TH E A UT HOR M Y L I F E A S S O L D I E R A N D S P O R T S M A N

R B J . O S O N S C OTT

Ma or l t 3rd Husswr j , a e s

W I TH S I XTE E N I LLUS TR ATI ONS

LONDON D G R A N T R I C HA R S L T D .

’ S T M A R T I N S S T R E E T MDCCCCXXI P R I NTE D I N G REAT B R ITA I N BY T HE R I VERS I D E P R E SS L I M IT ED E D I N BU RG H C ONTEN T S

CHAPT E R

: 1 . SOUTH AFRICA SOME REMINISCENCES

I M I . INDIAN RE INISCENCES

III F M U L AND H M A H P . A O S GENERA S ORSE NS I

T HE T OF T U L IV. S ORY A GREA D E

U V. H NTING

V F H AND PH L PH I . IS ING I OSO Y

VII . RACING F M T VIII . CON OR A ION

X M I I . ORE RAC NG

X T HE T L . GRAND NA IONA

I THE P AND L U OF X . EDIGREE CO O R GRAND NATIONAL WINNERS

XII THE T L H U T T PL H . NA IONA N S EE EC ASE

T HE M L T T PL H XIII . GRAND I I ARY S EE EC ASE

LIST OF ILLUST RATIONS

' ' ‘ THE A UTHOR F rom zsp z ece

F AC I NG P A GE LORD K ITCHEN ER ON DEMOCRAT 72

B ADGER DIG . 84

LORD LONSDALE 90

CAPTAIN F . FORESTER ON CHRISTMAS DAISY 96

PT F . F T M . F . H. U H U CA AIN ORES ER , Q ORN O NDS M T K B T EE , IR Y GA E

M R JOHN GAUNT

L . L CAPTAIN A . C IFFE

CLOISTER TRACERY

M R ARTH UR YATES . A STUDY IN CON FORMATION

DERBY WON BY ABOYE UR ON A DISQ UALIFICATION

BLAK ELOCK PRETTY POLLY

FACSIMI LE OF LETTER FROM LORD POULETT

MARE SHOWN TO THE HON . A . PARK ER SOM E REMOUN T OFFICERS

P RE FAC E

W HEN a mere layman w ri te s a book it is

s a fo r to i n sc ribe a cu tom ry him a pref ce or , as

! ! a sa I zaak W lton would y, an epistle to the readers . M y original idea was to write and have printed a few person al remini scenc e s of the days a n d s o s s week I have spent in vari u sport , for the

o m a a a young f lks who y come fter me ; in f ct , I ’ s Ho w contemplated writing a sort of boy book .

it a e t o a a n d s ever, c m p ss that I met , discus ed

e the subject with , M r Arthur F . Meyrick who , lik

e o n s . a s myself, is g tting in year H e is mo t

s as s o f s o s enthu i tic tudent racing and other p rt , an d in additi o n to sugge sting that I sho uld write a la o n o e a s s rger volume , m r gener l ubject , he v o l unte er e d to c o ntribute to my book by supplying details o f the Grand National from Lottery to

Troytown .

a as Gradu lly , the copy grew , so did the number o f s s a o new idea . Thu it came b ut that causeri e s

s o s s e se s to on other p rt sugge ted th m lve me .

a o o e When young man , M r Meyrick f ll w d in

o o s o f a e o s the f t teps his f th r in the j urnali tic world , an d o s e e s o f his knew m t of the c l britie tim e .

I I 1 2 PRE FACE

hi s a o o i s to an c a I n View , if b k have y h nce of being a succ e ss it mu st be o n e of thre e things

e s s o r s o u can inter ting , in tructive amu ing . I f y

o all e s s i s ass e s c mmand thre , ucce s ur d . I t mu t be e a s a a to i left to r der , fter being c ught , dec de if my bo o k can claim to po sses s any o f th e se qualiti e s . Th o ugh it is cu sto mary to m ake apologie s fo r ’ se e ase a n o o writing , I don t that in my c y ap l gy is a e as o r required , as I certainly h v never pired

s prete nded to be a profes ional writer .

H UTH T E A OR . C H APTE R I

SOUTH AFRIC A

’ ’ S ome R emz m scem es

C E RTA I N amount o f sa tisfacti o n is to be derived in recalling the pl e asure s of the

a us p st , and there are , I expect , few of

fl a who do not re ect on bygone days . I n the e rly

a w as a a a o eighties South Afric . ttr cting go d deal

s of attention . Cecil Rhodes was tirring things up

o the in that part of the Empire . The f rmation of

s o a a Briti h S uth Afric n Company , very grand and

w as o a n d o s ambitious project , b omed b o ted to such a n extent that the shares actually rose to £9 .

1 2 1 s 1 Now in 9 they tand at 4s . and have never

o s e paid a dividend , but no d ubt in year to com it will be prov e d that the country can support an imm e nse population . E arly in 1 890 I j o in e d the British Bechu anal and

o o s B rder Police , a f rce e tablished to watch the

o a as so e B ers on the Transv al border , for me tim

s an d they had been inclined to be re tless truculent ,

s cea ing to treat the British with respect . Some times they referred to us as ! those Bloody I S x4 SOLDI ER AND SP ORTSMAN

Ro i n e c ks a o to Co o a n s , in llusi n the red l ur Engli h man acquired fro m being scorch e d by the sun on

his o e neck and face . Some of the Sporting B rs I met se e med re al go o d fe llows ; they had n o

- d an e s o . ill will , were exc llent hooting compani ns On e rel ated how at M ajuba H ill he with a fe w o ther adventurou s spirits climbed up the re verse

as side of the hill just the Boer force , believing it t o be s e a impos ibl to put up a fight , were prep ring to a e trek . H ving arrived at the top , they pe red over the edge of the depression where the Briti sh force was camped fo r the night and discovered that the sentrie s w e re po sted in such a way that

sa they could not see over the hill . Needless to y, when those Boer scouts fired a volley at the troop s

an d - a panic took place , a helter skelter down the

a a s hill ch nged the whole feature of the oper tion .

s ho w This same man al o related , when hunting fl he a tw o . elephants , c me on lions in deadly con ict

! When aske d to describe the fight he said : I was

! after ivory , not lions . The British Bechuanaland Border Police wer e

a a o co mm nded by General Sir Fred C rringt n , a

his a o a a a man who had made n me in col ni l w rf re .

as o o f He w a great Englishman , and a b rn leader

a n d a s had a s fo r men , the n tive , who nickn me all

the s o f s a The o . o fficer the corp , c lled him Li n H e had s great expansive shoulder , deep chest , sandy SOUTH AFRICA 1 5 c o a a u e o s ac an d a e re loured h ir , h g m u t he d ep ,

u o o f o e s w as so nding voic e . An ther the ffic r dubbed

The w a a a Ostrich from the y he w lked , and third

The Giraffe be ca u se he w as tall an d slender . I

e a a e w as e b lieve th t my n m The Wolf, but I n ver

a a e . e o scert ined the r ason I must , howev r , p int

a e e are s a out th t th r no wolve in South Afric , but i the hyena s called a wolf.

e w a t o a H adquarters ere Mafeking , ab ut hun

the dre d miles bey o nd the railwa y terminus . At ’ Gen e ral s reque st I had brought two couple o f

t a foxhounds o a ugment the pack lready there . I do n o t reco mmend that part of S o uth Africa as a fo r hunting country . The only time suitable

w as fo r hunting a few hours in the morning , when the sun had dried the de w the scent

o o s e vanished . More ver , we l t sev ral hounds from

a - The m ambra mo St a re s sn ke bite . black , the gg

w as a sive and venomous snake in the veldt , f irly

e common . One day wh n the General and I were shoo ting and his pointer bitch came to a po int

o an - o cl se to ant heap , the General went f rward

a a w as an d saw to investig te what the g me , I a

mambra a o a a huge , b ut nine feet long , f irly l unch

s as h it elf from the he ap . Quick lightning t e General had his gun up to the should e r an d blew ’ s a a o his o the n ke s head off. C rringt n in y ung days had been a great bo xer and it seemed to 1 6 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN me th at the qui c kn e ss he ac quire d in practi s ing tha t sp o rt stood him in good s te a d o n tha t o a o cc si n . I have re ad that a nimal s be co m e hypno ti sed by s a e s n o ma as o a n k , and doubt this y occ i nally h ppen .

The o s e w as a nly case I ever witne s d in E ngl nd , wh e n I saw a frog hypn o tised by a co mmon add e r .

The rem e dy fo r a snake - bite is al c o ho l in l arge

f o e s . a s o c s o o dose M jor Forbe , one of the ffi er C l n l ’ Pe n n e fathe r s o e o o e s a expediti n , th n m ving in Rh d i , w as mambra his o o s bitten by a , and br ther fficer

o a o all - he to k it in turn to w lk him ab ut night , m e anwhile consuming ne a rly a bottl e an d a half of brandy . Mafe king w as the pl ace where pro spective

s troopers were put through their facing , the only

men accepted being those w ho c o uld ride an d sh o o t .

o s S me trange yarns were spun by them . O ne stated tha t he had been huntsman to the B e lvoir

o s fiv e a (pr nounced as pelt) for ye rs , another had

s s been fir t whip to the Cotte more , but on trying these two fellows it was obviou s that neither had

a s e ever been on hor e in his lif . Abo ut thre e mile s from M afeking there we re

s vle s s a s at e a se a s everal y ( w mp ) , which c rt in son

a s a e a - s liter lly w rm d with w ter fowl . The gun would be got into position and the native s s e nt to the different v le ys to get the birds on the

1 8 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN — d ays w as in the m a il cart a light wagon drawn

a s by trotting bullocks . Generally pan of eight

e ox n was sufficient . I n front of these ran the

e e a w ho w as a vor loop r, a n tive repl ced every

o r s a four five mile by nother , that being about the distance a man co uld comfortably keep running

a - o f s an at pace eight mile hour. These primi tive veldt paths twi st about in an extra ordina ry

a a s m nner , and it was tonishing that very few a a ccidents occurred . On one occ sion when we were travelling in the m ail the bull o cks shied off the

o s so r ad . I topped the cart to investigate the rea n

a a o and , about twenty yards from the p thw y , f und

a the corpse of a white man , far gone in dec y . What added to the sadness of the discovery w as

o f a the body a dog lying beside him , prob bly a

e mongr l greyhound . The case of course was reported and a decent burial o n the spot giv e n by a file of men from the nearest camp . The strange thing to me was that the bullocks should have shied at the smell of a dec ayed human corpse when they paid no attention to the rotting carcasse s of animals , of which there were many .

Maclo nstie o ne o f Shortly after arriving at the ,

a s a o n e o f our c mp on the river of th t name , the

a a nd officers n med Walford I were riding together,

o doing some topographical w rk , when we came

- upon a group of eight young wart hogs . Jump SOUTH AFRICA 1 9

o ff o s ing our h rses we each ecured one , and the astoni shing noise they made so sca red our horses

a th t they at once galloped off. Quickly handing my capture to Walford I set off in pursuit of our mounts , but I did not come up with them till they

had reached the camp . On my immediate return to o Walf rd I found him nearly exhausted, struggling

manfully with the two little pigs . O n getting back

a to camp it was lmost dark and , in trying to put

a . our c ptives under an inverted box , one escaped

The other , however , became a most interesting

a nd s o o pet , eventually was depo ited in the L nd n

Zo a s a ologic l Gardens . About eighteen month fter he had become a n inmate of the Z o o I went to

a the g rdens , and getting leave from the keeper

his o s entered den , and found he rec gni ed me

at o nce , rubbing himself against my legs and

squealing with pleasure .

o n e a At of the c mps , Fort Gaberones , where I

was for some time , we had a pet ostrich , a hen

a an bird . T o nyone who paid attention to her d

a g ve her fo od she became most attached . She

was a regular camp scavenger . B its of hide or

a le ther to her were dainty morsels . I t was my

intention to send her to England , but when the mating season began she disappeared and never

returned . I n all the camps there was always a

diuke r collection of pets , the gazelle being the z o SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

o o e o as c mm n st . They , however, never lived l ng , they seem e d to los e their natural instinct in the w a o y of fo d , and would eat or swallow anything ,

an d even bits of iron tin . There w as an immense variety of birds a t

Maclo n tsi w as e . The hut I Occupied built under

! ! a v achtum e o r - a - beachy tre , the Wait bit Thorn , thu s called owing to the thorns growing the reve rse w a s s y to the branch . O n this tree were the ne t

av a a s o f eighteen or twenty we er birds . They lw y

a built at the extremity of the br nches , with the

a n o as entrance to the nests underne th , doubt

a w as a so a a protection against sn kes . There l ’ small woodpecker s nest in a hole in the trunk

a of the tree , and every morning when I g ve a ta o ne p, of the pair would pop its head out , give

se a knowing nod , and retire . I have counted ven

o f different varieties birds engaged in a scuffle ,

o every bird in the neighbourho d joining in , until this living fluttering mass of birds formed a ball two feet in diameter . I n this part of the country there is a speci e s o f

a a a e - an - o ant n med the M t bel , about half inch l ng ,

a s o r o s a n d black . The m le soldiers have en rmou j aws ; when they get a grip you have to pull their

s bodies in half befo re they let go . Some of the e

had co uld sting as well as bite . One great colony

the their headquarters at foot of a large tree , about SOUTH AFRI CA 2 1

one hundred yards from the camp . When they came out on a foraging expedition the column w as o so ldie about two hundred yards l ng , the — being well away on each side a regular military

formatio n with scouts in front . On one occasion I happened on them just as they were leaving their

nest, and on scattering the front rank of the column with a stick the wh o le lot turned on their tracks — and hurried back to shelter similar t o the thugs

o f I ndia, who always relinquished their intended

an a s raid after in u picious start . Their raids were chiefly in search o f white ant ne st s : I have seen

o s them returning , each ant , excepting the sc ut ,

e s s ca rrying an gg . Ant are suppo ed to have great saga city ; but I have watched a nt s o f all

o s an d o s a s rt , if they met an obstructi n , uch as

s o e o f o tr ng blad grass , they w uld , even when laden

o s with some m r el of food , climb up one side and

a o down the other inste d of g ing round . I ndividual intelligence both in ants an d bees is not of a

o high rder , but their communal intelligence is

marvell o us . Ther e i s a sp e cies of milliped common in these

s e s o part which , wh n mature , mea ure ab ut nin e o r

o n e e ten inches . O n of th ir forage s the a nts

a - a came cross a full grown specimen , and gre a t

e . e a struggl ensued The millip d , with several nts

a o n a s h nging to each leg , fought vali ntly , twi ting 2 2 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN itself into every c o n to rtIo n I magIn able ; but it was o s nly a few minute before he succumbed , and n about ten more before only the skeleto remained . And now came the interesting part of the pro c e e di n s o g . The ants that had f ught , conquered and broken up the milliped composed only a comparatively small portion of the entire raiding

o party . They waited until the rest of the c lumn

s . e a had pa sed on Th n e ch ant , well laden , fell

its a es o s a into pl ce in column , c rted by the nece s ry

s an d s number of scout , proceeded homeward . Sir H arry j ohn ston relates how in so me districts of We stern Tro pical Africa enormou s tracts of country are absolutely devastated by incredible — armies of ants a specie s measuring abo ut an

a o inch in length , black and rmed with en rmous

ar e jaws . These ants will cle the forests of very

s e a a s o f living thing . B ird , ins cts and nim l , the

e largest Size , even lephants have to clear out , or el s e succumb . Although the British Bechuanaland B o rder Police

w a o f o s o a was by y being a m unted corp , with a n min l s o f s S trength one hundred and fifty horse , ickness among the latte r m ade it imp o ssibl e to ke e p the corps

- fi v o f a e e . re up to the m rk . About s venty per cent

e a mounts succumb d annu lly . The only thing known a t that time concerning thi s dreadful scourge w as th at the ge rm producing the si c kne ss w as e ither bre d in SOUTH AFRI CA 2 3 dew or that the dew was the vehicle of introduction

o ho rSe t the , such being either drawn up through the nostrils into the lungs or entering the stomach

as s when the a nimal w feeding . I t was obviou then that horses should n o t be turned o ut to graze until the dew had evapora ted ; even with this precauti o n a l a rge perc e ntage acquired the

s s If a o s di ea e . by chance h r e did recover , he

! — i s was termed salted that , immune from any

! ! a a o a s further tt ck . Yet go d s lted hor es were very scarce ; c o n sequently a la rge number of un

s s a salted hor es had to be purcha ed nnually . O n refe rring to the article on dew in Tée

' E ncyclopz dz a B ri tan n i ca I find that for hundreds o f years this pheno menon has been the subject o f

s r e search and inve tigation . The ancients believed

s that dew was shed from the tars , and was of a pure and celestial essence ; they a l s o believed that I t possessed the power of extending the durati o n of life and that the external application o f it co rrected any disposition to corpulence .

s Dew of course ri es from the earth , and it brings with it in some cases p o i so n from soluble

e a m t ls . I n Derbyshire , in the vicinity of Mat

s a re e e lock , dome tic farm stock aff cted if th y are permitted to graze or feed when the dew

o a a a e is on the gr und , cquiring dise s called

a ; o belland , or le d poisoning I believe in S uth 24 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

Africa horses can be bred with impunity at a

000 height of 4 feet . Below that level the scourge has a seriou s effect on the development o f the country . When I was at Maclo n tsi e Camp two men

S tro mb n arrived named o e and Ware . They claimed to have discovered not only a preventive

s - ss a but a cure for hor e sickne . They obt ined per

ss the mi ion to try their medicine , and lived in

s e o f camp for some month , b ing confident securing the bonu s of promi sed by the G o vernment to anyone who could discover a certa in pre ven

t o tive ; all no purpose , however , as just as big a percentage of horses died after their treatment as ’ before . Ware s right leg from the knee to the a an d s o nkle was bent in the form of a bow , his t ry

e concerning this deformity is worth r e peating . Wh n returning from prospecting for go ld in the neigh bo urho o d of the Shashi river a lion sprang on to

o s a e . his h r e , throwing it down , with W re und rneath

o H e then proceeded to drag the h rse away , but ’ f s o during the scu fle Ware leg was broken . F rtun

a ately , he managed to crawl to a tree up which

a w as w ho n tive , who with him , had climbed and

a co uld not be induced to come down until d ylight .

s to his Meanwhile Ware , who had tuck rifle , which

tw o s o he twice fired at other lion prowling r und , had to remain sitting with hi s back to the tre e fo r

26 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

r from the sting of sco pions . I remember meeting a

‘ celebrated naturalist in Algiers , who provided me

o f o o with a sponge bag and a pair c llecting t ngs , a sking m e to put into the bag e very m anner o f insect or creature I co uld find . I brought him so me curious collections ; o n e o f the se co mprise d

s a tw o o s an d a scorpion , centipedes , frog , t ad mou se . These he turned int o a b asin to s e e if

e e w as s a s o th r a pecimen mong t them w rth keeping , but the mouse and the fro g did not appear a bit the

o i s a s e w rse , yet it cert in they mu t hav been either bitten or stung . The o nly animal I obta ined - fo r

f w as a a Anderson o any value liz rd . We were in the

a a the o a t a Rhirha e s ver nd h of h tel H mmam , Algi r , when I caught a small liza rd . On Anderso n ex ami n i n he o e o f g it , pr nounced it to be a sp cimen great

a e a a o v lu , and it is still referred to in n tur l hist ry ’ as Anderson s Lizard . Among the gues ts in the hotel at the time were the late Sir Richa rd a n d

a . w as o a L dy Burton Sir Richard then in po r he lth , but I w as never more impressed with the personality o f a m an than when I met him . I ndomitable re solution and consistency were stamped on every

s a as fe ature . I regard both the e char cteristics the

man m o st important attribute in the mind of .

