty-fourth day the sufferings of this
wonderful man were intense and almost continual, so much so that he
could get little or no repose, for during nearly all the time for rest his
legs had to be rubbed by his attendants. Before starting he had to be
moved about to get suppled and the pain occasioned him to cry out
on several occasions, but so indomitable was known to be his pluck
that 10 to 1 was offered on him, but few would take the odds. Luckily
the pain subsided a little on the thirty-fourth, so that he got some
good sleep and could again awake readily.

On the thirty-sixth day the poor fellow was in a pitiable state. I
required the utmost powers of his servants to keep him up to time
and his pace was so slow little time was left for rest. It appeared
impossible that he could continue, but neither his pluck nor his appetite
had deserted him in the least, and on he went.

On the thirty-eighth day there came a heavy thunderstorm which
added much to his torments, and for the first and only time he felt
di.sinclined to eat.

378

The thirty-ninth day was Sunday, July 9, and multitudes came to
see the Captain struggling gallantly on in pains and aches, while 100 to 1
was offered on him without a single acceptor. It was proposed to have
the course roped to keep the crowds back, but this he would not
allow for fear of making too much parade.

Forty-first day. Less time than ever for rest as his legs required
incessant rubbing, and it appeared nearly all up with him. He was in
capital spirits, however, as the end was fast approaching. The crowd
was now so great that it became imperative this morning to have the
ground roped and staked.

Forty-second and last day, Wednesday, July 12, 1809. A hundred to
one was still on ofier against time without a single taker among the
ten thousand spectators who had assembled. He started for his last
mile at 3.15 p.m. after a rest of t-sventy-three minutes, and completed
his Herculean task at 3.37 p.m. amidst vociferous cheers.

BdVs Life gives a table of each day's work, commencing and ending
at midnight, but I shall merely give the average of each week's work,
which I have carefully compiled from it, leaving out fractions of
seconds : —

Average.

Total time for
24 miles.

Time per mile.

First week

Second , ,

Third „

Fourth „

Fifth „

Sixth ,,

Hr.
5
6
6

7
7
7

Min. Sec.
57 47
23 55
40 38
26 56
54 4
53 51

Min. Sec.

14 54

15 58

16 42

18 37

19 45

20 46

Sixteen miles only on the forty- second day.

His quickest mile was the 35th, walked in llmin. between 10 and
11 a.m. on the second day, June 2, whilst his slowest was the 629th, in
36min. 30sec , between 4 and 5 a.m. on the twenty-seventh day, June 27.
The average time per mile throughout was 17min. 45|sec., and the
average rate of walking throughout was 3 miles 3fur. 5|yds. per hour.
The actual time occupied in walking the 1,000 miles was 12 days 8hr.
Imin. 30sec., which gives an average rate of 81 miles 134yds. 2ft. per
diem."

On finishing, Captain Allardice was immersed in a hot bath for a
few minutes, well rubbed down with flannels and put to bed at 4 p.m.
He slept soundly till midnight, then he took some water-gruel and slept
till 9 a.m. next morning, when he got up as well as ever and attended
the July meeting on the racecourse for four hours.

* I copy these
The Author.

averages from BdVs Life without checking them.

379

His dress whilst walking was nearly all of flannel, with breeches and
lambs'-wool socks or stockings according to the weather, light or heavy
shoes according to state of the ground, and a soft felt hat. He break-
fasted always at 5 a.m. on animal food (generally roast fowl), a pint of
strong ale and two cups of tea or coffee with bread and butter.
Luncheon at noon on the best of beef or mutton, plainly roast or
broiled, with a pint of strong old ale. Dinner at 6 p.m. of same
materials, with the addition of a couple of glasses of port wine.
Supper at 11 p.m., same as luncheon. No boiled meat was allowed,
being more difficult of digestion, but his consumption of animal food
during the twenty-four hours was from olbs. to 6lbs., besides as much
as he could eat of all vegetables in season. The private families in
Newmarket supplied him with their best home brewed ale (there was
no Bass or Guinness in those days), and when thirsty between-whiles
he drank Madeira and water.

When Captain Allardice started on this match he was 29| years of
age, stood 5ft. lOin. or lOiin., and weighed as nearly as possible 13st. 4lb.
After his seventeen hours' sleep at the end, he went to scale and
was found to have lost just 2st. 4lbs. — probably he put up 3lbs. or
4llbs. during the sleep, for weight thus lost returns with marvellous
rapidity. No doubt he wisely trained "big" for this occasion, in
order to allow for wasting by perspiration and want of sleep, for
13st. 4lbs. would not be the ordioary training weight of a man 5ft. lOin.

He was allowed to choose his own time of year for the match, so
he took that when daylight was longest. According to BelVs " log '
the weather was variable all the time, but with the exception of a
few visitations of heavy rain and wind, with a thunderstorm on the
thirty-eighth day, it kept fairly good. Sunset and sunrise were his
worst times, owing to weariness of the brain from want of sleep, which
even in the commencement he could never get more than an hour and
a half off the reel. His greatest trouble was with his legs, and he
suffered fearfully after the twelfth day from cramps. These were,
I should think, caused by his wearing tight breeches and long stock-
ings, and if the light, loose clothing now worn by pedestrians had
been then in fashion, the Captain would have had more ease. During
the periods for rest he went to bed when inclined but never
without entirely undressing, otherwise he lay on a sofa and conversed
or read. The advantage and comfort he derived from a thorough
change of clothes when he turned-in must have served him well.
Luckily his appetite and digestion never failed him, as is shown by
the enormous quantity of food he consumed daily, nor did his good
spirits or confidence in his ability to win flag in the least. Through-
out the whole time he got the most careful attendance and nursing,
which of course aided materially, but the greatest of all the causes of
Captain Barclay-Allardice's success was his indomitable British pluck
and dogged determination to " do or die."

I see no allusion to his having taken cold baths, but of a truth the

380

men of those days seemed to have a sort of hydrophobian horror of
cold water. My opinion is that had this match been brought off near
the sea where salt water baths or bathing could have been indulged
in daily the gallant Captain would not have suffered so much. Even
cold fresh water and less of the hot would have been better.

He won a very large amount over this match, for he backed himself
whenever he could, but necessarily the expenses were very great. He
had three relays of attendants of at least three each, three cooks, three
sets of umpires, so as to keep watch, one on and two off. To board and
lodge all these people and himself, let alone medical attendance and
innumerable other items during his six weeks' work, cost a round sum.

Towards the close of the match so great was the attendance of
strangers that every bed in Newmarket, Cambridge and the neigh-
bouring villages was engaged. A large proportion of the aristocracy
of the kingdom was present on the last day, and as select an
assemblage has probably never attended a foot race before or since.

On July 14 he posted to London in perfect health, and attended to
his usual pursuits till the 17th, when he left for Eamsgate and joined
the ill-fated Walcheren expedition.

After the feat of the "Thou in a thou," Captain Allardice competed
in only two public matches. They were got up impromptu, without
previous training on his part, and he was beaten in them both. One
was on July 9, 1812, when he backed himself to run nine miles in
the hour. He ran seven miles in 49min. and only eight miles and a half
in the full hour. The second match came off on June 15, 18l3, when
he was backed for 100 guineas against an officer in the 7th Dragoon
Guards to run two miles. It came off in Hyde Park but Allardice was
beaten, much distressed, by 100 yards.

What a sad falling off from his old form, and it seems a pity he ever
"toed the line" after the big match.

In addition to being so able a pedestrian he was a first-rate shot, an
ardent follower of the chase, a capital whip, and could hold his own
with the gloves against the best pugilists of the day. So highly was he
thought of as a boxer that he was entrusted with the entire training
of Tom Cribb, the champion, for his great battle with Molyneaux.
Cribbwas at Ury for the seven weeks previous, weighing on arrival
IGit., and as he entered the ring fit to fight for a kingdom on September
11, 1811, it is evident his mentor was no novice in the art of pugilistic
training.

Let It be clearly understood by my readers that pugilists of those
days were, as a class, men very superior to those we now have.

For a heavy wager Captain Allardice is said to have once driven the
Scotch mail coach from London to Edinburgh without getting off the
box.

Although not going in for matches, he ever after kept up his
walking and lived a useful country gentleman upon his property in
Kincardineshire. As in Ptudd, Eoss, and Osbaldeston, so we

381

have in Allardice an instance that hard training and exercise do
not shorten human life provided after-excesses are not indulged in,
for he lived until he was nearly seventy-five years of age, and died at
Ury on May 1, 1854, of paralysis, of which he had two previous attacks.
Naturally sceptics were not wanting who disbelieved in Captain
Allardice having done the 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours fairly, and most
unjustifiable allegations were made soon after, and often since, against
him, the principal one being that his brother took his place at night.
These scandalous charges have been set aside by several good authori-
ties, notably by Captain Horatio Ross, who, in reply to the editor of
BelVs Life on the subject, wrote as follows : —

" I lose no time in replying to your letter, as I am anxious at once to
vindicate the memory of my old friend, Barclay-Allardice, from an
attack, the Eews of which, for the first time, has reached me. I knew
him as intimately as I could know anyone, and I have no hesitation n
saying that he was one of the most honourable and rigidly correct
men I ever met. Eather than connive or take part in such a swindle
as ■■ has charged him with he would at once have sub-
mitted to be shot. As to anyone walking for him at night it was
simply an impossibility. Immense sums were depending upon the
result, and he was watched every hour most rigidly. His brother was
much younger than he was and just about half his size"

In conclusion I shall quote from BeWs Life what it says, with
editorial authority, on the subject : —

" So reliable an authority as Captain Ross thoroughly dispels the
probability or possibility of any substitute taking his place at night.
Then again, Captain Barclay-Allardice in this instance, as in all his
other matches, stood every penny of his own money, besides taking
all the odds he could get. He was not at the beck and call of any
blackleg or bookmaker, like, alas, many of our modern professional
pedestrians. The number of ' quacks ' amongst the latter class who
have attempted the 1,000 miles feat, and are said to have been success-
ful since 1809, is legion, and we here emphatically reassert what has
repeatedly appeared in the ' Answers to Correspondents ' column of
BelVs Life in London, viz. : — 'That no one but Captain Barclay-Allar-
dice ever has walked 1,000 miles in 1,000 consecutive hours, one mile
in each hour. Such barefaced impossibilities as 1,000 miles in 1,000
half hours, or in 1,000 quarter hours, are too absurd to require comment
at our own hands. It is almost any odds against the feat being
achieved again. No amateur of the present generation is sufficiently
fond of match-making or could spare the time to attempt it, and the
expenses are too great to admit of any professional being able to
afford them.' "

* The name of this traducer is left blank by BelVs LifCy which is a
pity.— The Author.

382

I don't agree with those who think the present generation of sports
men is inferior to those of former days. We have as good men now as
we ever had ; but men change in habits and tastes, and few are now to
be found who would care for the exploits in which their ancestors
gloried, so they don't go in for them. Consequently the fatigue
which two generations ago our fathers -and grandfathers unflinchingly
sustained and the endurance they showed could not be borne by the
constitution or muscles of their descendants. The Britain over which
the men of old hunted and shot is passing rapidly away, and with it
are disappearing the memories of deeds which will never be repeated.
Nor shall we often (perhaps never) see again men who each possessed
the combination of tough muscles and activity with skill in handling
hounds, a horse, the gun, the gloves, the fishing rod, the billiard cue, or
cricket bat, for which so many men of olden times were conspicuous.

Young men of the present day look upon some of the deeds which I
have narrated as foolish, if not mad. Perhaps it is well they do so.
For my part, I agree with many that there was a groundwork of
energy and determination in the wild deeds of sportsmen of bygone
days which was useful ; for, however imprudent it may have been at
times on the part of the performers, financially and constitutionally,
such examples of pluck, endurance and disregard of bodily suffering
shown by the upper classes of society must have a salutary effect upon
the people at large ; and in these times of tennis, cycling and money-
making it would do the present generation no harm if we could bring
back to life some of the old race of men, with all their so-called
madness and reckless disregard of life and money.

We have, and shall have, many first-rate foxhunters but scarcely
another Osbaldeston. Many first-rate shots, but not another Captain
Ross. Many tip-top cricketers, shots, ranners, jumpers and sparrers,
but not likely one to excel in all as did Edward Budd. Pedestrians
we have, and shall have, but certainly never another Barclay- Allardice.

Perhaps I should have included some of the shooting recorded in
this chapter in the table of remarkable sport given in Chapter XV.,
but giving the record in a separate chapter renders it the more
emphatic.

383

CHAPTER XXiri.

JOHN SCOTT AND MAT DAWSON,
GEORGE FORDHAM and FRED ARCHER.

Histories of Raceliorses Often Given— Those of Trainers and Jockeys Seldom— Record
Unparalleled—" Glorious Keminiscences "—Original but Authentic,

John Scott.

His Birth and Early Days— His Apprenticeship— Filho-da-Puta-Mr. Houldsworth— The
Hon. B. Petre- Mansfield— His Marriage- Removes to Whitewall— Success for Mr.
Petre— His Achievements— Long List of Winners— Wonderful Records— Difficulties in
those Days— Scott's Patrons— Mr. John Bowes— Some of His Horses— Escape of
Stockwell— Lord Derby and The Derby— James Perrin— Scott's Jockeys— Bill Scott—
St^me of His Records— Desperate Races— His Characteristics— John Scott's Ability
with Unsound Horses— Extraordinc>ry Performance of Cyprian— Savage Horses —
"Nobbling"— His Bloodhound— Incidents— Scott's Own Horses— Horses at Whitewall
—Scott as a Trainer— His Hospitality, Mutton, and Port Wine— Isaac Walker— Sfc.
Leger Festivities— Rearer, Trainer, and Rider— Cock-fighting— Lord Londesborougli'a
Sale— Scott and the Touts— His " Surprises"- He Ran to Win— His Rectitude— He
Plunged— Ups and Downs— In Harness to the End— His Death— His Popularity— Old
Doirs of Whitewall and the Plates— An Interesting Relic— Generosity of Mr. Bowes.
Mat Da-wson.

His Birth and Early History— Lord John Scott— Hobble Noble— Mr. Merry— Russley —
What Mat Did for Merry — Heath House— Remarkable Record— Long List of Wonderful
Horses— All Trained by Him — His Patrons— Lord Falmouth — An Unparalleled Record
— Lord Falmouth's Sale— His Return to the Turf — More Successes— Duke of Portland
and St. Simon— Mr. Fenwick and Mimi— Mr. Vyner with Minting and Lambkin —
Lord Hastings and Melton— Another Score—" Races of the Century "—What Consti-
tutes Them- Three of Them— No Surprises— No Mj'stery- Did Not Plunge- Removes
to Exning— George Dawson— Mat Dawson Re'i^esby Degrees — Mr. Noel Fenwick —
Another Great Record — Melton House — Its Pictures and Trophies— An Escutcheon
Untarnished— Trains Now Only Privately— His Stud Farm— High Prices for Two
Colts — Mat's System with His Patrons, Employes, and Horses — "The Master" — "An
Honest Man "—Hearty and Healthy— Ladas.

George FoRi)HA>r.
His Birth and Boyhood— His First Big Win— A Long List of Winning Mounts— And Horses
He Rode— Number of Races Won by Him— Long Career— Some of His Patrons— Hig
Last Win— His Last Mount— An Instance Rarely Met With— His Riding— His
Integrity — " Fordham's Mounts " — " The Kid " — " Tlie Demon " — His Death.

Fred Archer.
His Birth and Childhood— First Rices- Cesarewitch of 1872— A Marvellous Record— Never
Approached— 1874-'86— At the Start— A Homily from Lord Marcus— His Iron Nerve
—Riding—" The Jockeys' Ring"— His Fasting— His General History— His Marriage-
America- Ireland— Curragh October Meeting, 1885— His Reception— The Cambridge-
shire of '85— His Last Win— His Last Ride -His Death— Effect of the News— The
Funeral — Remarks Upon His Riding by the Author— His Manner and Manners
—His Popularity— His Income— Steeplechasing— His Racing Wardrobe— A Gentleman
by Nature.

Histories of racehorses and their owners are constantly published,
while the daily doings of the former, be they cracks or crocks, are
reported in every paper in the country. A history in skeleton
form at times is given of some remarkable trainer, but one of a

3S^

jockey is seldom seen. In book form a lengthened and authentic
history never appears. This to some people doubtless seems strange,
but to me it is especially so, holding as I do that the credit for a horse
turning out well should be accorded to the trainer and jockey rather
than the owner, as already alluded to in another chapter.

As is seen by the heading, I am about to make mention of two
trainers and two jockeys. In selecting the late John vScott and the
present Mat Dawson with the late George Fordham and Fred Archer,
I cannot by any possibility find representatives of their callings more
able or more honourable, nor any who by mighty deeds have gained
such celebrity on the Turf. Their records stand not alone unparalleled,
but unapproached. Moreover, by selecting these men I am enabled
to allude to most of the great racehorses which have run in England
for the past seventy years, and I hope some of my readers will enjoy
as much as I do the "glorious reuiiniscences " which are called up by
the names of the celebrities I am about to enumerate, and which in
their day were the Bendigos, the Mintings, and the Ormondes of our
own. With limited space only at my disposal I cannot give a
lengthened history. of either the men or the horses; all I can now
attempt is to furnish for my readers memoranda of each, but they
will be found correct.

I have in my possession cuttings from newspapers and magazines
dealing with their histories, bat finding so many inaccuracies
when I consulted them for the purpose of my own sketch I gave them
up, therefore what I now produce is almost entirely original, the
particulars being put together by myself from authentic sources,
official Calendars, or on the authority of parties well conversant
with the subjects and who vouched to me their accuracy.

xls is usually the case with great men and public favourites, the
subjects of my following allusions are universally referred to without
prefixing to their names the conventional title of Mister. To do so
would obscure the individuality. Fancy alluding to the great York
shire trainer as " Mr. John Scctt '' ! Unless you began by explaining
who was meant, the hearers or the readers might take him for a
dignitary of the Church or some commercial potentate, whereas by
eliminating the title any dunce of the day w^ould recognise who it
was.

Thus far for preface ; so I now proceed with my subject, and shall
commence with the same

John Scott.

He was born at Chippenham, a village near Xewmarket, on
November 8, 1794, where his father was a well-known trainer for
many years but moved afterwards to Oxford.

As a merg child little John evinced extraordinary sagacity, and was
so precocious at the age of thirteen that he was entrusted by his father
with the charge of horses sent from home, having before that become a
good horseman.

385

Although born near Newmarket, he was always a thorough York-
shireman, for long before he could imbibe Southern notions of horses
or training he was transferred to the county of many acres, and ever
after bore the hall-mark for shrewdness and judgment of horse flesh
so remarkable in the sport-loving and manly Tyke.

Franks was a trainer of celebrity in those days and owned the great
Middleham establishment in the North Riding of Yorkshire. To him
young Scott went, and there learned the duties of trainer. Croft
succeeded Franks at Middleham a few years after, and he promoted
Scott — then a very young man — to the position of Head Lad. He had
the care of the renowned Filho-da-Puta, and prepared him for his
great match with Sir Joshua. A short time before the race the horse
was taken out of his hands and a different system of training adopted,
and as Filho was beaten in the match a row took place between Croft
and Scott, which resulted in their separating. Luckily for Scott this
rupture occurred, for it was the means of getting him a start in life
to which in all probability was owed his future fame.

Mr. Houldsvvorth, then occupying a conspicuous position on the
Turf, considered the young trainer was unfairly treated, so he took
him up and pat him in charge of his horses at Rockhill, in Sher-
wood Forest. Iq his new situation he was very successful and trained
a great many winners for Mr. Houldsworth, among them the famous
Magistrate. After ten years his patron retired in 1822, and the Hon.
E. Petre took Scott as his private trainer at Mansfield, on the confines
of the Forest. Here he continued to rise in his profession and gave the
greatest satisfaction to his new master, but remained there only two
years and married Miss Barker, the daughter of the innkeeper at
Mansfield.

Whitewall House, with its stabling, then came into the market, so
Scott purchased them, and moved his establishment thereto early in
1825, bringing with him the horses of Mr. Petre. He then launched
forth on a great scale as public trainer, and from that date his fame
really counts, for from then until his death in October, 1871, success
attended him to an extraordinary degree.

It would be tedious to my readers to go through the long list of
winners which John Scott trained, I shall therefore give only some of
the principal. Before he came to Whitewall he had, as I have said^
the charge of Filho-da-Puta and Magistrate. Subsequently the follow-
ing horses came to him, and with them he won the classic three-year-
old races in the order annexed : —

the Two Thousand in 1842 and 1843 for Mr. Bowes with Meteor

and Cotherstone, Nunnykirk 1849, West Australian, again for Mr.

Bowes, in 1853, Fazzoletto 1856, The Wizard 1860, and The Marquis 1862.

The One Thousand he won with Canezou in 1848, Imperieuse 1857,

Sagitta 1860, and Hurricane 1862.

The Derby he took with St. Giles in 1832, Miindig lb35, Attila 1842,
Cotherstone 1843, Daniel O'llourke 1852, and West Australian 1853^

cc

386

and in 1828 The Colonel ran a dead heat with Cadland, but was beaten
in the decider.

The Oaks he carried away with Cyprian in 1836, Industry 1838,
Ghuznee 1841, The Princess 1844, Iris 1851, Songstress 1852,
Marchioness 1855, and Queen Bertha 1863.

The St. Leger seemed to be his prerogative during five-and-thirty
years, for he won it off the reel for Mr. Petre with Matilda in 1827, The
Colonel 1828, and Rowton 1829. Then followed I\[argrave 1832,
Touchstone 1834, Don John 1838, Charles XII. 1839 (after a dead
heat with Euclid), Launcelot 1840, Satirist 1841, The Baron 1845,
Newminster 1851, West Australian 1853, Warlock 1856, Imperieuse
1857, Gamester 1859, and The Marquis 1862, after a desperate race
with Buckstone, trained by Mat Dawson, referred to further on.

In 1843 Cotherstone won the Guineas and Derby, as did Meteor and
Attila the year before ; West Australian in 1853 won for the first time
the treble event of the Two Thoui^and, Derby, and St. Leger. Scott's
own mare, Imperieuse, carried away the One Thousand and St. Leger
in 1857, and The Marquis in 1862 did the same with the Two Thousand
and Leger, while Hurricane won the One Thousand. In 1838, '41, and
'51, with separate horses, Scott won the Oaks and Leger, so he did the
Derby and Leger in '32 ; the Derby and Oaks in '52 ; the Guineas and
Leger in '56, and in '60 both the Guineas. A marvellous record was
this even if it ended there, but far from its doing so.

Scott's fame was added to by the performances of such horses as
Velocipede, which was one of the best he ever trained. He was better
than The Colonel, and would have won the Leger in 1828 but for an
accident in the race, and thus would Whitewall have supplied the first
and second. With Toxophilite, Legerdemain, Prior of St. Margaret's,
Glaucus, Cardinal Puff, Backbiter, Epirus, Hetman Platoff, Grand
Inquisitor, Vandal, Vanity, The Spy, Elvina, Taraban, Madge
Wildfire, Nobleman, Ammonia, Tramp, Morgan Rattler, Hornsea,
Scroggins, Carew, Gladiator (the sire of Sweetmeat), also Queen Mary
(the dam of Blink Bonny and granddam of Caller Ou), and scores
of other cracks, Scott at times " played havoc among the classic cups ''
and swept them off the shelves of Ascot, Goodwood, and Doncaster
literally in chestfuls. In big Handicaps, particularly with the Great
Yorkshire Stakes over Knavesmire, near his home, he wrought wonders.
In two-year-old races he was equally formidable.

Thus he won the classic races forty-one times in thirty-seven years.

Many of the horses were rank outsiders, notably Touchstone, in 1834,
when he won the Leger, beating to fits Newmarket's Plenipotentiary,
whose attendant, William Martin, is alive and still swears that "Pleno."
was the best horse that ever ran a race !

Most of these feats were performed in days when there were no
railways by w^hich in comfortable boxes he could transport in a few
hours his horses from the centre of Yorkshire to that of Cambridge,
Surrey and Sussex. To these far-off shires to fulfil their engagements

I

387

Scott's horses had to be walked until about the year 1850 or perhaps
later. The journeys to Epsom and Goodwood of course necessitated
weeks on the road, during which the horses had to get their gallops as
Tbest their attendants could give them, sufifering from vicissitudes of
the weather and a change of stable every night. In face of these
difficulties and disadvantages many of the Northern trainers gave a
good account of themselves when they migrated South, while the subject
•of my reference was a terror alike to every trainer in England and
every bookmaker in London.