No p e rso n ever ro se to distinction without th e m . There never w as a great leade r of men who was

a o w a s o n e o f not c o nsi stent . Sir Rich rd Burt n the SOUTH AFRICA 27 great pioneers in surveying and exploring the continent of Africa . Amongst others w ho pas sed thro ugh the camp at

Macl n as Ho n a o . o tsie w the . M urice Giff rd On one o ccasion he and I had ridden o ut some fifteen miles

to o s from camp a salt pan frequented by koodo , Where he wounded one ; n e ither of us to o k any particular n o tIc e of our direction as we went on in

an d e a o f o o o o pursuit , ev ntually we lost tr ck the k d in the thick bush . As it w as getting toward s sun down we thought i t time to be making tracks fo r

o so the S i tuatl o n o h me ; taking a view of , Giff rd

a o pointed in a certain direction , s ying he th ught

a e o n the c mp lay that way . I diff red the point , mainta ining that the route we ought to ta ke w as

o s alm t exactly the reverse to the way he proposed , and according to Lord Fisher in a letter to Tba

Ti mes 1 1 o , September , 9 9, I t is only damned f ols ! o who argue . H wever , we agreed to differ , with

! a am mutual You can go to the devil , I going

s . thi way And so we parted . I had ridden o n

o my line for ab ut an hour, and the sun looked like s s so o a as inking in a few minute , in rder to have l t

o o s l k round I moved towards a mall kopje . When I had go t within a bo ut one hundred yards of it I saw

f a - my friend Gif o rd lso making fo r the hill . We i met w th the most friendly greetings , spent the

o o f o e an d s night at the b ttom the k pj , re olved to 28 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN say never a word of our want of veldt craft . At daybreak we found a native cattle post an d pro

a o cured guide back t camp . Gifford was one of the most prominent of the

a officers who took part in the Mat bele War . H e received a wound which nece ssitated amputation of the arm . This took place not far fro m the scene o f the magnificent stand made by Wil so n an d hi s

a a a e and g ll nt b nd , until they were ov rwhelmed ,

o f . fo w as with exception one man , killed Gif rd

o f fo w ho e a brother Lord Gif rd , did some exc llent work in the developing o f the country .

a o f a as w ho ha d his Kham , the chief the Bechu n ,

a at Pala sn e w as e s he dquarters p y , a gr at upporter

e e had a of the British pioneers . The Matab l m d e more than one attempt to acquire territory in

a s e Bechuanaland gall ntly frustrated by thi trib .

s us a s the King Khama howed car , result of a

o o f w as o : had re w und , which he very pr ud he c e iv e d a s a it in per onal encounter with Lobengul , the Matabele chief.

s to Khama paid a vi it England , and was the o nly man of sufficient intelligenc e w ho co uld

e assimilate the grand ur and the power of Engl and .

had a S o me time after Khama visited Engl nd , Mr C e cil Rh o de s sent two of the Chief I ndunas o f the Matabele to E n gland so that they might reali s e

r s what a great co unt y it w a . On re turning to SOUTH AFRICA 2 9

im re sse d their n ative l a nd they were asked w hat . p

o i a them m st , and they repl ed th t the beautiful pictures on the houses in the city and on the

adv e r travelling wagons , alluding of course to

tise me n ts s . , filled them with astoni hment and awe

had They witnessed military reviews , in fact all

o f an d the pageantry war , their minds could only — grasp the trivialities so much for trying to educate the black man in a hurry . One of the small excursions I made from

Maclo n tsi e w as to , and along the borders of, the

a a s s K lah ri De ert . Thi time I took what we

a - called Scotch cart , with a half bred bushman

a a n n med Wilson d a couple of greyhounds . I had always been anxious to se e how they would

a perform against the l rger antelope . The hart e beest antelo pe is in my opIn Io n the

s s s a e faste t animal that lives , for a hort di t nc ; to pro ve this I made several attempts to slip a couple o f u e a greyho nds at one of these beautiful cr tures .

To have a fair trial , the veldt should be sufficiently

a s o cle r of bu h and the g ing good , and it should be arranged that the dogs be brought into view together ; also o n e should man oeuvre to get close enough to the hartebeest befo re the dogs are s had lipped . I my camp about a mile from a

s vley where the grass was ju t beginning to grow ,

w as while the veldt all round almost clear of scrub . 30 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

' O n e a o an o a s s so morning , b ut h ur fter unri e , Wil n came in with news that five harte beest were

to feeding in the vley . We therefore went out

o reconnoitre the situation , and when I had ch sen a fo r w a position a vie , he went back to c mp for the dogs . E verything turned out as we had hoped . Wils o n managed to crawl up to within one hundred a n d twenty yards of the antelope before they seemed

e to be thoroughly alarm d , and when he Slipped the

at dogs them , they raced up together and got to

- fi v e within about twenty yards before the antelope ,

e s a e a who seem d m ore curiou th n frightened , b g n to

a o move . When they did , they got clean aw y fr m

e a l an d the greyhounds , ev ry now and gain ha ting

and allowing their pursuers almost to reach them ,

s then spurting away again with the greate st ea e .

a e I n f ct , the dogs had no chanc , and after going abo ut a mile and a half they seemed to h ave had

o o f ab ut enough it . J umping off my horse I there

a f fore took lying shot at the bull of the herd ,

and breaking his leg above the hock , with this h andicap I made sure we would soon bring him

a to hand . I t was , however, about four hours l ter before I got close enough to fi re a fatal shot .

Mea nwhil e the dogs had dropped out of the hunt .

o s I f llowed on , ometimes on the spoor, sometimes

s in view , di mounting and firing when I got near

a enough , without putting in a f tal shot . I nfamous SOUTH AFRICA 31

a s a s a — e m rk m n hip , I will dmit but wh n the bull w as eventually killed , I found that altogether he

~ s had been hi t fiv e times . Throughout the cha e I had taken no notice whatever of the dire c tion

o In n o r a s . in which we were g g , of any landm rk Consequently when I came to think of ma king my way back to camp I found I had not the most remote idea of where it was . I had given no

s c o n in tructions to Wilson , but I came to the clusio n it w as better to r e m a in where I w as and trust to my man following the spoor of the horse . Abo ut a n hour before sundown I had taken up a

o - s o f o p sition on an ant hill , the highe t bit gr und

to a near , and I confess feeling of relief when I

- w as i Spotted the half bred bushman . H e com ng a o n s long evidently the poor , for he leaned over his mount now and again to get a better view o f ’ s the horse footprints . When we met I asked

a n d o him where the cart was , he p inted in the — direction without the slightest hesitation three ’ s hour ride .

a The h rtebeest was a very fine specimen , and I Sho uld say weighed between four a nd fi v e hundre d

o s The e an d p und . h ad we cut off fixed in the fork

i n of a tree out of the way of marauders , as we tended to fetch in the carcass the next day .

o s o blite r H wever, a hower of rain in the night

o w as ated the spo r , consequently I not able to 32 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

t w as a a e recover the head . I long fter d rk wh n

o t s had n o t re we g back to camp , and the dog

a a o ne turned . One , bl ck bitch , was a real good , who had won a sm all stake in England befo re she w as o a imp rted to the General in South Afric , and had helped me o n severa l o ccasions with

w as a - a e wounded buck . The other cross gr in d

a brute , but game . During the night I was aw kened by Nellie , the black bitch , licking my face . She

s can mu t have fo llowed us as far as she co uld . I

a e picture her , uncert in whether to continu the hunt o r return to camp . She must have used her nose successfully when she made up her mind to come

a she e b ck , otherwise would never have reach d

a sa c mp . There are people who y greyhounds

‘ s a de v o id o f have no no es and are lmost scent , ’ a e but I don t gre with them .

e do so The oth r g never turned up , I expect he w as killed by lions .

w e About this time , as a guest had Father

e o Schomberg K rr , a kinsman of the present L rd

w ho a Lothian , had been a comm nder in the

a e - a o r n vy . I t is strang that ultra enthusi sm ultra

e e the r ligionism runs in some famili s , notably

. a the Scotch and I rish . Father Kerr on le ving

a a nd a man can naval service became Jesuit , if

a n d go through the period of probation instruction ,

as six l ting for years , he has proved himself of

34 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

a is o a e th t there quite en ugh , and perh ps mor , for them to do at home before they ta ckle what they a re

! a s pleased to style the he then in foreign countrie . The civilising o f co loured people in all lands by

s s means of missionarie has proved a gha tly failure . I n a few years the state of the unfortunate pe ople tackled by missionaries is infinitely worse than when the Christi a nising commenced . Its results are the utter dege neration of the unfortun ate

The the e people . introduction of spirits and Bibl

o c nfuses them beyond belief, and ends in physical degradation . The Jesuit methods are entirely different: They

o . leave the spiritual part al ne , and endeavour to

improve the general status of the natives , showing them how to impro ve their manner of cultivating

and s crops , instilling thrift cleanlines , etc . The experience gained or taught in some hundreds of years proves beyond questi o n that attempting to civili se the bl ack races is labour

spent in vain . I draw a distinction between

d s Christi anising an civili ing . To attempt the former i s worse than futile ; the l atter Should be confined to instilling discipline enough to make the n atives

man useful to the white .

H a rking back to sporting in South Africa. The Cape hunting dogs were often to be heard at the

n i c amp at Maclo ts e . I believe they never give SOUTH AFRI CA 35

The tongue except when in pursuit o f game .

s are lycaon among the most ungainly of animals , and one would never believe from their appearance that they are capable of pulling down some of the swiftest antelope in the veldt . Sir Percy Fitzpatrick ’ in j ack of B us/z Velat describes their method . They first scatter widely over the chosen area where

e gam is located , then one buck is chosen as the easiest victim , and cutting it out from the herd they follow that one , and that alone , with remorse

s o r le s , invincible persistency . One two of the C pack take up the hase , giving their victim no ’ fo r moment s rest breath , from time to time emitting their peculiarly weird call . Others of

s the pack , po ted afar , head the buck off, to turn it back again ; the fresh ones then take up the chase and the first pair drop o ut to take a rest and wait . Once a buck is selected he is doomed . Their method is something akin to the remorse less pertinacity with which a stoat hunts a rabbit . I have followed a stoat hunting a rabbit and seen him pay no attention to other rabbits passed

close by in the chase ; . curiously , these rabbits a ppeared to take no notice of him . When the hunted rabbit realises that there i s no escape

s he gives in , and with pitiful queals awaits his pursuer . I f he would only stop and fight , a different tale could be told , as a stoat finds out 36 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN to its cost when it tackles a rabbit with a nes t o f o un y g .

a - a A n tive once brought me a half grown lyc on pup .

e A more uninter sting pet could not be imagined . Under captivity his natural intelligence seems to evaporate , and nothing takes its place . These wild dogs rely on numbers to enable them to

o e s obtain f od , and I expect that when the bitch

to lie up with whelp many succumb starvation .

e - Singl handed they could capture nothing . Their

so numbers , far as I could ascertain , had decreased , as th o se of all carnivorous a nimals do as the game becomes scarce from being disturbed or shot . I think the wild dog of South Africa is now a dis tinct species and has probably evolved from a cro ss between the common semi - domestic do g and a hyena , taking after the latter in appearance . The fact that he is called the Cape hunting dog suggests that the most southern tract of South

Africa is the birthplace of the tribe . The year 1 89 1 w as a great one in the develop ’ ment of Mr Cecil Rh o des imperialism . The British Bechuanaland Border Police formed part of the mechanism which was to Open up a con side rable part of the continent of Africa . A rail way to unite the two extremities of the Cape and Cairo was the grand inspiring call of a gigantic scheme . I t brought the British nation into SOUTH AFRICA 37 f direct con lict with the Boers on one Side , and with the various tribes of aboriginals on the Z other . The most southern races , the ulus , the

o s P ngos , the Basuto , etc had already been dealt

with . I t remained only to deal with the Matabele

a and various independent r ces farther north . The

a Bechuanas , with their chief, Khama , had lready given their support and allegiance to the British . I n the year of grace 1 89 1 the chiefs of our e x e cu tive— including Cecil Rhodes and Lord Randolph Churchill—decided on a tour of inspection

v iz . a trip from Cape Town to Fort Salisbury ,

s 2 comprising a di tance of some 000 miles . The principal antagonists to British occupation were

P n n e fathe r the Boers . Colonel e was leading an expedition through Mashonaland which practically

o f restalled the intention of the Boers . According

! to Lord Randolph Churchill , in men , mines and

animals in South Africa , the main object of the threatened trek into Mashonaland by the Boers was to put pressure upon the H igh Commi ssioner

! in the matter of Swaziland . I f you will redeem

o z y ur promise of giving us Swa iland , we will drop

! - so the trek said the Boers . Lord Randolph Churchill on his travels northwards had j ourneyed

o thr ugh the Transvaal , and his wonderful power o f obs e rvati o n and discernment is trenchantly ex pressed thu s I speak of the nati o n o f Transvaal 38 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN ' I Boers , as a whole , as I think I have seen it .

n a o e tur ed my b ck gladly on this pe pl , hastening n o rthwards to lands pos sessed I hope of equ al wealth , brighter prospects , reserved for more

s worthy owners , entitled to happier de tinies . I

e o r j iced , after all I had seen in the Transvaal , that the country and the peo ple of the Matabe le a n d the Mashona had been rescued in the n Ic k of time owing to the genius of Mr Rhodes and the tardy vigour of the British Government fro m the mortal and withering grasp of the Boer .

w a s the I t at Tuli , the first fort of Mashonaland

o f Police , that I had the privilege meeting Lord s Randolph Churchill , Mr Cecil Rhode and Dr

J ameson . These three distinguished men had to pass through remarkable vicissitude s of politic al

o f rtunes , and none lived to see complete realisation

f his o : o schemes . All died comparatively y ung

w as - o Cecil Rhodes forty nine , Lord Rand lph

Churchill forty - six and Dr J ameson fifty years of

o age . Fr m all accounts they overtaxed their s e tr ngth , mentally and physically . The years lying between forty and fifty ought to se e the zenith of ’ a man s capabilities . Wellington and N apoleon ’ - o were forty six , so were four of Nap leon s generals ,

a when the b ttle of Waterloo was fought . H istorians of that period suggest that Napoleon on that day had lost the forceful energy and magnetic influence SOUTH AFRICA 39

which had hitherto , in battles , been the equivalent

e of an additional division to his army . H of

his course failed to realise ambition . No man can

o become greatly distinguished without ambiti n . That wo rd has a purely political origin : its real

! meaning i s going round to solicit votes for an

! e to f lection a civic o fice among the Ro man s . ’ Nap o le o n s a mbitio n w as certainly in its first

s w as o inception entirely elfish . It p wer he wanted

a n d s he unque tionably gained it . H is dictum that knowledge i s power w as vindicated t o the full in

his a marvellous c reer , in his intuitive knowledge of

o a o a war and rg nisati n , and in his unf ilingly correct judgment of men and his alertness in making

s e S i tuat Io n s the be t of ev ry that presented it elf.

o s Abs rbing wisdom day by day , a similating and

s s o dige ting every le s n that life could teach him ,

e e a o he d veloped an intellect un qualled m ng men . H is wo nderful career w as co mpressed into a b o ut

- fi v e s his twenty year of active life . All biographers who have written of Rh o des draw a nal o gies between him a n d greatly dis

ti n gui she d men . Sir Lewis M ichell co mp are s

aes s . him to the C ar , N apoleon and Clive

o o Le e s M r G rd n Su r , one of his biographer ,

! says : Th e re w as a strange faci al resemblance

! e e s a n b tw en Rh o de d some of the Roman Cae s a rs . Thus it seem s tha t physiognomy an d phreno logy 40 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

must have a gre at d e al to do with the character

. s e fo r of a man Rhode beli ved in this , it is said ,

when inspecting classes of boys or young men , he would make comments a s to which he considered

were likely to becom e distinguished .

! Lavater says : Whether they are or are not

sensible of it , all men are influenced daily by

s phy iognomy . There is not a man who does not mo re or less the first time he is in company with

a o stranger observe , estimate , c mpare and judge

him according to appearances . My impression o f Mr Rhodes was that he was

o n e of the most remarkable men I had ever met . Hi s co nversation w as always on matters connected

with his schemes ; he asked questions of everyone ,

n fo r and the he would lapse into silence some time , before another string of questions came pouring

a out . H e appeared to t ke no interest whatever in animals so unceasingly was his brain at work that

s n o he eemed to have time for eating and drinking . H e swall o wed his food almost without masticating

s it , and he gulped his drink down with I hould think serious detriment to his digestion . Even Glads tone descended to the discussion o f the

a an d s process of e ting, , it is said , ubjected every mouthful of meat to thirty - two bites before swallo w ing ; he regarded thi s habit as absolutely necessary

s e for th o se w ho a pire to a l o ng lif .

42 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

= . w e arriv e d of the brain When at Tuli , the

a General , on meeting Dr J meson , asked him to go a nd se e me . The docto r pre scribed compl e te

s a n d a ss an d o to . re t d rkne , c nfinement my tent

ua he s o s a o - Event lly , ent r und a m ll b ttle of eau de

s . Cologne , a bottle he had brought up for him elf I

e e e his a o f lt de ply grat ful for ttenti n . The doctor had s s w as ju t returned from Fort Sali bury , and I t o ld th at he had been the means of saving the life

o f o a s . s Mr Rutherf rd H rri Thi gentleman , after

a o o the b thing in a p l in one of rivers up there , was seated drying himself on a rock when a c ro co dile se s o f a a ized him by the mall the b ck , lacer ting it severely . The doctor up there had ordered M r Harri s c o ntinu ally to bathe the part with hot water an d ba ndage it ; so frequ e ntly was he advi sed to do thi s that the injured part looked like becoming gangren o us . Dr Jameso n at onc e altered the

o a had treatment , and in a f rtnight the p tient

recovered . Kindness and sympathy seemed to me the chief

o o e a attribute s of Dr James n . I w uld nev r h ve imagined him as a leader of an alm o st fo rl o rn

o a w as. h pe , as the Jameson R id General Carringto n had intended to pro c e ed

t o a s a o o f s o F rt S li bury, the destin ti n Mr Rhode ,

a s and o o Dr J me on L rd Rand lph Churchill , but

at a o a S ix Tuli he ch nged his plans , having bt ined SOUTH AFRICA 43

’ months leave to England . I nstead of going north

s Maclo n tsie we started for the outh , I remaining at

o in temporary c mmand of the corps , whilst he proceeded to E ngland .

o f The war dance the Matabele tribe , an annual

f a function which is in reality a harvest estiv l , w as to begin about a couple of months after I had a Maclo n tsie t ken charge . The distance from to Bul awayo is about two hundred and forty miles . By way of breaking the monotony of camp an d making myself acquainted with the country , I obtained from the H igh Commissioner at Cape ’ T o wn fourteen days leave for the purpose of s o h oting . Another officer in the corps , also s e econd d , was equally as keen as myself on wit n e ssing one of the historic functions in the life of the most powerful nation in that part of South

s a Africa . We therefore arranged that two ep rate

o routes sh uld be taken , and a survey made of

a a as e ch . C ptain ( he then was) Sitwell , now a

a o - had M j r General , originally been in the 5th

a a as B ttalion , Northumberland Fusiliers , M iliti , I

s s Raw le i h had my elf, likewi e Major (now Sir) g

o e ‘ Grey and Col n l Carr Elison , all Northumber

w ho e to land men , had joined the Militia pr vious

as entering the army . I t w rather a strange co in c ide n ce that four men from the same county sh o uld h ave become members o f the British Bechuanal and 44 SOLDIER AND S PORTSMAN

Border Police , all serving with it at the same time .

Mr Cole nb rande r At Bulawayo were , represent ative of the Chartered Company , and Mr Renny

T a le ur y , the latter trying to obtain a concession from ’ Lobengula . I t was in Mr T ayle ur s compound that we made our headquarters .

a The dance is harvest festival . All the fighting

! members of the nation , forming Impis or regi

al ments , from the outlying kra s , assemble at Bulawayo to pay homage to the King and take part in the festivities . No woman , or lad not yet entered as a fighting man , dare Show up . Old

Loben held his court in his kraal , and there was at that time only one wagon in the country ; this was utilised as a sort of forum from which the

King received the homage of his subjects . As ! each I mpi arrives the chief of it comes forward i in a stooping, crouch ng gait , the left shoulder depresse d by the weight of the shield and assega i

a which he carries . Each man as he pproaches

w as chants verses in praise of the K ing . I told

o n that one day during the festival , and on one da y only , the women are allowed to sally out , and that every man , woman and child bathes in the

s river . I did not see thi performance , but believe

be o it to a fact , a custom of ancient rigin from the

o a n J ews . When the festivities are c ming to end , SOUTH AFRICA 45 a great number of oxen are turned loo se and the warriors Show their skill in slaughtering them with the assegai ; a bad bungle is greeted with ironic

s a cheer and shouts , and general scramble takes place to a void the charges of the wounded o x . When the functions come to an end the I mpis

en masse parade in the presence of the King , ch anting a song a n d stamping their feet on the

s ground in uni on with the tune . Then the King

descends from his wagon , takes an assegai in his right hand and casts it with a mighty throw in the direction of their supposed enemies . A

e hug feast ends the performance . Mr Co le nbrande r took me up to be presented

! On to H is Majesty . seeing me he said , The

! white man is very thin , and immediately ordered food and beer . The food consisted of a huge steak , which I did not eat , but after one of the

witch doctors had tasted the beer, a custom to I show it was not poisoned , took a good drink of it . I t is made from millet seed , and requires to be drunk often before one relishes it . O n the following day Captain S itwell was taken by

Co le n brande r an d an to interview H is Majesty , incident happened which might have had serious

all o consequences for the white f lks there . ’ On leavi ng the King s presence Sitwell took a

' his s pipe from pocket , closing the ca e with a snap 46 SOLDI ER AND SPORTS MAN

a a n d l nb ran d r ha before putting it b ck . H e Co e e d pro ceeded only about tw o hundred yards when a

o s messenger fr m the King ha tened after , summon ing them back to the kraal . It appeared that one

the of witch doctors , who had been watching opera

o s a to ti n , im gined , or chose believe , that the case co ntained a pistol and that Sitwell had actually

a le n and r po inted it at Lobengul . Mr Co br e had a

the a difficult job to persuade the King to contr ry ,

! and the l ast words old Loben said were : I f the white man had presented a pistol I would h ave ’ a made dust round the white man s kraal . I n fact , all the whites would have been killed , and the rebellion that broke out some eighteen months later would have been precipitated . This incident w as not m ade light of when Co le n b rande r rep o rted

a our visit at Bulawayo , and the result of th t report by no means lightened the responsibility th at I

a undertook , first of all , in taking over comm nd o f and the the corps , in next place , leaving the command of it to an o fficer w ho was n o t what

! ! o w as a w as calle d Imperial . This fficer Capt in

s the H on . Charle , son of the present veteran Earl

o a of C ventry , most gallant gentleman , who has had the unique experience of seeing the inside

f a as e a s . o Boer gaol , w ll as Turki h one I t will be remembered that Captain Coventry was taken prisoner along with several squadrons of mounted SOUTH AFRICA 47 troo ps when we suffered a reverse in the n e ighbour h o od o f Gaza . On the day of this incident I had ridden out some ten or twelve miles from B ulawayo . O n my

o f return I had arrived within three miles Bulawayo , my horse burdened with the extra weight of a paw or bustard (some of the se bird s reach a weight of

I o n e about thirty pounds) , when came upon of the I mpis , or regiments of fighting men , who had gone to headquarters to participate in the festiviti e s . For s o me real or imagined breach of the unwritten law of the Matabele they had been sent h o me in

ar fo r disgrace . There e n o minor punishments

- — evil doers ; one only and that is death ! There

! are no such anomalies as unwanted babie s . I f

a ' girl gets into trouble in thi s w ay there is short

shrift both for herself and her lover , as they are

both put to death . Some years previously this particular kraal had ’ s incurred the King displeasure , and all the women of the kraal that were e n cei n te were assembled

a a n d close to a small hill , adjacent to the kr al ,

s . w as then laughtered , few escaping I t the descendant s of this same kraal that were in

a n d w as trouble again , it the disgraced crowd

a ll a of warriors that I met, in their war p int ,

an d s picturesque truculent , some with monkey kins

o a s and s me with leop rd kins round their waists , 48 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN n with their headgear ador ed with ostrich feathers ,

a each man carrying a shield and assegais . I c me on them somewhat suddenly on topping a rise in

o a the ground ; on seeing me they broke int run , t apping their shields and shouting in deep guttural

. t o o tones My first impulse was gall p off, but

a a s e re lising th t my hor e was just about cook d , I

merely edged o ff the path and rode stolidly on .

ha d fl a a I my ri e ready , and when man c me too

s clo e I brought it up menacingly . Eventually I

o t a g p st the crowd , numbering about one hundred and fifty , with a feeling of intense relief. On reaching Bulawayo I went stra ight to Colen brander to make inquiries concerning this infuri ated ’ le nbrand r mob . Co e s reply was

! You actually met these fellows and are still alive and well !

am e . I here , that is clear enough , I r plied I f yo u had shown the slightest Sign o f fear you would have had a hundred assegais into you before ! you could wink .

Co le n brande r Some three days after this episode , Renny T ayle ur and myself were discussing the ’ o a situation . The f rmer s opinion was th t the

sa s o oner I departed the better for all . H e id by an old custom the Matabele regarded their harvest festivitie s as one at w hich no spectators

w as should be present , and that my presence

5 0 SOLD I ER AND S PORTSMAN

o o s e e a t da r m and went to l ep . N xt m o rning y

s ha light Farley woke me up . O n di covering t t the man had n o t come in I hurried off up the ro ad

a s a o o e to with Farley , h rd as we c uld g . Ther ,

e o man and our inexpressible r lief, we f und the horses exactly in the same positi o n as I had l e ft

s s s them ome hour previou ly .

Maclo n tsi e a I got to l te the following night , and

! I found that indeed so far as I was concerned the

! fat w as in the fire a nd frizzling with uncomm o n

. T o a vigour make matters worse , a par graph

! appeared in Tra m to the effect that Capta in

o a a a Sc tt , in temporary command of the Bechu n l nd

Border Police , had taken the Opportunity of going into forbidden country to witness the war dance o f

! a nd the Matabele , etc . S ir Frederick Carrington

a the officers on leave had been recalled , and lto

gether I got myself thoroughly disliked . I n the

meantime I was to consider myself under arrest .

H owever, when the General arrived in Cape Town

things were soon sm o othed over . I t happened that Lord Randolph Churchill w as

o o an d o n o at F rt Gaber nes , his return fr m M a shon aland I w as there a waiting Sir Frederick ’ Carrington s arrival from E ngland . I had gone

fo r a a ss ride with him cro the border , and when I expl ained that we were in Transvaal territory he said SOUTH AFRICA 5 1

had e e t a as the o e I think we bett r g b ck , if B rs h a ve seen what I have said about them in my

! s lette r home they will be after me .

s o f s o This was in je t , cour e , but there is no d ubt tha t they were beco ming unbearably truculent a nd

a insolent . H is opinion of them has lready been

quoted . ’ That evening Lord Randolph s meal co nsiste d o f a poached egg and a bo ttle o f cha mpagne ; he

a was unable to eat m o re from fatigue . The m in o bject o f his travels in Africa was to rega in at

a - a an d le st some of his fast declining he lth , I well remember his saying that the climax of a som e what overtaxed brain was reached when he was

1 886 preparing his Budget speech , shortly after

s thi he resigned the appointment of Chancellor . Ab o ut a year afte r my return to E ngland I

a Ho n h ppened to be a guest of the . R . Burke , ’ w ho had taken Lord Mayo s residence in County

a had Kildare . I t was here th t Lord Randolph

been staying when he was preparing the speech ,

at hi s w as and the room which was, put disposal shown to guests as a sort of mem o rial of hi s i n

a o a def tigable capacity for work . As L rd R ndolph c himself said , he never re overed from the terrific

- strain of that all night sitting . During these hours he had smoked over a hundred ciga rettes and

an consumed large quantities of whisky d soda . 52 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

I believe that all men who w o rk the brain to e a a e xcess require rtificial stimul nts . S o m e requir a o a a lcohol in some form , thers n rcotics . The f ct

a a me n a e s rem ins th t very brilliant h ve short liv .

a ss s Without artifici l a i tance , they would probably

a not chieve brilliancy . Lord Ra ndolph was quite the most brilliant man o f e e his tim . I t is , howev r , interesting to record that his first attempt to pas s the entrance examina

a a a tion into Oxford was f ilure . Other gre t men ,

a a n d s not bly the Duke of Wellington Lord Ro ebery , have sh o wn that early failure in schol astic affa irs is by n o mea ns an indication that their future will be undistinguished . Lord Randolph spent two or thre e days at

a and a G berones , mongst other interesting incidents o f his expedition to Mashonaland he recounted

o s vari us adventures with lion . Very few men who go on sporting expeditions to South Africa hav e

se e u the luck to lions , even tho gh they be in a lion

i s o infested district . I believe it Mr F . Sel us who says tha t he was two years in the co untry before

se o n e e w as to a n d eing , and his obj ct find shoot ga me of any sort ; but extraordin a ry luck befell

Lord Rando lph in this re spect . H e describes how

a he , in comp ny with Mr Hans Lee , one of the

s expert hunter of that time , came on a group of

to . lions , eight ten in number Confronted with SOUTH AFRICA 53 such an alarming sight as this , many experienced hunters might have thought twice befo re go ing right into the midst of them , but Lord Randolph says Trooping and trotting along ahead of us like a lot of enormous dogs , the great yellow objects offered

s s . uch a ight as I had never dreamed of My horse , untrained to the gun , would not allow me to fire

his o from back . I theref re stuck close to Lee ,

- determined to let him do the shooting , unless things

! a became critic l , as his aim was true .

a I t ppears that only one , a lioness , was bagged .

Lord Randolph then goes on to describe that , dur ing the process of searching for another wounded lion , he thought it wise to climb a tree , thereby

o o o procuring a g d view of the field of operati ns . Tw i t/z in its Christmas number of 1 893 pub lishe d a cartoon depicting the Evolution of Lord

Randolph . Lord Randolph gave great praise to the

Bechuanaland Border Police . Writing of the Headquarters he says

No traveller can fail to be struck by the exceed ing cleanlines s and order as well as by the excellent

s con truction of the quarters of the officers and men . I t would be difficult to speak too highly of thi s

o force . N drinking , no idleness , no slovenliness 54 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

far can be detected . I n this lonely spot away from

o da civilisati n , y after day throughout the long year , the members of thi s force manage to occupy all their time , to keep themselves in an irreproachable

o f o r condition efficiency and smartness . N o duty errand is repugnant to the Bechuanaland Border

s Police . A private will tart off to ride two or three hundred miles through the bush with n o thing but

te a a haversack containing biscuit , and coffee and

- - o a small patrol tin . A wonderful esprit de c rps f animates them . Two of the o ficers had returned , ’ e s wh n I arrived , from a ten day prowl all by them ’ s selves right into Lobengula country , entered upon

fo r partly for survey purposes , partly the obtaining o f s n o o f information , a ervice by means devoid

- peril , performed in the most light hearted but

effectual manner .

This is a great tribute to the organising power of the man who raised the corps and command e d

z v i . Sir Frederick Carrington . The two officers he refers to were Captain Sitwell and myself ; o ur

o adventures I have endeav ured to describe .

The following lines from Dryden appear so apt ,

o f as a on recalling the pleasures the p t , I m ke no apology fo r quoting them here

a the man and a he a o e H ppy , h ppy l n ,

He who can call to - day hi s o w n SOUTH AFRICA

He w ho se c e w t can sa : , ur i hin , y

- f r - To o o w do th w o st o I ave ve to da . m rr y r , h li d y o e fa o r fo o r a o r s e C m ir ul , r in hin ,

The o s I ave o sse sse S te o f fate are e . j y h p d, in pi , min No t H eave n h erse lf o ve r the past hath pow er ! But w at has ee has e e an d I av ha o h b n b n, h e d my h ur .

DRYDE N . C HAPT E R I I

INDIAN REMINISCENCES

O LD I E RING in I ndia fifty or sixty years ago was probably n o thing like so strenuous

as at it is the present time , and I recall with pleasure the tw o an d a half years I had the privi

o f s lege erving with my regiment at Mhow , Central

I ndia .

The first few months were spent in learning drill ,

s o instruction in the riding cho l , etc . The Adjutant ,

w as who a great sportsman , instructed me in j ungle

s a n d as a craft as well as in profe sional detail , con sequence we became great friends . A most vivid recollection co mes to my mind of his untimely end . About a week before the tragedy I am about to

o relate he and I had gone out to Sh ot quail . The

v Adjutant was driving the tonga, the most primiti e vehicle possible— really a board on two wheels

o attached to a couple of p nies . H e and I were

a in front , man with a gun and spaniel behind .

fo r o f We had left the road , making a clump

a as trees to obtain s helter from storm . Just we bumped over a small waterc o urse a terrific clap 56

58 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN fl the oor . The mirror in the room was spattered

w as with powder , and it clear he had looked in

to it when putting the revolver his mouth .

o Strangely en ugh , it has happened that I have three times in my life been principal witness in

I n suicide cases . each instance evidence threw no f - h light upon the reason for self destruction . I av e many times heard it argued as to whether such

ac t is the of a brave man or a coward , and I incline to the opinion that it must require a vast

o o f' o am unt res lution to do the final act . The letters my friend wrote the evening prior to his

a - s de th were to bid good bye to various friend .

o h d What passed thr ugh my mind was , if he a not written those letters , would he have thought ! better of it Having written them , he may have thought that it would be cowardice to refrain from

so committing the final act . I f that is , then the

. s deed was that of a brave and re olute man . I have n o doubt it was the shaking his nervous s ste m re ce i v e d ' fro m y . the accident when driving a week previous to the tragedy that upset his

mental equilibrium . D uring the hot weather season of 1 879 the late Col o nel Walker (who later comma nded the regi ment) and myself spent our long leave on a sho oting

s arbudda The trip to the jungles kirting the N . bag

at the end of the trip consisted of seven tigers , and INDIAN REMINI SCENCES 59

r o several bea s and deer, but I came to the conclusi n that tiger shooting was an indifferent form of sport . The best part of the fun was tracking the tiger to his lair and marking him down . This is done by

s the native hikarees . I usually accompanied them , and most fascinating it was to watch them following

a as dr a tr ck in difficult ground , such the y bed of

a river , where perhaps the displacement of a pebble here and there was the only sign of an animal hav

ing been on the move . Once the tiger is marked

down , positions are taken up by the guns and the

drive begins . We had the use of four elephants , and these used as he ate rs were enough as a rule to cause the tiger to break ; if the guns were well placed it was seldom that we did not account for

the game . On one occasion a tiger broke back without

having a shot fired at her , and the guns were immedi ately mounted on the elephants and we

went on in pursuit . The jungle was very sparse

and bare , and two or three times we got a view .

she Eventually was bagged , when we found that the thick coating of skin on the pads of he r feet had blistered and peeled off and the wretched animal mu st have been for some time in intense

pain . We als o ascertained that it was only a

she w as matter of days before , due to lay up with

cubs . I t i s such unfortunate incidents that happen 60 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN now and again which sadly diminishes the pleasures of the sport . Anyone who has been close to a tiger is aware

s o of a somewhat curious smell thi animal has , b th in captivity and in the wild . I t happened one day that Walker a n d myself were moving al o ng the banks of a deep nullah to take up our positions for the

! ! r drive . When we were close to the beat I e

to a marked Walker that I winded tiger . As we

a o n e u us were t lking , of the shikarees ran p to , and seemed intensely asto nished th at we had not met

s had the animal , as it was only a minute ince he

o ur s a been seen going in direction . From inve tig tion it appeared that he had passed bene ath us

s three or four yards away , hidden by ome long grass and scrub . I t is remarkable how a tiger can slip through the jungle without being seen , taking advantage of every blade of grass and cro uching

s low to the ground . Under such circumstance , a

- full grown animal will look no bigger than a cat . Very different if he has to cross a patch bare of

to to cover ; no need try hide himself then . H e s a i s t nds to his full height , and one of the most beautiful animals in creation . A somewhat curious incident h appened one day when I went alone with the beaters to hunt up a

s a his a a panther , aid to h ve abode in deep null h . I had taken up a p o sition on the to p o f a pile o f INDIAN REM INI SCENCES 61

o n e a e . rock and stones , close to side of the r vin The beaters had not succeeded in getting the game on fo ot and were all co llected round where I was s fl e itting . I had taken the cartridges out of the ri , a n d w as a a bout to enjoy smoke , when one of the ! : a beaters said I know where the p nther is . H e followed up his remark by climbing up a few

a s feet of the bank opposite to where I s t . Ju t above his head was a h o le which appeared to be the o a had n o o pening of a sm ll cave . H e s oner put his head to the hole than the panther sprang o ut , knocking his turban off and alighting on the

Fo r e a a a . h p of stones where I was , two yards w y a at an d bout ten seconds the panther glared me , very thankful I felt when he turned and jumped

the to ground . Sitting over water where animals come to drink at s A night is a most fascinating port . great

s variety of game vi it these pools in dry weather , and although I do not recollect having been suc

c e ssful a a in obt ining what I lways went for , either

tiger or leopard , there was great enjoyment in

a s a s . a s ss w tching the variou nimal The de d tillne ,

a n s alw ys more noticeable before sundow , eems to give a certain amount o f confidence to the animals of the wild when they are approaching a locality

which instinct tells them is full of danger . About

three miles from our camp there was a water - hole 62 S OLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN said to be a favourite spot for the thirsty fo lk o f the

e a nd o n s o n e e j ungl , in pecting the ground ev ning abo ut two h o urs before sundown it was evid e nt from the tracks o f all sorts of anim als th at it w as

e d well frequ nte . My shikaree and myself pro ce e de d o to rig up a small shelter , in which we to k

s a up our po ition . The first rrivals were four

a o . S o pe c cks silently had they come forward , apparently taking advantage of e very little bit o f

o to o n s c ver , that they seemed burst our vi ion as if they had risen from a ho le in the gro und . As th e y a o a s s at pproached the water , only m ving few tep a e ss a n d time , they were the embodim nt of alertne suspICIo n . When they got to the e dge o f the poo l only two at a time dipped their heads to drink . Whether this plan w as by arrangement I cannot sa y, but when two were drinking the other two

e sca nned the view in every directio n . When th y had drunk their fill they moved away in the same stealthy and cautious manner . The next to visit the pool were a herd of about

e a twelve wild pigs . As they descend d a g me path from the top of the nullah leading to the

as o water , I had a good View of them they m ved

in single file , a few steps at a time , then a simul — tan e o us o halt , then a few steps f rward every

motion depicting intense caution , trusting , I should

sa . y, more to their sense of hearing than of sight IND I AN REMINI SCENCES 63

As they cam e near the poo l either I o r my man — m ade some slight movement so slight that I w as — not aware of it and in a fl a sh the pigs swung

s round on their tracks and di appeared .

o s a e . F llowing the pig , there came small gazell

a as Th t , like the peacocks , struck on the vision if a a a a f iry hand had pl ced it there . As it pproached the water with steps both timid and dainty, a most

to pathetic expression in its eye , it seemed me that Nature is c ruel in her scheme of life . A fight or struggle for e x IS te n c e is a law so stern and unflinching that the slightest sl acking of etern al

i s e As vigilance may cost an animal t lif . the little

w as o f a e thing about to drink , a swirl s nd ros with

s o f a tonishing quickness , and caused a pillar dust

and sand to rise several feet in height , obscuring

fo r the moment the presence of the gazelle . When

a w as the swirl subsided the anim l still there , but

Its I fancied I could se e it tremble . nerve was

gone , and in three or four graceful bounds it was

out of Sight . S o far very few of the thirsty folk of the jungle

s an d w o n had been able to atisfy their thirst , I dered whether the animals that came to drink w e re rendered more cautious than usual by the fact of

s s i s o my man and elf being there . I think thi m re

than probable . H owever , as we waited , a half

us grown porcupine passed behind , apparently 64 SOLD I ER AND S PORTSMAN

e an s quite indiff rent to y pos ible danger . But I ta ke it that very fe w a nim als will tackl e th e se

a s a o a . cre ture , hence their confidence when br d

sun a se t o ur The was just bout to , so we left shelter and proceeded homewards . I have before mentioned that the scent of a tiger

e a e o is r dily discernible . We had gon only ab ut a quarter o f a mile along the game path when I

! stopped a n d said to my shikaree : I smell a

tiger . H is respo nse w as a yell so sudden that it broke on the stillnes s like the bursting of a h ! s e .