As their successors did to Mat Dawson, the great racing men of his
day patronised John Scott. Among them were the Duke of Beaufort,
the Marquis of Exeter, LordsWestminster, Glasgow, Derby, Fitzwilliam,
-Colonel Anson, (fee, <fec. His longest connection was with that great
pillar of the sport, Mr John Bowes of Streatlam Hall, in Durham.
It began prior to 1835, and continued until Scott's death in 1871.
During those at least thirty-seven years the career on the turf of Mr.
Bowes was remarkable for its success, for he began in 1835, before he
had attained his majority, by winning the Derby with Miindig and
-finished with the Goodwood Stakes in 1871 with Taraban, just two
months before his trainer died. With the exception of Lord Egremont
early in the century, no one wore so many "blue ribbons" as Mr. Bowes,
for with Miindig, Cotherstone, Daniel O'Rourke, and West Australian
he won four Derbys.

Daniel O'Rourke, who was by Birdcatcher, in the Derby of 1852,
-fetlock deep in mud, beat his nephew, the renowned Stockwell, and the
•clinking Hobbie Noble, a feat both Bowes and Scott were always
proud of. Yet this great horse was allowed to be taken out of the
•country by the Germans for a sum of 800 guineas !

Mr. Bowes bred West Australian, and owned him when he won all
his races. Many people aver he was our "best horse"; yet at Lord
Londesborough's sale in June, 1860, the magnates of our Turf allowed
the Count de Morny, for a miserable 3,000 guineas, to buy and
take to France our great West Australian ! At the same sale, but for
Mr. R. C. Nay lor buying him for 4,500 guineas, Stockwell would have
shared a like fate !

Although Scott did wonders for Lord Derby with his two-year-olds,
he could never win for him the race called after his ancestor, or even
a St. Leger. He tried hard, but could never get nearer than second.

There lives in Malton at present a man who was identified with the
Whitewall stables for many years, and to him, with the assistance of
calendars and records, I am indebted for the information I am now
laying before the public.

James Perrin entered the service of John Scott early in the
thirties, and continued until the death of his master in 1871. Most
part of that time he held the position of Head Lad, and as he still
retains his memory unimpaired, although an octogenarian, what he
related to me may be relied upon. My time was limited when I

3S8

visited Malton, so I was not able to learn from the fine old fellow as
much of his master's history as I wished ; but I highly enjoyed his
stories, told, as they were, in the quaint and matter-of-fact style peculiar
to him and others of the most sporting shire in England.

As second jockeys, those whom Scott employed most were Jim
Robinson, Simon Templeman, Frank Buckle, Elnathan Flatman, and
Frank Butler.

Until about 1845 Whitewall's first jockey was William Scott, a younger
brother of John, and as he was about the best man of his day, I may
here sandwich part of his history with his brother's.

In physique they differed, for while the jockey was little, the trainer
was of goodly proportions, although not tall. Bill Scott had a great
knowledge of pace, and as a jockey ranks among the best in our history,
while his career was, with one or two exceptions, quite the longest.

He rode in public for thirty years, and won nearly all the great
races, among them being three Two Thousands, four Derbys, three
Oaks, nine St. Legers, together with the Champagne Stakes nine times,
and the Doncaster Two-year- old Stakes six times. His principal cup
victories were achieved on Touchstone, Glaucus, Hornsea, Cardinal
PuflF, and Hetman Platoff.

His St. Leger wins were : —

1821 on :Mr. Powlett's Jack Spigot
1825 ,, Mr. Watts' Memnon

1828 ,, Mr. Petre's The Colonel

1829 ,, Do. Rowton
1838 „ Lord Chesterfield's Don John

1839 on Major Yarhurgh's Charles
XII., after a dead heat
with Euclid

1840 ,, Ld. Westminster's Launcelot

1841 ,, Do. Satirist
1846 ,, hisownhorseSirTattonSykes

His Derby wins were : —
1832 on Mr. Ridsdale's St. Giles I 1842 on Colonel Anson's Attila

1835 ,, Mr. Bowes' Miindig I 1843 ,, Mr. Bowes' Cotherstone

His Oaks wins were : —

1836 on his brother's mare Cyprian | 1841 on Lord Westminster's Ghuznee
1838 ,, Lord Chesterfield's Industry I

His riding of Miindig in the Derby of 1835 and of Satirist in the
Leger of 1841, as described by " The Druid," " were the finest specimens
of his style, which, as far as daring and decision went, has, perhaps,
never been matched."

He rode another desperate finish in the Leger of 1829, when for Mr.
Petre he won it on Rowton from Voltaire. Bill rode The Colonel in
the dead heat with Cadland for the Derby in 1828, but standing to
win £10,000 on his mount, it affected his nerve and he lost the
decider. He rode Charles XII. in the dead heat with Euclid for the
Leger in 1839, and, standing to win on either, won the run-off.

Bill owned Sir Tatton Sykes, and at York, in 1847, had a great
match with him against Traverser, owned by the eccentric Mr. J.
O'Brien. This race was a mile, and is remarkable for being about
the fastest ever run — time, Imin. 42sec. Traverser was considered

389

the best miler in England, and beat Alarm, who had won the Ascot
and Goodwood Cups, also the Derby winner Pyrrhus the First; but
in this match Sir Tatton Sykes beat him easily by three lengths.
Frank Butler rode for Bill Scott and Job Marson for O'Brien.

Bill's horse was first called Tibthorpe, but turning out about the best
he ever rode, he called him after the man he considered the best he
ever knew. He won both the Two Thousand and Leger on him, and
lost the Derby by only a head, having remained at the post to abuse
the starter till the others had gone a hundred yards.

Bill was like his brother, wideawake, and when he had a good mount
he backed it heavily. He was quite a character, with language peculiar
to himself, which, when he got excited, became exceedingly " strong."
He was very charitable and hospitable, and possessing rare wit with
exuberant spirits he was a great favourite with everyone. The
little fellow was wont to say to youngsters when they came to him for
a tip that "Prudence, a clever old animal, got by Holdfast out of
Careful, was the best he could give them." " Sylvanus " relates that
he continually talked during a race, and swore terribly at any
jockey who interfered with him. In the Oaks of 1838, which he won
on Industry, Arthur Pavis struck him, and they finished the race
flogging each other !

The brothers were not friends for some years before Bill's death,
which accounts for John not having trained Sir Tatton Sykes,

Bill acquired a large property and lived for years near the gate lead-
ing on to Knavesmire racecourse, where he died in 18-^9, aged about
fifty-two years, and was buried at Meaux in the East Riding of
Yorkshire, regretted by everyone.

To train tit a sound horse that feeds well is comparatively an easy
job, but to deal with one of a delicate constitution, and having bad
legs and feet, is altogether a different thing. It was, however, in his
treatment of that sort John Scott prided himself the most, and with
many such he did what no other man could do.

Velocipede gave him a great deal of trouble with his legs, and
Touchstone gave him more ; still, he was able to keep the latter going
and win races with him until he was a five-year-old. The Baron also
had bad legs and feet, and but for the skilful treatment he got at
Whitewall we might never have seen Stockwell.

Touchstone was a very peculiar horse in many ways — besides having
bad legs, his action with wide-spread hocks was the oddest ever seen
on Langton Wold. He was also a tremendous puller. This great
progenitor of the English racehorse stood at Eaton Hall, and died
there in his thirty-first year. As a sire he is best known through
Orlando, Newminster, Cotherstone, and Surplice, and though he begot
other celebrities he was not nearly as reliable as other of our great
aires, for some very bad horses sprung from him. His own brother
Launcelot pulled even harder than Touchstone, and at times, no
matter what was the bridle. Bill Scott could not hold him.

390

Ghuznee was only a pony— just 14| hands— but she had the best of
legs, which old Perrin still describes as being of iron. He also says
that Elvina was the most beautiful mare he ever set eyes on, and
that John Scott often said the same of her.

As an instance of the long journeys which horses had to travel to
race meetings in former days, I may mention that in 1836 Scott's own
mare, Cyprian, was walked from Whitewall to Epsom, where she won<
the Oaks, thence back to Newcastle, where she won the Northumber-
land Plate, and returned to Whitewall within six weeks, doing on an
average twenty miles of road work every day.

She was a very vicious mare, and continued so till her death at the
age of nearly thirty. Perrin showed me the stall where her colt
Artful Dodger with a kick knocked the brains out of his lad who was
at the time combing his iail. The Princess was another devil, and
seemed to hate everyone at Whitewall. She and Cyprian were more
dangerous and caused more trouble to shoe and to look after than all
the other horses.

" Nobbling " favourites was in vogue in those days much more than
it is at present, and the Malton stable was often visited by ruffians
for the purpose of destroying a horse. Scott had, therefore, to be ever
on the alert, and for the better protection of the place he got a huge and
ferocious Cuban bloodhound which had been trained to hunt and
capture runaway niggers.

This dog many times did good service, notably with Attila before the
Derby of 1842, when a determined attempt Avas made to get at him,,
but his faithful guardian nearly tore to pieces the scoundrel who tried
it. This horse when not so protected was nobbled three or four times
afterwards.

Jereed in 1835 w&s tried to be as good as Touchstone at weight for
age, and so was considered to have a great chance for the Derby, but
he was got at one night, and with a hammer the tendons of both fore-
legs were battered fearfully.

An onslaught was made at Leatherhead on Cotherstone just before-
the Derby of 1843, but it was frustrated by Bill Scott, who, like the
bloodhound, nearly killed the rascals.

More than once Mrs. Scott saved her husband's horses from these
fellows, and, assisted by the shoer and the dog, on one occasion she
captured three of them, to whom were given such a ducking, with a
subsequent towelling and dressing, they never again visited Whitewall.

Magistrate in Scott's Forest days ran a desperate race at York with
the famous Blacklock. It was four miles, and such was the effect upon
the horses that neither ever recovered, and it ended their racing-
West Australian, although a magnificent yearling, was for a time a
backward and unpromising colt, and it was not until Scott tried him
with Longbow a short time after the Two Thousand that he found
what a jewel he had. The stable then planked the money down for
the Derby and Leger, and won a tremendous stake. Epirus was the

391

best horse they had at Whitewall in 1837, and they expected him to
win the Leger, but he was disqualified for it. Perrin told me that
owing to his being delayed in London for over a week he gave this
horse his exercise and kept him fit by jogging him up and down Regent
Street in the early mornings !

Seldom was seen in a race a greater contrast in size of the horses
than was in the Leger of 1827, when the little Matilda, with Robinson
up, beat Sam Chifney on the mighty Mameluke, whereby Gully lost
£20,000 to Crockford. From what Perrin told me, the difference
between the two was greater than that which at present exists between
Baron de Hirsch's cracks, La Fleche and Watercress.

If I thought my readers would appreciate them I could recount
many more such like yarns of famous Whitewall horses.

John Scott bred and owned racehorses and ran them in his own
name, notably the mares Imperieuse, Cyprian, and Songstress. The
two latter won for him the Oaks, and the former the One Thousand
and the Leger.

For several years the number of racehorses under his charge at
Whitewall was over a hundred, and it was never less than sixty.

As a trainer he is described in a history I have consulted as being
what " Wellington was as a general and Nelson as a naval genius ;
and to witness him on Langton Wold directing the work of his teams
was like watching a field-marshal handling a brigade of cavalry at
Aldershot." His boundless hospitality and genuine kind-hearted
disposition were proverbial, and seemed only to be equalled by his
honesty of purpose and gentlemanlike deportment. He possessed
what seemed an inexhaustible fund of anecdote which he retailed in
amusing style quite unique, while his mutton, fed in sheephood until
three years old on Yorkshire wolds and for six months " finished '' on
the home meadows, together with his vintage ports, were well known
to be about the very best in England. Under such circumstances it
is easy to imagine how pleasant were visits to Whitewall in those days.
No one enjoyed himself more than the noble patroDS, and there they
would be seen conversing with the proprietor in terms of familiarity
such as they would not deign towards others outside their own
circle.

There was always a great gathering at Whitewall for the St. Leger,
and for nearly thirty years Isaac Walker, Mr. Bowes' stud groom, made
it the occasion for bringing the yearlings from Streatlam. John
invited cronies from York and Ripon, and his jovial brother was
never absent. It is, therefore, easy to understand how the old white
walls were made to ring again upon occasions such as these, when the
trainer and the jockey entertained the followers of their stable and the
man who reared the horses of their best patron. Yes, in the little
dining-room at Whitewall were told many yarns, and therein was dis-
cussed many a plan which it would be interesting now to hear, parti-
cularly those laid by the men who, in their individual capacity of

392

rearer, trainer, and rider, had made so famous the "black and silver"
of Mr. Bowes.

When West Australian -won the Leger, and thereby broke all previous
record, so frantic with delight was old Isaac that he gave him that night
a bottle of champagne in his water, which the good horse seemed very-
much to relish.

Malton, like other places in England at that time, was famous for its
gamecocks, and no one had a better breed than the m-ister of White-
wall. Many a battle was therefore fought, and that too, in the self-
same cosy little dining-room.

As I made allusion in this chapter to Lord Londesborough's sale,
and for comparison with others which I particularised elsewhere, I
may here state that it was quite the greatest ever held up to its time,
June, 1860, nor does it contrast badly \vith many of those which
followed. It realised : —

For Stockwell — Mr. Bowes

For West Australian— Count de Morny .

For Warlock

For twenty-three brood mares and foals.
For fourteen yearlings

Gs.
4,500
3,000

620
9,419
3,150

Total, 40 horses 20,689

Considering the fact that John Scott was at the head of his pro-
fession for over forty years, and trained in public for some five-and-
fifty, it is not surprising that a continuance of uninterrupted popularity
did not attend him.

Besides being an artist at his trade, and, as I have said, a man of
extraordinary sagacity, he was endowed with great perception and
resource. In his early and middle life, when in the zenith of his glory,
there were no telegraph wires by which could be flashed all over
England the doings of his cracks almost before they had quitted the
Wolds. Touts, the bugbear of trainers ever since racing was estab-
lished, infested the region, but these pests crafty old John was generally,
by some artifice or other, able to deal with. Malton, although a town
of ancient history, was then comparatively an isolated spot, its fifteen
miles from York, the nearest town, being considered a longish journey
even sixty years ago.

Under those advantages, personal and local, "John," as the Tykes
called him, was enabled to train his horses in peace, and keep dark
until the proper time those which had important engagements. More-
over, he could, and often did, get reports circulated concerning them
not altogether in accordance with facts.

When, therefore, the day came, as it so often did, that an outsider
from Whitewall carried off some great Southern race, loud at times
would be the outcry, particularly so when it was known that the
party had thrown in for a big stake. This they generally did, for

393

everyone connected with the great ISTorthern stable plunged upon
anything of their own which they considered good.

Inasmuch as Scott ran his horses to win, he was perfectly justified
to use any fair means to put the public on the wrong track, and so
•enable his employers to get on their money at a price which would
reimburse them for the heavy expenses they were at in keeping horses
for public sport. People did not then, no more than now, take this view
and some said hard things of the great Yorkshire trainer, and dubbed
him " the Wizard of the North," simply because he was more sagacious
than they and brought off more "surprises " on the turf, without letting
the public know how, than did any other man before or since. — Good
•old John !

Like everyone else, Scott had his ups and downs, and at times was
out of luck ; which was particularly the case a couple of years before
Ms death. But good fortune returned, and for some months his stable
was in nearly as flourishing condition as ever, and so it was the day
lie died.

Old age seemed to have damped his ardour but little, for he held the
reins of government to the last, and, with the exception of deafness, he
suffered from no ailment until within a day or two before his death,
while his jovial spirits lasted to the end, but on the 1st or 2nd of the
month he contracted a severe cold, which turned into acute bronchitis,
and it carried him off on October 4, 1871, aged seventy-six years.

As yet another example of the irony of fate, the news of the grand
old fellow's death and the winning at Kelso of his own filly Pompadour
reached Malton precisely at the same time. As with his health and
spirits, John Scott retained to the last his widespread popularity.
Among his brother trainers, even with their dread of him, he was well
liked and respected. With many of his employers he was on intimate
terms of friendship ; they all esteemed him for his worth, and in him
placed implicit confidence ] while throughout Yorkshire, that county of
more sportsmen even than acres, his death was looked upon as a
•calamity to the county at large.

As evidence of the veneration which his patrons entertained, not
alone for their worthy trainer, but for his very stables wherein
stood their horses, Mr. Bowes offered to buy from his widow, at any
price she wished to fix, the doors and frames, covered as they were
with the veritable plates in which the horses ran when they won
their great race?. Mrs. Scott, however, refused to sell them, and they
remained intact until after her death in May, 1891, when the present
proprietor, Mr. Bruckshaw, to ensure their safety, removed the plates
from off the doors. They now hang in the little dining-room,
arranged in a neatly got-up shield, and encircle a miniature of the
horse that wore them, with his name and wins appended. This is a
relic intensely interesting and of great value.

As proof of how Mr. Bowes acknowledged the services of men
whom he found worthy, at the break-up of the W^hitewall establish-

394

ment after Scott's death, he settled, for life, £I00 a year each upon
James Perrin and John Peart, Scott's secretary.

Scott married a second time, in about 1845, but left no issue.

I now come to treat with

Matthew Dawson.

He is the son of George Dawson who over a century ago trained
horses at GulUne, on the Firth of Forth, where, on January 9, 1820^
Mat was born. Thus he was younger by a little over twenty-five
years than John Scott, but was contemporaneous with him as a trainer
for just thirty-one years.

He had seventeen brothers and sisters, most of whom died young.
Of those who grew up none took to training except his elder brothers,
Tom, and Joe, who died some years ago, and his younger brother
John, who, still well and hearty, now presides over the AVarren House
establishment.

Like most others of his craft, from earliest boyhood Mat has been
connected with the stable, and when only twenty years of age h&
began, in 1840, to train racehorses.

He started as private trainer to Lord Eglinton, and then for four
years he trained publicly at Gullane. After that he resumed the
private business, and until 1857 he trained for Lord John Scott alone —
both at Newmarket and Ilsley. Hobbie Noble, the great favourite for
the Derby of 1852, was under Mat's charge when a two-year-old, bat,
acting on his advice. Lord John sold him to Mr. James Merry some
time before the race. The price paid was 6,500 guineas, the highest
figure a horse ever fetched up to that time. As history records^
Hobbie could only get third to Daniel O'Rourke and Stockwell, and
lost Merry a vast sum of money. Had he won, the feat of breaking
the Ping, as I said elsewhere, would have been pretty nearly accom-^
plished by the great Ironmaster.

In 1857 Lord John Scott, suffering from ill health, was obliged to give
up racing, and, on the advice of Mat Dawson, Mr. Merry bought his
entire stud, from Windhound down to the youngest foal. With the
horses went to Russley their trainer, and from that time, as with Scott
and Petre at Whitewall, dates the celebrity of both men.

Merry's horses ran into places for the Derby four years out of the five-
between 1860 and 1864. Thormanby, whom Mat purchased for Merry
when a yearling, won in 1860, a year of exceptionally good horses, and
Dundee would have done so the year after but for breaking down at
the Road ; as it was he lost it from Kettledrum by only a length. I
must, however, refer my readers to the Calendar for the extraordinary
record which was run up for the plunging Scotchman.

In 1866 Mat Dawson returned to Newmarket and established himself
and his horses at Heath House.

To enumerate his achievements as a trainer is impossible for me ;
sufiice to say that his success followed him to Newmarket, and has-

395

continued to the present time. In fact he has trained so many winners
he does not remember even all his great wins, but they include : —

Two Thousand Guineas

4 times.

Cesarewitch

3 times

One Thousand Guineas

6

Ascot Cup

4 „

Derby

4

Goodwood Cup -

4 „

Oaks ....

6

Liverpool Cup -

4 „

St. Lender

5

Northumberland Plate

3 „

Chesterfield Stakes -

12

Clearwell -

9 „

Champagne Stakes

12

This shows that, like Scott, he could train for all distances, but h&
never trained the winner of the Cambridgeshire, Ascot Stakes, or
Goodwood Stakes.

The following are a few of the horses with which this great trainer
has shown sport to the British race-goer for the past half-century;
and, with the exception of John Scott, no other man ever saddled
such a lot of nailers: — Windhound, Thormanby, Kingcraft, Wheel of
Fortune, Jannette, Dutch Oven, Silvio, Minting, St. Simon, Melton,
Julius, Alice Hawthorne, Sterling, Catherine Hayes, Hobbie Noble,.
Lord of the Isles, Galliard, Lioness, Scottish Chief, Liddington,
Zambesi, Student, Speculum, Thunder, Camballo, Cherie, Master
Kildare, Lady Golightly, Gertrude, Farnese, Necromancer (which he
bred), Rosy Morn, Langwell, Saunterer, Atlantis, Atlantic, Charibert,.
Spina way, Skjlark, Queen's Messenger, Bal Gal, Childeric, Busybody,.
Harvester, Garterley Bell, The Lambkin, Mimi, Buckstone, and
Sunbeam.

He has now been fifty-three years actively employed in his profession,
and during all that time he has enjoyed the patronage of most, and the
unlimited confidence of all the best supporters of the Turf. Among those
who patronised him I may mention, in addition to those already named,
the Dukes of Newcastle, St. Albans, Hamilton, and Portland, the
Marquis of Londonderry, Lords Strafford, Fitzwilliam, Hastings, Fal-
mouth, Lascelles, Charles Beresford, Piosebery, and Rosslyn, Messrs^
R. C. Naylor, Henry Padwick, Clare Yyner, and his brother Robert.

His greatest patron of all was Lord Falmouth, with whose horses and
Fred Archer jockey, Mat Dawson ran up for that nobleman a fifteen-
year record, 1869 to 1884, unequalled in the annals of racing. Besides-
nearly all the two-year-old races and some of the principal handicaps the
"magpie and scarlet" was first past the post in the Two Thousand
Guineas three times, Derby twice, Oaks four times, St. Leger thrice, and
the Clearwell Stakes no less than nine times. Within the years 1877
and 1881 alone, the stakes won by Lord Falmouth's horses, trained by
Mat Dawson and ridden by Archer, amounted to Xl 25,752. The grand
sum totalled about a quarter of a million, and these were days previous
to races of £5,000 and £10,000 stakes.

When in the full swing of good luck. Lord Falmouth all of a sudden
conceived the idea of giving up not alone racing, but breeding horses ;
and determined to sell off everything he had in training, as well as.

396

his stallions, yearlings, brood mares and foals. The racehorses were
sold by auction at Newmarket, on April 28, 1884, and the others at
the same place on June 30 following.

All things considered, never has there been such an important sale
of the sort in England. From all parts of the world men came to buy,
and the price? averaged beat all previous record, while the magnificent
•condition in which Mat Dawson brought out the horses under his
care was referred to in all the papers.

I allude to this sale because of its connection with my subject,
but must confine myself to giving the totals, although the full par-
ticulars are beside me.

Number.

Total.

Average.

Horses in training

-

24

36,420 gs.

1,517 gs.

Yearlings

-

16

18,350 „

1,147 „

Brood Mares and Foals

-

34

49,790 „

1,464 „

Stallions

•

5

7,350 „

1,470 „

Grand

Total

79

111,910 gs.

1,416 gs.

Mr. Geo. Alex. Baird (Mr. Abington) was the largest purchaser at
for five lots 16,550gs., including Busybody at 8,800gs. Then followed
Capt. Machellfor four lots 12,150gs., and so on. Sir John Willoughby
bought Harvester at 8,600gs. on the advice of Mat Dawson, and, in a
month after, his purchase and 8t. Gatien ran a dead heat for, and
divided, the Derby. Busybody also repaid Mr. Abington by winning
the Oaks and One Thousand Guineas the same year.

Hankering after the old game, Lord Falmouth returned to the turf
in 1885, but his stud was nothing like the one he sold. However, with
Eada his old trainer won for him the Goodwood Cup.

After Lord Falmouth's death in 1889, Dawson ceased to train
on the extensive scale he did previously, his nephews, John and
George, relieving him to a great extent. Nevertheless his skill remained
intact, and success continued, for, with St. Simon for the Duke of Port-
land, Mimi for Mr. Noel Fenwick, Lambkin and Minting for Mr. Vyner,
and Melton for Lord Hastings, he in a few years ran up a score
greater than many a man did in a lifetime.

Good races, and often between bad horses, are constantly seen, but
what are called "the greatest races of the century" are very few indeed.
To qualify for the honour the race must be in all respects sensational.
The event must be of the highest importance, the horses must pre-
viously have proved themselves the best of their year, while the contest
must be fought out from post to post and result in a desperate finish
in which must be displayed, by first-class jockeys, horsemanship in the
superlative degree of excellence. Exhibitions so unique can be counted
upon a man's fingers, yet Mat Dawson as trainer has taken part in at
least three of these extraordinary manifestations, a record which no
other man could ever lay claim to.

397

For the Leger of 1862 he trained Buckstone for Mr. Merry, and
ridden by Fordham, he was beaten a head by The Marquis and Tom
Chaloner after a most tremendous race. John Scott trained the-
winner. The following year, for the Ascot Cup, Buckstone, ridden
by Arthur Edwards, ran a dead heat with Tim Whiffler and Sam Rogers^
Each carried 8st. 71b. and beat Caller Ou and three others. The
decider up to within a hundred yards of the winning post was another
terrible race, but Buckstone lasting longest won by two lengths.
At Ascot in 1887, for the Hardwicke Stakes, Minting, trained by
Dawson, was beaten a neck by Ormonde, with Bendigo three lengths off".
These great horses were ridden respectively by the celebrated jockeys,.
Tom Cannon, John Osborne, and John Watts.

Not even the hi-5toric match between the Flying Dutchman and
Voltigeur at York on May 13, 1851, was a grander race than any of
these three.

Mat Dawson was not a man for bringing off " surprises," although on
a few occasions he did call forth a cheer from the Ring. As a rule hia
principal patrons did not bet heavily, neither did he, while Lord
Falmouth never betted at all. It was therefore not necessary that the
cloak of mystery should hang over his horses. If his case had been
like Scott's, where both master and man piled the money on every
good thing they had, he would have experienced a deal of trouble to
effect his purpose by reason of the vast addition made in the ranks of
the touting brigade of late years, and the facilities afforded by-
telegraphy.

Some years ago Mat purchased the Manor House at Exning, where
Luke the jockey once lived. Here he built a magnificent range of
stabling, and rebuilt the dwelling-house, naming it after Lord Hastings'
famous horse Melton, which he trained for all his races, and came to
reside there in 1885.

He then gave up Heath House to his nephew George, to whom also was-
transferred by the Duke of Portland the care of the stud with which
the young trainer immediately after did such marvels.

Gradually since then Mat has still further relieved himself of the-
duties attendant upon a great racing establishment. But that he still
retains his old form and can run up with the young ones is evident
from the fact that in 1891 he placed Mr. Noel Fenwick at the head of
winning owners with £20,519, no one coming within £7,000 of th&
amount, except Colonel North with £20,113.

He has now only Lord Rosebery's horses and his own under his care.

At Melton House he has the finest collection of portraits of race-
horses perhaps in England, a list of which v/ill be found in my Racing-
chapter. (I hope he will get done what I often asked him— the
name of each put upon the frame.) All over the house are other
pictures to gladden the eye of the sportsman, while the sitting-rooms-
contain many and costly presents from his patrons.

After having been before the public for over half a century, subject

398

to the temptations which encircle every man of his profession, Mr.
Dawson has thus practically retired from public training. He has done
so with an escutcheon untarnished, and a character against which the
foulest tongue cannot utter a word, surrounded as he is with every-
thing requisite to make his old age happy. In future he will train
only these few horses, which with his stud farm will give him pleasant
occupation devoid of the worry and anxiety which attended his former
■calling.

In 1883 he leased from Lord EUesmere the Heath Farm, which
is separated from the July Course by the plantation, and near where
Osbaldeston rode his famous match described in the previous chapter.
•Since he came into possession he started there a breeding establish-
ment, to which exists no superior in England, and few equal it.

In boxes constructed on the best principle, and with paddocks con-
venient, are some fifty brood mares in whose blood run the best strains
in the Calendar, and when I was last there Ayrshire and St. Serf were
the lords of the harem.

I saw another stallion which struck me as likely to beget valuable
weight-carrying hunters. He is Torpedo by Hermit — Strayshot,
powerfully built and well balanced. At the moderate fee of fifteen
guineas, which is all Mr. Dawson charges for his service, he is well
worth the attention of breeders.

That his enterprise in starting such a concern and ability with
which he conducts it seem to have a satisfactory result, I had evidence
a short time ago when I saw despatched therefrom to America a colt
by St. Gatien — Glance, and another by Hampton — Cherry, in exchange
for Bank of England notes to the tune of 6,250 guineas.

To be shown over the Heath Stud Farm by the owner, or his stud-
groom Weatherall, whose father trained for Henry Lord Waterford,
well repays a special journey from London.

Unlike so many other masters presiding over youth, human and
equine, Mat was always gentle to a degree both in his speech and
action towards those under his control ; withal there was not a regiment
in the service nor an establishment in the kingdom where the observance
of rules was carried out with more uniform regularity, efficiency and
cheerfulness than in that presided over by the man I have been writing
about. Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re was the style he adopted alike
towards his employes and employers, with a result that from each
class he received profound respect, and none came to him, either for
service or to patronise, except the best of their sort.

With his horses he pursued the same course of treatment ; gentleness
and not severity with the noble animal he always insisted upon.

Throughout his long career he has enjoyed the greatest and most
widespread popularity, and the fact that in and about Newmarket he
has for years gone under the title of " The Master " shows how he is
esteemed at home. Like John Scott, he is a capital host, and has a
wonderful cellar of rare old wines.

399

All through liis long life he has had singularly good health, and was
exceptionally energetic, while his countenance, ever beaming with
heartiness, evinces clearly that the mind is as healthy as the body.
Long may he still live to enjoy the combination, and be to all a
living example of what an " honest man" is, and how the vitality of
youth may be preserved to age by leading an active outdoor life,
keeping early hours, and living well without indulging to excess in
anything. Like Scott, unfortunately, he has no children.

Numerous instances are to be found of men who served their
apprenticeship to Mr. Dawson, and through his recommendation have
filled high positions as trainers and jockeys. At present William
Haywood is the Johnnie Osborne of America. Webb, for some years
head lad to Dawson, now trains at Chantilly for Baron Schickler.
John Reeves is a leading trainer in Germany, while Richard Waugh
trains for the Emperor of that country ; and Kendal, one of the finest
jockeys in India, graduated under Mat. George Blackwell, a rising
young trainer now at Newmarket, also owes to "The Master" his
proficiency.

Since putting together this history, I am pleased to know that Mat
Dawson has under his care for Lord Rosebery a two-year-old colt
which is likely to add still to his fame as a trainer. It is Ladas, by
Hampton— Illuminata. Now, in the month of September, 1893, he is
favourite at 4 to 1 for the Derby, the shortest price that any horse
has at this season stood at for many years. What an explosion of
applause will greet the veteran trainer and the most popular owner
in England if he wins ! Curious enough, I was at Melton House a few
days after this colt and two others arrived as yearlings from Lord
Rosebery's breeding stud. When showing them to me Mat pointed to
the Illuminata colt as the one he would win his next Derby with. — So
may it be !

Having treated with two trainers, each paragons in their day, I
shall now say a few words about two of our greatest jockeys, they also
representing difi"erent epochs.

As a horseman the name of plain-polished but honest
George Fordham
will be handed down to posterity through many a succeeding genera-
tion in the same manner that the Chifneys, Robinsons, Templemans,
Flatmans, Buckles, and Days of bygone eras have been received by us.

Fordham was born at Cambridge on September 11, 1837. At
the age of ten he was apprenticed to Drewitt, who then trained at
Mickleham, and subsequently at Lewes. Like many another great man,
George as a boy was very unruly, but Drewitt's ash plant soon brought
him to hand.

His first mount in public was on Isabella, at the Brighton Autumn
Meeting of 1850, when his bodily weight was 3st. 8lb., and he was a bad
last in the race. His first win was at the same meeting the following

400

year, when he rode Hampton, then a two-year-old. His first big win was
the Cambridgeshire of 1853, when for Mr. W. Smith he rode Little
David. His next good performance was winning on Epaminondas
the Chester Cup in 1854. It was not, however, until at Stamford on
Cock Pheasant, when he met Wells on El Dorado, that young George
opened the eyes of the public to his merits as a horseman. Wells was
then in his zenith, and considered our best light- weight jockey. After
a desperate race for the Burgh) ey Stakes, the two ran a dead heat,
but in the decider the future " Demon " beat " Tiaey " by a head amidst
great excitement. Thenceforward Fordham rose rapidly in his pro-
fession, until in a few years he was found at its head.

Even with a list of his principal winning mounts before me, carefully
detailed as they are, I can do no more than summarise them.

At Newmarket he won the—

At Ascot the—

Two Thousand -

twice

Stakes -

twice

One Thousand -

7 times

Prince of Wales Stakes

4 times

July Stakes

6 „

Royal Hunt Cup-

3 „

Cesarewitch

once

Queen's Vase

5 „

Cambridgeshire -

4 times

Gold Cup (including

Clear well -

5 „

dead heat on Gen-

Criterion

7 „

eral Peel) -

5 „

Middle Park

twice

New Stakes

6 „

At Epsom the—

At Goodwood the—

City and Suburban -

once

Stakes -

6 „

Metropolitan

twice

Stewards' Cup -

3 „

Derby -

once

Cup - - - -

4 „

Oaks - - - -

5 times

Chesterfield Cup-

4 „

At Paris the—

At Doncaster the—

French Derby -

twice

Gt. Yorkshire H'cap -

twice

Grand Prix -

3 times

Champagne Stakes

5 times

At York the—

Doncaster Cup -

3 .»

Gt. Northern H'cap -

twice

The Lincoln H'cap -

twice

Ebor Handicap -

))

The Chester Cup -

))

Gt. Yorkshire Stakes -

>'

Among the horses on which Fordham from time to time won, I find
several of those trained by John Scott and Mat Dawson which I have
already mentioned ; also Chalice, Summerside, Formosa, Gamos, Reine,
Thebais, Vauban, Petronel, Mayonaise, Nemesis, Siberia, Gabrielle
d'Estrees, Suzerain, Fervacques, The Earl, Foxhall, Adamas, Dutch
Skater, Lord Clifden, Saucebox, Vigo, Borderer, Epaminondas, Knight
of the Garter, Paris, Stampede, Lady Elizabeth, Ecossais, Prioress,
Odd Trick, See-Saw, Sabinus, Little David, Hannah, Happy
Land, Klarikoff, Flageolet, Beaudesert, Beechnut, Elf King, Opti-
mist, Rustic, Martyrdom, Winslow, Horror, Marie Stuart, Lecturer,
Mortimer, Doncaster, General Peel, Zaidee, Belladrum, Corisande,
Tournament, Lady Clifden, Gomera, Paganini, Rogerthorpe, Starke, The
Duke, Termagant, Drammond, Advance, Dollar, One Act, Ivanhoff,
Oldminster, Zetland, Inez, King of Diamonds, Sunshine, Welland
Ackworth, and nearly all the other great horses of their day.

401

With the exception of Archer, Fordham won more races than any-
other jockey. They number two thousand five hundred and eighty-
seven. A wonderful record, even though his career was, with that of the
long dead Bill Scott and the present John Osborne, perhaps the longest
in history. But there were not as many races in his heyday as there
have been since.

Strange to say, he never won a St. Leger, but, with that exception,
the foregoing table shows that he won every other race of importance,
and many of them several times. He won the Derby only once, and
that not until 1879, when he did so on Sir Bevys. Year after year he
tried, but never got nearer than second. Luck, notability, was against
him.

From the list I have given is seen that he for some race or another
rode nearly every great horse that appeared during the years of his
jockeyship, which evidences the reliance which was continuously placed
in him by their owners and trainers.

He rode a great deal for the Duke of Beaufort, the Rothschilds, Mr.
Parr, Mr. Ten Broeck, and Mr. W. Stirling Crawfurd, while Mat Dawson
considers him the best jockey he ever saw, not excepting Archer.

His last win was on Brag for the Brighton Cup in 1883, and his last
appearance in the saddle was on Mr. Leopold de Kothschild's Aladdin at
Windsor in August, 1884.

In Fordham we have an instance rarely met with. In about the
year 1873 he contracted an illness which laid him up till 1878, during
which time he did not ride, and lost nearly all his nerve. Once
a man loses that essential for riding, even when young, he seldom
regains it, but scarcely ever does so after he passes the meridian of
life. Fordham was an exception, for he returned to the racecourse
when forty years old with nerve as firm and spirit determined as ever.
In fact, some of his best races were ridden after his retirement. In
the first year, in slush and mud he won his only Derby on the roaring
■Sir Bevys, and in 1881 on Thebais he won for Mr. Crawfurd both the
One Thousand and Oaks.

His seat was by no means nice, but it was firm as a rock, and his
hands were perfection, while his skill as a jockey and judgment of
pace, whether riding a short or long race, and on either a good or
a bad mount, stamped him as a horseman surpassed by no one.
Archer was perhaps a better jockey over a course with turns and
inclines, but no one ever rode over Newmarket in the finished style of
Fordham.

If he excelled in any detail of h's riding more than another, it was
in the extraordinary power he had of coming with a rush at the finish
and driving his horse home a winner. This art he acquired to quite
as great a degree as did Sam Chifney.

Deducting the few years of his retirement, he was before the public
for fully thirty years, during which no man of his profession ever bore a
Jiigher character for honour and integrity. So great was the confidence

D D

402

reposed in him, that he became one of the most popular jockeys of a!
time, and for many years Fordham was backed, no matter what horse
he rode, and thus was instituted the habit, which still exists, of backing
jockeys' mounts.

During the first part of his career he was called '"The Kid." He
gained the name from his habit of gammoning jockeys in a race by
pretending his horse was beaten, and as soon as they eased theirs he
would come with a rush and do them on the ix)st. Afterwards he was
known as "The Demon." Truly a devil he was to beat, and deuced
few could do so !

He was fond of Sport in every shape, was a capital man to hounds^
a good shot, and, though not in the category, a first-rate whist player.

In the end he suflfered from a complication of diseases, and died at
Slough on October 12, 1887, aged 50 years, regretted by all who admired
a brilliant horseman and an honest jockey.

Frederick James Archer

was born at St. George's Cottage, Cheltenham, on January 11, 1857,
He was son of William Archer, the well-known steeplechase jockey,
who was a contemporary of Tom Olliver and Jem Mason, and won the
Grand Xational on Little Charley just fourteen months after the birth
of the boy, who, in after years, made the world ring with his own deeds
in the saddle.

Fred Archer was a born horseman, for when eight years old he could
go like a bird across country on his pony Moss Rose and rode her in
two races at Great Malvern. In neither was he successful, but he scored
on the next occasion, and with a pony called Maid of Trent he won
his first race when quite a child.

Continuing to show unmistakable ability, lie was bound apprentice in
18C9 to Mat Dawson, with a view to trying his hand at the " legitimate "
business. =■' Young Freddy, then only twelve years old, was not long in dis-
playing the grit he was made of, for, with more pluck than any of the
other boys, he would mount any kind of awkward horse, and when in
the saddle would stick there.

His master soon saw in the lad the makings of a great horseman, and
before long entrusted to him the riding of important trials besides
allowing him to sport silk. Bar the pony race, his first win was on
Athol Daisy in the Nursery Handicap at Chesterfield, on September 28,
1870. His firot important win was the Cesarewitch of 1872, when, on
Mr. Radcliffe's three-year-old Salvano?, carrying 5st. 7lb., he beat
twenty-three others. This was a most meritorious performance, even
for an experienced jockey, not to speak of a lad of fifteen.

* Will some of my readers tell me why flat racing is called "legitimate"
while steeplechasing is not ? — The Author.

403

To particularise the great races which Archer won would be a task
beyond the powers of anyone. I shall therefore from ordinary Racing
Calendars dissect some of the most important, and subjoin the list : —

Wins.

No. of horses

Wins.

No. of horse

beaten.

beaten.

City and Suburban

5

109

Goodwood Cup

2

45

Two Thou. Guineas

4

45

Ebor Handicap

2

16

One Thou.

2

12

Champagne Stakes,

Cesarewitch -

2

51

Doncaster -

7

36

Middle Park Plate

3

26

N'umberland Plats

1

9

The Derby -

5

67

Champion Stakes -

5

24

The Oaks

4

29

Liverpool Cup
Lincolnshire H'cap

3

43

St. Leger

6

68

1

34

Grand Prix de Paris

3

23

Metropolitan St'k's

1

1

Ascot Stakes

1

7

Manchester Cup

1

17

Royal Hunt Cup -

2

37

Gb. Yorkshire H'cap

1

13

The foregoing comprise nearly all our great events, but besides them
Archer won all over the country races of importance, including the
Clearwell Stakes a great many times.

He rode in public for sixteen years, and for thirteen in succession
headed the list of winning jockeys. In 1878 out of 606 mounts he scored
223 wins and got placed in nearly all the remainder, while 246 was the
number of races he won in 1885.

To make a long story short, he won during his career no less than two
thousand seven hundred and forty-seven races, which is an average of
nearly one hundred and seventy-two a year. To accomplish which he
must have ridden at least nine thousand races, or about five hundred
and sixty a year.

By this marvellous performance has Archer established a record
which stands not alone unparalleled, but quite unapproached by any
other rider who ever sat on the back of a horse, and probably it will for
ever remain so.

By reference to any Racing Calendar my readers can see that, for some
race or another, he not a'one rode, but won on nearly every remarkable
horse that was on our Turf within the years 1874 and 1886. In the face of
such a phalanx of figures as I have just given, which represent his wins,
needless to say to give a list of the horses he rode in a chapter like this
is a simple impossibility.

He never won the Chester Cup, nor yet the Cambridgeshire, but
was second for the latter on Bendigo in 1884, and lost it by a head on
St. Mirin in 1886, just a fortnight before he died.

As a fox well found is considered to be half killed, so Archer thought
a good start lessened by half the odds against winning a race. Con-
sequently in his desire to get away in front he, in the early days of his
riding, at times gave trouble to the starter, but upon Lord Marcus
Beresford delivering to him a homily on the subject, and intimating
clearly that he expected the elder jockeys to set the younger a good
example, Archer ever after behaved himself at the post.

During the race he showed himself possessed at all times of iron

404

nerve by the way he hugged the rails as he thundered down inclines
and rounded dangerous turns. In getting through a crowd of horses
his determination combined with coolness was conspicuous in the
extreme. In finishing he was an artist of the first water, and whether
to win was easy or difficult, he never either lost his head or gave away
a chance ; while a mount on the favourite or an outsider made no
difference whatever in his riding.

His proficiency and courage caused him to be sought for by owners
and trainers whenever he was disengaged ; hence he had always the
best mounts to choose from. This of course gave him a great advan-
tage, and no doubt helped to swell his record. There was, however,
another and still more powerful agency at work in his favour.

During a portion of Archer's career there existed a deal of mal-
practice on the Turf, and at one time a regular " Ring " was formed
among some of the jockeys to decide beforehand which horse was to
win the races they rode in. To carry out this nefarious arrangement,
■of course the best horse had frequently to be pulled.

Whether Archer was a party to this proceeding I know not, but at
all events he was not had up, and, as he rode to ivin, the others had
only to back his mount and bst against their own. By means of this
desperate piece of villainy some of these jockeys amassed large fortunes,
and so notorious became the scandal, that the Jockey Club investigated
the matter and "warned off" those they found guilty.

From these facts I am led to believe that many of Archer's wins are
to be attributed more to the rascality of others than to his own ability
as a horseman, great undoubtedly as that was.

For a jockey he was remarkably tall, standing 5 feet 8h inches, and
although very slight, necessarily it took a considerable amount of flesh
to cover that length of bone. For the light weights he could ride at
^rst, but not of lats years, and it was with difficulty he kept condition
down sufficiently to ride 8st. 9lb. No monk to fulfil his obligations
•ever mortified his body by fasting with greater rigour than did Archer
to fulfil his engagements on the Turf. His self - denial was simply
marvellous. For weeks in the racing season he would go in a state of
semi-starvation ; a hard crust of dry bread twice a day with a cup of
"black" tea or glass of soda and whisky being ofttimes his allowance.
He did not take long walks as they made him hungry, and would there-
fore increase his misery, so he dosed himself with physic instead.

By these means, together with the exercise he had daily in the saddle,
he was able to get down so as to ride at 8st. 9lb. Long continuance of
a practice so baneful to health no doubt predisposed the poor fellow to
the malady which in the end suddenly overtook him, under the influence
of which his death was caused.

During his apprenticeship, which ended in 1874, his master generously
allowed him to retain the emoluments derived from his mounts, and
having succeeded Tom French at his death in 1873 as Lord Falmouth's
first jockey, they were very considerable. In fact, with fortune smiling

405

its sweetest, he scored wins at every meeting, and sometimes three or
four in a day.

The relationship between master and apprentice was of the happiest
description, and when he had served his time Mat Dawson presented
him with a valuable watch. For the next seven years he followed his
profession, and rode for whoever he chose, but gave the call of his
services to his former master whenever he required them.

On January 1, 1881, he went into partnership with Mat Dawson,
and then came to reside at Falmouth House, which, with the stabling,
he had just built, and on January 31, 1883, he married Miss Nellie
Dawson, daughter of Mr. John Dawson, and niece of his friend and
partner. She died oa November 8, 1884, after giving birth to a daughter
who is at the time of writing a girl of eight years old.

The death of his wife was a terrible blow to Archer, and I doubt if
he ever recovered from it. After awhile he went to America for a.
change, and returned to England in March, 1885. He then, on the
advice of his friends, resumed his profession.

He paid his first visit to Ireland a few weeks before his death.
During the time, on October 20, he rode at the Curragh meeting for
Lord Londonderry in the Lord Lieatenant's Plate, which he won on
Cambusmore. Next day, in the Welters, he, on Mr. Charles Blake's
Black Hose, and Mr. Tommie Beasley on Mr. John Gubbins' Spahi, had
a rare set to, but our popular amateur beat him amidst the greatest
excitement.

That Archer should get from the Lish a welcome of the heartiest
degree, which he undoubtedly did, was only what he was entitled to,
and would be expected of the people. But nothing, I think, showed the
respect we had for the great horseman more than, while thunders of
applause greeted his win on Cambusmore, and although every one of us
rejoiced hugely to see our own man beat him in the Welters, we
refrained from giving expression to our feelings by undue acclamation.

Immediately after the Curragh meeting he returned to Newmarket,
and set hard at work to get off weight sufficient to enable him to ride
St. Mirin, 8st. 6lb., for the Cambridgeshire, then fast approaching.
To get to that weight was an impossibility, but he strove by every
means to get as near to it as possible. That event being the only one
of importance which he had never won, he was particularly keen to
break the ice this time, and as he had an undoubted good chance of
doing so on St. Mirin, he backed his mount to a very considerable
extent, but he could not get down to ride less than 8st. 71b.

The race resulted in a tremendous finish between him and Alfred
White on Sailor Prince, but the latter won by a head. Although few,
if anyone, agreed with him, Archer thought he did not ride that race in his
usual style of excellence, and the idea took firm hold of him, and un-
doubtedly affected his mind. Of course he was very weak from the
excessive fasting, and may not have been able to finish as well as he
was wont to do.

406

The last race he ever won was at this same meeting, on October 29,
when he rode Blanchland for his old patron Lord Falmouth in the
Houghton Stakes. His last mount was on Tommy Tittlemouse, in the
Castle Plate at Lewes on November 4.

He returned to Newmarket feeling very ill. Next day typhoid fever
developed itself, and in a paroxysm of madness he shot himself in his
bedroom at Falmouth Hous=^, on November 8, 1886, which, by a
melancholy coincidence, was the second anniversary of the death
of the wife he loved so fondly.

Very seldom did the death of an Englishman cause more sensation
than did that of Fred Archer. Consternation spread broadcast over the
kingdom when the news was flashed from Newmarket. Grief seized
all his friends, while sorrow sprang upon everyone who knew him.
Next day, when the tragic circumstances were learned, these feelings
became the more intensified. Thousands who never saw a race, in-
cluding old ladies and decrepit men, mourned for the man whose name
was familiar to them as that of the Prime Minister, and whose glory
they had so often seen heralded in almost every paper they had taken
up during the racing seasons of the previous decade.

Archer's coffin was followed to the little graveyard at the top of the
town of Newmarket by more people than was that of any other person
who was ever buried there. Nor did the vast concourse attend through
idle curiosity, as is often the case ; all came to do homage to the
memory of this great and popular jockey.

To assert that Archer's record is likely to remain unparalleled in the
annals of racing is, I think, pretty safe ; but to speak with equal con-
fidence regarding his ability as a jockey in comparison with others
who have not run up anything approaching his record is a different thing,
and as some of the best judges hold opposite opinions on that subject, I
certainly am not going to express mine, for of course it would be
valueless. It cannot, however, be denied that he was at times very
severe upon his mounts, and many a two-year-old which at first enjoyed
it, hated for ever the sight of a silk jacket after finishing a severely
contested race with Archer riding him.