! he That will frighten him , said . The following morning we went to the spot a n d

s o f the e there , right enough , were the track tig r

o s a ver our , and the marks where he stirred the s nd

on the path when he jumped on hearing, I suppose ,

that dreadful yell . When we returned to headquarters the live stock c o llected during the trip comprised a b e a r d a a n d o . cub , panther cub a young I ndian g The p a nther ev e ntually arrived at the Zool o gica l

a e e an s G rd ns in Bombay , but it was nev r intere ting

an d pet , being surly unsociable . The temperament o f a nimals va ries just as much as the temperament

of human beings . The variabl e ness in the latter can be acco unted

for. Yet it is not easy to find the reason that

66 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

The wild red do g of I ndi a a nd the Cape hunting dog of South Africa are equally avers e fro m adapting

s e s o so m a them elv to the conditi ns of captivity , it y be that they have evo lved from a rac e of a nim als

n o t to do a The which is allied the g tribe t all . fun c ti o ns o f mating in these tw o Species are

e e o f d diff r nt from those the true o g . The tim e for long leav e in I ndia is during the

a s as hot we ther . Those officers having porting t tes generally spend their leave in the jungles, but

o a n a prop rtion must rem in to carry o the work . Barra ck life in I ndi a at th at time w as apt to cause boredo m . A good part of the afternoon was spent

s a s a o in leep . C rd games and gambling instinct ls

a fo r e and a had fine opportunity b ing developed , few instances o f wh a t h appened may prove interesting . Ther e was an o fficer in our regiment who w as a m o st inveterate gambler . H e would bet on

sit anything , even as to how long a fly would on a his a a lump of sugar . I n bung low he had rough

e o r wooden table , and when he could coll ct two

a w as three geni l souls together , the game for e ach man to hav e a lump of sugar abo ut two

o o f w as a fe et a way . Fr m the edge the table l id a a o f o to tr in gunp wder the sugar, and the pool w as scooped by the man who killed the l argest number of flies by igniting the train . About eight miles from Mhow there w as a hill called INDIAN REMINI SCENCES 67

the a i ts e se a e to o n e . Sugar Lo f, from r mbl nc I t w as co ve red for the most p art with thick s had s raz m a crub , but ome fair g g for c ttle on the t O ur a a o o p. friend m de a bet with n ther o fficer that he would not run up the hill and back in a certain time . I t looked good odds that the h t e . man who took bet would win H owever , whe n he came to tackle the job he found th at the only paths to the top were so hampered with

o f cattle , carefully driven up with the object

o a e had bl cking these p ths , that the specifi d time

a long expired before he completed his task . Wh t ’ put the cap on this fello w s trickery w as as follows .

One o f the officers passing the ante - room windows o f X the mess bungalow saw Mr . measuring the

e s - a l g of the card tables . Guessing wh t was afoot , he waited till the measuring was finished and the

o a o t saw a n d S e c st clear . H e then g a horten d the e the e l gs by an inch . Sure enough , conv rsa

o a t e s the ti n m s turned on the height of tables .

s an d a Large bet were made , an djournment to

a - o o a e e the nte ro m to k pl c , where the tables wer

as a a X a e s e me ured . C pt in . f il d to ettl and within

a three days was on his way back to E ngl nd . C H APTE R I I I

FAMOUS GENERALS AND HORSEMANSHI P

H AVE referred to several o f o ur pre s e nt - tim e ge n e rals as be ing m o re than capabl e h o rsem e n but go od h o rse m a nship w as n o t a cha racteri sti c of some o f the m o st brilli ant generals of years go n e

. s ss s s a by I n di cu ing thi ubject with friend , he told me of a fact that d o es not appea r in Sir ’ — o e s o . e e Ge rg Arthur bo k viz that Lord Kitch n r , in the procession on the occasion of the Coronation

o Z a a of King George , r de the New e l nd bred

o ur a Mo iffa w as winner of Gr nd National , , who

- kindly lent to Kitchener by M aj o r General J . F

n o w Ran ksbo ro u h. to Brocklehurst , Lord g I t was him that K ing Edwa rd made a present of the ’ gelding after he had failed , neath royal colours , to

1 0 repeat the Liverpoo l victory he had scored in 9 4 .

s for Mr Spencer Gollan . I make mention of thi because there are some folks who believe that if a horse has been trained and raced he i s too apt to become unsettled an d nervous an d require a

e good horseman to ride him . This view , howev r,

a s is is very f llacious . I n fact the rever e actually

a has the case , for the more experience horse

s the more knowledgeable an d sensible he bec o me . 68 FAMOUS GENERALS HORSEMANSH I P 69

a Lord Kitchener was n o horsem n . I have known men a s tall and much of the same build as that great general who when riding looked like

s p a rt of a horse ; but K . of K . had an ugly eat

’ a n d never appeared to be v e ry co mfo rtable when

e . a mount d H e had , of course , to take p rt in many

o s s pr ce sion , and I understand he looked best and enjoyed himself more when he was o n the back

o of D em crat , an American bred and a remarkably

e - s w ll named racer , being by Sen ation out of Equality . I believe thi s horse w as brought to this country by the late Lord William Beresford an d eventually ’ became the property of Richard Marsh , the King s

a e w ho s o f tr in r. I t was Marsh made a pre ent him to i Lord K tchener, who rode him in the Delhi

e Durbar Proc ssion of King Edward V I I . Lord Kitchener was rather do ubtful about accepting Democrat even to take out to I ndia as a a s charger , though he had the assurance of M r h th at he was very quiet a n d that he had often been ridden on N ewmarket H eath by that trainer ’s

a . . e s d ughter K of K . play d for afety in accepting the invitation of the Duke o f P o rtland to send Democrat to the riding sch o ol at Welbeck Abbey

e o s b f re hipping him out to I ndia . Lord Kitchener

his eventually grew more than proud of race gift ,

o o o o and th ugh he never raced him , Dem crat t k

a s a t o s o m ny prize the h rse h ws , and was finally 70 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN chosen by his lo rdship as a model for the statue e re cted in co mmemorati o n to thi s gre at so ldier in

a c C l utta . Under all the above circumstances I was sur ’ pris e d to read in Sir Ge o rge Arthur s memoirs that

us f a . s a while in Cypr K o K . acted whip to pack o f s hound . On an Arab mare , which he had

a brought from Sophi , and which he himself trained , he a ctually won the steepl e chase at Nico ssi n in

1 8 8 2 . The cup which he here carried off w as such a treasured trophy that it w as seldo m mi ssing fro m ’ his o - o l rdship s dinner table in Calcutta , Cair or

o Lond n .

! o n o t a L rd Kitchener was society man , and dis

o o as o o a e liked ballr m antics , looking unc mf rt bl

as a s e s there he did on hor e . I beli ve the Pre s did

n o t o n his forget to dilate dancing , which perforce

had t o a he indulge in when Opening a State b ll .

s Recalling an incident of a similar ituation , it is

s e e s a a aid that a high cl ric , wh n vi iting S ndringh m w as co mmanded by the Queen to o pe n a servants ’

- a a o so n . b ll . The p rs n s was an eye witness ’ K nowing his father s di slike to such unaccu sto med

! o s he to : s o o a t friv litie , remarked a friend Ju t l k

dad s be a . he , he mu t in wful agony No doubt ! s I n his o ld To wi hes he was pulpit . which the

! ’ friend replied Surely his d a ncing c a n t be wo rse

! a his e th n pr aching . FAMOUS GENERALS H ORSEMAN SHI P 71

Lord Kitchener , indeed , was not an outdoor

s . portsman , as billiards was his chief recreation Sir George Arthur says he cared nothing for racing

o but a great deal for h rses , though he could not

s ride them . H e was well aware of thi , as were those of his friends who stood round him when he paid a visit to Elkington in Waterloo Pl ace to in spect the m o del the a rtist had mad e for the

a proposed Calcutt memorial . When uncovered , the m o del certainly appeared a pre tty pie ce of

- work . I t sh o wed the Field Marshal on a horse

his s lo w t o prancing on hind leg , with his hocks the ground ; his neck a n d head wer e well a rched a nd his front legs pa wed the a i r. O n looking at the

! ! a o - a o model for sec nd , the Field Marsh l said N ,

! n o ! Not o n a horse like that ! H e at once re ferred to the well - known painting by Lady Butler of the o fficer co ming d o wn the line in Tfi e R oll

! l a : to a Cal . H e dded I want be put on quiet

s e o a hor e like D mocrat , the one I r de as a ch rger in

I ndi a . The model of the statue w as then recon structe d and a portrait of Democrat obtained from Cl a rence

H a il e y of N e wmarket .

w as - - w as a Democrat a great two year old . He

o o n - o s s fo r go d performer our race c ur e , Winning

o a e e s e a s L rd Willi m B r ford elev n r ce , Including t he s o a s a o a A cot C ventry St kes , Hur t P rk F l 72 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

s Stakes , National Breeders Stake ( Sandown) ,

s a e Donca ter Champagne St kes , Rous M morial

e w marke t the an d e s ( N ) , and Middle Park D whur t

a a o Plates t Newmarket . Democr t in all the ab ve

race s was ridden by Tod Sl o an . When the great statue of Lord Kitchener was completed he was not quite pleased with the de i c i n ' his s p t o o f style in the addle .

At the time of the sad calamity in which K . of K.

hi s e and Captain Fitzgerald , met th ir end ,

I recollect that some person , seeking an appropriate

f ll n s o Tfi e Ti mes a o o w 1 . epit ph , sent the g sugge ti n to

As a a s I I h ve never seen the s me ince in print , repro duce it here

31 1 ! Memory Of

VISC OUNT KIT CHENE R O F K HARTOUM

B e rfl f z me 2 405 1 850

D i ed/ zi n e 5l/z 1 9 1 6

! A D SAY To A THE W R D N LL O L , A WA A MA ! TH T S N .

The a sun sa he w se a a h ppy id ill ri g in , Who tw ce v cto o s o ur Nav se e i i ri u did y ,

A I a o e st se e se a a va nd l n mu him ri g in in in, W t o t o n e ra o f all hi s sta fo r me i h u y r , Yet e an E s e e a w I di e lik ngli h G n r l ill , A all the o c e a a e s ac o s ave nd n m k my p i u gr , Wo e an d c o w a s o n the a ma li e m n rd l nd y , ’ The sea s a t s f r h o mb that o pe n o t e brave . DR DE N Y .

FAMOUS GENERALS 85 HORSEMANSH I P 73

’ I n referring to great generals of the past and

s as i s pre ent horsemen , it well known that

a N poleon was a most indifferent rider, and it is said he had all his chargers tested for their nerve and complacency by means of pigs . I f they could not stand the compulsory squealings and antic s of

’ a pig they were n o t passe d as suitable chargers for

a the great N poleon .

a w as Ag in , the Duke of Wellington a very poor

s s o s e s hor eman . H e had no he itati n in telling tori a a s s sus g inst him elf, and in describing the fall he tai n e d w as o . The Duke of Wellington als inclined

s to be blunt and uncompromising in his dispatche . During the Peninsular Campaign he became sadly sh s ort of staff officers ; the authoritie at home , in s ending one to join his staff, enclosed a letter

! : s saying We are sending you a man with brain .

! ! ’ s o Damn your man with brain , was Wellingt n s reply I want a man with guts ! Biographers of this great man are inclined to

o n - comment what might be called a cold blooded ,

s e a un ympath tic nature . They s id Wellingto n

s o f could be rou ed from sleep , Sign the warrant death for a man and in two minutes be sound

s e a le p again .

o to o s The st ry , , of the Quarterma ter in General ’ Pic to n s a as s c s is an brig de , given in di pat he ,

o sc e o n - fi e ld example of ir n di iplin the battle . 74 SOLD IER AND SPORTSMAN

This Qu arterm aster had received o rders to pro cure ration s of all so rts for the brigad e . Thi s he s s found to be almo t impos ible . On telling

o f f General Picton his di ficulties , the General

! said : I f the rations are not forthcoming by a

! a o certain time I will h ve you Sh t . Away went

o a a the Quartermaster to Wellingt n , s ying th t General Picto n declared he would hav e him sh o t

a o s e n o t o t o if r ti n wer forthc ming , which Well

! i ngto n replied : I kno w General Picto n to b e

f his to o u is to a e a man o word . My advice y h v

s e e . the ratio n there . And they w r C H APT E R I V

T HE STORY OF A GREAT DUEL

T happened the o ther day that I had an o p

o rtun it s p y of eeing a shield which held ,

a o s o o ld s m ng t ther relics of time , the rapier alleged to have been u sed by the then Duke o f

H a milton in the fam o us duel with Lo rd Mohun . The former and his predece ssors up to ab o ut the year 1 8 50 had been possessors o f A shto n

to o Hall , in Cheshire , and it is interesting n te that the park in which the h o use sto od mu s t have been a fairly good training ground , although not o f the velvety nature of the Wiltshire and

s 1 8 —1 8 —1 88 Berkshire Downs as in the year 7 6 7 7 7 . The Duke respectively then won the St Leger

o — a o ba with the foll wing viz . Par g n , a y colt (by

o ut a as Paymaster of C l h) Spadille , a bay colt (by

Hi hfl e r o ut a o o an g y of Flor ) , and Y ung Fl ra ,

s to s - all his o own ister the la t named , bred by l rd

a so 1 2 ship , who l won the race in 79 with Tartar by Florizel out of Ruth by Eclipse . All these

o a s f ur winners , it may l o be noted , were ridden

a o o has the by J ohn M ngle , and nly nce since St Le ge r be e n won thre e yea rs in succes sio n 75 76 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN v iz 8 2 8 2 a . 1 1 8 2 an d 1 8 M in 7, 9 , with tilda by

o s and Comus , The Col nel by Whi ker , Rowton by )

s e o s Oi eau , owned by Mr Petre , who had pr vi u ly

s al o succeeded in 1 8 2 2 with Theodore by Wo ful .

o to a s H wever , this f mous and most anguinary duel which took place in H yde Park an d which is linked with a wealth of romance . H enry V I I I . w as the o a e o m narch who , h ving vest d it fr m the

s s o We tminster Abbot , ran a fence r und the Park

s an d which embraced about six hundred acre , w as used fo r many years by royalty as a hunting ’ o o s ground and game preserve . H wever , Cr mwell

s o fo r Parliament , requiring State fund , s ld it but with the Resto rati o n came al so the

s n a o re toration of the Park to the ti n , but with a tw o e a s curtailment of the extent by hundr d cre . The nam e Ro tten Row i s merely a co rruptio n of Route de Ro i ; it originally fo rmed the route fo llowed by royalty from We stminster t o the

o s s an d o o s e a r yal fore t , no c mm ner wer dmitted ,

o o f a s with the excepti n of the Duke St Alb n .

e o a the I t may , too , not be gen rally kn wn th t pre sent ho lder of the title has e very year to drive once down the row to maintain his privilege as Hereditary Grand Falconer . N e ar to the Receiving H ouse of the Royal

e Humane Society , on the north sid of the Ser

e e i s e o f o so e se p ntin , the Fi ld Blo d , called b cau THE STORY OF A GREAT DUEL 77

it w as se l e cte d a s the place for m a ny bloo dy due l s

Co o at a e o se w as the mm n th t p ri d . Typical of the savage encounter between the Duke of H a milto n ’ an d o e Lord Mohun , fought near Prince s L dg in

a o 1 1 1 2 . H yde P rk , L ndon , on 5th November 7

o a a s e e a Both c mb t nt w r fat lly wounded . The s e co nd s Were Colo nel Hamilton a n d General M‘ Cartn e o . y, who als fought

BALLAD O F DUKE HA M ILTON

D KE AM w as as fi n e a o U H ILTON L rd,

Fal lal de ral de re O ,

As e ve co t a co affo r S l nd uld rd ,

Fal lal de ral de re O , Fo r perso nal valour fe w there w ere C o uld w ith hi s Grace the Duke c o mpare Ho w he w as e e o u s a e a murd r d y h ll h r , F l l l de ral de r O a a e .

o o an d he fe o ut o f ate L rd M hun ll l ,

Fal c . , e t , Abo ut some trifle s o f the State

al t . F , e c ,

o the w o s e tw e e t e o se S high rd b n h m r ,

As ve so o it t e to o w s ry n urn d bl , ’ How i t w e n d t e e s o o o w s ill , h r n b dy kn , F al, e tc .

o o w ho eve man co fac e L rd M hun , n r uld ,

l tc . Fa , e ,

e ss so e a and vat ace Unl in m d rk pri e pl ,

Fal e tc . tw i ce , ( )

He se t a c a e e to hi s ac e n h ll ng un Gr , ] e tc . Fa , 78 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

e t e s the o hi s ac e a o s B im in m rning Gr r e, ] t Fa , e c . , And straight to C o lonel Hamilto n go e s ; ] Fa , e tc . ,

Yo co a I st o t e ur mp ny , Sir, mu imp r un , B e t e s the o an d ve so o im in m rning ry n , ‘ To e e t e e a M Cartne an d o o m G n r l y L rd M hun, ] t Fa e c . ,

! The o o e e e s I am o s ave C l n l r pli , y ur l , ] Fa tc . , e ,

To fo o w o ace to the ave ll y ur Gr un gr , ] Fa , e tc . ,

T e t e to o c o ac w t o t e a h n h y k h i h u d l y, A to e a e a o f da nd Hyd P rk by br k y, O t e e e a the o o f a h h r b g n bl dy r y, a] F , e tc . ,

No so o e o ut o f co ac t e t n r h h y ligh ,

Fa] e tc . , , ‘ B ut o an d M Cartn e ca e s t M hun y m in igh ,

Fa] e tc . tw i ce , ( ) O t e e a the o o t h h n b g n bl dy figh ,

Fa], e tc .

T e e s o e the w a o o h n b p k in L rd M hun,

Fa], e tc . ,

I t o ace i s e e f so o hink y ur Gr h r ull n ,

a] e tc . F , ,

I w s o ace w o ut it b e i h y ur Gr uld p y , Since bl o o d fo r bl o o d fo r venge ance A o at I am t s da to di e nd l h hi y ,

Fa], e tc .