He was intensely popular with all classes. Apart from his doughty
deeds as a horseman, which alone would make anyone popular among
Irish or Englishmen,hisquiet,unassumingmanner and gentle disposition,
ever courteous, generous and considerate, made for him friends among
all who knew him. Even his appearance was to be admired, for it was
that of a gentleman, and his style of dress was in accord. To see the poor
fellow riding hard over the Heath in covert coat, breeches and leggings,
or strolling up Piccadilly at Ascot time in West End costume, no one
would say " That is a jockey " unless they recognised the well-known
features. Unlike many others, he never fiew the flag except when he
donned the cap and jacket.

Even among his brethren of the saddle he was popular, but most of
them held him in awe and would make way for him in a race when

407

they would not do so for another possessing less courage and determi-
mation. The deferential and respectful demeanour which he always
observed to his old friend and master Mat Dawson was not the
characteristic least to be admired in this young man.

His emoluments, alone derived from the statutable fees of his pro-
fession, amounted to a very large yearly income, and eiiualled that
of many a nobleman, but they were nothing in comparison to sums paid
him as retainer fees, nor yet what was given to him as presents af cer
winning great events. Besides which he betted heavily, and backed his
own mounts. The consequence was, he amassed an immense fortune.

What Archer would have turned out as a trainer of course cannot be
known, but as his whole soul was in his profession as jockey, and as
he was yearly increasing in weight, it is highly probable that he would
have taken to the cross-country business. This was the more to be
expected as he was very fond of it, and rode schools many a time for
Captain Machell and Joe Cannon when their horses required steeple-
chase practice.

A report went abroad in 1885 that he was to have the mount on
a Newmarket favourite for the Grand National, and great was the
desire of us Irishmen to see how the famous flat-race jockey would go
between the flags, but the chance came not.

The number of caps and jackets in his possession, supplied by his
regular employers, was considerable, but the quantity of boots and
breeches was marvellous, and may be imagined from the fact that in
the racing season he rode generally four or five days a week, and often a-j
many times a day, and being very particular as to his turn-out on a race-
course, he always changed for clean ones mud-stained boots and breeches.

That we had in Fred Archer an object-example of where the true
instincts of a gentleman are inborn in a man o£ humble origin is in
evidence from the fact that neither his popularity nor his wealth, nor
yet the familiarity with which he was treated by those in the highest
social position, in any way changed for the worse his natural proclivities.
It is a pity that such manifestations are not more frequent. Equally
it is to be deplored that those destitute of the feelings of a gentleman,
when they fall in suddenly for a lot of money, do not always strive to
acquire them, or, at least, good manners.

Classic Races won by those mentioned in this chapter.

Trainers. Jockeys.

>- ^

J. Scott. M. Dawson. W. Scott. Ford ham. Archer.

Two Thou. Guineas 7 4 3 2 4

One Thou. Guineas 4 6 0 7 2

Derby ... 6 4 4 1 5

Oaks ... 8 6 354

St. Leger - - 16 5 9 0 6

41 25 19 15 21

408

CHAPTER XXIY.

WHOO WHOOP!

Preceding Chapters— Sport does Further Good— England's Greatness— AlanUness— Futurity
—Manly Exercise— An Effeminate Man— A Sportsman— A Homily from the Author—
" Straight "—Education— Give as well as Get— Foxhunters and Game Preservers—
The Prince of Sportsmen— Pluck— Harmonious Combinat'on— A Happy Family—
Brotherhood-Short-sightedness— Humanitarians— A Word to Them— Circulation
of Money— Communism— Our Traders— Our Nobility and Gentry— Examples needed —
Spendthrifts— Absentees— Progressive Age— What may be— Prospective Legislation —
Our Sciences— Our Old Sports— The Wheel of Life— Levelling of Classes— Human
Nature— Risen from the Ranks- The Upper Ten— Money— " The Old Stock"—
Commercial Aristocracy — Territorial Aristocracy — A Delicate Question — Landed
Properties— Agriculture— The Farmers— The Backbone of the Nation— Mainspring
of Sport— They must be looked to— The Agricultural Question— ii«iu— Downfall of
England— Greatest Question of the Day— Our Duty— Who this Book is Meant For —
A Request of the Author— Bad People— Statistics— A Challenge— An Assurance —
Vale, Vale !— Whoo Whoop !- A Couplet by the Author.

My task is nearly done— a task I undertook, as stated in the
preface, to try to show that our national sports have in them more
than they generally get credit for ; that Sport is, in a practical way, far
more beneficial to the poorer than to the richer classes ; and, in the
words of the title-page, that, as a medium for the circulation of money»
Sport stands unrivalled among the institutions of the kingdom.

To Sport is our nation very much further indebted. Great Britain
owes to Sport most of its greatness.

What, may I ask, makes the English, Irish, Scotch, and Welsh the
hardy men they are, but their manliness 1 What can create manliness
better than Sport and manly exercise 1

We see on the map those little specks, Great Britain and Ireland, not
much larger than some continental principalities were a few years ago ;
yet those little dots represent the nation which not only influences,
but controls the rest of the world.

That supremacy has been attained by our manliness, and aided by
our wealth is that supremacy sustained; with such-like alliance we shall
in the future continue to maintain our position.

On the other hand, should we ever fail in either our manliness or
our wealth, down directly will go Great Britain !

How to keep together our wealth, I certainly am not a fit person to
explain ; but with regard to keeping going the sports of our country, and
mayhap perpetuating them, I shall make a few more remarks before
bringing to an end my "Thoughts upon Sport." In doing so I must
refer to matter and current events with which the great subject of my
book is so incorporated that the interest of the one is inseparable from
the others.

In no country in the universe is to be found manly exercise so man-
fully followed as it is in Great Britain and Ireland. Look at the

409

hardships and fatigue requisite to be endured by the foxhunter, the
grouse-shooter, the deer-stalker, and the fisherman ; while polo, football,
golf, and cricket demand exertion which brings every muscle into
active requisition. And powerful brain faculty with quick decision of
purpose are essentially requisite to the all-round sportsman. In
addition to which our sports are all more or less fraught with danger.
It is that danger which makes them so attractive to our countrymen.
It is the constant engagement in these pursuits from earliest boyhood,
inuring them to rough usage and hard knocks, that makes our country-
men the greatest men in the world.

A man afflicted by nature with a delicate constitution, which at
times produces eflfeminacy, is greatly to be pitied; but a fellow who
through indolence or other fault becomes effeminate is a horrible sight,
worse even than a masculine woman — a fellow whose only object in
life is to dress and to dance, eat, drink, and talk scandal. To see him
going along with elbows squared over knocked and tottering knees,
taking hold of things as if they were going to burn him, equals
in abomination having to listen to him delivering himself, in
drawl or penny-whistle squeal, of his meaningless and egotistical
form of speech. These pusillanimous creatures, through want of
exercise, are .usually shapen with narrow shoulders, contracted
chests, with arms and legs devoid of muscle, These deformities?
though apparent to everyone else, they themselves never discern
owing to the self-conceit inherent in them ; nevertheless, feeling the
necessity, they have to put in splints their wasp-Jike bodits by means
of a woman's stays, while to give some sort of freshness to their peeled-
garlic face they rouge it and dye their eyebrows ! Ota truth these
" greenery-yallery, Grosvenor-Gallery, foot-in-the-grave young men," all
collar and cuffs, bedecked in jewellery, with idiotic expression and
lack-lustre eyes, are the most despicable specimens of humanity.

Happy and thankful should be the man who is endowed with manly
attributes ! See him strutting along with hat cocked and coat cut
betokening his readiness and ability to tackle anyone or anything, and
nothing to adorn him but that negligence which is the elegance of the
sportsman. The conversation of that man is often a treat to listen to,
delivered as it is in manly tone, and able as he usually is to converse
upon all topics. A man constituted with the true instincts of a sports-
man is seldom a bad man, while in him are always found traits of
character of the highest order. That is the sort of fellow— with ruddy
face, twinkling eye, and jovial manner — women admire most and lavish
their love upon, while they despise and ridicule the shivery-shakys.

Apart from other considerations what a fund is sport for enlivening
the mind and creating in it a healthy state. After a day's toil or
worry of one sort or another, when discussing sport or manly
games around the festive board all troubles disappear, and no room
is left for subjects unclean or topics which should not be broached.
Let, therefore, sportsmen look the matter straight in the face and

410

consider what they might have been had they not taken to sport, and
let them feel thankful for escaping the bad habits they might have
otherwise acquired.

As wrote someone : '' To become rich, perhaps not until the power
of enjoyment be over, some men labour hard and refuse themselves
pleasures which can only be enjoyed when man is in his prime." In
the case of a young and healthy min without a family dependent upon
him, I consider that to ba a very foolish doctrine. If he has the
means he should enjoy himself when he is young and able. Life is
short and always uncertain, it is therefore best to utilise the present,
for the past is gone and the future we may not see. Then if we do
come to the winter of life we need not repine but can, through its
"flickering twilight," look back with pleasure, though mayhap with
regret, upon the joys which sport in bygone days afforded us.

That being so, it is highly desirable that boys who show a love
for sport should be encouraged, no matter how humble their station,
80 long as they don't do mischief. Let them be taught what the little
word "straight" implies, and how to the walk of life, as well as to
sport, it can be applied. Act straight, think straight, speak straight,
look straigh^ walk straight, ride straight, shoot straight, hit straight.
Verily there is not a grander word in the English dictionary than this
little monosyllable.

Far better is it to give youth a good English education, and inculcate
within him the sound principles of honesty and the advantages which
are to be derived from manly exercise, than to stuff his head with dead
languages and useless sciences. How to take the measure of one's
opponents will not be learned by scanning Greek or Latin verse, nor
can the battle of life be fought upon algebraic or trigonometrical
principles.

Depend upon it, the man who can best get through life and surmount
the difficulties which surround him daily is he who has by nature
manly instincts, which he gives effect to by indulgence in Sport.
Every soldier and sailor, be he officer or private, O.S. or A.B., that is
any good, has in him love of and ability to take part in Sport.

No undertaking between man and man can have a lasting existence
unless each party, in one way or other, derive mutual benefit therefrom.
Each must give as well as get. Moreover, each must place confi-
dence in the other, for without it harmony cannot be maintained.
From a moral point of view these essentials should be the basis upon
which all arrangements which are expected to be continuous should
be made. In these days, when we see the fruit of equality fast ripen-
ing into maturity, the man is a fool who thinks he can make a one-
sided bargain. Farmers, if hunting is to be continued, must not use
ivire. Gentlemen who want sport must pay for it.

We all know scores of instances where foxhunters abuse game-
preservers because they object to have their coverts disturbed before
they are shot, while the shooter, who does not hunt, will ofttimes

411

destroy foxes to save a few head of game. This is alike deplorable and
unnatural. If a man is a sportsman he will admire not alone every
branch, but every bough and offshoot of sport, and will sustain them.
If a man will countenance only the particular branch he himself
happens to prefer, and does injury to others, assuredly he is not a
sportsman. He is a selfish, miserable creature, and man's constitution
has no characteristic lower than selfishness.

On the other hand the prince of sportsmen is the man who from
ioability or disinclination does not take active part in it, yet maintains
Sport in all its branches so as to emible others to do so. That is the man
who has the right to take the chair at all meetings of sportsmen.

So it is with regard to the man who is afflicted with weak nerve.
If he rides hard and straight, although in a funk when going at stiff
and dangerous fences, he is far away a more plucky fellow than he
who is possessed of nerve that knows not fear.

Nothing under the sun is self-supporting ; everything requires
assistance from without. In nothing is this axiom more exemplified
and demonstrated than in the sports of our country. To sustain and
maintain them in the high position they hold in the kingdom all must
pull together with harmonious combination. There cannot be any
friction. Those who may not, perhaps, derive any very great benefit
directly from sport, or its consequent circulation of money, should not
be so short-sighted as not to lend a hand in promoting our sports and
pastimes. When we come to think of the many, many millions of
money which I have shown are spent annually upon sport, percolating
as that money does through so many channels, and re-circulating
through countless rivulets, we must come to the undeniable conclusion
that some portion finds its way, in a greater or less degree, everywhere,
except back into the pockets of the original spenders. They get none of
it hack I

To maintain sport sportsman should give and take. They should
constitute " a happy family " and work in unison for the common good.
So long as the subject pertains to sport, it should have the sanction of
all, and be sustained, quite irrespective of a man's individual predilec-
tion. Sport is sport, be it hunting a rat in a ditch with a terrier or a fox
o'er the billowy grass. The hunters in both cases are imbued with the
same object, and ofttimes the rat-hunter is the purer sportsman.

The man who cannot aff'ord a shooting or fishing, but, with every
instinct of the sportsman, loves a day with rod or gun should be given
occasional leave over preserved land and water ; and, if he can ride, the
horseless foxhunter should at times be given a mount by rich friends.

Many is the hunt, small race-meeting, boating, fishing, and football
club, together with other sporting associations, which are sorely in want
of funds. If to them a fiver was sent occasionally by some of the many
of our rich men, the members could carry on without difficulty, while
no appreciable loss could accrue to the donors.

If by these means, in true friendship, a sportsman's brotherhood was

412

to exist, taking all branches as community, sport would receive out-
ward assistance greater than it does, and manifestly it would be th&
better able to resist the attacks of its enemies. Without a combination
of the sort, of will come some of the iwincipal branches of the parent
tree, and that within, perhaps, a very short time !

No doubt we have many in the land who don't, or won't, tak&
a liberal view of anything, being by nature, conviction, contrariety, or
some other more or less unrighteous influence, stone blind to the general
weal of the populace. With this class of people there is little use in
arguing. Fortunate it is, however, they are in such a very small
minority that they cannot bring adverse influence to bear to any appre-
ciable extent.

We have in other spheres those of the humanitarian element to deal
with. In them, like all those who hold fanatical notions, we find
bigotry and intolerance which are so difficult to be got over. These--
parties assert that nearly all our sports are more or less attendant with
cruelty. Perhaps in some of the details a few of our sports may be=
deemed somewhat cruel, but they are far away less so and are much
more to be admired than are some of the pursuits which these priggish
humanitarians themselves patronise and sustain.

While granting that pain is given at times when engaged in hunting,,
shooting, fishing, football, boxing, wrestling, polo, cricket, golf, cycling,
archery, croquet, tennis, peg-top, tip-cat, and playing marbles, none
except the most biassed and benighted can contend that the means does-
not justify the end. I am not aware, however, that the majority of
those holding so-called humanitarian principles refuse to wear sealskin
jackets or to decorate their hats with stufi'ed birds and waving feathers.
Yet to procure them the most atrocious cruelty is practised in capturing-
both the harmless seals and the lovely songsters !

As I said in Chapter ii., instead of interfering with the national
sports of our country it would be better for these people to join together
and strive to put down the barbarities which their own patronage
encourages, and include in the category dog and cock fighting, badger
baiting, coursing bagged rabbits, and shooting trapped pigeons, also-
wage war against tippling and gambling. In a crusade upon such
righteous principles they would get assistance from sportsmen.

Now, a man who would be wantonly cruel to any animal deserves
the severest punishment that can be meted out to him. I certainly
would do to him what he had done to the poor beast, bird, fish, or
insect. But sportsmen are not cruel. If a man is cruel he is not a
sportsman, even though he may be able to hold his own in every
branch of sport. He may be a " sporting man," it is true, but he is
nothing better than a brute.

The general weal of the country, both politically and socially, can-
not be obtained and maintained without circulation of money. Nor is
it necessary that individual prudence should be observed in carrying out
the object. Circulation pure and simple is what is required of money,.

413

for if gold be not put into and kept in exchange it is of no more use or
value than rubbish.

There are at present scattered all over the globe numbers of political
cobbers who, to get hold of other people's property, preach that there
should be a community of all things. Xow if these ultra-radicals were
to give the subject honest consideration they would see that the riches
of Great Britain and Ireland are practically as communistic as even
they themselves could either make or wish them.

Our traders, from the smallest to the greatest", have to embark and
employ their capital so as to produce a profit and revenue therefrom ;
but before helping themselves they have to hand over the greater portion
of that income to their employees in return for work done in providing
the income. Kow as the employed class of the kingdom outnumber the
employing class by an overwhelming majority, and as they are of the
humbler grades of society, we thus have practical illustratioa of
" community " of rich men's money among the poorer classes.

In like manner our nobility and gentry, who derive their incomes
mostly out of land, return that money in some way or other. Take,
for instance, the average resident country gentleman of, say, £5,000
a year, derivable out of land. He does not eat or suchwise do away with
the gold he gets from his tenants ; he circulates it right aod left
in all directions and among all classes. To artisans, merchants, trades-
men, and the tenants themselves he pays for necessaries for himself and
household. He employs servants and labourers about his house
and establishment. He spends a large portion of his income in further-
ing and sustaining societies got up for the advancement of agricultural
and horticultural science, as he also does towards promotion of the
breeding of horses and live stock, while his purse is always open for a
subscription towards purposes of religion, education, and amusement.
Then, if he is inclined for a practical indulgence in field sports, I have
already pretty abundantly proved what he expends upon them, and
into what channels his money flows.

It is therefore plainly manifest, as said shortly in Chap, xvii.,
that, although £5,000 a year is focussed in the one individual, the
whole sum radiates through countless outlets into the pockets of his
fellow-creatures.

To the humbler classes it is a necessity to their advancement and good
condition of life to have example set them by the higher classes. This
is made manifest by comparing the state of the humble classes who
live in the parts of the country where gentry are resident with that of
the people who dwell elsewhere.

Thus is shown that it is out of the commercial and territorial portions
of our community that nearly all the middle and humble live and
thrive— which, but by righteous means, gives effect to the doctrines
of communism.

The unfortunate spendthrift, who goes in for a short life and a merry
one, subscribes still more directly to those principles, for he, in his folly,

414

gives his all to the community. For instance, if all rich men were to
run the same rig as did Mr. Ernest Benzon and the Marquis of
Ailesbury, would not the object of the socialist be attained forthwith ?
Others possessed of the same idiotic recklessness are this very day
doing the same thing .

The foregoing remarks refer only to those of our moneyed classes who
live and spend their money in their own countrj'. Those who do not
spend the money at home, w-hence they obtained it, are an injury to the
community in whatever degree may be the proportion of their income
-which they spend abroad. Those -who hoard up their money and do
not spend it anywhere are not alone good for nothing, but they are bad
for everything and everybody.

Yes, absentees have been for all time a curse to our kingdom, and
more particularly to my ow^n dear old portion of it. The evil is, alas,
increasing and fast aggrandising the foreigners, who give us nothing in
return.

I make these remarks to show that the very best way for keeping our
rich men at home to spend their money in the country, is to uphold by
every means in our power the sports of our nation, so that the rich man
may, to the fullest desire of his heart, indulge in them.

We must all admit that we are now in a highly progressive age.
Changes are taking place with such rapidity that we who are the
spectators— even though we at times see premonitory symptoms of
what is coming — stand aghast in \vonder and bewilderment. But
what would our forefathers say if they were to rise from the dead and
see the changes which have been brought about within the last two or
three decades ? With these changes fast revolving before us, may we
not ask ourselves what is likely to happen within the next few years ?

Judging by the past, it is not unreasonable to suppose that in a com-
paratively short time we may see the air as a highw^ay additional to
the land and sea. That electricity, lessening the use of coal, may be our
principal motive as well as lighting power. That our present postal
system may become obsolete owing to our having ready means for
almost instantaneous universal communication, Avhich may be carried
on and paid for in a language and coinage common to the world.
That instead of six days being occupied in transit between Enghnd
and America, who knows but half the time may be sufficient for
the purpose, and that, too, over a sea calmed by human invention ?
Labour may have become master over capital to an extent that the
employed and the employer shall bear equally the profit and the loss of
commercial undertakings— ay, to the extent that the class now known
as "servants" shall have ceased to exist. The respect which has from
time immemorial be?n accorded to women by reason of the refinement
w^hich their nature so beautifully portrays may have been lost to them
through their having undertaken duties the prerogative of man, and
thereby changed for rude the gentle attributes which had hitherto been
the birthright of women.

415

None of the foregoing revolutions are impossible — they are probable.
That many of them, and others as great, will take place within the
next quarter century there can be no doubt.

Do we not hear doctrines allowed by the authorities to be preached
in the most open manner, circulated further as they are by literature
purchasable at our bookstalls — doctrines which, if established, would
upset the extant laws and ideas of morality, doctrines which tell plainly
that no man has a right to anything more than has his neighbour,
that everything is to everybody the same as are air and water ?

While those things, or some of them, are coming to pass, what is to
become of our Sports ?

I have very strong conservative opinions, inherited as they have been
from ancestors similarly constituted, but I am far removed from a Tory.
I think, therefore, that all constitutional requirements should be
anticipated and should be provided before they are asked for. Pro-
spective adoption of necessary measures by legislature would main-
tain the longer the great institutions of our country. Moreover,
ccncessions when made voluntarily need be of lesser magnitude than
they necessarily must be when they have to be made under
compulsion. Without looking far afield we can see how these remarks
apply to Sport.

From the days of Zenophon it has been the fashion of the passing
generation to think the rising one is not equal to their time, nor is theirs
equal to that of the previous generation. That is all nonsense. The
world is steadily improving in condition ; each succeedicg decade shows
plainly this to be the case.

That the great national and social institutions of our kingdom have
been improved within our own memory is as self-evident as is the
improvement in the general condition of the humble classes brought
about by education and increased circulation of money. There are, of
course, individual items which are not improved, but on the contrary ;
while a spell of bad trading and agricultural depression which we are
now suffering from must be expected periodically.

That many of our sciences are still in their nursery there is no
manner of doubt. The question is, will the further— not to speak of
the full — development of their resources, while it may exalt the mental,
won't degrade the physical capacity of our race ?— I wot not.

Up to now our old sports have kept well in the general progress.
Some require assistance and iiiust get it, but others are on as good a
footing, if not better and firmer, than ever they were, while new and
highly important pastimes have been added lately to ihe list of our
manly games.

The wheel of life has been revolving ever since the world began, but
of late years the velocity has increased to such an extent that the
spokes can scarcely be distinguished, so rapidly do they fly round.

It is a pity that all classes do not alike share in the kaleidoicopic
whirl. There is no room for all ; one has to make room for another. Such

416

has been the experience of the world throughout all history, and so it
will continue. The middle and lower classes are now, and very
properly, as-^endiog the hill of prosperity, but unfortunately they meet
the upper classes hurrying down. It is but a very few years since to
engage in trade was considered by the aristocracy and higher
grades of gentry derogatory ; now we find members of those classes
only too glad to join the commercial circles. The daughters of our
leading merchants, who but an equally short time ago were considered
eligible to associate with the higher classes only at public ball?, are
now sought after for wives fnr the sons-in-heir of some of those stand-
ing highest in the pages of the Peerage and Baronetage. The estates of
some of the oldest families in England are passing into the hands of
men who made their positioa alone by trade, while properties which
are not sold outright are being brokea up by reason of the tenant
farmers having purchased their holdings.

Thus we have the levelling of classes by the lowering of the one and
the raising of the other, and thus is being lost the supremacy which in
former days was enjoyed by our territorial magnates.

What effect these changes in society will have upon the country in
general is not here to be discussed, but we have a right to consider
what effect they will have upon the Sports of the nation.

Practicall}'^ speaking, it is since the present century began that the
leading branches of our sport have come under proper system, and
it is only within the last forty years they have developed into
excellence. During that time they have been conducted solely
under the guidance of the upper class, who in every way maintained
them in prosperity, while their surveillance has kept together the
minor branches.

It is a fact palpable to all endowed with reason that, by nature, we
are prone to resp?ct those who by birth and social position are superior
to us more than those our own equal, not to speak of those inferior. It
is also human nature to look with envy and disrespect up n those of our
own class who have, even by their own ability and exertion, risen to
opulence and have attained a position higher than ourselves.

These may be, and in some instances are, unworthy sentiments —
natural though they be. Expeiience, however, justifies our holding
them, for examples are comparatively few of where a man who has
risen to a position he was not born to is able to fill it properly.
Examples to the contrary are found plentifully in eve'-y class and
calling. Who makes a bad landlord like the tenant ? Who makes the
bad master like the man who was a servant ? Who makes the martinet
like the soldier who has risen from the ranks ?

In former days men in high social position were as a rule possessed
of good monetary means ; alas, such is not the general rule now. By
one reason or another their incomes are all reduced, while many of
them have no income at all. In olden times few men hunted or raced
except those belonging to the upper classes. Xow we find at the

417

meet and in the paddock the commercial eleme-^it in number far exceed-
ing that of the upper ten.

Without money no institution can get along. Money, however, is
not everything. Without leaders in whom subordinates place confi-
dence, and for whom they hold respect, no institution can be maintained
in either propriety or prosperity.

Luckily we have had a great accession of commercial men into the
ranks of sport within recent years, and were it not for their money,
hunting, shooting, fishing, yachting, and racing would, I fear, be in a
very bad way now. But, although not as well off" as they once were,
the "old stock" still holds the helm, and therefore all goes well. If,
however, thiogs continue to be as bad with them as they have been,
their incomes, within a comparatively short space of time, will practi-
cally disappear altogether. In that event the commercial men must
take their place.