T s o e the D e hi s ace h en be p k uk Gr ,

Fa], e tc . , o ut a o e ace Saying go find pr p r pl ,

] t . Fa , e c ,

8 0 SOLDI ER AND S PORTSMAN

o 1 88 a e e e to vict ry in 7 with Young Flor , r f rr d

e a a e Mo ur o ut abov , his bl ck colt by L ur l out of p

s e a a s by Mar ke (also ridd n by M ngle) c me in fir t,

! but was disqualified for jostling and the ra ce ’ a s Pe w e tt . a warded to Lord Fitzwilliam Ag in ,

has o e following the disqualification , it been p int d o ut ‘ to me that in 1 790 Lord Hamilton fini shed ’ second to Mr Go o dricke s Ambidexter with a bay

s 1 1 had colt , brother to Restle s ( Mangle) . I n 79 he n o the e starter , and Tartar , as before said , won n xt

s year . H is lordship therefore in all was succe sful in four Legers , was disqualified once , and second

s once , all in seven years . To that plendid record it may be added that when Paragon won in 1 786 it was the first occasion Lord Hamilton ever had a representative in the race . C H APTE R V

H UN TING

O o ne will ca vil a t the sugge stio n tha t hunting and all th a t that term implies has had a vast influence in m o ulding the character of the British race , and in keeping a s a live the hereditary instinct of our ncestors ,

e to . how ver remote , who had hunt in order to live I t i s interesting to comm e nt on the love of s o a - p rt th t is innate in most British born people .

is as I t specially to be observed in the upper cl ses , probably becau se they are more or less associated with a country life and h a ve maintained a purer strain of heredity from the fe udal l o rds an d l a nded

a gentry of the past . I t is this str in or breed of the population that is an influential factor in sustaining the physical and moral st ability of the

a a British race . People bred for few gener tions und e r the conditions incidental to l a rge co mmun

e iti s and towns inevitably deteriorate . One of the best means of promoting health physically and morally is to encourage sport by every

o p ssible means . Yet there are many people

e who would put down hunting as cru l , racing as

F 8 1 82 SOLD I ER AND SP ORTSMAN

d a o o an s e tc . is immoral , f tball boxing brutal , I t

s to a e o f s a s not ea y an lyse the m ntality uch cre ture , but racing enthusiasts and those who go in fo r the chase should b e on the alert to co mbat an y s o o f a a ympt m whatever of the spread such mani . There are probably no t one half of the number of h o unds in the country at the present time

- a a compared with pre war days , and as it t kes

e to a a o s lif time breed p ck of h und , it will be

a s o a m ny year bef re the most f shionable hunts ,

e can wher large numbers of hounds are kept ,

a su o . re reach their f rmer excellence There , I p

o s i n - a p e , every hunt anti sport individu ls , such as a ir poultry breeders , who their views in some

the s of more Radical papers , and the e are not

to Slow take such matters up , referring , it may

!

a s o . be , to hunting a classy sp rt , and so on I t is evident that if a hunt cannot meet its liabilitie s fo r damages to fence s and stock it will auto m i ll at ca y come to an end .

1 2 1 is I n this year of grace 9 , when the war o o e a hun tiri has ver, it is w nd rful to consider th t g survived the t e rrible yea rs of devastatio n in lives a n d an d to money , no small credit is due the ladies who assisted in carrying on the sport of

s to king . Strange say , there has been little

s shrinkage in the list of hunting establi hments . There are still going fairly strong a bout a HUNTING 83 hundred and se ve nty pa cks o f foxhounds in Engla nd a nd Wa l e s ; Irel a nd can boast of twenty

- fi v a nd a te n a e o o r e e o . f ur tw nty , Sc tl nd I n f c o f such conditio ns the existe nce o f th e se hunts sh o uld be acce pted as a monument to the de termina tion o f the B ritish nation to ma intain their cheri shed privileges .

H unting and point - to - point ra cing have b e en

a s s o for m ny year a sociated one with the ther , an d eventually it has come to pas s tha t the arrangements m ad e by individual hunt s for point to - po int ra ces h ave had to be referred to the

as e o f o o a o has a M t r H unds Ass ci ti n , which dr wn the N a tional Hunt C o mmittee into the net o f

‘ s e s s s discus ion . I t s ems that ome Ma ters of Hound wished to be empo we red with authority to punish

o r to fraud malpractices , which are alleged be n o t i s the a uncommon . My View that M ster

f a i s d r b o H o unds Ass o ci tion e t ap. Hunting e com e s each year mo re a n d more a matter of

man s a s a f o . o m ney I f a e t bli hes hunt with ,

o s o f c ur e , the consent and goodwill the land o an d a e s is s e ss wners f rm r , it his bu in and his a e s a n d o lon . I f the member people c nnected with that hunt wish to h o ld what are called po int - to point races , there is no reason why they should

so not do without consulting anyone . I do n o t

a re see , if the conditions of each race run properly 84 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

a a e e c an b e an o fo r dr wn up , th t th r y opp rtunity

a a n a s are e the fr ud ; if y such pr ctice d tected , M aster and C o mmittee sure ly do not require

o s to s the - ut ide authority puni h evil doer . I believe the prospects of hunting fo r the future wo uld b e brighter than th e y a re if th e re had bee n

e e ass a a no interfer nc by o ci ti o ns . The very f ct of th e re being a s ort o f higher tribunal to appeal to has encouraged di scontented farm e rs a n d the a nti - sp o rt fraternity to ventilate m any suppose d

e gri vances . Many bo o ks have been writte n o n the science

s No e a o of hunting hound . theor tic l kn wledge can ever teach a man how to h andle a pack o f

o so e ss h unds , or even dogs of any rt , unl he is

o o s a b rn with the intuiti n indi pens ble to the job . H ence the pinn acl e of glory attained by som e

an d s a o s notable huntsmen , the adver e and lm t

s contemptuous critici sm passed on tho e w ho fa il . Of those great huntsmen the late T o m Firr sta nds

o e o s is s he had s a f r m t . I t aid that uch extr o a o s s a far rdin ry control over his h und , uch

e a e t o s n o t r ching y melodi u voice , that he did

t s - i n o s require he assi sta nce of whipp e r . H und had such confidence that they would fly to his

o r hi s - s cheer view holloa . Profes ional huntsmen are generally credited with superior S kill in handling

s hound , but many gentlemen have tackled the job

86 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

e s ence , and g tting SO everely punished that he

s a e becomes cunning and unreliable . Thi f ct l ads m e s e as to sugge t that all dogs of the terri r cl s ,

s o f a e a a a e after two year g , should h ve certific t of working capabiliti e s in the field befo re being shown on the bench . It i s only in comparatively recent years that two practices have come into vogue which seriously — s fo x - v iz militate again t hunting . draining the

o f s re land and the use artificial manure . With

o o o f gard to the f rmer , the greater p rtion the

a o s e s midl nd counties , f rming om of the be t cattle

s a a a o and heep gr zing in Engl nd , had until b ut the eighties rem ained in the old conditi o n in w a o f o s o s had hich f rmers previ u generati n left it .

o a s a o s se t sci e n H wever , sequence of wet e s n the tific agriculturists to impro ve the sto ck - bearing

a so s c pacities , some part of the country were

ss o drained . The experiment proved a succe ; ther

a a a areas were simil rly tre ted , and eventu lly the gre at e r part of the midland counties w as tre ate d

sa a se c e in the me manner . No doubt in quen o f w e t seaso ns this tre atment of the l and w as

a o n o tw o benefici l ; the ther hand , when or three dry se as o ns fo llowed one an o ther it w as prov e d

th at the stock - bearing capacity of these lands was

reduced .

e b e a f s e to e a Sc nt may di ficult ubj ct d l with , HUNTING 87 but one thing is certain , that without plenty of

— w moisture there will be but little of it that is t o sa y, not sufficient to enable hounds to pick it

i s up if they are going at any pace . When it suggested that sport has depreciated owing to the hounds not being up to the mark , it may

no be that there is scent . Captain F . Forester

o says , that on an average , in the Qu rn country , a re ally good scent can be recorded only two or three times in the season .

When a fox has been found , unless the hounds are smartly got together on to the line , and con s equently in a position to press him at the start ,

a the chances of killing him are sm ll . Perhap s

s i s o f Captain F . Fore ter the best exponent thi s

s art . An arti t will get his hounds together and away without loss of time . I t is only to a man who loves his hound s and is bel o ved by them that they will run when they hear his cheer or

a a hi s holloa . On le ving cover a fox goes off t

o best pace , possibly c vering the ground at the rate of a mile in four minutes ; that fact demon strates how absolutely necessary it is that n o time should be lost . I n years gone by there were n o t nearly the same number o f sto ck in

use the fields as there are at present , the o f

a a e artifici l m nur s was unknown , and the fields

- e so - w re not large ; in fact , fox hunting to day 88 SOLDI ER AND S PORTSMAN has so many disadvantages as compared with former years th at it is not surpri sing that dis paragi ng remarks are made about its present

o s - c ndition . A con iderable number of fox hunting fo lk se e m to claim a privil e ge to talk always in a condemnatory w ay on a subject of which they pro bably know little . Even in the wild and mountainous countries of Wales and the S cottish bo rders a certain

u e o n o t amo nt of draining has been don , pr bably to an to s extent sufficient interfere with cent , but it has had a serious effect on the rivers and

streams . They become flooded much more quickly than in former days and subside with equal

a a fi sh r pidity ; this ffects the welfare of sporting ,

o s e especially tr ut , di turbing the spawn b fore it has been fertilised and thereby lessening the

future hatch of ova . D o gs in remote ages were used by man merely

s A t o assi t him in capturing his food . S time

o s a rolled on ther method were employed . V rious

so weapons were contrived for killing game , and it came to pas s th a t dogs bec a me less necessary

o f the fo r the capture wild animals . At pre sent tim e sporting d o gs are bred chiefly as an a c

e sso r to e e c y sport , but it is of d ep int rest to

o o the s s tra ce an d f llow the ev lution of pecie . ! Do g w as the name given to an animal HUNTING 89 descended from the wolf or the jackal after he had become the assistant of man . I n fact , there

a i s no such thing as a wild origin l dog . H is evolution was contrived by man . I n European countries the process must h ave taken place ten s o f thousands of years after man had established

do himself. Thus it is that the origin of the g is lost in obscurity . Probably the Chinese were the first pe o ple to discover the usefulnes s o f animals in a ssisting them to capture wild anim als fo r fo od ; they were the first to utilise the hunt

o f o r ing instincts the wolf the jackal . The claims of the fo x as a progenitor of the

s s dog can be dismissed for several rea on . First ,

i s he a nocturnal animal , endowed with the Oblong eye and contracting lenticularly similar to the

s The s a s ch aracteri tics of the cat tribe . fox i l o

so as of a solitary habitat and , far experience

e t o a goes , almost impossibl tr in from a utility

o f s p o int view . The only animal that can be really domesticated are those h aving gregari o u s

o r s . n o ocial instincts Again , there is authentic

o f do instance a cross between a fox and a g . Therefore it i s too improbable to suggest that ’ s The the fox was the dog progenitor . C ape hunting dog may be evolved from the cro s s of

s - o a ome semi d mestic dog th t had become wild ,

a a and the hyen . I n appe rance he certainly tak e s 96 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN after the latter , and the physical relation of the

e s e d s xe pertain more to the hy na than the o g . The wild dog o f South America i s unque stio n ably a cro ss between the wo lf and so me do me stic or semi - domestic bre ed o f dog which e scape d into

s o the wild . The ding of Australia is a pure dog ,

a t o o un but reversion type , c nspicuous in the

a s - u o f f iling tand p ears the wolf or the jackal . The wild dog of I ndia is probably a direct

e classifi catl o n desc ndant of the jackal , and the

! ! o f him under ca nidae i s suggestive that at som e remote period he was in a sense domesticated

o s and utilised by the people of that time . Am ng t the artistic producti o n s of the cave men of the reindeer period there are no records of de pic

o f do a ti ns O the g . Some twenty thousand ye rs

a M c e n aco n s ae e a l ter the y ( Mycen , at one tim capit l

ae of Greece , and the birthplace of Mycen an art)

a Sh o w the dog in the ttitude of the flying gallop . I t is said that that style was fo ll o w ed by arti sts

all a of nations , in depicting the horse g lloping , right up to the time when instantaneou s photo

a ss n o t gr phy demonstrated the erroneousne , to

sa s a . y the impos ibility, of that particul r pose Thus it seem s that only a bout fi v e thou sand years ago d o gs were first menti o ned in Euro pe

a to a as co mp nions m nkind . Countles s age s mu st have passed in the e v o lu LOR D LO NS I) AI . E M F H , . . .

92 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN pointers as a pack . The foxhound stands alone in his am e nableness to discipline ; he can sta nd the strain of rigid training without losing anything

e s of his courage and eag rne s . Offsh o ots fro m

o as s o a the true f xhound , such the Wel h h und , f il

a o r s s as pack . E ither from timidity ulkines , they

! a a will not stand rating , nor will they ttempt to thread their way through a field of horse s when

left behind in cover after a find .

I t w as somewhere in the seventeen - fo rties th at hunting was seri o u sly taken up a n d became part o f

As d our national life . standards of excellence o n o t a s o s a remain station ry , the que ti n arise , H ve hunting a n d all the matter s connect e d w ith the sp o rt gon e back o r progressed during the l ast ! two centuries Some of the be st auth o rities aver that the art o f conditioning hounds has bee n

s lo t ; consequently , fewer foxes have been killed in the o pen than was the case five or six decade s

h a c a e s ago . Ot ers contend th t if the sport indi t a falling off in thi s respect it i s due to the field s

a a being too big and unwieldy , and the f ct th t

s e ma there are too m a ny fo xe ab o ut . Whatev r y

b e a s the true expl nation , condition hould be the

a s a a e o chief object of hunt m n , although tt nti n to minute detail s in o th e r matters is absolut e ly

ss are the e s o f nece ssary . Unle hounds in b t health and c o ndition th e y can never catch go o d HUNTING 93

o to foxes . I t is only l gic presume that , with all the care and kn o wledge besto wed on the breeding

o f and management hounds , they Should have improved in p ace and general hunting ability .

s ! But the que tion is , H ave they I n old hunting chronicles o n e reads of runs extending to twenty

fi v e e and thirty miles , or even more , when very

o w as hound w uld be at the kill , or when the fox

a o w a . cc unted for in some other y O f course , e verything depends o n the time taken before we can judge whether these tremendous runs were

o o o ld- e g d or otherwise , and possibly the tim

e a s chronicler was not v ry ccurate . Beckford say ! I never wish a chase to be less than one hour

! t or o exceed two . I t is a curious fact that the fox of the present day i s identical with his pre dece ssor of a million

a a s o r ye rs ago . H e has not incre sed in tature

an a hi s a in y way ch nged ppearance or habitat . Foxes v ary in size co nsiderably acco rding to

o a a o e l c lity , and may weigh nything fr m nin

s a s pound to twenty . But it is not lway the case that the big fox s tands up longest before hounds

T o o many foxes inevitably spoil sport . Foxes that have survived their third year o f existence

o a A are apt to bec me rather a nuis nce . fter being hunted a few times a fox becomes incredibly 94 SOLDI ER AND S PORTSMAN

i a n d as a u e the las he i ll cunn ng, r l t thing w do is t r hi s s k a y tamina by ma ing good point.

I n endeavo uri ng t o o btain reliable information as to the pe riod w hen do gs o f sorts were firs t

a n d u deal put together h nted as a pack , a of old sporti ng l o re mus t be s tudied . Probably it was after a bree d had been discovered amenable to

c i a n d o u s e n dis ipl ne , sh wing co rage and c nti g

! !

w the w as o t d. po er, that term hound ad p e About two hundred and fifty or three hundred years ago a bo un d that w as known as the Talbot

h w as i w as acclaime d t e best. H e used for hunt ng i b the w ld oar and the wolf, and apparently had

! ! ca rs long drooping that swept the morning dew, a great expa nsive head gi vin g scope an d power of

d n r i i s . bra n , and extraor i a y scenting g ft I t may be

s i to intere t ng comment on the fact that, although fo lk on the Conti nent were the first to use dogs

all s as ac i t w as i n l n of sort to hunt a p k, Eng a d that they were brought to their prese nt state of per

i i i b o un ds fecti o n . I t is sa d that when B r t sh are sent to t n ri s i a t o her cou t e , even where cl m tic condi ions

are i i a e t t . s m l r to thos of our own, hey deteriora e

96 SOLD I ER AND S PORTSMAN the family fo llows the line Of their a ncestors in that they are interes ted in the pursuit s o f a

o a h . e 1 8 2 1 e t e c untry gentlem n The dat , wh n

a a the a s o a T lbot appe rs on rm , was l ng fter the tim e tha t that particular breed o f hound had proved him self the best of the peri o d fo r practical use in hunting ; he no doubt w as the basis of the e n o w the bre d known as the foxhound , with evo luti o n of which the fam o us Squire of Willey

had Park , Salop , much to do .

a f o s e o n The original p inting o Captain F . F re t r

s as a a o Chri tm D isy , by Mr Hayward H rdy , fr m

o a e which the ph tograph facing this p ge is tak n ,

is sa a a e , I venture to y, very rem rkabl one . The e xtraordinary vividne ss o f deta il in the pho to

graph pays abounding cre dit to the original . I t does not often happen th at a horse of high clas s merit as a rac e hors e settles down and pro ves

a fi rst - class hunter with perfect mann e rs and is able to look after himself when gallo ping over a natura l

s as a c o untry . Chri tm Daisy won the C mbridge Shire two years in succession ; pre vi o us to this

1 the Doveridge Handicap of 000 sovereigns . H e

98 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

e Her , too , it will be seen that the first of the

E re mo n the produce was by Thurles , winner of ’ s at Grand National . During Daisy s fifteen year the stud She was barren on no fewer than eight

s o occa i ns , twice when revisiting Vitez, by whom sh e had three other foals .

The bitches on the right o f the picture are

a Beeswing (from the Dartmoor kennels , djudged

a to be a model of foxhound) , Guidance and

Revenue . The two hounds on the l e ft are Rambler and

vo Ga lad Revel , the two moving on the left , Bel ir y

and Venom .

so Be hounds ever fit , their pace will be influenced by the style of country over which they

run . Those best qualified to judge agree that hounds run fas test in countries where the fields are

a large and have an bundance of grass , and where

there are no fences of the banking sort . The best

o rtham to n shire of Leicestershire and N p , comprising

an d some of the Quorn the Pytchley countries , is

a Of fi rst - s o an ex mple a clas hunting c untry , where if hounds run a man must go with a rattle at his HUNTING 99

o s fences , and where h unds wing through or over ’ - fiv e e obstacles . I fancy a modern twenty minut s gallop with the Quorn wo uld compare favourably in style and speed with a similar gallop of a century

- ago . These remarks refer to pre war days . Some very brilliant gallops were recorded during b o f a . e the mastership C ptain F Forester , and as hunted ho unds in both England and I reland his views concerning pace are worth li stening to . During the period when he hunted the Limerick country some very excellent runs ending with bl o od are recorded . I n his Opinion , hounds do not run so a f st in I reland as in England , the reason being

o that in a banking country, with s me comparatively s o mall fields , hounds cannot swing over or thr ugh the obstacles as quickly as they are a ble to in most

so English counties . The foxes are not stout , and

a so do not as rule run straight ; consequently , horses do not require to be up to the standard of

L - the eicestershire type . A well bred cob or pony can live through a good hunt in I rish counties , but

s would oon be out of a real fast thing in the Shires . I t may be interesting to comment on the different

o styles ad pted in riding to hounds . Some men s s eem alway to be in a hurry , doing all they can , while others appear to be going well within them selves : it is go o d Odds on the l atter getting to the end o f a smart gallop a long way in front of the I OO SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN hustler . A good start is a great factor . There is a huge difference between galloping with h o und s an d catching them . Some people aver that hounds can beat the best of horses ; but that is not the

an view of those best qualified to give opinion . I n some co un trIe s I t IS the custom for terriers to take part in the drawing of a covert early in the season ; this practice is co ndemned as being apt to

a as c use hounds to Shirk their work , they wait for the

a b n d terriers to do the rough and tumble . Once o u

s has learned uch tricky habits , he will probably

. W never lose them On the other hand , here there s are several cub lying close , they might be missed

o s alt gether in the absence of terrier . H ere there is something to be said on both sides . I t will be Obvious to all who have studied human nature that the mind of the true sportsman is the

s a and s a sane t , cle nest mo t akin to N ture and her laws of any type of mind . What title is

! more revered than that o f An E nglish Gentle — man a term which conveys so many qu a lities and which is not far removed from the title o f ! ! s An English Sport man . The daily Press now a n d again invites di scus sion on knotty p o ints ; a

! much - fa voured one is The Best Definitio n of a

! a Gentleman . I t would require the pen of Th ckeray to sum up all the qua lities requisite to entitle a man

a to be called a gentleman . Whether satiric lly

HUNTING 1 01 IV ! or not , Thackeray styled George . the First H R H Gentleman of Europe and . . . believed it to be true . I n olden days , unless a man of the aristo cracy displayed an aptitude for field sports and — lived freely and well unless he could take hi s share of wine and displayed a pretty taste for the — fair sex he hardly qualified for the term under

s : man di cussion and , no doubt , a who took his

s liquor freely put him elf to a severe test . The old

! I n vi n o w ri te s s saying , , or, translated into Engli h ,

! Drunk but still a gentleman , contains much

s truth . When a man is in drink he usually hows the worst or the best o f his character and di sposi tion . Many a man has lost his qualification to ’ be called a gentleman by o n e night s debauch .

a a hi s The re son is , of course , when he has sh ken mental equilibrium he cannot dissemble , and the

u i s o has tr th out . Alc hol very different effects on

' diffe rent subjects ; s ome become cheery an d e x

d s hilarate . , others moro e and quarrelsome The

a o s s o a g mbler bec me reckles , the amor us individu l

s a o the offen ive , but , be he a chimneysweep or l rd , gentleman will never be offensive . Then the logic is : to fi n d out whether a man is a gentleman o r

— s n the reverse make him drunk . I n olden time o man w as a gentleman who had not the Spirit of a e dventure in him , wheth r in sport , war or love . There i s n o race o n earth that does no t pay homage 1 02 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN to courage . The men who made the greatest Empire the world has ever se en were th o se to wh o m danger and difficulties were the breath of

e an d s s lif , risky adventure a pa time . To fulfil one

a s of the qu lifications of a gentleman , a man mu t also be a sport sman . I t will be a bad day fo r

s England when the instinct for port , and especially

fo r s . hunting , is a thing of the pa t I have read somewhere that in n o situ ation a re o e a the faculties of man more displayed , m re r l s as a ociety observed , from the peer to the pe ant , th n

Re v in the hunting field . Then , again , the .