Commercial men can make first-rate statesmen, soldiers, sailors, and
sportsmen, and for dealing with great financial or other State questions
they are of course much better qualified than the aristocracy. But
in the interest of Sport, and without intending to hurt the feelings
of anyone, I ask, will men possessed only of money, and no matter
how honourable in feeling and intention, be able to command the
respect, and thus the poiver of control^ which was reposed in pre-
decessors of higher social graded — If they do it will be contrary to all
precedent.

The commercial aristocracy have many means of acquiring wealth ;
the territorial aristocracy have none other than that which they have
succeeded to— their landed estates. These properties have been vested
in them for centuries, acquired as they have been by their forefathers
or predecessors by conquest, grant of Government, or by purchase.
Therefore to their estates are our landed gentry entitled by every law
which governs rightful possession. The title to their properties
is in all cases equal to that of Great Britain to her colonies, and in
many instances much stronger. It is therefore the duty of our Govern-
ment not alone to protect that title, but to protect the possessors,
while it was nothing short of aiding and abetting robbery to pass
Acts of Confiscation as has been done in recent years.

A systematic and all-round reduction of rents was not necessaiy
to be made, as it was, in Ireland ; but that legislation with regard
to rents on some Irish properties was needed no fair-minded man can
deny, and it was highly proper that the interest of the agricultural
tenant, in respect of unjust rents, should be provided for. So it haa
been ; but a vast deal has yet to be done for the agricultural interest
of the kingdom, and that by means more beneficial to the tenants while
preserving intact the position of the landlords.

Mining, manufacture, and commercial enterprises of all sorts are, of
course, tremendous factors in the maintenance of England in the posi-

EE

418

tion she holds. There can, however, be no doubt that Agriculture
heads them all. Out of the land are derived the incomes by which the
landlords dispense money amongst all classes. They do so to an
extent far away beyond the traders ; while English farmers spent
vastly more money, ivhen they had it, than ever did those employed by
the whole commercial community put together. Moreover, it is from
amoDg the farming class we get our best soldiers and sailors, and there
we find the most moral and best conducted men and women in the
whole kingdom.

Without a doubt the backbone of the nation is the yeomanry and
the farmers, while they are the very mainspring of sport. Withal,
nothing has been done for them beyond reducing in Ireland the rents
all round. Elsewhere through the country rentals adjust themselves.

Too Jong have our agricultural classes been allowed to suffer from
unf lir and absolutely bad laws, resulting as it has done in the total ruin
of thousands of our farmers and irretrievable loss to every member of
the body. If, therefore, legislation does not devise means by which
our farmers will be enabled to make more money by their calling
than they have done of late years they as a body ivill he ruined. Ruin
of the farmers means of course ruin to all landed proprietors, with
consequential loss to the whole nationality, more especially the trades-
men and shopkeepers.

To reduce rents is all very well for the tenants, but it is proportionately
bad for the landlords, and no one portion of the community should be
aggrandised through means of robbing another. Some other plan must
be adopted whereby both landlord and tenant will derive mutual advan-
tage. Neither ability nor experience warrant me in suggesting what
should be done, but assuredly coalition between " parties " in Parliament
upon such a patriotic measure should be adopted ; and if they would
join together, instead of wrangling, a righteous measure could soon be
devised and passed. But as long as each clique will alone look to its
own selfish end, and oppose what is for the general good, the passage of
great national measures becomes impossible, and they have to be
shelved.

The great Agricultural Question cannot, however, be left on the shelf
any longer, and the way to bring about its immediate adjustment is for
the constituency of every county in the kingdom, at the next general
election, to require from the men they return to Parliament a solemn
promise to bring it forward directly the house opens, and not allow
it to be dropped until finally settled on a basis mutually beneficial to
landlord and tenant— ergo, to the Nation.

To assist in thus binding our M.P.'s no one should take a more
prominent part than sportsmen in general, and foxhunters in particalar.
Farmers through all time have assisted sportsmen ; it is now the bounden
duty of sportsmen to aid the farmers in their distress.

Needless to say, if ruin be brought upon our farmers and landed
proprietors, down immediately must tumble the leading bracchf s of
Sport, which alone cause the expenditure shown in this book,

419

Then, deprived of the means whereby we have become the greatest
nation in the world, and despoiled of those who were our leaders, and
who so nobly backed us up, what will be the result ?

Without hesitation I answer : the ultimate downfall of England !

Happily, there is yet time to avert such a catastrophe— dreadful, too
dreadful, to contemplate !

Let the Government recognise the fact that the greatest question
they have to consider, except our naval supremacy, is the welfare
OF the farmers and landowners. All others stand as nothing to it.

To tackle that question, so omnipotent to the nation, Conservatives
and Liberals should coalesce, and fearlessly go for what is right, un-
mindful of whatever support they may lose by doing so.

I have now no more to say upon the subject of my book except
that our predecessors maintained in the highest degree of excellence
our Sports, and handed them over to us in that state. It is our
duty to deal in the same manner by those who are to come after us. —
Let us do so.

This book has been written by me for the purpose stated in the
preface and repeated often in the chapters. The book generally is
meant more for the detractors and enemies of Sport than for sportsmen;
so I wish I could think the compilation, imperfect as it is, would
find its way extensively among the class it is meant for, but I am
prone to believe it will be read more by the others. Let me, therefore,
request of my readers who are sportsmen to bring, upon ail available
occasions, the great facts which I have dealt with under the notice of
those who are our enemies.

I am strongly of opinion that real downright Sport has few enemies
except among those who are ignorant on the subject or are, perhaps,
a trifle warped in their fancies. Some of these people are righteous
in their own way and may be converted. Let them, therefore, on the
off-chance, read " Thoughts upon Sport," at all events Chapter xvii.

For those who are cursed with wicked and vindictive propensities,
combined with a crooked and contracted mind, which induce them to
oppose Sport, this book is not meant except so far as to show how
untenable is their position. To convert these people is impossible ;
in fact, the more good that is shown to be in any institution the more
delight will bad people have in doing it injury, for such, of course, is
their nature.

Statistics, with their inevitable accumulation of figures, were always,
and still are, my detestation, and whenever their ghastly columns
meet my eye I instantly look elsewhere from the hideous vision.
Little therefore did I think that, in the autumn of my life, I should
engage in compiling what was hitherto so abhorrent to me. Sport,
however, exercises such an infatuation upon its votaries that there is
no accounting for the results. Hence it is, I suppose, that while deal-
ing witH the glorious subject, my constitution— normal as regards

420

ordinary concerns — became ot a sudden, so to speak, regenerated. And
although the effort was necessarily attended with much trouble and
great care, I derived not alone interest, but absolute pleasure, in
making the vast and important calculations which I now put before
the public. Assuredly no statistics upon any subject other than Sport
could, by any possibility, enlist my feelings to the degree which those
under notice have done.

After having arrived at the results I freely confess I was astounded
at the totals. Men whose knowledge is confined to their own surround-
ings may cavil at some of the estimates, but I don't think those who
enjoy widespread and varied experience will do so, for they will
know how to take the average. At all events no very serious mistake
can be found except that the totals are under the real figures. To
prove them otherwise I defy anyone !

No doubt I hit hard at times, but, as I say in the preface, I do so in
the interest of my magnificent subject, and if I may, unfortunately,
hurt the feelings of some people I cannot help it, but assuredly I do
not mean to give offence. What I desire is to see recognised by all, and
effect given to by sportsmen, what I convey in the following couplet: —

Ah, Sport is the pride of the nation !

It made Britons the men that they be ;
It does good to the whole population.

And knows neither class nor degree.

Therefore let us all pull together,

And in harmony give it support ;
Around the one standard we'll gather,

And manfully stick by our Sport.

And now, my readers, be ye who ye may,

" Vale, vale, — si quid novesti rectius istis
Canditus imperti ; si non his ut^re mecum."

WHOO WHOOP !

421

APPENDIX TO RACING-

Omiseion Explained— Drastic Measures required Immediately— Five Years of Bad Times-
No Likelihood of Improvement— Expense of Breeding and Baoing Maintained—
Stallion Fees— Cost of a Foal— Cost to Produce a Good Horse— Purchasers of Fashion-
able Foals— Bad System— Paradoxical— Old Fees— Relationship between Owners
and Kaoecourse Executives— An Analogy— Old Times— Times Change i— Principle
must be Changed Too — Entrance Fees, Forfeits, and Starting Fees — System in
Ireland— A Scale for Entries — Same as Punchestown — Fees for the Derby of
1892— Owners' Blindness to their Position— Preposterous System— Recruits from the
Middle Classes— What they Did— What they Should Do— A Homily on Past and
Present— A Collapse Inevitable— Analysis of Owners— Sad Eesult— What may Even-
tuate—What Ought to Exist— Behind the Scenes— General Public- Racecourse
Companies- Ignorance of Both— What is Required of the Jockey Club— The Author's
Opinion— Trainers— Pos?crij9t— January, 1894— A Disastrous Record— The late Mr.
G. A. Baird— The Duchess of Montrose and Others— Another Word to the Jockey
Club.

Owing to having mislaid the MS., and forgetting all about it until
it turned up recently, a portion belonging to Racing was not sent by
me to the printers in time to come in near top of page 188. I am,
therefore, obliged to bring it in as an appendix, but it should be
taken by the reader in its proper place, and not in its present position.
I wrote nearly all of it at Christmas, 1892.

As I said, racing may be perpetuated for all time— a long time any-
way ; but, if so, measures drastic and effective must be taken, and if
they be not taken immediately the collapse of the sport is inevitable.

The Jockey Club must look to the interest of those who breed horses
for the purpose of sale or racing them— they must also look after those
forming the rank and file of '* owners."

The last five years have been the very worst that were ever ex-
perienced by any man alive. There is not a community in the kingdom
which has not suffered, nor is there probably a single great firm as well
off now as it was five or ten years ago ; while the aristocracy, gentry,
and farmers, having fared far worse than the trading community,
are not half as well off as they were a decade ago. At the present
moment things are worse than ever, nor does there seem the least
chance of improvement ; on the contrary, there is every likelihood of
their getting still worse.

In face of this terrible state of national affairs the expenses of
breeding racehorses and racing them are not alone kept up to what
they were in good times, but they are absolutely increasing.

To get the service of a stallion of even moderate fame a man has to
pay for his mare a fee of from £50 to £100, while to get near those of
first-class renown he has to pay from £150 to £250. In addition to the
service fee, thoroughbred foals in England stand the owner in pretty
nearly £100 the day they are dropped : and by the time they go to the
starting-post for the first time, as two-year olds, another £150 will

422

have to be added. Therefore, when a man has paid, say, £100— not to
speak of the maximum fees— his colts or fillies the day they first
start will stand him in every shilling of £350 apiece. That would not
be so bad if they all turned out well ; but not one in five does so, and
not one in twenty turns out first-class, while many, from one cause or
another, never see the starter's fl^g. Add the loss of the dead plus
that of the bad to the cost of the good ones, and then see what breeders
have to lay out by the time they have produced a really good horse.

To cover the expenses of breeding alone, foals have to be sold at
proportionately high figures. The purchaser who does not breed under-
goes, of course, the sam3 expense with his young ones as the man who
breeds and has to face the same uncertainties. If, therefore, he pays
more than £300 or £400 for a yearling he has very much the worst of
the bargain. What, then, is to be said of those who pay £1,000 or
£2,000, not to speak of double the latter sum, for yearlings ?

To make that sort of business pay is simply an impossibility. Not
one in five of these high-priced yearlings pay their own way, and
none of them pay the way of the bad and dead ones.

How paradoxical is all this ! Long ago when times were good, and
our gentry had lots of money, with horses a vast deal better than
they are now, Stockwell's service could be got for £50. Going back
from his day, say only to Harkaway, whose fee was something like £10
or £12, we find all the great sires, including Melbourne, Touchstone,
Birdcatcher and other patricians of the Stud-book, standing at from
£15 to £30 !

Another dreadful injustice breeders labour under is that in the case
of a mare proving barren there is neither refund of fee nor other com-
pensation made. Surely one-half the service fee should be returned
and free service given next time. A man pays for the sight of a foal,
and he should get what he pays for.

So far for our breeders and buyers of yearlings sired by fashion-
able stallions. Let us now consider the case of owners as a community.

The relationship between owners of horses and executives of race
meetings has for all time been carried out on a wrong principle, and
quite -at variance with the custom invariably adopted in cases which
are, to all intents and purposes, identical. Race meetings have been,
and continue to be, got up presumably for the purpose of showing sport
to the public. The executives find the course, provide stand houses,
etc., and advertise stakes to be run for. They have, however, never
found it requisite to provide the factors who alone enable them to run
their show. They have always been supplied. Not alone that, but
money is paid by the factors to the racecourse executives which in
nearly all cases equals the amount of the stakes, all the time allowing
the latter functionaries to pocket the gate money.

Now, may I ask, what would be thought of Sir Augustus Harris or
Mr. Michael Gunn, when advertising popular plays to come off at
Drury Lane or the Gaiety in Dublin, if they supplied only the stage

423

seats and scenery within the walls of these theatres, requiring the
actors and actresses to give their services for nothing, and be content
that the best performer was to draw a sum which was made up entirely
by subscriptions among themselves, while Sir Augustus and Mr. Gunn
were to^take all the door money ?

The analogy is by no means overdrawn. The principle is identical
with that which governs owners and racecourse executives. In old
times, when race meetings were got up really, not presumably, for
sport, and when owners of horses were well off, it was right and proper
that the flatter should give their services to the promoters of the
former, not alone gratuitously, but subscribe liberally in the shape of
entriea.

Now, however, times have changed, alas, lamentably for the worse as
regards owners, but jubilantly for the better as regards racecourse
companies, and as racing has degenerated into a matter of business
the relationship between the two must have its principle altered.

Out of the entrance fees, forfeits, and starting fees, which are paid by
owners for the privilege of finding horses for the sport, the companies
can in most instances pay the swagger stake? they advertise. By this
means principally they have accumulated vast funds and are enabled
to pay big dividends to the shareholders. These they should now
be made disgorge, or, at all events, alter their system.

We, in Ireland manage these matters much better. We charge only
a small fee for entry, and another for starting, while sweepstakes and
forfeits are practically unknown. In England, owners are mulcted in
entries and forfeits of sums which far exceed their trainers' bills. And
in my chapter on Horse-breeding is shown the low fees we charge for
horses possessed of the best blood in the Calendar^ and who begat
such cattle as Barcaldine, Bendigo, Cloister, and Kilwarlin.

If the relationship between promoters of race meetings and owners
was to be carried out upon a righteous principle, the former should
provide large stakes and pay the latter for providing the means for
sport. After a time that may have to come to pass. Meanwhile owners
should only be required to enter horses, say, three or four months before
the race, and then to pay for each entry at most 1 per cent, on the
added money and another 1 per cent, for either starters or horses left in
say, a month before the race. Sweepstakes, if not left optional, should
not be entered for until a month before the race, and then be subject
to only one-fourth forfeit, which should go to the winner. The executive
at Punchestown has always adopted a like principle, and it is in as
tound.financial position as any meeting in the kingdom, and far better
than most of them.

Take, for example, the Derby of 1892 already referred to. The
entries numbered 259 (not 264 as stated at p. 174). In fees and forfeits the
owners paid £5,510. That sum was given to the winner, whil« £1,000
was divided between the nominator of the winner and the owners of the
second and third horses. Qat of that large entry only thirteen started

424

at £50 each, so that 246 entries, for which £4,860 was paid, together with
the interest, was lost to the owners and went to the fund of the Epsom
Grand Stand Company, it finding only £1,000 for the race !

If owners had entered for that race, say, on February 1, 1892, at 1 per
cent, on the £6,500, they would have had to pay £65 in the first instance
and another £65 on whatever horses were left in on May 1, which would
practically represent the starters. No doubt heavy sums, but the plan
would be far better than that now existing. Besides, the public would
have a pretty fair idea what the field would be. The effect of entering
horses for races a long time before they can run for them is simply to
gull the public, fieece the owners, and aggrandise the race companies.
The practice should, therefore, be stamped out.

With all their keenness and ability to take care of themselves, owners
have remained quiet over this question of stakes far too long. Many
of them are con{^tituted with the happy-go-lucky sentiment, and take for
granted everythi&g is right that is laid before them by the powers that
be ; while the remainder have got so accustomed to be skinned that
they, like the eels, do not realise the enormity of the abuse.

The system, nevertheless, is manifestly preposterous, and would not
for one moment be entertained by any community other than the
owners of racehorses.

In addition to bringing entries and forfeits to a minimum, race-
course companies should be required to find free quarters and grub for
horses attending their meetings as well as for the lads in charge.

Railway companies should also give a carte blanche to all racehorses
and their attendants.

Under even the most favourable and fortunate circumstances, racing
is not a profitab'e calling for any man, and then to make stakes balance
expenses, much less show a profit, judgment and prudence, combined
with rigid economy, must be practised systematically.

Owing to our monstrous system there are many men in England
this moment whose racing accounts have often shown, for ten years
on a stretch, a systematic loss of from £5,000 to £10,000 a year. One
of the best known and most popular of our noblemen has for eleven
years lost £11,000 a year through breeding and racing alone— for he
does not bet. At last he has produced a really good horse, and could
probably get for him £10,000 or £15,000, and if he turns out well
and has good luck he may win in stakes perhaps £30,000 ; but what
will that be to the owner in the face of a debit of £121,000 1

Lucky it has been for racing that all through its history we have had
from the ranks of the mercantile class accessions of wealthy men. To
these sportsmen is owed a heavy debt of gratitude, for without that re-
inforcement the sport could not have been maintained in the high
position it has always stood. Theee rich men have, however, done a
serious injury without intention. They have run up the prices of
yearlings, the offspring of fashionable stallions, to a figure altogether
beyond their value. As a result, the fees for service of th^se st^llioog

425

have been raised to an amount prohibitive to everyone of mocierate
means.

It is these mercantile magnates who should now run these prices down.
If they don't do so, the gentry and aristocracy cannot carry on at the
game, and before long the commercials themselves must succumb.

It is folly to think, beciuse racing is more popular than ever it was,
that as a business it is in a healthy state. It is not in a healthy state,
but very much on the contrary.

The multitudes who pay at the gates support only the promoters of
the meeting. None of the money goes to the men who find the horses
and jorovide the spo7% and what they get for winning is subscribed by
themselves. Owners are left to provide the piper and to pay him,
while the executives call the tune and the public dance thereto.

In former days our owners could afford to maintain that position,
and manfully they did so, Utopian though it may have been on their
part. Now, however, with incomes reduced by half, and expenses
increased by double, they can no longer perform the part of comedian .

These are facts indisputable ; if, therefore, some great change be not
brought about, the collapse of honest racing is inevitable.

Taking for a guide those who have their colours registered, we may
estimate the number of men racing in England and Ireland at about
1,100. Looking over that list which is before me, I find a number
lamentably large who are not worth a thousand pounds above their
debts, while a great many are stone broke. There is, however, a large
proportion who can well afford to race if the expenses be kept
within a reasonable limit, but who cannot do so as things stand at
present. We then have left those who, despi-e bad times and hard
luck, can pay the piper, be the expenses what they may.

These men are well known, and by dissecting their names from the
long list, it will be seen the number is so small that racing could not
possibly be carried on bythem alone. Even if it could, and g eat as
b3 the riches of these men, and no matter how deeply may be planted
in their souls the love of racing, is it reasonable to suppose they
will, for any length of time, continue to fight a losing game 1 Will
they always consider the game is worth the candle? But granted
they will, will those who succeed them do so ?

Now, suppose any of these aristocratic or commercial millionaires take
it into their heads to chuck up racing, what is to become of the sport ?

At present we cannot afford to lose one of them. I myself know
two of these colossal pillars of the Turf who are meditating retirement,
and that before long. There is nothing to prevent, but on the contrary,
a great deal at present to promote, the retirement of others ; and, in
time, of the whole lot ! What then ?

Sorry I am to put these details in print, but for the good of the sport
I love so well, and in the hope of preserving it, I feel bound to do so.
They are facts which all who are behind the scenes know only
00 well, but they fear to give utterance thereto.

426

The general public know nothing about the " baby house " of racing.
The executives of race meetings gauge the prosperity of the sport by the
attendance, heedless or ignorant of the fact that their turnstiles record
the visits of people who, not having anything to say to the horses or the
sport, outnumber those who have by a hundred to one, and come for
no other purpose than betting or the outing.

I doubt if times will ever be as good as they were with our aristocracy^
gentry, or farmers. At all events they will not be for many a long year.
Meanwhile, we should have our racing in spite of all financial depression.

Let, therefore, the Jockey Club and other of our great leaders
exercise foresight by improvising measures, and carry them out with
determination combined with discretion, which will preserve the sport
from perdition.

In my humble opinion, all that is required is to have the expenses of
our breeders and owners cut down to a minimum. To effect this purpose
no one need be dealt with except the owners of stallions, racecourse
and railway companies. The price of yearlings will adjust itself.

Trainers should not be interfered with. The fees they charge are not
excessive considering their skill and the responsibility of their position,
with the amount of attention and anxiety attendant upon a racing
stable. Besides, men of such high class and character as are our
trainers deserve to be properly remunerated for their services. As it
is, many of them are paid with unjustifiable irregularity by their
employers, and, in addition, are required to advance money to great
amounts for travelling expenses.

P.S.— January, 1894. A year bas passed since I put together the fore-
going. A year all round far more disastrous to trade and agriculture
than any of the preceding five, hence probably the very worst that
has ever been chronicled in cur nation's history.

As regards racing : In March occurred the death of Mr. George
Alexander Baird (Mr. Abington), whose loss to the Turf is estimated
at from £80,000 to £100,000 a year. We now see by the papers that the
Duchess of Montrose is going to give up racing, and there are rumours
of other great patrons doing the same.

Loving the sport as much as her grace and the others do, I am very
sure none of them would thro 77 up the sponge but for the expense, which,
under the present system, is ia the most monstrous degree levied right
and left upon owners.

With this state of affairs staring them straight in the face, it is the
bounden duty of the Jockey Club to bestir themselves and do what
Lord George Bentinck, Admiral Rous, Mr. George Payne, or Lord
Drogheda would have done under similar cir( umstances.

There is no time to be lost, for directly an example such as the
Duchess of Montro£;e's be set, it will be followed numerously.

INDEX

Abd-el-K.ider, 131

Abdullah, 202

Aberdeeufehire, 260

Abernethy, Dr., 349

Abingdon, Mr., 39G

Absentees, 411

Accidents, xxviii

Ace of Hearts, 13

Achnasshellach, 260, 268

Act of Parliament, 305

Affarick, 272

Afternoon Tea, 298

Agitators, xxxi

Agricultural Question, The, xlvi

Agriculture, 418

Ailesbury, Lord, 315

Ailesbury, Marquis of, xxxv, 414

Ainslie, Colonel, 98, 163

Aintree, xx, 146, 150

Aladdin, 401

Alarm, xl

Albert, 196

Aldershot, xxxiii

Alexander, 201

Alhambra, 203

Alice Hawthorne, 188

Allen-a-dale, 168

All's Well, 162

Altcar, 281-288

Ambergate, 97

Amcotts, Major, 34

Anak, 90

Anarchists, 292

Anatis, 131

Anchor, 32

Anderson, Alec, 33

Anderson, Mrs., 96

Anderson, T. W., 32-34

Andover, xl

Andre, A. von, 268

Angleseys, The, 202-212

Anti-G-ambling League, xiv

Annagh Course, 129

Anne, Queen, 91

Annfield Runs, xiii. 19

Anson, Colonel, xxxiv. xxxix, 3C3,

364, 387
Ansou, Lord, 355
Aphrodite, xl
Apjohn. Thomas, 160
Appendix to Racing, xxi
■'• Appleton, Mr.," xx
Arabians, 91
Arbuthnot, Mr., 37
Archdale. Captain, 1(33
Archdales, The, 195
Archer, Fred, xi. 202, 340, 395
Archer, William, 402

Archery, 297

Ardverikie, 272

Argyllshire, 260, 267

Ariadne, 13

Aristocracy, Commercial, 417

Aristocracy, Territorial, 417

Artful Dodger. 390

Arthur, 29, 13i

Ascetic, xvii

Ascot, 155, 181, 186, 212, 224

Ascot, 1895, xxii

Ashburton, Lord, 243

Ashplant, 97

Aspacia, 168

Astrologer, 198

Atherstone, The, 55, 355, 356

Athgarvan Lodge, 197

Athole Daisy, 402

Athole, Duke of, xxviii. 360

Atlantic, xli, xlii

Attila, 385, 390

Augustine, 15

Autumn Handicaps, 1894, xxii

Avon. The, 310

Ayala, 239

Aylmer, M., xx, 98, 164

Ayrshire, 189

Ayrshire, horse, 398

Bacchus, 209

Back, sore, 117

Back-swording, 311

Badminton, 31

Badminton Library, 227, 243, 244, 256

Bad Times, 421

Bagot, 210

Baily, Wm., 4

Bailifs Magazine, xx. xxvi. 138

Baird, G. A., 396, 426

Baker, George, 230

Baker, Hugh, 34

*' Bakers," 77

Bala, 257

Baldovle, 141, 183, 203. 219

Balfe, Captain, 163

Ballinaboola, 52

Ballinafad, 215

Bal Una sloe, 95

Ballydutf. 25

Ballydurn. 4, 25, 27, 38, 57

Ballydurn Country, 26

Ballyueale, 4. 27

Ballyshannou, 128

Balmacaan, 272

Bank Holidays, 305

Banting, 352

Barbarians, 307

Barbaries, 91

G G

42 S

Barcnldine, 97, 188, 189, 123

Barclay, Captain, xx. loi

Barclay- A.llardice. Capt., xxxvii, 217,

299, 300, 371-382
Barkby Holt, xvii. 130
Barker. Miss, 385
Barkston, 2li, 214
Barkston Lodge, 211
*' Barnsley Chop," A, xxxvi
BaroD, The, xli.xlii, 159, 197,198, 207,

210.211
Baronetage^ 416
BaronstowD, 135, 139
Barony Boy, 129
Barrington, Charles 151
Barron, Misses, 220
Barron, P. Netterville, 297
Barry, Billy, 6, 18, 55
Barrv, J. Harold, 163
Barry, Mr., 130
Barry more, Lord, xxxv
Barton. Major, 163, 233
Barton, William, 2
Barton's Yard, xxxviii
Ba»s, Hamar, 260
Bates, Captain, 160
Bates, John, xxvii. 223
Bateson, Colonel, xxx
Batthyany, Count, 189
Battle Powder, 238
Baxter, pedestrian, 375
Bayleaf, 204
Bavlough, 25
Bay Middletou. xl
Bay of Biscay, 302
Beagle, 211
Beasley. Mrs., 215
Beasleyi Harry, 152, 199, 200, 202,

203, 205
Beasley, James, 202, 204
Beasley. John, 202, 204
Beasley, Tom, xx. 199, 201, 202, 215
Beasley, William, 7, 162, 202, 204, 215
Beasleys, The, xxiv. 176, 199, 201. 204
Beitty, David, xiv. 163, 248
Reiuclerc, Lord F., 362
Beaufort, Duke of. xxii. 9,31, 49, 163,

227, 387, 401
Becher's Brook, 148
Bective, Lord, 163
Belcher, Tom, 317
Bell, John, 32, 95
BelVs Life, xxxiii. xxxviii. 151, 321.

324. .327, 330, 357, 361, 371
Bellyse, Dr., 312
Belvidere, 230
Belvoir, The, xx, 27, 55, 57
Ben Battle, 96, 97, ISO
Ben Bolt, 160

Bendigo, 97, 196, 207, 397, 423
Benicia Boy. The, 323
Benjamin, Bill, 323, 3i3

Bennett, " Farmer," xxxiii

Bennett, J. C, 151

Bentinck, Lord Geo., xxxv. 169, 170,.

212, 213, 335, 336, 426
Benyon, R., 314
Benzon, Ernest, 414
Beresford, Captain Pack, 4, 9. 13, 163
Beresford, Lord Charles, 32, 34, 56, 58,

189
Beresford, Lord Delaval, 32
Beresford, Lord Marcus, xli. 12, 14, 32,.

3^,58,76,403
Beresford, Lord William, 32, 34, o8
Berkeley-Craven. General, xxxv
Berkeley, The, 55
Berkhampsted Staghounds, 34
Berkshire, 311

Bernard, Captain, xx, 151, 163
Bernards, The, 98
Bernard, Colonel, 163
Berwickshire, 268
Bessborough, 25

Bessborough. Lord. 16, 28, 32, 40
Betagh, Michael, 163, 166
Bettors, xxxv
Bianconi, Charles, xxvi
" Bian's Car," xxvi
Billesden Coplow, 130
Birdcatcher, 92, 196, 198, 20S. 20^,.

211,212. 422
Birgham Water, 233
Bishop's Wood, 248
Bismarck, 196
Bittoon, Isaac, 315
Black. Jem, 311

Black- breasted Reds, 312, 318, 335
Blackburn, Major, 6
Blacker, Wm.. xx, 164
Blackfoot, 212
Black HamWeton, 173
Blackmount Forest, 260
Blackrock Strand, 213
Black Rose, 405
Blackstairs Mountain. 250
Blackwell, Geo., 399
Blake, B., 129

Blake, C. J., 96, 164, 166, 40&
Blake, Edmund. 128
Blake, J. G., 166
Blake, Martin, 129
Blake. Martin Joseph, 208
Blanche of Middlebie, xlii
Blanchland, 406
Blandford, Marquis of, 314
Bleeding, to stop, 117
Blews, Mr., xxxvii
Blind Harper. 136
Blind Vet, 135
Blink Bonny, 189
Bloomfield, Miss, 31, 32
Bloomfield, F. G., 32, 34
Blubberhouse, 247

429

Blucber, 215

Blueskin, 6, 137

Boadicea, 90

Boat-races, 291

" Bobbie," 89

Bob Booty, 209

Bogside, xli

Boherbawn, 167

Bolger, Ned, 55

Bolton Starling, 91

Bond, Mr., 6

Bookey, Mrs., 31, 32

Boothani Bar, 313

Boots, to waterproof, 117

Borodale, 248

Boulevard, 9G

Bourton, U8, 149, 205

Bowater, Edward, 358

Bowers, Edward, 33

Bowers, Henry, 28, 33, 48, ST

Bowes, John, xxxix. 385

Boxing, 293-297

Boyce, Mr., 154

Boynton, Sir F., 313

Bracebridge, 3G3

Bradgate Park, 245

Brady, John. 249

Braidwood. Mr., 22G

Brazenface, 228

Breadalbane District, xxx

Breadalbane, Marquis of, 2G0

Breast, Sore, 117

Breen, AVat, 34

Brettle, Bob, xxxlii, 823, 333

Brighton Downs, 139

Brindley, Thomas, 176

Briscoe, Edward, 28, 33, 48, 87

Briscoe, Henry W., xUi. 3, 4, 9, 15-22.

28. 30, 32, 54, 61, 95, 119, 126, 163
Brittle Feet, 117
Brixworth, 357
Brocklesby lot, 16
Brocklesby Puppy Show, 84
Broderick, Dan, xxi, 195
Broderi'jk, Jim, xxi
Bromhead, xxx, 247
Bromley- Davenport, 72, 77, 136
" Brooke's," 335
Brooke, Sir Victor, 246
Brophy, William, 13, 96
Brother to Flnrry, xxxv
'•Brothers' Knee," The, 58
Brown Bess, 129
Brownstown. xxv, 24
Brownstown Lodge. 196, 208
Brownstown Run, 37
Brown Tommy, 312
Bcuckshaw, T., 393
Bruges, 309
Brummell, Squire, 314
Brunette, 1S7, 208
Bruntjn, Harry, xxxiv, 325, 326

Bruree, 96

Bryan, George, 4, 9, 98, 1()3

Buckle, F., xxxviii, 376, 388

Buckstone, xli

Buckstone and Tim Whiffler, 397

Buckstone and The Marquis, 397

Budd, Ed., .^00, 361, 371

Bullfighting, .307

Bulmershe Court, 311-319

Bufhble Bee, 13, 14

Bunburv, Ben, 32

Bunbury, Ralph, 34

Bunbury, Sir Charles, 335

Burgho, Sir R. de, xx

Burkes, Blakes, and Bodkins, 12^

Burke. Deaf, 375

Buvhe ami De Brett, 326

Burke, Richard, 2, m

Burke, Major, 157

Burn-Murdock, Mr., xx

Burns, 117

Burrows, Major, 164

Burton Country, 355, 356

Burton, Dick, 355

Burton, Lord, 260, 272

'Bus Drivers, xxvi

Busybody, xhi, 396

Butler, F., 388

Butler, Loid Junes, 4, 9, IG3

Butler, Walter, 129

Butterscotch, 97

Buttevant, 128

Buxton, Mr. Gurney, 246

Cabmen, xxvi

Cadland. 388

Cahir, 34

Cahirmee, 95

Caithness-shire, 267

Callan, 29, 397

Caller Ou, 7, 189

Camballo, xlii

Cambridge, Duke of, xxx

Cambridge Gap, 358

Cambridgeshire, The, 181, 207, 336-

Cambusmore, 405

Campbell, Colonel, xxix, 154

Canavan, Charley, xxiv

Canavan, Davy, xxi, 206

Canavan, D. and W., xxi, 206

Candy, Captain, xx

Canezou, 385

Cannobie, xli

Cannon, Joseph, 175, 195, 4o7

Cannon's, Morny, Doncaster, xxiit

Cannon, Tom, 175, 397

Canny, Dan, xx

Captain, 5, 12

Caravan, 212

Garden, Colonel, 163

Cardinal Puff, 6, 212

430

Carlow, Lord, 166
Carmarthen Steeplechase, 13
Carmelite, 201, 202
Odrrick-on-Suir, xiv. 25, 3 4
Carrig-a-nure, 25
Carrig-a-tubrid, 25
Carrigeen, 25
Carrigeen Run, 36
Carr gtrus, 3, 26, 27
Carrigtrus Run, 28
CarsoD. Mr., 302
•Cashel, 132, 139
Cassidy, James, 163
Castingline, Mr., 231
Castledermot, 95
Oastleknock, 169
Castlemilk, 288
Castlemorres, 3. 16, 31
Castle Plate, 406
Cathal. xvii

Catherine Haves, xli, xlii, 188
Cavendish. Hon. George, xxxv
Cecile, The, 167
Cecilia, xlii
Celt, The. 6

Cesarewitch, The, 181, 336
Chaiue, James. 161:
Chaloner, Tom', 397
Chancery, 201
Chanticleer, 188, 207
Chantilly. 200, 399
Chaplin. Mr. H., 56, S35
Charibert, xlii
Charity Boy, 160
Charlemonts, The, 195
Charles II.. xxxviii. 172
Charles XII., 92
Charrite, Colonel, 357, 362
Chaseaway, :^15
Chasseur d'Afrique, 36
Chatterbox. 202
Cheasty, 16
Cheltenham, 212
Cheroot. 15
Cheshire, 312-319, 335
*' Cheshire Drop,' 312
-"Cheshire Piles," 312, 335
Chester, 171, 313
Chesterdeld Stakes, 213
Chichester, Captain, 154
Chifney Rush, 312
Chifnev, Sam, 388, 4.01
Chilblains, 116
Childeric, xli, xlii
Chippenham Park, 245
Choleric Tom. 213
Cholmondeleys, The, 312, 314
Chop, Mutton, XXX vi
Christian Dick, 362
Christmas Gift, 202
Chrysalis. 14
Chrystabel, 14

Churohtown, 25

" City Man," The, 303

Clanc.v, Tom. 55

Clanricarde, Lord, 9, 99, 130, 163, 195

Clarke's Lotion, 116

Clarke's Giatment, 114

Clasher, 30, 362

Classic Races, 1896, xxii

Clayton, Captain, 34

Clear the Way, 31

Clibborn. Ned, xiii

Clifton. 173

Clinker, 130. 362

Cloister, xvii. xviii. 97, 132, 150, 152,

205, 423
Clonassey, 26
Clonassey Run, 37
Cloucurry, Lord, 154, 163
Clonea Castle, 25
Clonmel, 25, 95
Clonmell, Lord, 9. 25, 154. 155, 159'

163, 164
Ciooney, Tom, 4
Cloth, to ^raterproof, 117
Clown, The, 29
Coach, Waterford, Duugarvan, and

Lismore, xxvi
Coachmen. London, xxv
" Coal Hole,' The, 303
Cockfighting, 308-319
Cockneyp, 230
Cogan, Right Hon. W., 164
Coghlan, P., 33
Coke, Arch, 287
Coke. John, 287
Coke, Wm , 367, 368
Collestown, xx
Co'liiis, 322, 333
Colonel, The, xviii
Coltness, 97
Combe, Harvey, 357
Combermere, Lord, 312
Comeaway, xvii. xviii. 132, 119, 150,

203, 205
Commercial Buildings, Dublin, 304
Commercial Community, 304
Commodore, 210
Commodore Trunnion, 168
Common, 176
Confessor, 123
Confiscation, 417
Congreve, Ambrose, 28, 33, 220.
Congress, xviii
Connaught, Duke of, 32
Connaught Ranger, 208, 209
Connellan, Major, 34
Connolly, John, 168
Connolly, John, xxi
Connolly. Tom, 207
Conolly, Thomas, 9, 163
Conoran, Nickey, 300
Conrad. 6

431

Conservative Majoritv, 181>5, xlvi
Conyngham Cup, 152, 157, 200, 202,

204
Conyngham Lodge, 106
Conyngliam, Marquis of, 154, 163, 196
Cook, 13

Coolve, Robert, xiii
Coolnamiiclc, 25
Coolnamuck Run, 53
Cooney, Dick, 55
Cooper, Colonel, 9
Cooper, the Gipsey, 205
Coote, Captain, 163
Coote, Sir C, 96
Coppenagh, 7
Corbally, 25
Corbally Run, 5
Corbally, Mr., 96, 166
Corinthian Cup, 135, 153
Cork Park. 140. 141, UO, 183, 200, 202,

229, 230
Corriebran, 269
Cortolvin, 131, 149
Coi-by, Captain, 163
Cotherstone, xl. 336, 385
Cottons, The, 312
Couch, Abey, 322, 333
Coughs, 117
Countess, 162

Country Gentleman^ The, xxix, 274
Coursing versus Hunting, xxxi
Courtenay, H., 32, 34
Courtenay. Ned, xiii
Courtenay, John, 4, 98, 131, 195
Coventry, Captain, xx
Coxes. The, 4, 9, 208
Cracked Heels, 116
Craithynaird, 375
Crampton, Sir P., 154
Craven, Fulvvar, 315
Craven, Lord, 314

Crawfurd, Mr.W. Sterling, xxiii. xxviii,
401

Cremorne, Lord, 212

Cribb, Tom, 380

Crib-biting. 117

Cricket, 291

Crockford, 335

Crocus, 27, 58

Croft, 385

Crofcer Commission, 260

Croker, Harry, 164

Crokers, 98

Croly, Surgeon, 221

Cromwell, 129

Cronootes, 91

Croquet, 297

Cross, Mr. Pi. K., xxx

Crotanstown, 205

Crotanstown Stud, xxv

Crowberry, xli, xiii
roxteth Park, 247

Croydon, 172, 202

Cruelty, 412

Cruiser, 202

Cruiskeen, 210, 212

Cruiskeen Lawn, 122

Cuffe, Captain, 32

Cullen, F. F., 207

Culleu, W. P., 207

Cullen-", Toe, 176

Culverine, 168

Cumberland, Duke of. xxv

Cummins, D. K., 32, 33

Cummins, William, xxvii

Cuaard, Sir B., 57

Cure The 37

Currigh, The, 91, 183, 193-215, 200, 405

Curragh Course, 206

Curragh Gorse, xxiv. 206

Curragh Ranger, 196

Curragh Rangership, 168. 169

Curragh Stibles, 203

Curragh View, 207

Curraghbaha Run, 21

Curraghmore Blood, 17

Curraghmore Country, 3, 4, 25, 26

Curraghmore Hounds 20, 88
Curraghmore Races, 48 58, 74, 125,
132, 200, 203, 343

Curry, Recipe for, xxxvi

Cusack, Wm., xxi

Cushgam Hill, 221

Cusick, pugilist, 323, 326

Custance, xli

Cuts. 116

Cycling, 297. 299

Cypriad. 390

Cyrus, 200, 201,202

Balhj TelefjrapTi, xx^x, 266, 268

Dainty Davie. 169

Dalbiac, Charles, 311, 311, 316

Dalnaspidal, xxviii

Daly, Denis Bow.s, 195, 197, 209

Daly, James, 95, 96, 107

Damascus Twist, 328

Dame Street, 217

Daniel O'Rourke, 336, 335, 394

D'Arcy, Giles, 95, 107

Dirley Arabian, 91

Daryell, Sir Henry, 315

Dasiiwood, Sir George, 315

David and Goliath, 322

Davies, William, 335

Davies, Mr., 96

Daw^son, Captain H., 33

Dawson, George, 189, 195, 396, 397

Dawson, John. 391

Dawson, John, jun., 396

Dawson, Mr. Mat, xli. xliv. xlv, 188,

394-399, 401, 405
Dawson, Mrs. Matt., xli. xliv
Dawson, Miss Nell:e, 405

432

Dawson, R. C, 96

Davs. The, 175

Deanes, The, Si

Debeau, John, xxi

De Burgho, Sir R., xx. 98, 135, 163

Deer Forest Commission, xxxi. 267

Deformed. The. 13

D'Eijville. 212

De la Poer. A., 32

De la Poer, W., 32

'•Demon, The,"" 402

Dennebev, Michael. 195

Dennis, John, 130,212

Denny. Abram, 47

Denny, C. E., 32

Denny. Mr . 367

Dent, Edward, 287

Departure, 343

Derbv. Lord, xxxii. xxxix. 172. 288,

312. 387
Derby of 1892. 174. 423
Derby of 1894, The, xlii
l>erbv of 1895. xlv
Derby. The, xxxii. xli. 130. ITjl. 172,

174, 19], 288, 306, 312,335,338
Derg, Lough, 230
De Robeck, Baron, xx. 163
Desart, Lord, 9
Devil's Ditch, 358, 375
Dewdrop, 169
Dewe, W. H, 274
Dewhurst, Captain, 166
Dickenson, Bernard, 315
Dickson. Major, 154
Dinner Parties, 298, 349
Discount. 149

Disgraceful Exhibition, A, xxxviii
Disney, William, 195, 19o, 209
Distemper, 279
•' Dixie,'' 282

Dobbyn, James, 34, 58, 152
Dobbyn, Larry, 9. 135
Doctor, The, 6
Dogs, Species of, 284
Dog Shows. 291
Donca>ter, 171, 186
Doncasier, 1894, xxiii
Doneraile, Lord, 163
Don Juan, 56
Donnelly, Dan, 205
Donnellys Hollow, 205
Donoughmore, Lord, 32
Dooovan, 1:'9
Donovan, F., 95
Doolan, Larry, 218
Dormouse. 212
Douglas. Captain, 130
Dowling. 25

Dowlin.-, Mr. Frank, xxxiii. 324, 331
Downfall of England, 418
Down Harriers, 74
Down Staghouuds, 74

Pownshire Course, 157

Downshire, Marquis of, 157, 163

Doyle, John, xxi, 7

Drawing Room Stakes. 212

Drewitr, 399

Driving, xxv. 216-228, 291

Drogheda, Earl of, xxi

Drogheda, Marqu-"s of, xxi. 98. 154,
165-170,201,426

Droghedi, Marchioness of, 166

" Druid," Tne, 388

Drumnachdar, 266

Drury Lane, 422
j Dublin Horse Show. xvi. xxi. 13, 100-
I 103.219,221,222'

Dublin Jarvies, xxvi

Due an dhurras, 7 -

i Duchess de Guise. 13-15
I Duff, Mr. C. G., xviii
! Duke, John, xiv, 18. 24. 27. 32. 37. 54,
i 5?5. 121
I Duleep Singh, 245
I Dumb-bells, xxxvi
j Dunbar. Wm. J., 151, 283

Dundalk, 219

Dundee, xli, 394

Dungarvan, 21, 25

Duugarvan Coach. 223

Dunmore, 25, 301

Dunne, James. 206

Dunne, Michael, 98. 132. 163, 215

Dunne, William. 96, 164, 166

Dunotrar, 370, 371

Dunsandle, Lord, 163

Dunsden, 311

Durham, Bishop of, 340

Dutch Oven, xlii. xliv. 188

Earl, The, 336
Earlies Gorse, 25
Eaton Hall, 389
Ebberson. 361
Echidna, 196, 211
Eclipse, xxiv. 211
Eclipse Stakes, 191
Economist, 212
Ede, George, xx, 131
Eden, The, 233
Edge, S. T., 298
Edgware Road, 362
Edwards, Arthur, 397
'■ Edwards, Mr.," xx. 210
Effeminacy, 409
Egertons, The. 312, 314, 319
Eglinton, Lord, xli. 394
Egremont. Lord, 3S7
" Eight Hours,"' 306
El Dorado, 400
Ellesmere, Lord, 398
Elveden, xxx. 246
Elmhirst, Mr., 34
Elmore. Mr., 362

433

Elvina, 390

Elwes. Captain Hichurd, 12
Emo Fox Hounds. 166
Empress, 132, 199, 200-202
Empress Eugenie, xxxiii
Kngland, Downfall of, 418
English Moors, 257
Enid, 32
Epirus, 213, 391
Epsom, 172, 186, 219
Epsom Grand Stand Company, 424
Escape, 210
Euclid, 389
Evans, Mr., 362
" Evans's," 303
Everard, Mr., xxviii
iJSxeter, Marquis of, 387
Exning, xxxviii. xlii, 397
Eyre, Giles, 130
Eyrefield, 201, 202
Eyrefield House, 201, 201
Eyrefield Lodge, 199

Fair Maid of Kent, 142

Fairwind, 200, 201

Fairyhouse, 58, 137, 139, 145, 150, 152.

183, 201, 219
Fairyland, 195
Faithlegg, 27, 249
Fallacv. xxxvii
Falls, iDad, 117
Falmouth, Lord, xli. 181, 395, 396,

404, 406
Fancy, The, 167
Farley and Boyes, 303
Farmers, The. 28, 62, 68, 82, 83. 99,

127, 139, 159, 290, 410, 418
Farmers' Race, Kildare, 159, 200
Farnborough, xxxiii, 309, 326
Farquharson, Mr., 366
Farrier, xxxvii
Fashnakyle, 272
Father Mathew, xviii
Father O'Flynn, xvii
Fauconberg, Lord. 373
Faugh-a-ballagh, 207, 208, 209
Favo, 96, 198
Fazzoletto, 385
Feeling of Animals, xv
Fellowes, Mr. R,, xx^i i
Feloar, 366, 370
Fenwick, Noel, 396, 397
Fereda, The, 167
Ferguson, pedestrian. 373
Ferguson, Tom, 207, 211-215
Fethard Course, 147
Fethard, xiv
Fetische, 202
Ffrench Furze, 196
Ffrench House, 195
Fiddown Bridge. 52
Field, TJie, xxviii. xxx. xlvi, 15 \248,289

Fife, Duke of, 260

Figg, 325

Filgate, Mr., 18, 163

Filho da Puta. xxxv. 385

Fingall, Lough, 269

Firefly, 15

" Fistiana," 310

Fists, 294, 295

Fitzgerald, William, 2, 220

Fitzgerald, Lord Otho, 159

Fitzgeralds, The, 21

Fitzhardinge, Lord, 55

Fitzwilham, Hon. H., 163

Fitzwilliam, Lord, 387

Fitzwilliam Square. 221

'^ Flags," The Liverpool. 304

Flatman, El, 388

Fleming, Arthur, xiii

Fleming, J. Congreve, xiii. 50, 55

Fletcher, 373

" Flickering Twilight," 410

Flight, 210

Flirt. 361

Flood, Wm., 4

Florizel IL, xvii

Flourisher, xxxvii

Flowers, Harry, xxxiii. 311-319

Flurry, Brother to, xxxv

Flying Column, 7, 204

Flying Childers, 142

Flying Dutchman, x'. xliv, 397

Fly no. Father Martin, 5

Fochabers, 233

Foley, Lord, 335

Foley, Mr., 129

Foljambe, George, 366

Folkestone, Lord, 314

Football, 290, 297

Foot-races, 291

Forager, 160

Fordham, xli. 397, 39,9

Forebodings fulfilled, xxi

Forster, Colonel, 98. 163

" Forty-Foot," The, 302

Four-in-Hand, The, 219

Fowke, Sir F., 56

Fox, Chas. J., xxxiv

Foxes and Sheep, xvi

Foxes, 85-89

Foxhall, 336

Foxhound, The, 284

Foxhunter's Jig. 122

Francis Joseph. 168

Franks, 385

Frazer, General, 9

Freeman' s Journal, 79

French, J., 129

French, Joe, 207

French, Tom, xli. 404

French, W., 129

Freney, 209, 212

Freney the robber, 208

434

Frigate, 133. 142. 202-204
Full Cry, 105
Fullerton, 286
Furley, 196
Furlongs, The, 21
Fyfield, xl

Gaiety Theatre, 422
Graffuey, Groom, xx
Galliard, xli
Gallinule, xxv
Galloway, 2GS
Galopin, 07
Galore, xli
Gahvay, 230
Galwey, James, 194. 280
Gamebird, 199, 201
Gamecock, 132
Gamesters of Wilts, 3 10
Gandv, Captain, 32
Gandy, Mrs.. 31. 32
Gaper, 33G

Gardenmorris, 21, 25
Gardenmorris Run, 36
Gardiner, Will, 356
Garlies, Lord, 370
Garterly, 172
GartJans. The, 98, 163
Gaultier, 51, 63
Gavin, Paddy, xxi. 196
Geheimness, xliv
Gemma de Yergi, 12, 1 J
General Election, 157
Gentleman Riders, xx
Georo^e, 209
George I., 172
George IV., 197
Germany, Emperor of, 399
Ghuznee, 390
Gibbons, Bill, 31', 816
Gideon'. Johnny, 327
Gillard, Frank, 55
Gilliver, Joe, 313
Gilmour. Mr. W. L., xxviii
Giraffe, 169
Giraldus, 92
Girl, The, 31
Gladiator, xl
Glascott, James, 3i
Glascott, W. M., 4, 19, 20, 34
Glasgow, Lord, xli. H87
Glenbower Run, 20
Glenfeshie, 260
Glengariff, 230
Glenmasson, 123
Glenmore, xi^
Glenquoich. 260, 272
Gloaming, 169
Globe, The, 341
Gloucestershire, 310
Glove Fights, 310, 333
Godolphin Arabian, 91

GofP, Robert J., 13

Goff, Mrs., 31

Goflf, W. G. D., 32

Going, John, xiv. 24, 163

Golden Horn. 215

Golf, 291

Gooch, Sir Thomas, 243

Goodall, Stephen, 164

Goodall, Will, xx

Good Runs, 5, 19-21, 35-38

Goodwood, 172, 181, 186, 314

Goodwood Cup, 212, 213

Googawnbarragh, 230

Gordon, T. G., 96, 196

Gordon Castle, 375

Gordon, Duke of, 375

Gorse Covert Foxhounds, 67, S06 .