! Mr Paley says : I never met with any sportsman

o o s s who c uld tell me in what the sport c n i ted , ! res o lve it into principle and state that principle . H ere you have an example of a man who has lost touch with nature and all connected with it .

a — e o f Some p rts of I reland g . the counties

a o — o Me th , L uth and Limerick comprise a c untry seco nd to none for carrying an average go o d s f s cent o r tho e following . The ground is never heavy, and most of it is light , springy turf. I cannot help recalling a great hunt in County

e Limerick , in the days when the Hon . Walt r

s s Nugent hunted the hound , a sisted by his brother Charlie . H ow I came to participate in that great hunt

as is follows .

1 04 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

e with such xceptional atmospheric conditions , and

a o r t w o the e the scent lying foot above surfac , hounds do not require to st o op to it ; all th e ir energy is concentrated on driving forward ; there

to o is no time to waste , no need thr w their tongue .

About half- way in this go od hunt came a most

- s a horrible looking ob tacle , the only one in the tot l

o s distance , a Board of Works drain quite imp sible

e o f a to jump . Fortunat ly , the span w ter at the botto m w as only some fiv e o r six fe et ; by a s o f a troke luck , the shelving of the dr in at the spot I came to was not quite perpendicular . I

s s s pre sed the mare , and she lithered and lid to the bottom , making a lucky scramble across the water ; I then slipped off her back , gave her a a touch with the crop , and a gallant scramble landed her on the top of the far side . By this time the hounds had drawn away quite three

a s hundred y rd , when fortunately the first check

w as s a o a occurred , but it of such hort dur ti n th t

o a a bef re I got up to them they were off g in . For the next three o r fo ur miles the hounds ran

s in the same relentle s style , and the wonder was

w as that they did not run into their fox . I at

o o a o this time most dev utly h ping th t they w uld , as the mare I was riding was not in fi rst - cl as s

a n d sh e . fettle , was rapidly tiring

o i n s o o t o Then h ve ight a d main , which pr ved HUNTING 1 05

e s . be Springfi ld Castle , the eat of Lord Muskerry

s I made sure a tired fo x would make . for the fir t possible haven of escape he had met since leaving

o s c ver, and although the hound were not heading direct for the domain I made straight for it . But

s fo r the la t fence proved too much the mare , who

a . l nded with a souse into the field I ran on , on

o w as fo t . As I climbing over the domain fence I spied the run fox crawling along the bo ttom of a dry ditch . Meanwhile the hounds , now throw

w e s ing their tongues ell , swung round to the a t

w as side of the domain . I waited where I , never

o d ubting they would get on the line of their fox .

a his As luck would h ve it , they pushed another on

s saw legs , and the la t I or heard was some two couple of tail hounds go ing to the faint cry o f the pack , as they went out at the top end of the domain . Very shortly , up came Charlie , humble and cre stfallen as he realised what the situati o n

! ! . ! was With a By God , what blinking luck he went off on what turned out to be a hopele ss

the as the pursuit of hounds , the majority of pack were o ut all night . One or two other riders shortly turned up

s amongst them were Mis Gavin and Cecil Cliffe ,

s a brother officer . Tho e that did get to the e n d o f thi s great hunt had to leave their horse s at

s fo r the ca tle the night . I never told Charlie 1 06 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

a a o r a how I pinched st rt , how ne r I came to wrecking one of the best hunts on record in

County Limerick . The name of Cliffe recalls many sporting i n c ide n s a s t . For many ye r it had been the custom o f Ballin co li regiments quartered at g , County

o C rk , to take over the hounds that hunted the

o an d o f a s c unty wes t north the b rrack . The

s a o ur o a o s fir t ye r of s journ there , Capt in F . F re ter w as a s M ster and Hunt man . On his leaving the

e e w as an d r gim nt the job handed over to me , my friend Cliffe was go od enough to beco me my

ss s : s s o a i tant in the field mo t enthu iastic he pr ved ,

o e o and very helpful . I n a very cl sely f nced c untry , as a s a re th t party of County Cork is , foxe apt to

s o o n e e s run h rt and twisty ; in fact , exp cted uch conduct ; but there were a few outlying covers , so that if a fo x took a right line the hounds would run over a country seco nd to none . Thi s

s o f did not happen often ; SO sometime , instead

a a o a dr wing c ver , we first tried to get the v rmint on fo ot by sending three or four men into the co ver fo r the purpose of making as much noise as o possible . Meanwhile Cliffe would g well out

- o . a in front , on rising ground if p ssible After

s a ho t ignal from him , up I would bring the p ck ,

o e s o ut fo t on the lin , and these tactic turned

successful several times . I n order to scout like

1 08 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

! am reply b e ing : I sorry . I have married a wife therefore I cannot come . Lord Gui s

s borough , should he ever read this cau erie , may

e e remember the incid nt . I believe his comm nt

! on receiving the reply was : I did not kn o w

! so until now that Scott knew his Bible well . I lay the soothing unction to my mind tha t I (as everyone did) believ e d the w ar would be

'

matte r o f . o a ended in a days H wever, I m de up for my want of patriotism by doing s o me remount work later . I have already alluded to the gre at Influence that ladie s had in keeping fox - hunting a very live fo rce during the war ; and County Wexfo rd

a as s was lucky in h ving the wife of the Ma ter,

a Lak n a 1 1 th a a C ptain Toby y , l te H uss rs , a l dy who managed t o carry on so mehow ( a wond e rful

w ar. e word , that) during the Ev ryone must remember , when the fleet of tanks sailed into

! a s : s ction , the famou signal England expect

! i s Lak n every Tank to do t damnedest . Toby y

an d o was a very live member of that fleet , rep rt

s e has it that he hoisted the ignal . Wh ther that

i s to . true or not , I am unable say County Wexford suffered more than any county

! ! In I reland in lo sses from killed during the war ;

s a o but they are made of good tuff in th t c unty , and I have often heard the refrain H UNTING

I e a w as o I e a w e E a w as a r l nd uld r l nd , h n ngl nd pup , ’ A I e a w be I e a e t w e E a s e a e . x nd r l nd ill r l nd y , h n ngl nd b gg r d up ,

s I n the Briti h Natural H istory Museum , London , ’ there i s to be seen a fox s skeleton reputed to be a million years old . This can be compared with o n e of the present day , and the strange fact is

o that they are identical . When we take int diffi consideration the evolutionary process , not cult to observe in domestic and semi - domestic

as a s animals and birds , reg rds tructural changes that take place even in the few years that the longest ' lived of human beings have the o ppo r tun it y of observation , it appears strange that the fox should be one of the few species of the wild fauna of the world in which the process i s apparently retarded . I t points to the suggestion that throughout this long period the fo x has never been fo rced by circumstances to change his habits , and being o f a so litary nature has never become sufficiently numero us (although his habitat is almost univers al) to cause him to be hunted by

an d u o other stronger animals in q est of fo d , or by man , anxious to punish him for depredations 1 1 0 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

as o o a such w lves c mmit . Thus he has been ble to live the life o f his ance st o rs fo r millions of

e o y ars . Thr ughout the wo rld there are several

e s e e s varieti , showing a diff renc from the Briti h fo x chiefly in size and co lour ; they all reta in the cat - like a ttribute of the vertical contraction of the pupil o f the e ye when fa cing a strong light . H ence the fo x is fitted by nature fo r

o a night work . H e is n cturnal in his h bits . And in o bserving the British species it will be seen that apparently his great object in life is to se e

without being seen .

a has One thing is cert in , no one who ever a ttempted to tame and train fo xes for domestic o r - use o semi domestic has succeeded in d ing so , except to such a limited extent as hardly to be

o f termed practical . This i s not due to want

e the as int lligence on the part of animal , he is im extraordinarily cunning , but rather to the possibility o f overcoming instincts handed down

fo r o s milli n of years , and to the fact that his

are n all a s habits noctur al . Of British wild anim l

fo x s a a the is the mo t wily, and th t m kes him

o a the finest quarry, not nly in E ngl nd but in the

His ss world . speed , staying power and cleverne in taking advantage of all conditi o ns likely to

o s a s f il the cent are rem rkable . All the e qualities increase his chance of escaping from the best

1 1 2 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

are to e senses dulled an appreciabl extent . Any o ne who has received a severe blow when the bl o o d is circulating freely has noticed th a t the pain following the blow is considerably less than

he o it would were it received in cold bl od . Thus it fo llows that whether Nature has a rra nged that such should be the case to lessen the pain and fe ar

s a o of de truction , or merely that it is physiol gical m accident, the effects are the sa e . Cunning and int e lligence are not very far re

o i s a - moved fr m one another , but it high class form of either that will make a fo x when hunted

a i s go straight to where he knows nother kennelled ,

e push him out , and coil hims lf up in the spot just vacated . That not infrequently happens . A fox that has been hunted a few times seems to acquire an uncanny knowledge regarding scent ; on a bad

to scenting day foxes will lie very close , trusting be

a a f overlooked , and when foot it is di ficult matter C to get them to break over . At full stretch a fox can cover the ground at an extraordinary pace fo r his Size . This can be noted by the footprints when discernible in snow ; th e y - indicate a mod e of pro g re ssio n somewhat different from m o st other fle e t

a o a at footed nimals . Thus , all the fo tm rks are an

s o a re an equal di tance the one from the ther, and in

a a exact line , identic l with the prints of galloping horse . HUNTING 1 1 3

a a an d do . I t is different with a hare , r bbit a g When a fo x is go ing his best pace the movement i s more of a run than a gall o p ; he keeps all the

o h time curiously near the ground , whereby two

e c ts — j are achieved viz . economy of movement , and

security from observation by using every bit Of cover . To keep anim als in such captivity as destro ys

a . their h ppiness in life is , in my opinion , cruelty

i n When , however , they are kept as a means of

— as struction , for instance , in zoological collections — e there is som excuse , some mitigation of the

a a charge of cruelty . But if wild nimal is captured

w to e o with a vie making a pet of it , every att nti n

s o f should be given to it , and the los its own kith and kin made good by the care and companionship

i s s of t captor . Only those people who have time to spare should attempt the training of wild

a s o anim l . Only under such c nditions can they be

an d studied beco me interes ting as pets . With reference to the photograph of J ohn

an d a Gaunt with his terriers tame fox , Gaunt is

n o w a a e over seventy ye rs of g , having lived nearly

all his o r life in a trim little cottage , with a paddock

tw o a . ttached for his dogs , foxes and poultry The co ttage lies just off the road from Ambe rgate to

e o o f ss - b Belper . The att nti n pa ers y is invariably

attracted by the beauty of the garden, the o ld man having fo r ye ars tak e n First Prize for Cottage H 1 1 4 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

a . e o s the G rdens B low the c ttage run Amber river ,

e s s wher , with the floating fly , he show his kill to

a s anyone who wants le son in the gentle art .

H e holds the app o intment of rat - catch e r to the

a a a i s Midl nd R ilway Comp ny , and one of the few people who can claim to h ave tra ined fo xes to be o f o e use has s m economic . The old man had a great number of foxes through his hands , but only a few have turned out to be amenable to

a a f the training . They must h ve su ficiently docile temperament , and in this respect they vary greatly .

As rat - a s e c tchers in cellar and dark Sh ds , old J ohn ,

o w a however, affirms that they are a l ng , long y in

o f s front of the best terrier . Their quickness in

a a nabbing a rat is stonishing . They never sh ke

the n a rat , and it appears to be method in seizing it that puts it out of action instantly. The old man

a has to be handy in t king the rats from the fox , as their instinct is to hold them in the mouth . Gaunt has known a fox to kill fiv e rats and hold

He has them all in his mouth at the same time . never managed to tra in a fox to lead satisfactorily o n a chain in d aylight ; so he carries them in a sa a ck , although in the dark he can man ge with

s a lead . All his best foxe have shown a great liking for beer ; and one of them w o uld drink beer if it were offered him until he became drunk . The two best foxes he has had both met with

HUNTING 1 1 5

e s o n e e n s s the untim ly end , b i g killed by dog , whil t

o a a . ther met still more tr gic fate Once , when

a a t a hunting r ts Bedford st tion , the catch of the

e a to a an d l d which the fox was ttached got loose , the w ho fox , becoming alarmed at some strangers

a s . were p rticipating in the port , went off Some

s a three week later a g mekeeper , when going his ’ a a rounds about mile from the old m n s house ,

a a a nd s c me cross a fox hot him . O n picking up

o e a o the body he disc ver d collar , which he rec g n i se d a nd w as a s a , be it said it with gre t orrow th t he went and informed the old man of the affair . There is no doubt the fox was making his w ay back to his home and his master , and if that assumption is correct , it indicates a homing instinct that foxes are not generally credited with . J ohn Gaunt has kept t e rriers an d foxe s for over

- fiv e a has e twenty ye rs , and he never succeed d in o a - bt ining a litter of half bred puppies or cubs , and

as a gives it his opinion th t he never will . I believe it is very se ldom that wild animal s of

a s to so the s me pecies engage in a fight a finish , I

an e In relate incident that happ ned in I reland . a

a a s sm ll cover , of about an cre in extent , two Vixen

s lay up with cubs , one selecting a hallow earth under

o o the r ots of a tree , the ther a mere excavation in the o a f n ce bank that f rmed e round the cove r . Both

a a litters rrived about the same time ; then , pparently , 1 1 6 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN the he r vixens quarrelled , but neither would shift

cubs . When the cubs were a ble to pl ay a n d run

o . w as ab ut , one was found dead Later on another

o s o an d f und in the ame conditi n , this went on until the o a o f f urth and l st cub the litter was destroyed . The o ther vixen was then left in so l e poss e ssion o f

o e a the cover . The foll wing year , early in F bru ry , the keeper when going his r o und s one night h e ard a o f s tremend us scu fle in the small cover . O n vi it ing the pl ace next morning he found a vixen lying

' a do ubtle ss kille d a o de d , in a fight , and go d fight it mu s t have been from the puni shm e nt the bo dy s s - e a a ho wed . A po t mort m showed th t the de d

vixe n would have shortly l a id up to cub .

o a F xes are said to be inordin tely fond of fruit ,

th e ir favourite being the blackberry . Altho ugh varieties o f the fox are found in alm o st every part

o f the o s a o w rld , he must urely be natural to c ld

o e a e a regi n , oth rwise why should N tur h ve provided ! him with such an equipment again st cold I do

‘ not kn o w if the br ush i s a nece ssity for perfe ct

a a e a he lth in climate lik that of Great Brit in , but

I do know th a t stumped - ta iled foxe s are apt to

e e a s e o b come subt rrane n dweller , s ldom f und by

s hound , and , when on foot , very difficult to

catch . There are men of the poacher class who deal in

a live foxes , and the most pproved method of catch

1 1 8 SOLDIER AND S PORTSMAN

Nature permits o f no luxuri o us mode of exi st

s ence among t the active inhabitants of the wo rld .

s o as Of cour e , in the l wer forms of life , such

o s . a o is ro turtles , tort ise , etc , a natur l pr tection p

v ide d ss , but surely at the expense of happine and

enjoyment . Many interested In the remaining wild fauna of Great B ritain take the view that befo re many de

cade s are past fo x - hunting and all that appe rtain s

s o s to it will be up again t a very seri us antagoni m .

s a o are be n e fice n t s I n it f v ur many result . One

s an d i s a - of uch , not the least , th t fox hunting keeps alive the in stinct of our fo refathers in se e k ing an exciting and hea lthy recreati o n which pro

- an d e a m o te s self discipline ind pendence of char cter .

a o s a n fo r s e fo r I t is lm t education the oldi r , it

s his fo r s d e vel o p eye the country, and give him

f x - s skill in horsem anship . I n fact o hunting hould

c s s s be on idered a national as et , bringing , as it doe ,

s s s o a n d milli o n of pound terling int the country , pro moting and develo ping the best qualiti e s in

s man and h o r e . The fox has qualities with which it is certain those o f no other Engli sh wild a nimal can c o m

o ss ss s re pare . Combined with cunning it p e e

it has so urce , and with speed and endurance

f a audacity and intelligence o no me n order . It is probable tha t to these qualitie s must b e a t P hotog ra ph B a ssa n o

L. I EV UE X D A PT . . L FFE E L L E FOR C CO . . A C , B , W

F OR MA N Y YE A RS MAST E R OF W E XF O RD HOUN D S

1 20 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN and up jumped the fo x an d m ade straight fo r

o s the spinney . We then f rmed in line with stick in our ha nds to dispute his e ntry ; but he came

us boldly on , and dodging between two of grinned hi s defiance with upturned lips which showed a

o o f a e s dental collecti n envi ble whiten s . He went t o w as o earth , which he quite aware was unst pped . C H APTE R V I

FISH ING AND PHI LOSOPHY

N D though this di scourse may be li a ble t o so me exc e ptions yet I cannot doubt but that m o st readers may receive so much pleasure o r profit by it as may make it

o e rsual be w rth the time of their p , if they not

s to o grav e o r too bu y men . Concerning the merit o f what i s here offered t o their con sidera tion and censure , and if the cast prove too severe

a so s as I have liberty , I am re olved to use it and neglect all sour censures yet the whole

a o f s o s o s discourse is , picture my di p iti n , e pecially in such ways and times as I have laid aside

! s busines s and gone a fi hing. Never was there written such a classic ! Epistle ! a the i s to the Re der as above . I t a qu o tation ’ a s Tne Com leat A n ler from I zaak W lton p g , and n o a po logy do I Offer for placing it at the head

a of thi s ch pter . I t may be that young folk w ho c o me after us may n o t b e aware of the beauties o f the writings of Walto n until some o f these he

o . p inted out to them At any rate , my humbl e e nd e avour is here to show th at the pleasur e to be

1 2 1 1 22 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN o btained from angling may be enormously enhanced by cl o se observation of the beauties and mysteries o f nature . As fo r the art of angling being taught the o re ti ’ c a o a o s o o e to s ally , lth ugh W lt n av wed bj ct in truct

! w as e the man that none , to be an angl r by the

! o o o f book , I d ubt if his charming dial gues are a n a ss s art y practical v lue as le on in the gentle . He admits tha t angling may be sa id to be so like the m athematics th at it can never be fully

as o le arned . With this l t the ry every man will a e o as a a in gre , not nly reg rds ngling but relation

so t o m o st subj ects . H e will learn mething new

e e ach day o f his life . Ther is an en o rmous a o o f a o n s s o f s m unt liter ture port all kind , litera

o o s all e e s ture g ing int minute detail , Int r ting

to a and point instructive ; but , in my humble o o e a n d a to a pini n , xperience practice , dded

a a s s o o s a re the n tur l in tinct for p rting pr clivitie ,

a o f o s o nly me ns becoming pr ficient in any p o rt .

w i s the t e No im , W e e t the a o w w ate a s the e hil y d rk br n r id guil , te t the t o t To mp r u , B ut let n o t thy h o o k the to rture d w o rm

t st a o z f s C o nvulsive w i in g ni ing o ld .