Gorse Coverts, 25

Gortrush, 80

Gough, George, 4, 34

Gough, Hugh. 5

Gough, Tom, 4, 34

Gouarh, Judge, 163

Goughs, The, 98

Goulbourne. Mr.. 375

Gout, The, .'72

Grace, IL, xvii

Graceful. 53

Grafton Street, 218

Graham, Bellingham, 355

Graham. Mr. Bellingham, xxxvii

Graham, Sir Reginald, xxxvii

Grand Duke Michael Stakes, 212

Grand National, xvii. 7, 74, 113, 131,.

142, 147, 181, 202-204, 338, 407
Grand PrJx, xlii
Grange, The, xxx
Grant, Jack, 322, 333
Grantully, 246
Gray, George, xxi
Greatheart, 123
Grecian, 307
Grecian Bend, 203
Greek and Latin, 410
Greer, Captain, xxv. 96. 166
Gregory, C, 32
Gregson, xxxviii. 335
Gretfon, Fred, xxxv
Greville, Captain. 367
Greville, Lord, 74, 96
Greville, Reggie, xx. 207
Greyhounds, 275, 280-284
Grey, Lord De, xxx. 246
Grey Momus, 212
Grimaldi, 362
Grosvenor Gallery, 409
Grosvenor, Lord, 314, 315, 319
Ground Game Act, 2()4
Gubbins, Captain S., 96, 98, 152, 164^

195
Gubbins, John, 34. 96, 98, 164, 405
Gubbins, Rev. William, 34, 36

435

Guiccioli, 19(j, 208, 209

Guilcagh Cross, 30

Guilford, Lord, 53

Guisachan, 272

Gullane, xli. 394

Gully, John, xxxviii, 335, 358, 375

Gunboat, 142

Gunn, Michael, 422

Guns, xxxi

Gurteen, 25

Gymnastic?, 297

Backfall, 6

Hackneys, xvi

Hall Farm, 246

Hamilton, Duke of, 395

fiamilton, Mr., 13

Hamilton, K., 206, 209, 210

Hamilton Lodg^, 206

Hampshire, 319, 356

Hampton, xlii. 56, 97

Hampton Stud, xxii

Hand Ball, 297

" Handicapping," 8, 134

Hanlon, Johnny, xxi

Han way, W., 75

" Happy Family," 411

Hard Times, 100

Hardwicke Stakes, 340

Hardy, Harry, '8

Hares, Turned down, xxviii

Harford, Colonel, xx. 163

Harkans, G, 129

Harkaway, 105, 190, 198, 207, 211-215,

422
Harper, Thomas, 98, 163
Harris, Sir Augustus, 422
Harrow Hill, 862
Harvester, 189, 306
Hastings, Lord, 25, 396
Hastings, Ladies S. and L., 30
Hastings, Marquis of, 335
Hatchetts, 225
Haughton, Bold, 312
Hawkes & Co.. 217

Hawley, Sir Joseph, xxxv, xl, 335, 336
Hay, Sir A. K., 366
Haywood, W., 399
Heath Cottage, xxxviii
Heath Farm, xli. 398
Heath House, 394, 397
Heavy Bettors, xxxv
Heenan, J. C, xxxiii. 309, 321-333
Helys, The, 21
Henry, 15
Henry IL, 172
Henry VIIL, 90
Herbert, Rev. N., 4
Herbert, Walter, 4
Hermeberry. P., 33
Hermit, xl. 97, 336
Hermit (hound), xxxvii

Hero, The, 7

Heron, 29

Heron Court Manor, 244

Hibernian Jehu, 217

Hickey, John, 223

Hickman, Mr., xx

Highfield, 189

Highflyer Hall, 210

Highflyer Mare, 210

Highgate Cemetery, 33

Highland Lassies, 263

Highland Mary, 201

Highlands, The, 252-272

Higginson, Sir James, xx

Hiland, John, 33

Hillier, Mr., 96

Hind Shooting, xxviii

Hindlip, Lord, 260

Hirsch, Baron, 181

Hobbie Noble. 337, 3:57, 394

Hocks, Capped, 117

Hodgson, J., 222

Hoeys. The. 98, 163

Hoffman, Charles, let

Holderness, The, 356

Holkam, 243, 246, 367, 370

Hollyhock, 210

Holman and Harris, 278

Holt and Crook, 337

Holyoake, F., 130

Hook Cottage, xxxiii

" Hoplemuroma," 114

Hop Pole Inn, 312

Home, Colonel, 233

Horn of Chase, 215

" Horse and Groom," xxxviii

Horse Breeder^ The^ 107

Horse Breeding, 90-103

Horse Sales, 12, 14, 392, 396

Horse Shows, 91-95, 100, 123, 1T>8, 291

Horses ridden by Osbaldeston, 358-360
„ „ W. Scott, 388, 389

,, „ Archer, 403

„ ,, Fordham, 4<>0

Horses trained by J. Scott, 385-^94
„ „ M. Dawson, 394-399

Hospodar, 123

Houghton Stakes, 406

Houldsworth, Mr., 385

House of Lords, 56

Howth, Lord, 4, 9, 98, 139. 141, 154,
163, 195

Hudsons. The, 21

Humble, Miss, 30, 31

Humble, SirN.,4, 163

Humble, R. and C, 21, 34

" Hume, Mr.." xx

Humming Bird, 196

Hunt, Thomas, 33

Hunt, William and John, 21

Hunter, Hon. Horner. 67

Hunter, R. J., 59, 129, 20S, 209, 211

436

Hunting, 61, 78
Hunting, Cost of, 79-84
Huntingdon, Lord, -i, 21, 25
Huntinglield, Lord, xxx
Huntley Lodge, 375
Huntsman, 131
Hurdle Race, Paris, 203
^'Humanitarians," xv, xxxi
Hurricane, 385
Hutchinson, Hon. H., 151
Hutchinson. John, xx
Hutton Bushell, 355
Huttou. Captain, xx. 154
Hutton, John, 95, 9<5
Hyde Park, 77, 172,217. 220
Hyland, Larry, xxi
Hypatia, 168

I" Anson. William, 189
Idle Boy. 215
lerne, 209
Igoe, John, xxi
Ildegarda. 210
Ilex, 97. 132
Illuminata, 399, xlii
llsley. 391
Imperieuse, 385
lachageela, 230
Insurance Companies, 311
Interchange of Mtets, xiv
Inverlair Moors, xxx
Invermark. 260
Inverness-shire, 260, 267, 367
Ireland, 263
Ireland. John. 375
L X. H. S. Com., 110, 113-116
Irishman, 29. 37
Irish Queen, 215
Irish Shooting, 257
Irish Sj?ort.smnn, 10, 79, 97, 138, lo'i

182, 183, 283
Irish Times, 100
Irish Town Councillor, 217
Iroquois, 271, 336
Irvine, William, 2sS
Irvines, The, 195, 207
Isabella, 399
Isherwood, John, 316
Isinglass, xliii
Islington, xvii
iveagh. Lord, xxx
Ivev^. Mr., 135
Izod, Colonel, 31

Jacob, Captain, 2
Jacomb. 316
James I., 90
Jameson, Wm., 152
Jannette, xlii, 188
Jardine, Robert, 2S8
Jephson, Harry. 4, 9, 12
Jereed, 390 '

Jockey Club. The, xxii. xxxix. xli

172. 173, 213. 121, 126
Jockey Hall, 196, 210, 211
Jocke)s' Riding, xxiii
Jockeys' Riag, 10 i
Jockeys' wins —

W. Scott's, 388

Fordham's, 401

Archer's, 403
''Joes," 77
Joggleberry, 238
"John Jameson," 231, 238
John Kane, 75
Johnny, 12

Jones, Aaron, xxxiii. 322, 323, 333
Jones, John H., 4, 9, 33. 208, 211
Jorrocks, 68, 71. 76, 109, 237, 274, 350
Joy, Captain, 196, 201
J. P., 58

Juanita Perez, 13
Juggler, 195
Julius, xlii. 188
Julius Cassar, 90
July Course, 398

Kate Fisher, 140, 160

Kavanagh, 341

Keate, William, xxxiii. 311-319

Keegan, Larry, 196

Keene, Alec, 325

Kellett, Captain, xiii

Kelly's Gorse, 25

Kelly's Rocks, 301

Kelly, Stephen, xxi

Kelly, Tom, xxi. 196

Kelso, 393

Kendal, 96, 97

Kendal, jockey, 399

Kenmare, 230

Kennedy, Captain F., xx

Kennedy, Lord, xxxv. 130, 271, 300,

366. 369-371
Kennedy, Sir Edward, 163
Kennedy, William, 154
Kennet, The. 310
Kennet Ale, 315
Kennett. Charles, 50, 55
Keogh, Dr., 32
Keogh, Tom, xxvi
Kerry, 231
Kettledrum, 394
Kick up the Dust, 13
" Kid, The," 402
Kilcash, 25

Kildare Club House, 195
Kildare Hunt, 73
Kildare Hunt Cup, 168, 200, 202
Kildare Hunt Plate, 162
Kildare Stakes, 209
Kildermorie, 272
Kilkenny Hunt, 8, 120
Killarney, horte, 6

437

Killarney, 230. 231

Killeen, 3, 16, 89

Kilmacow, 26

KilmacthomaF, xxvii, 21, 21, 25, 51

Kilmeadan, 88

Kiltorcan, 3, 16

KilwarliD, 97, 423

Kiugcraf '. xli. 188

Xing Eene, 168

King Tom, xxxiv. 309, 332

Kingsclere, xliv

Kinnear, A. W., 372

Kirby Gate, 217

Kirkwood, Captain, 16 1

Kirwans, The, 212

Knavesraire, 173, 389

Knees, Big, 117

Knight, The, 1^5

Knockaderry, 26

Knockany. 29, 95

Knockbrack. 25, 27

Kuockbrack Runs, 5, 35. 36

Knockmore, Tom, 89

Knocktopher Abbey, 208

Knowsley. xxxix

Knox, Captain ■' Curley," xx

Knox, George", xx. 160, 168, 196, 208

Knox, Maurice, 4, 31

Knutsford, 313

Ladas, xvii. xli. xlii. xliii, 399

Lady Elizabeth, 336

Lady Ellen IL, xvii

Lady Golightly, xlii

Lady Kirk, 215

Lady Waterford's Gorse, 25

LaFleche, 92, 100, 181, 388

Laird, Mr. and Mrs., 233

Lalor, Thos., 4, 9, 16, 32, 34, 38, 40, 45

Lamb, The, 132, 282

Lambert, A., 32

Lambert, H., 34

Lambert, Mr., £0

Lambkin, xlii. 396

Lancashire, 312

Lancashire Plate, 191

Lancers IX., 298

Latid and Water, 84, 148, 232, 287,

263
Landed Proprietors, 418
Land League, The, 28, 40, 60, 63, 97
Landnothing, Lord, 231
Landseer, 106, 145
Lane Foxe's Covert, 26
Langar, 129
Lmgford, 212
Langford, Lord. 208
Langham. Nat. 77. 303, 322, 325. 333
Langrish, Sir H., 208
Langrish, Sir J., 4. 34
Lmgton Wold, 389
Laodamia. 14

Laragh Run, xx, 164

Lark Lodge, 196,209

La Rose, 168

Lascelles, Lord, 385

Latin and Greek, 410

La Touche. Percy, 156, 164

Lauderdale, Lor.i, 268

Laurence, '• Pig," xx

Launcelot, 390

Lawlev, Hon. Frank, xxxix. xl

Laycock, T. F., 272

Leatherhead. 390

Lecturer, 33t>

Lee Barber, Captain, xx. 198

Legatee, 123

LeL'er of 1S51, xl

Legh, Peter, 314

Legh, Thomas, 312-319

Leicester, Lord, 243

Leicestershire Handicap, IHI

Lentulus, 97

Leolinus, xlii

Leopardstown, 137, 139, 141, 146,

150, 183, 200
Leonie, xli
Leprechaun, 215
Leslie. Sir John, II
Letterewe, 272
Lewes, 31)9

Liberator, The. xviii. 132
Licensed Victual!, rs' Gazttte, xxxiv,

299
Licensed Vic'uallcrs' Mirror, 308
- Limb. The,'" 207
Limerick, 95, 179
Limerick Drag Hunt, 135
Linde, Eyre. 199
Linde, Mr. H.. xviii. 152, 164, 196,

199-201
Lismore, 129
Little Brocklesby, 56
Little, I'aptain, xx, 7
Little Charley, 402
Liverpool, 186
Liverjwol Echo, 346
Live StocI^ Journal, 225
Lizzie, 215
Lloyds, 331, 341
Loates, Tom. xli, xliv
Loudesborough, Lord, 24^, 392
London Fire Brigade, 226
L''udonderry, Lord, 74, 395, 405
Longfellow, 311
Long, Willie, xx
Longs, The, 98, 103
Lonsdale. Loril. 49
Lord's Cricket Ground, 375
Lord George, 6, 7, 12, 15, 160
Lord Gough, 97
Lord Lvon, xxxv
Lord Tara, 211
Lough Kennard, xxx

438

Lough Leven. 233

Lowesby Hall, 56

Low, George, 189

Luke the jockey. 397

Lumbago, xxxvi. 271

Luna. 31

Lur-an, Lord, 167. 280-284

Lyall, Watson, 252-255, 260

Lycurgup, 167

Lynn, Mr., xxxii

Macaroni, 336

Macaulay, Lord, 346

McAuliffe. Mr. Wm.. xxv

McCarthy, Trant. xiii

McCraith. Capt. xx

M-Craith, Tom. 13, 98, 135, 160, 176

McDermot, E., 21

McDonagh, Alan, 196, 198, 202, 211,

362
McDonagh. William, 131, 202, 211, 362
McDonald. Edward 95, 107
Mcintosh. The, xxxi
Macdonald, Jack, 326, 328
Macdonald, jockey, 168
Macdonnell, J. Miles, 209
Mace, Jim, xxxiv. 309, 331
Machell, Captain, xxxv. xxxviii. 152,

396, 407
McNally, Dan. 190
Macorchy. James, 34
Madeira, 363
Maesgwynn, 13
Magee, Mrs., 31
Magistrate, 385
Mag on the Wing, 13
Magpie, 6

Magrane, William. 98, 163
Maguire, J.. 33
Maher, George, 142, 164. 166
Maher, Mat. A, 9G, 142, 164, 166, 175
Maher, Yal. 370
Mahony, David, 158. 153
Maid of Trent, 402
*'Main Bags." 3.3
Mainsail, 53
Mainspring, 29
Malahide, 152
Malcomson, David. 4, 16
Malcomson, Fred, 4, 16. 25, 239
Malcomson, George, 4. 16
Malmesbury, Lord, 24 4
Malton, 173, 195. 392
Mameluke, 38S
Manchester, 186
Manchester Handicap, 209
Mandeville, J., 32
Manliness, 408. 409
Manly Game<, 293-307
Manners, Lord John, 57
Manners, Lord, 152
Manserghs, The, 98

Mansfield. 385

Mansfield, Ed., '63

Mansfield, O., 32

Maple. Blundell, 176

Mar Forest, 260, 367

Maria, 210

Mark, 361

Markham, Mr., 90

Marlow. xli

Marquis, The. 12, 15, 385

" Marquis, The," 10

Marquis and Buckstone, 397

Marsh, Richard, lt)0

Marsh. The. xli

Marske. xxv

]\Iarson, Job. 389

Marston, Captain, 375

Martha, 200, 201, 202

Martin, Bradley, 272

Martin, Jack, 322, 333

Martins, The, 129

Mary O'Toole, 132

Mason, Jem. 402

Masseys, The. 98

Master Bagot, 210

Master McGrath, 280-2S4

Master Ned, 198

Masters of Schools, 295

'' Master, The," 398

Matchbox, xxiv. xliv

Matchless, 21

Mathers, 372

Mathew, 131

Mathews, H., 32

Maxwell of Moorhill, 21

Maxwell, Sir William, 370

Mayboy, 11, 12, 97, 201, 202

Mayn.oon, 169

Meany, Dan., xxi. 136, 168

Meara, George, 5

Meath Hounds, 345

Meaux, 389

Medlycott, J. T., 4, 16, 28, 3i

Meets, Interchange of. xiv

Melbourne, 212, 422

Melbourne Race Course, 156

Melitta Lodge. 207

Mellish, Colonel. 313. 335

Melton, xli. xlii. 188, 189

Melton House, xli. 397

Members of Parliameot, 331

Memorable Races, xl

Memore, 272

Menzies, Mr., 331

Mercury, 212

Meredith, Henry, xx. 9, 16S

Meredith, Rice, 207

Meredith, Mrs.. 209

Merrick, Mr., 362

Merrion Square, 221

Merrv, A. W., 272

Merry, James, 335, 336, 39 1

439

Merton, xxx

Merryman, G, IG. 129

Merry Monarch, xl

Metcalf, pedestrian, 875

Meteor, xli. xlii. 385

Methuen, Paul, 815, 316

Mexboroughs, Tlie, 312

Meynells, The, 312

Miami, xl

Mickey Free, 207

Mickleham, 399

Middleham, 385

MiddletoD, Lord, xxviii

Milaine, xxxii

Milbank, Sir F., 246

Milesiu9, 210

Millet, Mr., 3

Mill Hill, xxxviii, 377

Millionaires, 425

Miltown, Lord, 163, 210

Milward, D., 33, 220

Mimi, xlii, 396

Mincing Lane, 304

Minette, 168, 169

Minting, xlii

Minting, 106, 176, 188, 340, 396, 397

Minthe. xlii

Miriam, 168, 169

Miss Adrien, 212

Miss Elis. XXXV

Miss Pitt. 169

Miss Sarah, xl

Miss Tooley, 212

Mist, The, 31

Mohican, 199. 200, 201, 203

Molyneaux. Lord, xxxii

Molyneaux, pugilist, 380

Monadhliath, 266

Monaghan. James, xxi

Moness, xxx

Moneypenny, Michael, 169

Mons Meg, 168

Monson, Lord, 355

Monte Carlo, 336

Montgomery, J. F., 141. 164

Montgomery. Lord, xli

Montmorency, John, 4, 10, 21

Montmorency, Harvey, 4

Montrose, 369

Montrose, Duchess of, xxi. xxiii. 426

Monzie. xxix

Moonraker, 362

Moore Abbey, 166

Moore, Garret, xviii. xx. 132, 196, 202,

203
Moore, J. Hubert, xviii. 141. 163. 196.

204
Moore, Richard, 163
Mooresfort, 208
Mordaunt, Sir C, 272
Morny, Count, 387
Morris, H., 33

Morris, Mr. W. B , xx

Morris, R. and T., 4

Morrissey, John, 323

Morrogh, Leonard, 163

Morton, Nathaniel, 75, 95, 2. '3

Moseley, Sir O., 314

Moss Rose, 402

Mountebank, 17

Mount Neil. 26

Mount Neil Run, 37

Moureith, 370

Monzie, xxix

Mowerina, xli

Moy Fair, 95

Moy Hall, xxxii

Moy River, 23)

Mud Fever, 116

Mulcahey, W. B., 32, 33

Mullinavat, 25

Mullins, 134

Mundig, 3-5

Muriel, 288

Murland, Mr., xx

Murphy. Dominick. xx

Murphy, J. C, 96

Murphy, J. O'C, 96

Murphy, MarHn, 139

Murphys, trainers, 196, 210

Musgrave & Sons, 156

Musgrave, Sir James, 357

Musjid, 336

Musters, John, 2, 296, 355, 356, 371

Naas, Lord, xx. 163, 164

Nabocklish, 212

Nantwich, 314

Nap, 202

Narraghmore, 202

National Debt, xv

National Income, xv

National Hunt Steeplechase, 157

Naughtan, Thomas, 9S, 163

Naylor, Mr. R. C. xl. 335, 337, 39 >

Nelson. 391

Nereid, 196

" Neuras," 116

Nevard, Wm., 166

New Broom, 137

Newbrook, 74

Newburgh Prio\y, 373

Newcastle, 132, 'i40

Newcastle, Duke of, 395

Newcomen, R., 196

Newmarket, xxii, 91. 172, 360, 375, 376

Newminster, xl. 18^. 198, 390

Newry, 214

Newtown Chapel, 21

Newtown Wood, 25, 4^^, 125

Ne7v York Spirit of the Times, xxxiii

Niblick, 201

Nicholson, •' Chief Baron,' xxxiv

Night Walke-, 58

440

Nightingale. Arthur, xvii

Niuirod. 217

Nisbef. Mr., 233

'• Nobbling." .S90

" Noble Aft," 293-297

Noble. John, xxi

"Noble Science," 71

Nolan. Jerry, 31

Nor^ The, 2.5

Norfolk, 207, 365

Normauby Lodge, 1 9fi

Normanby, Lord, i96

Norri3, Mr., xxxii

North Camp, xxxiii

North, C)]onel, 28G, 397

Northumberland Handicap, 212

Nojth Wales, 257

" Notitia Venati'.a," 2, 25t>

Nugent, Percy, xvii

Nugent, Sir Walter, 1G3

Nunnykirk, 385

yunquam Bormio^ 15', 324, 3 '.)

Oaks, The. xlii. \1\. 192

Oberon, 12. 168

O'Brians of Dromoland. 128

O'Brien, Mr.. 95

O'Brien, J.. 389

O'Callaghan, Mr.. 128

O'Connel]. 131

O'Connell, Daniel, 132

O'Connors, The, 3 11

Odells, The, 21

O'Hanlon, Redmond, 208

O'Kelly, Colonel, 211

•' Old Bones," 13i

Old Court. 36

" Old Ship," The, 225

"Old Stock," The, 417

" Old Times," The. 225

Oliver, Tom, jockev, 203, 402

Oliver, Tom, pugili.-t, 326

One Thousand Guireas. The. xl i

O'Reilly, Joseph, 103, 223

Orlando, 6, 390

Orme, 92. 181

Ormonde, 1.^8, 18'.', 340, 399

Ormonde, Lord, 9. 25

Ormonde's Gorse. 25

Orr-Ewing, Captain, xx. 159

Orwell Park, 245

O'Uyan, Dr., 11. 32

O'Ryans, The, 98

Osbaldeston. George, xxvii 2. 2^1. 3C0,

355-364, 398
Osbaldeston's Hounds xxxvii
Osborne. Dan, 4, 33
Osborne, John, 175. 397, 401
Osborne. Joseph, xiii
Osborce. William. 32
O'Shea, J. P., 4
Osmond, F. S., 299

Ossian Lodge, 269
Ossifrage, 13
Otter Hunting, 291
Outrages. 2. 40-48, 51, 155
Own-rs' Expenses, xxii
Owning, 24, 25
Owston Wood, 56

Paddock, Tom, 323, 333

Pd'ldy, 20:>

Padwick, H., 395

Pal! in, Wm., 96, 197

Pallisser, Wrav, 4, 32, 33. 47

Palmer, Wm., 13

Paris, Comte de. xxx

Paris Hurdle Race, 203

Paris Steeplechase, 202, 203

Parkinson. ]Mr., xxxviii

Parr, Mr., 401

Pas -ion Flower, 339

Pathfinder, xli

Paul. Sir R.. 4 9. 16, 28, 32, 33, 43, 220

Paul, R, G., 32

Paul. W. J., 32. 3t

Pavis, Arthur, 389

Pavne. George, xxxv. 426

P. B. A., xxxiii

Peacemaker, 211, 215

Peacock, 5, 12

Peard, John, 394

Peard. J. H., i60

Peck, Kobert, 190

Peel. Captain A., 163

Peel Captain E., 4, 6, 9, 164, 210

Peel, Genei-al, 6

Peel Cup, 2C9

Pell Mell. xxxv

Peepo' Day Boy, 215

Peerage, 416

Pelagia, 168

PembrokestowD, 26

Pender, J., 32

Pennefather, Captain, 32

Penrhvn, Lord, 314

Peri, is

Pericles, xli

Perinita, 13

PerriD, James, 387, 394

Perrv. Samuel, 32, 34

Perry, William, 323, 333 -

Persse, Burton, 163

Pereses. The, 98

Perthshire, 260, 268

Peter Finnerty. 129

Pet Fox, 169, 202

Petri^rch, 97

Petre, Hon. E., 385

Phil, 169

Philadelphian, 169

Philammon, 97, 168, 169

Philips. Godfrey, 34

Philistine, 169

441

Philomel, 169
Philtre, 169
Phvllida, 169

Pickernel, Mr. I'oji, xx. 160, 203
Piltown. 34
Pitman, 169
Pleiad. 210
Plunket, Mr., 129
Pocahontas, 197, 210
Polo, 291, 298
Pompadour, 393
Ponsonby, Captnin, 9
Ponsonb)'. Mr. W.. xxi
Pope'. Lodge, 196. 210
Popham. General, 31.")
Porter, John, xliv. 181
Portland, 34

Portland, Duke of, xliv. 189, 395
Portumna Castle, 130
Postilion, 15
Poul-a-Phouca, 29
Poulson, Harry, 322, 333
Powell, W. H.. 13
Power, Billy, 58
Power. Edmund, 249
Power, E. N, 32
Power, F., 32
Power, J. O'N., 32
Power. J. H., 32
Power. P. M., 33. 249
Power, P. W., 32
Power. P., 32
Power, P. A., 32

Power, Sir John, 3. 4, 5, 8. 9, 120, 163
Power, Sir Richard, 34, 16 5
Power, J. Talbot, lOi), 223
Power, The Misses, 31
Power, John, 4, 9, 131, 195, 206
Power, William, 4
Power, T. Talbot, 223
Preston, 312, 313, 335
Preston, John, 98, 154, 163
Priam, 103

Price of Brynprys, 312
Price, Rose, 232
Price, J., of Rhiwlas, 246-
Price, Mr., 154
Pritchard-Rayner. Mr., xx
Pride of Kildare, 202
Priestholm. xliii
Primate, xlii

Primrose League, 201, 203
Prince of Wales. H.R.H. the, 161. 242
Prince of Wales' Plate, 200. 201, 202
Princess, xl. 390
Prism, 13

Prize Fighting, 308-319
Prize Ring, The. xxxiii
•• Professional Horse," xvii
Professional Riders, xx
Punchestown, 58, 132, 137, ] 39. 145, 150,
153-164, 182, 183, 201, 207,219, 423

Punchestown Courses, 157

Punchestown Double, xviii. 147, 160'

Punchestown Luncheons, xix

Punster, 169

Pyrrhus the First, 389

PytcVey, The, xxv, xxxvii. 355, 356

Queen, H.M. the, 16', 263

Qaeen Bee, 14, 215

Queen's Messenger, xli

Queen's Plates, 179, 202, 206, 209, 21^,.

213
Queen Margaet, 13
Queensberry, Marquis of, 310
Queensberry, Duke of, 335
Quenby Hal', 57
Quin, Billy (whip). 55
Quin, Captain Wm'., 34, 36, 133
Quin, Edward, 33
Quin, Miss, 31

Quin, William, 4, 76, 98, 163, 210
Quinine, 37
Quinlan, P.. 33
Qui-va- a. 169
Quorn, The, 57, 355, 356

Race Companies, xxii
Races of the Century, 393, 397
Races won by John Scott, 385-3.37
„ Mat Dawson. 394-391

„ ,. Wm. Scott, 388, 389

„ G. Fordham, 399

„ ,. F. Archer, 403

Racing Calendar, 172, 176, 185
Racing. Financial Position, xxii
Rackets, 297

Rackham's Medicines, 279
Rada, 396
Radcliffe. Mr., 402
Radical, 130

Radicals, 188, 261, 292, 306, 413
Ragdale Bottom, 29
Ramsden. Sir J., 272
Rasper, 129
Rasselas. xxxvii
Rathbride Cottage, 207
Rathbride Manor, 207
Rathcroghan, 129
Ratharormack , 4. 27. 51
Rawle, Will, 34,' 50, 54, 55
Rawlin Station, 332
Reading, 314
Receiver. The. xlii
Recipes, 116, 117, 118, 271, 272
•• Records of the Racecourse."' xxxviii
Red Coat Races, 73
Red Coat Stains, 117
Red Hart, 123
Red Herring, 31
Red House,^Tlie, 361, 367
Redman. 160
Red Prince, 202

442

Eed Rohe, 1".

Eeed, Fletcher, 376

Keese, John. 1m;

Reeves, John, 31»9

Regattas, 2'Jl

llegeat, 53

Regiment, 85th, 6, 9

Repentance colt, xli

Revenf^e. lyG

Revoke, 196

Revolution?, 415

Keyne'l, Samuel, 67, 154. 163

Reynolds and Fishei-, 337

Rheumatism, xxxvi. 271

Ricardo. Captain, xx

Richards, John F., 300

Richardson. Captain, 166

Richmond, Duke of, 172
Eiders. Gentlemen, xx
Profesi^ional. xx

i;iddIesworth, 24 4

Rigby, W. and J., 238

Riggs, Mrs., 32

Ripon, Lord, 246
Eoanmore, 26

Robeck. Baron de. xx

Roberts. Charles. 164

Roberts, Mrs,, 220

Roberts, Arthur, 5

Roberts, Edward, 5

Roberts, Richard. 5, 22

Roberts, Mrs, Richard, 22-30, 31

Roberts, Samuel U., xiii. 5, 102

Robertson, David, 215

i^'obin Hood, 168

Robinson, Jim, 388

Roche. Sir David, 163

Rochf, Victor, 21

Rochford, Horace. 4, D

Rock, Th», 5, 6, 12

Rocket, xxxvii

Rockhill. 385

Rock Stakes, 135

Rockwell, 2

Rogers, Congreve, 4. 33

Rogirs, Sam. 327, 397

RolUr, 196, 209

Roman Oak, 97

iRcodee, The, 312

Re OS. Lord de, 365

Rosamond, 13

Ilofcc. Miss Mary, xli

Rosebery, Lord, xvii. xlii. xliv. 3.5

397, .399
Ro e'oud, 53
Rcs^ Price, 232
Eosicrucian, 97
Ro-s, Captain, 1.30, 249, 271, 300. 364-

3o9, 381
Roes, Mre.. 3G9
Uofs Country. 24. 26
Robt', Sir Cha.^.. 248

Rossallagh, 95

Rossett, 311

Roesiyn, Lord, 395

Rossmore, Lord, 98

Rossmore Lodge, 207, 211

Ross-shire, 260, 267

Rothschilds, 401

Rous, Admiral, 309, 426

R ver. 210

Ray isfeil, 97

Royal Dublin Societv, 92

Royal Duke, 335

Royal Meath, xviii, 150, 203

Ruffs Guide, 179

Rug, The, 13

Rugby, 53

" Rupert of Debate." xl

Russborough, 210

Russell. Dan. xx

Russell, Mr., 53

Russell, Pat. xx. 98, 135, 164

Russley, 394

Rust, 211

Rusticus. 192

Hyall, W. A., 34

Ryan, Dan, 18, 55

Ryan, Johnnie, huntsman, 2, 16, 18,

27,54
Ryan, Johnnie, groom and jockey, 7,

14, 29, 32, 59, 89
Ryan, Tom, xxi, 55
Ryan, T. <t W., xxi, 55, 196
Rye, Captain, 163
Eynd, Chribtopher, 163
Rynd, Fleetwood, 154

Sackville Street, 217

Sadler, Arthur, 195

Sadlier. Clement, xiii

Sadlier, Richard, 196

Sad Hers, The. 98

Sagitta, 385

Sailor, 195

Sailor Prince, 405

Sainfoin, 151

St. Albans, Duke of, 395

St. Bennett. 212

St. Gatien. 396

St. George's, The, 195, 207

St. Giles, 385

•• St. James, Mr.," xx. 207

St. Lawrence, Lord, 98, 154, 163

St. Leger Church, 128

St. Leger, The, xlii. 172, 174, 181, 192,

212, 312. .336. 338
St. L^'ger. The. 1894. xliv
St. Marnock. xvili
St. Mirin. 403. 405
St. Serf, 398

St Simon xliv. 188, 189, 396
Saladin. xxxvii
Salvano.s 402

L^

us

Samson, 53

Sandown, l-i6, l»a, 18(1, 207, 219

Sapphu, 368

Sarah Bernhardt. 20i

Sarah Ellis. 13

^-'argent, H. R,, 32, 48

Satanella. 168, 169

Saurin, P. M. V., 168

Savernake. xxxv

Sayers' Meadow, xxxiii

Sayers, Tom, xxxiii, 309, 321-33

Scalds, 117

Schickler, Baron, 399

Schroeder, Baron, 260

Sciences, 4 15

Scotch Fishing, 253-25."

Scotch Mail Coach, 350

Scotch Moors. 255-257

Scots Grey, 106. 202, 3i3

Scott, Bill, xl. 336, 388, 389, 390

Scott. John, xxxix. 188, 234, 384-394

Scott. Mrs., 390, 393

Scott, Lord John, 394

Scott, W., 401

Scottish Chief, xli

Scottish Widows, 341

Seaman, xviii. 132, 152, 200, 201. 2 3

Seifert, Dan, 362

SeftoD, Lord, 247, 312

Sefton Steeplechase, 200, 203

Selhorne Natural Ulstory^ 243

Selby, James, 224, 298

Severn, Captain, 154

Shannon, Lord, 163

Shannon, The, 230

Shaw, Captain, xx, 1S5, 136

Shawjer's Pills, 278

Shee. Jimmy, xx

Sherwood Forest, 3^5

Shinrone, 7

Ship Inn. xxxiii

Shoolbred, F., 272

Shoolbred, W., 272

Shooting, 234-272

Shooting. Remarkabl*'. xxviii

Shooting Tenants, 263-266

Shotover. xliv

Silenus, xli

Silks, The, 341

"Silks and Satins," 290

Silvio, xli. xlii. 188

Sims, George, 322, 333

Sir Arthur. 7

Sir Bevys, 401

Sir Hercules', 208, 211

Sir John, 7, 15

Sir Joshua, xxxv, 385

Sir Nick, 6, 12

Sir Peter Teazle, xxxii

Sir Tatton Sykes, xl

Sir Visto, xli. xlv

Sisyphus, 168

Six Mile Bottom, 245

Skaing, 3 )2

Slacke, Captain, 32, 34, 37, 58

Slacke, Mrs., 30

Slate Quarries, 3

Slave, xl

Slavin, F., 309

Sleive-na-Mon, 24, 40

Sleive-na-Moona Run, 2D

Sligo, Earl of, 129

Sligo, Marquis of, 129, 195

Sligo Whip, The, 129

Smallhopes, 210

Smith, Captain Arthur, xx. 168

Smith, Captain Unwin, 315

Smith of Headboro". 21

Smith, T. Assheton,'2, 130, 296, 555

371
Smith, pugilist, 309
Smithfield, 172
Smithwick, Dan, 34
Smithwick, Ed., 31, 96, 164
Snow, John, 220
Snow Hill, 25
Snuffy, 31

Soapy Sponge, 71, 238
! Socialists, 292
Soldiers' Home, 206
Solon, 97

Somerset House, 337
Somerset, Lady Blanche, 31
Somersetshire, 311
Southwell, George, 55
Spahi, 168, 201, 202. 405
S^aocil Hill, 95
Speculum, xli
Spencer, T., 33, 47
Spendthrift, 413
Spey, The, 233
Spiletta, XXV
Spilsby Country, 356
Spinaway. xlii
Sport, 289-292
•• Sport a National Benefactor.'' xlv

xxxii
SjJortascrapiana, 243, 299, 354
Sporting League, xiv. xxxii, xlv
Sporting Magazine, 128
" Sporting Man," 413
Sportsman, The, xviii
Sportsman's Gvide, 252-260
Sports and Pastimes, 2'.H]
Sprains. 116
Spratts Biscuits, 277
Sprig o' Shillelagh, 215
Springfield, 97
Springfield, T. 0., 35, 49-55
Squire, The. 105
•' Squire. The," 355-364
Stiickpools. The, y8, 163
Stallions, 421
Stamford, Lord, 245

H H

4rU

Standard, The, 3G0, 3G4

Staud House,. Cuvragh. 20G

Stanton, 169

Stanley. Mr. Massey, xxxv. xl

Statistics, 419

Stephenson, J., 33

Sterling, 188

Stevens. Jack, 355

•Stewards, Pattern, 230

Sticking Plaster, 118

Stick-play. 311

Sting, xl

Stock Exchange. 304, 333. 341. 313

Stockwell, xl. 11^6. 198, 209, 210.211.

387, 394, 422
Stokestoun. xiv
Sionehaven, 370
Strafford. Lord. 395
" Straight," 410
Strains, 116
Strangman. Joseph, xiv, 4. IG. 21, 2-^.

32, 33. 48
Strangman, L, G., 32
Streatlam. xxxix
Streatlr.m Hall. 387
Stroijgbow, 221
Stuart. Miss, 82
Stuhber, Captain. 166
Stubber, Miss. 37
Studdert, Capt., 163
Studderts. The, Ob^
Stud Farms. 96
Studley Royal, 247, 24S
Subduer. xl
Sudbourne Hall, 248
Suetonius. 90
Suffield, Lord, 9 ..
SufleoUv. 247. 319, 356, 365
Suir. The, 25
Sulby Hall, 356
Sultana, 202
Summerhill, 208
Sun, The, 341
Sunshine. 16
Surplice. 390
Surrey. Tiie. 9 7
Surtees. R. G., 72
Sutherland, Duke of, 246, 260
Suthcrlandsliire. 267, 366
Sutton, Sir R ,361
Swainestown. xx
Sweetmeat, xl. 198
Sweetsauce, 215
Sweet William, 210
Swift, Owen, .'25
Swimming, 301
Swivel, 168

Sykes, Sir Francis, 314
Sykes, Sir Tatton, xl. 313
•' Sylvanus," 3£9

Tables referring to :

Fishine. 254, 255, 259

Hunting. 5t, 80. 81. 83

Kacins:, 148, 149, 173, 174, 176. 177,
184. 186, 191, 204, 388, 395. 41.0,
407

Salef, of Horses. 12, 14, 392, 39()

Shooting, xxix.' 243. 214, 247. 250-
255, 259

Various, 113, 204. 222, 290, 333 388.
iO)
Talbot, R. N., 96
Tally Ho, Thomas, 70
Tambourine, 168
Tantivy, The, 217
Tate, Colonel. 34
Tattersall. Mr., 210
Tattersalls, 53, 172, 341, 343
Tautz, 217

Ta)dor. Alec. xxxv. xl
Taylor, Colonel Brooke, 6
Tearaway, 210
Teddingtou, xxxv. 336
i Teetotum., 211
I Tegetmeier, Mr., 248
I Tempest, Captain, xx, 136-
Templeman, Sim, h88
Temi)lemore, 168
Ten Broeck, Mr., 401
Thales. 307
Thames, The. 310
Tharp, J. Sidney, 245
Thebais. 401
Thellusson, T., 358
'• The Marquis," 10
The Marquis, 1 2, 15
The Princess, xl
Theseus. 198

•• Thomas. Mr.," xx, 160, 203
Thompson, An&truther, 55
Thompson, Colonel, 166, 96
Thompson, John, 217, 223
Thompson, Lieutenant, 6
Thompson. Mr,, xx
Thormanby, xli, 188, 336, 3LU
Thorn, 215
Thorney Bridge, 25
Thoruhill, Mr., 244
Ttiornton, Colonel, 313
Thornton. Pat. xxvii
Thoughts upon Hunting. 71
Throstle, xxiv. xliii
Thrush, 116
Thurlow Country, 355
Tibbie Shiels. 99
Tidy, 236
Tilton, 57
Timekeeper. 221

Tim Whiffler and Ruckstone, 897
Tinvane, 16, 50, 124
Tipperary, 132, 177
Tipton Slasher, xxxiii. 323, 333

445

Titania, 13

Tockenham Park. 311

Tom Brown's School Days. 311

Tom King, pugilist, 300, 332

Tom King, horse, 198, 215

TomlintJ, Mr., 9Ao

Tom Tug, 210

Tommy Tittlemoupe, 400

Too Good, H)9, 200, 203

Toolev Street Fire, 226

Torpedo, 398

Torrent, 151

Tory, A, 415

Tory Hill, 25. 37

Touchstone, 389, 422

Tourists, xxxi

Touts, 392, 397

Townley. Captain Tom. xx

Tradesman's Cup, 212

Tradesman's Plate, 1 35

Tragedy. 202

Tramore, 139

Trench, B. B., 96

Trent, xlii

Trent Lock, 324

Trewerne, 248

Tribes, The, 130

Tristan, 188

Trocke, Ciptain, xx, 135. 162, 164, 17;

Trump. 210

Tuite, Joseph, l';3

Tullagher, 25

Turco. 201, 203

Turf and Sod, The. 312

Turf Club, 165

Turf Lodge. 190, 208, 209

Tweed, The,' 233

Tweedmouth, Lord, 272

" Twelfth, The," 266

Two Thousand. Guineas, xii. xlii

T^vo-year-olds. xxiii

Tydd, Jack, 121

Tynte, J. P., 163

Tynte, Fortescue, 103

Tyrone, Lord, xiv. 32

Ugly Buck, xl
Umpire, 97, 123
Uncas, 97
Unicus, xxxii
Ury, 372, 375, 381
Usna, 201, 204
Ussher. Chris ' opher. xx

Valentine, 131, 160. 206
Valentine, xxxvii
Valentine's Brook, 148, 204
Vauban, 336
Vaulter, xxxvii
Venison, xl
Verdant Green, 228
Vernon. Hon. Richard, xxxiv

Vernon Lord. 3d 5, 350

Vesta, 13

Victor, 97

Vigilant, 17

Villager, 17, 53

Voltaire, 388

Voltigeur, 210, 397

Volunteer System, 305

Vyner, Clare. 395

Vyner, Robert T., 2, 106, 170, 356, 395

W. k. C. B., 226

Wade, John, 4, 9

Wakefield, John, 103, 104

Wales, H.K H. the Prince of, xvii. 101,

242
Walker, Isaac, 391, 392
Walker, W. H., 272
Wall, 10

Wall, Patrick, 51, 63
Wall, Peter, 48
Wallasey, 172
Walsh. John, xiii
V/alsh, John, 22, 23
Walshe's Hotel, 8
Walshe, P., 32

Walsingham, Lord, xxx. xxxi. 247
Walton, 336
Wanderer, 131
Warbles, 117

Warburton, Captain, xx. 154, 164, 168
Warburtons, The, 312
Ward Bennett, Colonel. 31
Ward, Joe, 315, 310
Ward, Mr., SG2, 374
Ward, pugilist, 375
Ward Union, The, 74. 75
Wardrop, Colonel, o4
Warner, 15
Warts, 117
Wary. 54

Watercress, 1(0, 3s8
Waterford Club, 344
Waterford Country, 7, 34. 59, 60, 74
Waterford. Dowager Lady, 30, 31, 32
Waterford; Lady, 29. 31. 32, 50. 59
Waterford Lodse. xxv. 206
Waterfords, The (Curragh), 202
Waterford. III. Marquis. 1-15, 54, oG.

98. 120, 130, 154. 170, 175, 195,210,

398
Waterford, IV. Marquis, 15, 16
Waterford, V. Marquis, 21-48, 54, 56.

59-6J, 81, 353
Waterloo Cup, xxxii, 280-287
Waters, Kobert, 156
Waters, T. G., 59. 140, 142, 154, 207
Watson, Robert. 4, 122, 103
Watts, John, xli. 397
Watts, Mr., 197. 207, 210, 211
Waugh, R.. 399
Waxy, 129

44-0

Weatheral. 398

Weatherby, Messrs.. 90, T72, 185

Weatherstown. 2o

Weazel, 58

Webb, 399

"Webb. John G.. xiii

Wedderburn, Webster, 299, 376

Welch, Jemm)\ S26

Welch Mountains, 3. 26

Welcome. 6

Wellington, 129. 301

Wellingtons, The, 212

Wells, jockey, 400

Welters, Curragh, 203

Welters, Liverpool, 203

Wemmergill, 21G, 247 .

Wenlock. xxxv

West Australian, xxxix. 189, 336, 385,

391
West, James. 300
West, W. H., 160
West Kent. The, 77
Westenra, Colonel. 98, 195
Westmeatb, 168
Westmeath Lakes, 230
Westminster, Lord. 387
Westminster Pit, 313, 319
Weston, Colville, 245
Wexford Hounds, 248
Wharncliffe. Lord, xxi
'-■ What's to Win ? " 339
Wheble, Major, 310-319
Wheel, 210

Wheeler, C. A., 354, 371
Wheel of Fortune, xlii. 188
Wheel of Life, The, 415
Whelan, Johnnv. xxi. 168
Whisper Low. 199. 200-203
White. Alfred, 105
White, Captain, 3i2
White, Colonel Charles, 103
White, Colonel John, 163
Whitefields, 7

White Horse Cellar, 217. 225
White, John, 163
"White Piles," 312
- Whites," 335
Whitehouse. xli
Whitewall, 188, 381-394
Whoo Whoop, xlv
Why Not, xvii, 97
Widger, Joe. xviii
Widger, John, xviii. 107
Widger, Mick, xviii, 339
Widger, Thomas, 33, 95, 96

Wild Huntsman, 215

Wild Man from Borneo xvii. xviii

Wild Oats, xli. 215

Wilkes. George, xxxlii

Wilkin, Mr., 151

Williams, Miss. 30

Williamstown, 59, 60, 74, 13:)

Willoughbv. Mr,, xxviii

AVilloughby, Sir J.. 396

Wilson, Arthur, 32, 55

Wilson, John, 221

Wilson, Mr. Remington, xxx. 2 HI

Wilton. Lord. xl. 313

Wiltshire, 311-319

Wimborne,. Lord. 268

Winans, Mr., xxxf. 260, 268, 272

Winchilsea, Lord, xlvi

Windham, William, 314

Wind hound. 394

Winterton, Lord, 233

Wizard, The, 385

Wombwell, Captaio, 154

Wood. Abram. 375

Woodbrook, i?2, U8, 199. 200, 201,

202
Woodland Hunting, xxxvii
Woodlark, 58
Woods, George, 4
Woodstock, 3
Wordsworth, 203
Worms, 278

Wortlev. Mr Stuart, xxx
Wounds, 116
Wragby Woods, xxxvii
Wrestling, 294
Wynne, D.and T., xxi. 168
Wvnue, Joe, xxi. 131
wVnnes Gorse, 3, 16, 31
Wyvis, 272

Yachting, 289, 290
Yarborough, Lord, 84
Yarborough Lot, 16
Yearlings, 422
Yellows, 277, 279
York, 171, 173, 313
York and Ainsty, 55
Yorkshire Moors, 231, 246, 25:
Young Blacklegs, 129

Zazelle, 32
Zenophon, 97, 415
Zingaree, 39
Zitella, 202

Wobstor Famify Lfbrary of Veterinary Medidne

Cymmlngs School of Veterinary Medicine at

Tufts Univarsity

200 Westboro Road

ilorth Grafton, MA 01536

SYDNEY R. SMITH

Vj'l vl'i'i'.'V MJ

nil

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