T MS : T/ze e ( HO ON S asons. )

I t is e vident from these lines that Thomson w as

He a n o t a wo rm fi sher . implie s th t it is a d o ubly

1 24 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

N o writer on fi shing has d e scribed in m o re instructive

o s or m re beautiful language than Thomson , fi hing

with the wet fly . H e says

st the o s o t w e e w t the o o Ju in dubi u p in , h r i h p l ’ I s mix d the t e st ea o r w e e it o s r mbling r m , h r b il ’ A o the sto e o r f o the hollo w d a r und n , r m b nk Re ve te a s at flo w r d pl y in undul ing , T e e t o w c e the e s ve fl h r hr , ni judging, d lu i y

A as o u e a i t o a tf c ve nd y l d r und in r ul ur , W t e e atte t ve a the s a e i h y n i m rk pringing g m , Straight as above the surfac e o f the flo o d ’ T e w a to se o r ur d e e a h y n n ri , g by hung r l p, T e fi x w t e t e tw tc the a e o o s h n , i h g n l i h , b rb d h k

Then when he has hooked the M o narc h o f the

! Bro o k

W t e a i h yi lding h nd , T at fe e s st e t to hi s f o s c o se h l him ill, y uri u ur ve s w a o u n o w et fo o w n o w Gi y, y , r iring , ll ing

Ac o ss the st ea e x a st hi s e a e r r m, h u idl r g , T ] flo at o a hi s e at e ss S e il , ing br d upo n br hl id , ’ A to hi s fate aband n to the s o e nd o d, h r

Y a a z o u g ily dr g yo ur unre sisting pri e .

I am at a l o ss t o know why the fly fisher should

o the s s s look d wn on man who fi he with worm .

o a e is a C ncerning the l tter , th re great difference betwe en the man who baits a po o l and sits down to

a his a a n d man s e s u - w tch flo t , the who fi h p stream

lo a s o f s is a in clear ww ter. This clas fi hing prob bly a a e s s as more de dly th n any other, but it requir ju t m s a o o e i s uch kill as ngling with the fly ; m re v r , it

o e s o s as to s w a i s m r trenu u , , be succes ful , ding a FI SHING AND PH I LOSOPHY 1 25

e e ss an d n c ity, the rod must be stiffer and longer ,

a s an d o f co urse heavier . And man who has fi hed all day will become aware of the difference in using a rod a few ounces less in weight th a n another .

n o o an d s o There is d ubt that fish , e pecially tr ut , hav e the sense of smell well developed . When

o fish are a a po l is baited , drawn from below upw rds

an d s by the smell of the bait , not by particle of whatever is being used co ming in view of the fish as - a they are carried down stream . A Nottingh m

a his o b it fisher , one of the champions of club , to k s uch ca re th at no scent of any kind should touch his bait when affixing it to the hoo k that he always

a a c rried a p ir of very thin kid gl o ves . H e used

s he had o had the e if been sm king , or if his hands

o tar s s fe n c t uched , or any such melly stuff u ed for

ing . I feel sure if a man atta che s a fly to the gut

is a o when he smoking , or just after h ving sm ked ,

a be a ma th t the fly is like ly to t inted . This y p o ssibly be the cause o f tro ut coming short ; when he comes sufficiently near the fly to appreci ate the

a a a taint of the smoke , it c uses him to turn w y

a and e a sh rply , l ave the ngler under the impression t a has h t he had a rise .

s a e In olden day , nyway , they beli ved in oint

as ments for giving certain odours to the bait , such

o o soluti n of ivy , p wdered bones from a corpse , etc . ,

ba which were put in the g holding the bait . 1 26 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

o s fi sh s as the a a n d o se o se C ar e , uch c rp , th wh

a a s - s trO ic h bit t is in low running water , or pond in p o r s - o c an a be to emi tropical c untries , re dily drawn a - a e o high smelling b it . During the N il Expediti n

1 88 - 1 88 w as a se of 4 5 , part of what c lled the De rt — — o i . e a s a C lumn . troops mounted on c mel fter fa iling to reach Khartoum in time to save Gen e r al

o s o s at Gord n , pent some m nth Korti , on the N ile , and both officers an d men had plenty of oppo rtunity

s fi sh The s for trying their hand at catching . be t

w as o f e a ho w far o bait pieces fl sh , no m tter g ne in

o . e s c rruption Some curious cr ature were captured , an d a to a o o s id be f irly good eating , alth ugh pers nally

a fi sh I never tasted N ile . I t was the cu stom o f several o f us to strip in

a the camp , w lk up the river three or four hundred

a . o ne y rds , go into the water and swim back On

s to e occa ion , just as we were about enter the wat r, we spotted some tw o hundred yards farther up a a s a : so huge crocodile , b sking on a andb nk instead of indulging in a swim we ran back to

a an d a c mp , got rifles , , securing the assistance of

o f markman shi e couple of sergeants reputed p, w nt back to where the crocodile w as . After some man oeuvring we got within a bout eighty yards of

. o o him Then , lying d wn , we t ok aim , and I believe

o as Buldo o o f the it was Lord Belleu , then kn wn ,

! ! l o th an d Hussars , who gave the one , two , three

1 28 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

a at a a e r ts night , he expired few hours fter ent ring

o a the h spit l .

Fishing on the Suir , County Tipperary, some years ago I chanced to come on a man putting

! ! his ro d w as together . H e yoking up , as the

a old f rmer , in whose premises we stalled our

s e us horse , xplained to . A stranger to me , I w as rather a sto nished when he greeted me with !

! o u a I f y are a true fisherman , you have chieved Y a triumph . o u have succeeded in one of the ! e s — gr ate t endeavours o f life obtained h appiness .

a s a so Such sentiments coming from tr nger ,

e o s a e e diff rent from the usual t pic of we th r , fli s , e c d o t . ha , made it clear to me that I come up n

o s s e a phil sopher . I took little notice of thi trang m e eting until I happened to read a pamphl e t on ’ F i le/t i n n R all de n g a a ecreati on by Lord Grey of F o . I n it I learn that there i s more in sport than

! He recreation : sport is a philosophy o f life . emphas ise s the fact that the sport indulged in must be of such a nature as to cause undoubted

a h s a n d . as h ppiness Happiness many definition , a cco rding to Hamilton it is the complement o f l al the pleasure s o f which we are susceptibl e .

e s o f a ss There are d gree h ppine , such as glad

o o a ness , j y, etc . Thus triumph is j y, sort of

a a o f a exagger ted ment l feeling pleasure , usu lly

of a temporary nature . My view is that com FISH I NG AND PHILOSOPHY 1 2 9

le te an d as a ss i s a a e p l ting h ppine quite unatt in bl , but that it i s more nearly achieved in sport than

a n as a in y profession , such politics , rms , law or

a liter ture .

Fo r a ma n can a instance , the mbitious never att in

a e s a ho w ss be h ppin s . No m tter succe ful he may , there is no limit to his endeavours ; no m atter how

a s s has o . m ny succe se he won , he looks for m re

a o e N p leon , the great st man that ever lived , could

e n ver curb his insatiable ambition , which was part

his un and parcel of being , and , in the end , his

o a w as d ing . No one can believe that N poleon a a the h ppy man . The doctrine of Greek phil

o s0 he r w as s w as p Aristippus that happines , or

man s o the . h uld be , chief object of I suggest that the only w ay to o btain ev e n temporary

a to o h ppiness is c me in touch with nature , but L o rd Grey implie s that a feeling o f co ntent can be brought about by knowing that yo u hav e

e e a a a e s e b n worthy citizen , th t you h v pur u d a

s a o a ss moral t ndard of acti n , and chieved happine

a n d The with f mily a friends . late Presid e nt

! o s a s : Ro evelt , friend of Lord Grey , ays H e

n o t e n o t to i s is fit to liv who is fit die , and he not fit to die w ho shrinks from the jo y of life or

o fr m the duty of life . T o emphasi se the fa ct that the love of Sp o rt i s

s foremost in the inclination of the British officer, 1 30 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

h e o 1 1 t e fo ll o wing story is told . Long b f re 9 4 the G e rman s had gone to VVe i - ha i - wei to se e wha t fo rtifica tio ns had b e en put up by the new

s a e e owner , wh t work had b n done in the military

e an d s . zon , whether the big gun had been mounted

e a e They wer w rmly welcom d by a British officer, who pointed out pr o udly to them the o nly wo rk his men had done w as to make a cricket pitch .

Ye s e o a a o , indeed , ther is more in sp rt th n recre ti n

i s s a it a philo ophy of life . Probably not m ny pe o ple give thought to the fact that what w e

! ! call Spo rt i s the putting int o a ction of an i n cli n atio n to gain recreati o n and to break away

o so a a to a a a a fr m ci l h bit , t ste g in the ple sure of

a e a O o m h lthy struggle with pponents , to c e into

o a o a n s t uch with n ture , t obey in tinct inherited

s a countle s ges ago from our ancestors . Few pe o ple realise that primitiv e man w as just as much interested in the pro blem of invention as the civilised population o f the world at the

the w as present day . But primitive man most

s e clo ely in touch with nature . The jo y of his lif

w as an d o S ex the hunt the fight . I quote fr m

! an d S oci et o as : The y, by William Th m man of science works at problem s and uses his ingenuity in making an engine in the laborato ry in the same w ay as primitive man used his mind in

The is making a trap . man who successful in

1 32 SOLDI ER AND S PORTSMAN has e to sa b en developed . That , I venture y, is a e a e a wrong th ory . I t is more likely th t the duc tion has been brought about by over - fishing a nd the fact that so many fish are returned to the

s e water because they are under ized . Howev r ,

a ma are un wh tever y be the right theory , trout do ubtedly m o re difficult to catch now than in

e a s o s has le d as a o y r g ne by . Thi to a v t m unt o f intere sting literature on the vario us fo rm s of

a a e fishing . Yet I suggest th t to g in knowl dge as e s o a the result of experienc , upp rted by observ

o an d o is o ti n intuiti n , the nly way to become an e xpert angler . There are many perplexing problems that present

. s a themselves For in tance , why trout on cert in

a s s a a d y ri e freely , but will not t ke either natur l or ! ! ! a rtificial fly . Do fish sp o rt I think th e y do . I h ave watched one rising to every fly tha t passed

e s e ov r him without seizing a ingle one , but mer ly poking them with his nose . The perfo rmance of this particular trout i s very different from what is

! e s —a e a e t rmed coming hort t rm which , I t k it , implie s that trout when rising like this are sati ated

a ma a e a a and l zy . I t y also be th t wh n they m ke closer inspection of the fly they disco ver it is n o t

o n e o fo r an d a i s su the they are l oking , wh t p p o sed to be a rise is merely the trout breaking the water as he turns away dissatisfied . The true FI SHING AND PH I LOSOPHY 1 33

fi sherman is not out to catch ! fi sh and n o thing else .

f s H e will be confronted continually with di ficultie , such as a drag on the fly when casting acro ss running water ; another time he may have to switch the fly under an overhanging branch o f a tree to throw the fly so that it may land on the far Side of a stump or tussock beside wh ich a o s trout is lying . All these b tacles go to make the sport of dry - fly fishing the best of all form s

Of . angling To watch for a rising trout , to spot

i S In the fly he is tak ng, I Itself a most interesting preliminary to the business o f fi shing ; obstacles should only add to the determination to per severe . There is no finer school o f patience and

- e self discipline than this , for it teach s one to

i s make light of disappointments . Surely there nothing like it to soothe a ruffled mind . To li sten to the sound of running water imbues the man on the river bank with a feeling of peace

a a e . fulness . Peace and happiness are insep r bl

s The ong of birds , the hum of insects , all tell

i s the tale of the joy of life . When the water lo w a n d clear the fisherman must keep both eye s an d ears open . H e must be alert to catch

a o r o f e ch ripple of a rising trout , the flop one that has risen screened by the branch of a tree . B o o k s dealing with the art o f angling h a ve

a o s an d o been written by m ny expert auth r , d ubt 1 34 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN le ss help many beginners t o become successful

s m n h . o e w o fi hermen I have , however , kn wn

e se a s o f s r fu d to try difficult ri e , for fear lo ing a fly . I t appears to me that there i s n o l o gic in fitting oneself o ut with an expensive rod and ta ckle and then to hesitate to cast or not to cast

o f o at all for fear l sing a threepenny fly . The practice and efficiency gained in casting under adverse condition s will so o ner o r later bring its o w n s s reward . Keeping out of ight and ca ting so that the movement of the ro d may not be di s c e rn ible to the fi sh are mo st essential points in

- fl a the tactics of the dry y man . Ag in , he Should

ase s o never ce trying , and h uld go through every

o as o as fish fly in his bo k , l ng the is rising . I will venture to say there are few anglers that are n o t

o s o f fi she r l ver nature , and thus it comes that the man i s not dependent on successful endeavour s in

to s an order pend a happy and , maybe , instructive day on the river .

The water - v o le is one of the commonest folk o f the wild that he will meet on the river . It was n o t until the other day that I was aware that the common bro wn rat is an inveterate enemy of his .

As s s n o t far I sat by the ide of the Derby hire Wye ,

o o s s fr m Bakewell , a v le eated himself on a tone

o se s e a o cl by . H e tayed ther some time , until br wn rat which had evidently just emerged fro m a hol e

1 36 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

o o and the receding fl d . I picked the little thing up

a ass plac e d it on bunch of gr . On my return j o urney some hours later the little vole was still where I had pl aced it ; this seemed to me to Show a want of

a matern l care on the part of the mother . Different from the behaviour o f the vole was that

saw of a stoat I once on the Wyly river . As I walked down - stream I saw a stoat swimming across some fifty yards lower down . On reaching

s she she a pot opposite , where was about to land ,

s an d must have viewed me , becau e she turned came tearing back , the light of battle glittering in

o r so her eyes . Coming out of the river a yard

o S he fr m where I stood , made a spring which I

ff S he warded o with the landing net . Then turned an d o commenced nosing ab ut in the grass , putting

s o s fo ur young o ne on their legs . In my endeav ur t o a she w as a c tch one , charged again , and it cle r that if I was to capture a young o n e it wo uld be o ver her dead body ; so I merely followed an d

a as a e s w tched her herding her flock , collie h rd

o o a a sheep . S n they reached hedge and dis ppeared . My friend on whose water I had leave to fish was

o o f a sh oting man , and I did not tell him the incident . O n another occasion I witnessed a fight between

a s had fi ht a comm o n r t and a wea el . They been g

a a o a s o n the a fo r ing pp rently in the l ng gr s b nk , FI SHING AND PHILOSOPHY 1 37

when they ro lled into view neither seemed to have

s d a proper hold . However , when they di engage , the rat raised himself on his hind legs and awaited

a fo r the att ck of the weasel . They then fought about two minutes , after which the weasel made for

so the long grass , with the rat after him , I was

s unable to se e the end of a most interesting conte t .

I was , however , subsequently assured by a keeper th at such fights between rat s and weasels generally ended in favour of the fo rmer . A curious incident with regard to a terrier and fo x cubs w as once described to me by Captain

Balli n ke e n . George Maher of , County Wexford C aptain Maher was walking by the side of a river

o s cl ely accompanied by a terrier . I t was his cu stom to go to a certain place to watch four fo x

had o f cubs , who their earth on the opposite side

o the river, playing with each other . To his ast nish

saw w ho ment he the terrier, had crossed over , join

a in pl y with the cubs , and he assures me that , hav

o so s ing br ken the ice , to speak , with the cub , the do g paid regular vi sits to the earth . This terrier w as fam o u s for being a fi rst - class worker when put

fo r s s to ground foxe and badger .

o f A friend mine , Mr Montague Murphy , of

a s o Derby , rel ted an intere ting incident in connecti n w e s his n ith the bro wn rat . I giv hi incident in o w wo rd s : 1 38 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

\ had a s a Fishing on the Derwent , I taken e t

s on the bank to dispo e of my midday sandwich .

- Opposite me , about ten yards off in mid stream ,

s was a small i land . Presently a brown rat appeared at my fe et running al o ng the strand ; under nea th its chin and clinging to its mother was a young o n e about ten d ays o ld. The mother a pparently had hold of it by the breast with her

e e t th , while the little one clung round her neck and

a o h e d . On reaching a spot exactly o pp site the

a she isl nd , slipped into the water, swimming across

e s e . subm rged , evidently to avoid being e n Hav

s a a ing gained the i land , she disappe red for few minutes am o ng the grass and scrub ; then she a e a s a pp ared ag in without her burden , and w m a ss s to cro , thi time on the surface , the spot where she had entered the wa ter and went o ff in the

re direction whence she had come . When she

had o n a a a o e . ppe red , she an ther young She repe ted

a s the perform nce three time . Some minutes after the third young o n e was safely across a full - sized sto at cam e Ioping along hot - foot on the tracks of

rat the . H e halted just where the rat had entered

fe a s the water, snif d about , and pparently atisfied

a s th t he had lo t the scent of his intended meal ,

e o a turn d ab ut and went b ck . Until thi s incident w as related to me I had no id e a th at the bro wn rat would re m o ve its yo ung

C H APTE R V I I

RACING

RO M my boyhood racing and ste e ple chas ing have perhaps been the greatest of my

a . many recre tions At any rate , during a — a - period now extending well over half century , it has been my pleasure and delight t o observe the very many change s that have o ccurred in

e o f a a both branch s the sport , lw ys with a true a n d s a a n d keen intere t in its welf re . Breeding racing in my tim e have certainly not been marked f c o . o with a la k improvement On the ther hand , I think it must be generally admitted that both racing and steeplechasing were never more a bly

, managed than they are in the present era . The recent war may be here mentioned as the best

f s o te ts . I t is true that for the time being it

o o sho k the very foundation of h rse breeding , as

o o ur ar it did thers of great industries . The w

a : 1 1 a us a over , however, m rk the result 9 9 g ve year o f reco rds not only in racing but in general — hi sto ry the re co rd o f peace a fte r a re co rd w ar ;

1 40 RACING 1 41 a an d record strike declared ended in a week . I t is wo rthy of notice also that the Gov e rnment in I reland i ssued an order prohibiting racing o wing to the Coal Strike in Engl a nd ; but in s pite o f the order racing went on as usual . Then we had record crowds and record prices

a for ye rlings . I n spite of the alleged bankruptcy

o has of the nati n , more money been circulated a n d more money spent on ra cing than ever b e fo re . I n face o f incredible difficulties in travelling

o - and transp rt , the sport loving Britisher managed

h a to satisfy is unquenchable instinct . At Man chester meeting the first race of a Victory New Year w as won by a horse bel o nging to Mr

o e a - s B ttoml y , and never on any r ce cour e was an o wner more heartily cheered . I t w as a n a c clamation of the extraordinary hold that the Edito r o f onn B t s j a ! has over the Briti h sporting public . There is no nation in the world that has such a l o ve for horse s a nd sport ; no doubt thi s inherited instinct has had a great influence in forming the c a a e h r cter of the race . Sporting men hav made

s as s hi tory surely as seamen , soldier , financiers a n d a s t is o a politici n . I the sp rting instinct th t has made the British the pioneers of adventure , and has established their pre stige for honourable and fair dealings with all the nations of the world . 1 42 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

1 1

’ Capta i n Macnelt

Thre e o r four de cade s ago C aptain Mache ll w as

e as regard d one o f the kings of the Turf. H e bro ught the brain s of an extraordinarily astute an d observant m an to co ncentrate on Racing in all its a s e hi spect . I r member s telling me that when at

He co ll e ge he bought a ho rse for eight pounds .

o hi s a i f o f a c then wr te to f ther , n orming him the f t , and a sking fo r money for the purchase o f a s addle . ’ Hi s fa ther s reply was

n I f you ca buy a horse you c an buy a saddle .

o a e an d Fr m th t time he cut out his own lin , what b e tween winning some m atches with the

- a eight pound horse , and thletic events , he soon

so o blos med out into an owner of good h rses , and eventually was enabled to repurchase family

s estate . ’ C aptain Mache ll s idea of a horse that would prove useful over fences and hurdles w as a spee dy

fi v e - a a furlong anim l . H is argument was th t with a short quick stride a horse comes at a fence

o - a t c llectedly , whereas a long striding horse is p

a his s to co me unbal nced at fence . This View

w as o s e o n e o f s not b rne out by Cloi t r , the be t

s all s as had a u steeplechaser of time , he an b or mally long stride and n ever steadied himself or

RACING 1 43

shortened his stri de wh e n coming to a fence ; in

ac e o ff at a n s e f t , som times he took incredible di tanc

s e e from a fence . When thi hors was being train d at B ishop Sutton by Mr Arthur Yates I rode

to ho w him several times , and used wonder he would negotiate the Grand N a tional course with ’ s out a mistake . Cloister s hock and kn e es were

- w as placed very low . H is canon bone very Short , and the dista nce from the hock to the pastern

so unusually . This conformation seems to be

fo - as adapted r carrying weight , but most high cl s

- race horses have the reverse conformation . This is well illustrated by o bserving the framing of the ’ f s a n d descendants o S t Simon . Thi horse s h o cks knees were extraordinarily high placed and n early ll f m a o his descendants exhibit the sa e tendency .

hi s a a To give full name , Captain J mes Oct vius Mache ll w as indeed an astute and an acknowledge d

o o n a n d auth rity both racer steeplechaser . H is

s e a e wonderful career tarted in the rly sixti s , and

as as 1 l th Ma 1 0 2 o s extended far y 9 , when cl e

a n d s o f upon fi v e sixty year age . H e died at

as a fitl hi s s H tings , and a few d ys later y found la t

a his is pl ce of rest at Newmarket , where name

w as still green . H e notable in the history of the British Turf n o t S O much for what he personally accomplished as fo r the shre w dn e ss an d a bility he

s e his di play d in advising many patrons . 1 44 SOLD I ER AND SP ORTSMAN

I t has long sinc e been said that in the D e rby

8 a 1 a o e s a . of 75 G lopin l n topped King Edw rd V I I ,

e a a a the th n Prince of W les , from p rticip ting in s weets of a Blu e Ribbon thro ugh more th an a n o rdinary interest with Lord Aylesford as the

o a o a n min t r of Cl remont . Again , in the Grand N ational the fo llowing se aso n I have go od re aso ns fo r s aying that when J o seph Ca nno n Victori o usly ’ wo r e Capta in Mache ll s co lo urs o n the highly

e e o ut o f o e br d R gal , by Saunterer the Oaks her in

a H R H a the Regali , . . . had more than finger in re sult of that close and exciting contest, in which

Rega l beat C o ngres s by a neck .

As s o s Mac he ll the porting w rld know , Captain pre ceded the succe ss of Regal with tw o other ’ o the a id o f s an d Re u u vict ries by Di turbance g y, a n d as an a e sub rmy man was naturally v ry proud , s e e a s to equ ntly to R gal , in seeing Lord M nner the fo re o n the Bedford Cottage trained Seaman when

a s a e a a e the Guardsm n ju t pipped th t exc llent m t ur ,

s a o n . Mr Tommy Bea ley , a he d Cyrus Through ’ o ut the Capta in s great career there i s plenty o f evidence o f his di splaying quite as much keen n e ss in ste e plechasing as he showe d in co nnection with

o f o a as the more important branch our nati n l p time .

e o o to U nfortunately , he nev r had the go d f rtune s e e his own colours to the fo re in any of o ur class1c

‘ althOII h s s s events , g the re ult of uch races testify to

1 46 SOLDIER AND S PORTSMAN

The winning o f the Derby by H ermit brings o ut in full fo rce the astuteness and resource of Captain

Mache ll o s a 66 1 o . The h rse t rted at to by reas n

o f his h aving burst a bl o od - vessel some three weeks

a prior to the race . With the exception of Capt in

Mache ll all w as , connected with the horse vowed it impossible to get him fit and were striking him hi o ut so a . s . Not the C ptain I well remember telling me he could keep him g o ing in sufficient

work to get him fit , notwithstanding the possible

- s ch a nce of his breaking another blo o d ves el . Accordingly H ermit did all hi s work o n the western

o f s a o side the Newmarket cour e ; this g ll p , going the - c o m reverse way , is down hill . H ere H ermit

le te d o a p his preparation , d ing mile work e ch day , a n d after every spi n w as walked back to the top

f bill a o the . I t is s id that the Captain won upwards of ’ ’ I don t imagine that eve n the Capta in s best friend would insinuate th a t he w as a go od h o rsem a n

a he a o him self. When in the rmy more th n nce a s to a o s a n d suc pired milit ry race riding h nour , c e e de d in winning e v e nts at Ald e rsh o t a n d o ther

His a a s a so as a n places . spir tion c rried him far effort to win the Grand Military Gold Cup in 1 863 on a mare called J ealousy by The Cure out o f

e ss J we , who had thrice run for the Liverpool Grand

a a w i n n e r 1 86 1 N tional , being once , in , when ridden RACING 1 47

o e e a w as a a by J K nd ll . I t about week fter J e alou sy had been unplace d behind Emblem in 1 863 that she carried Captain Mache ll in the

o Military Gold Cup , then decided ver the old

o f Tae Rugby pastures . Thanks to the E ditor ’ F i e/a l am able to give the appended interesting details of that contest

RAND I I ARY R Y 1 86 G M L T , UGB , 3

D ee es GOL CUP . Thr mil

’ a ates I st o al D a s F b C apt . P rk Y ( R y r go o n ) RI LEMAN y R 1 lb . e e R st . 1 R d o 2 0 a t . bin , , C p idd ll ’ s ce s e S t ac ell t t R t . A 1 s h h a t . M 2 Mr Ju i (55 g ) JE LOU Y , 3 . C p ’ Feat ers o n eh u h s 1 ssa s DS 1 s h t a th 2 t . Mr g ( 3 Hu r ) , WIN OR , Ow ner ’

. . ta e s A A 1 2 st . aw so Mr T S S rk y C NNIB L , Mr L n ’ a mb ell s 1 t a ce s MY s o Wo w 2 h 1 2 t . M j r ( L n r ) MARY , Ow ner ’ a mb ell s 1 t a ce s EM 1 t o o w 2 h 2 s . M j r W ( L n r ) ILY , Mr Steph en so n o ’ etc e s 1 t a ce s S r 6 1 st . a t . 2 h A . 2 C p Fl h r ( L n r ) GLEN RO , y , Mr Steele 0 ’ lac ur s 1 t ss s RE D I N A 1 s De o l h a W G t . Mr ( Hu r ) , 3 a t e est C p . T mp ’ D a s a ee s T KE RMAN 1 st O e U 2 . w Mr kin (C rbin r ) , n r ’ Da s a ee s F A s I t A t 1 2 t . O . a . . Mr kin (C rbin r ) R NK , lb C p Smi h ’ t e s a ee s a . a D F 1 Go t . e 2 st . a e C p l (C rbin r ) OUBT UL , C p W . P l ’ s 1 t ssa s N 1 h 1 st 0 . 2 . Mr Higgin ( 3 Hu r ) THE ABOB , lb Ow ner ’ o to e s e a e a s Z RD 1 2 st . . Mr J hn S n (Gr n di r Gu rd ) HA A , 5 lb Ow ner ’ a Bl ell s fle e t t . und R a E H M 1 s O e C p ( i Brig d ) LS A , 2 . w n r 1 48 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

T he co nfid e nce the J e alousy connecti o n s di s ’ pla ye d i n the m are s ch a nc e caused he r to start a ho t

a o at o a o e e f v urite 5 t 4. C n nibal and Winds r w r seco nd in dem a nd at 6 to 1 e a ch ; Fra nk w as

! a s a n d 1 0 to 1 o e e b cked at even , freely ff r d ’ n s T/i e F i el a w as o other . tells that this Gold Cup ’ o n e o f a s s s not the Capt in happie t sp o rting day . At the fall of the flag Jealousy settl e d down with a a s a cle r lead . On passing the t nd the first time

a a o e the o the C pt in , in rd r to avoid deep furr w ,

a h bill to ok a line little to o high up the side of t e . Thi s br o ught him up o n the stro nge st part o f the fe n c e a n d J eal o u sy refusing l o st fully twenty l e ngth s .

a a o a n d H zard and I nkerman were way in fr nt , it w as n o t until the brook w as reach e d th a t the righted J eal o u sy took close order with the

e a s o an d a e l der . B th Emily My M ry f ll . To cut the s e w as o s tory short , ther a l ng tail when J ealou y

Rifle man a a and c me to the l st fence , from which a n s w as exciting truggle ensued . The Captain

s a o e to o fir t over , but J e l usy was unabl h ld her own up the winning fi e ld hill an d eventually lost by

s so b ad s a three length . Wind r was a third , El h m

o a h a s Tne F i eld f urth , Haz rd fift , C nnibal ixth .

sa s s in consolation y that J ealou y , but for the refusal an d she had a n u the ground to m ke up , ought do ubtedly to hav e brought off p e rhaps the first of ’ Mache ll s man subse ue n tl Captain y q yplanned coups .

1 5 6 SOLDI ER AND SPORTS MAN o ft a - declared that , wh tever race riding delight he

a gained in the Liverpool Grand N tional , first on

Re u u Disturbance and the next year on g y, on the

as a t 1 8 2 o rdham l t afternoon Epsom , in 7 , when F w o n the Oaks for Mr Lefevre on Reine , that ’ m o unt the C aptain gav e him on Lord Lonsdale s

s Bickerstaffe in the Welter , where amateur and professionals were opposed to each other o n the

o old Bibury lines , made him equally as pr ud as

o f se v 1cto r1e s o either tho Liverpool , as he f und

e o Tatte n ham an d hims lf well r und Corner , in the s a s - e S o s tr ight , holding in afe k eping ixteen pponent , ’ the b e st o f which pro ved t o be his Maj e sty s n o w

e a o train r , Richard M rsh , who divided him fr m

a o f o a e a th t prince C rinthians , the l t Mr Willi m

s w o n a - a - an d Bevill . Bicker taffe by h lf length ,

s a s w as a be ides M r h , who I think one of Capt in ’ Ma che ll s a s at o earliest helpm te Newmarket , ther pro fessi o nals Mr Richardso n then had again st him

e a o . o s . w re Custance , Tom C nn n , J M rri , R Wyatt , an d Go ate r o o f a Parry , J em , all noted j ckeys th t

e . a o s e p riod Ag in , curi u ly enough , a recent p ep ’ f Bic ke rstaffe s a e o that r ce , th re is the reminder that my o ld friend M r Arthur Y ates w as among the

o ther amateurs w ho rode in that six - furl o ng O ak s m Da e . a a w as y W lter contest Th t , I told , not ’ Mr Rich ardson s first sweet s o f victori o u s riding

n the o fo r the o f o Surrey D wns , in spring the RACING 1 51

same year on Similar lines he had had a m o re co mfortable ride on Lincoln and beat Tom French o n the favourite Douglas a couple o f

s length . M o st people find what may be termed a mel a n c ho ly sati sfa cti o n in recalling the pl e asure s of the

a i s s o f p st . There till a fair number military men who at some time o r other were quartered at Aldersh o t ; those of them w ho a spired to win steeplecha ses o f so rt s fo und their way soo ner o r

As o a later to Bi shop Sutto n . a scho l for milit ry ’ a n d C ase s a e s e s a s e riders h r , Mr Arthur Y t t bli hm nt

N t as he s had a . o w o o no equ l only guide , phil pher

an d o f s s a he friend , but a man uch per onality th t did n o t fail to influenc e th o se o f wh o m he saw

c He o e mu h . disc untenanc d betting a coup engin e e re d by the B i sh o p Sutton stable was a thing

o w as o a unheard of. Sp rt the keyn te ppli e d to

s e ss the e ntire bu in .

w as a s I t in the e rly eightie , when my regiment w as a s a a e a s qu rtered at Alder hot , th t I m d mo t useful and ple asure able acqu aintance with Arthur

s saw a the e a 1 8 1 Yates , who fir t d ylight in y r 4 .

i s s e a a nd o H e till hal and he rty , if retired fr m

s o so an d o o o o e the p rt he long h n urably f ll w d ,

e s his a o — v i z o yet k ep up f v urite hobby . c llecting

an d s s an d s s s o tudying bird bea t of every de cripti n . When I w as l ast at Bi sh o p Sutto n I di sc o vered 1 5 2 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN that his interest in horses and training was being

o o o supplanted by his z ological c llecti n . H is go o d health and longevity a re due not only to the great modera ti o n in his manner of living but al so to the never - dying intere st he take s in a a nim ls . I can recall the open house he kept fo r the officers at Aldershot in the days when first w e

. o w as met Everyone was welc me , whether he

o f an owner or merely a friend one . There is

! o ld i s the adage , That which bred in the bone

o e s t o c m s out in the fle h , and that applies M r

a s s His a Y te and his love of teeplechasing . f th e r had s a o e o e h res with Mr Elm r in L tt ry , the winner o f s a o a 1 8 c an the Fir t Grand N ti n l , 39, and he remember how when a sm all boy he was taken d o wn to Ne asdo n by his father a n d saw Je m Maso n ride the o ld gelding over the lun c heon

s a s o n a . a table , pread with vi nd , the l wn Singul rly

he o 60 a enough , although r de the winner of 4 r ces , he never succeeded in riding the w m n e r o f the

o r a e a Grand National Nation l Hunt Ste plech se . I n training he was succes sful in the fo rmer with

o e a o o o Cl ister , and as a train r lso t ok great h n urs in pre parIng no fewer than fo ur winners o f the

e o f Grand Military Go ld Cup . The first thr e

s ss w e th e se were in ucce ion . The four w inners re S c o rn and Standard respective ly ridd e n by Mr

RACI NG 1 53

a o . B rt n and Mr T H one , the property of Captain

s s Child , and Dalesman , belonging to Captain Fi her, — — ’ 88 86 8 s . . owner up to I 5 7, and la tly Mr H L Powell s

The Midshipmite , with Major Burn Murdoch in the

sa s w o n a o ddle . All the e were at S nd wn , with the

o f run s exception Scorn , his race being at Ayle bury , when Mr B a rton defeated Roddy Owen by a head

fi e ld— —o h in the smallest namely , three runners

o rec rd for the race . So numero us are the officers and others who ’ b e nefit e d by Arthur Yates tuition and c o unsel in the sport that to give the names o f all wo uld fill a bo o k ; but those I well remember include Captain

e Childs , Colonel Fisher , G neral Broadwood , Lord

Binning , Mr Hanbury , Colonel Reggie H owe and

Major Hughes Onslow . Of all the horses that ’ s a s a s s s pa sed through Arthur Y te h nd , he ay D efence w as certainly the best ho rse he ever

o e r de , H arvester the best he ever own d , and

Cloi ster the best he ever trained . But there were two Chasers whose names will always re main gre e n in the memory of Bishop Sutton '

o n e s as s a s the bear the name , M r Yate is alw y

e s a o f a Old a e s pl a ed to c ll him , De r Cr wl r , and lie buried o n the lawn al o ngside H a rve ster ; the o ther w as o a a a at Harold , the h rse that fter f ll the water at Cro ydo n w as caught an d remounted by the a id o f his a e n o t o t il , ther by nly bringing M r 1 54 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

a a a s a Y tes home a g llant winner , but r i ing poet , w ho promptly sent the following to the plucky

is o ft o f e o w e . o n r It quoted , but is worthy r petiti n

In racing re po rts i t i s o ft- time said A o c e has c e ve w o n a ea j k y l rly by h d , But Yate s has e fo e w e all o t e a ts fa p r rm d, h n h r r il ,

A f fe f r he n a tail o e w o e at o w o . m r nd r ul , by

a a so n o f c - a Anent H rvester , Sto kwell Gretn , thi s h o rse ran unplaced in the Two Thousa nd Guineas the year that Formosa an d Moslem ran

u a - a a e s s th e ir fa m o s de d he t . Mr Y t think he

o u a e w o n the a o a 1 8 2 ass w ld h v Gr nd Nati n l in 7 , C a ’ e e s e a had he n o t e an d T t y r , been interfer d with cut

o a a a w as a o int . The r ce th t ye r ttended by m re

e o f as a s th an the u su al numb r c u ltie . ’ a e s all - c o s e e e Mr Y t blue lour w r often in evidenc , e speci ally at S o uth C o untry m e etings ; ind e e d he w as so frequently se e n in the saddle th at to the

he w as a s a s a a uninitiated like circu rti t , a f ct th t

n o t e a o s a o o f e e a did sc pe the b erv ti n Qu n Alexandr , w ho w as heard to say that the butch e r bo y se e ms

a e a to h ave a rid e in e very r c . Th t remark caught

a w as i n the e a r o f King Edw rd . When Arthur

v ite d to - at the spend a week end Sandringham ,

is s o e to his o so King , it aid , intr duc d him c n rt

! as o o s : m e e s a e s f ll w Let pr ent Mr Arthur Y t , the butch e r boy a b o ut wh o m yo u have o ften

! e ask d .

C H APTE R V I I I

CONFORMATION

s the - o HE following di cussion of race h rse , e speci ally with re ga rd to the purchasing o f

a fo r him as a yearling , is not me nt the man who has by experience a n d observatio n a cquire d

i s o expert knowledge ; but there are , it to be h ped , many of the ri sing generati o n w ho will ke e p the

a e a n d s e s e s g m going , the e may p rhap deriv ome sati sfacti o n and p e rhaps in structi o n in reading what

s follow . Firs t of all it is proved beyond all doubt th at anim als that have gone succ e ssfully thro ugh the

— - i . e s mill . the test of the race cour e , which — quickly sifts the good from the bad are th o se mo st

s s The likely them elves to beget good perfo rmer . test o f the race - course i s o n e o f the fact o rs that has m ade the British thoroughbr e d the fo remo st

h s e t e . s a breed in world Thu , in canning pedigr e , w e o a o f o - c a e a lo k for line g od l ss winners , esp ci lly

s a a o s has on the side of the ire . M ny c ntrover y been indulged in as to which i s the m o st p o tent in transmitting its qualities t o the next generati o n — the S ire o r the dam an d there is n o d o ubt facts 1 56 CONFORMATI ON 1 57

s - e s a the p o int to the ire . They ven sugge t th t pro ge ny o f first - class m a res a re di sa ppointing if

- o e mate d with infe rior cl ass stallions . The st ck br d fro m winners is more likely to turn out well than

a a a a th t bred from f ilures , however f shion bly bred h t e la tter may be . — There are several reasons for fa ilure in abil ity to a to s s gallop f st enough , or tay , unsoundnes and — l a ck o f nervous force which may Sho w itself in

a s o s s a v riou f rm . As these failing are heredit ry , it foll o ws that in tim e the line of failures eventually ge ts l e ft in the ba ckgro und . The placing of the knees and hock s with refer

e nce to race - horses i s a point which invite s

a rgument .

a o c e T ke St Sim n , a horse whi h many peopl now

a s H s o live had the o ppo rtunity of e e ing . e t od with

e s s a a a kne and hock unusu lly high , and th t tr it is

a e a e e s m rk d in many of his descend nts . Some xp rt o n equine excellence maintain that St Sim o n as a

ra ce - horse never had his equal ; certa inly be w as

a a o o never be ten . Comp ris ns of h rses running at

e e s a o e e s differ nt p riod , lth ugh v ry inter ting , can

s a a s n e ver be very sati factory . The c p bilitie of

race - hors e s in ge neral ought to progress with all the incre ased care and knowledge besto wed o n

a their breeding and training . Thus it is prob ble that St Simon would have met his match in la ter 1 58 SOLDI ER AN D SPORTSMAN

a s at his a s he d y , but the time of perform nce was the best up to d at e .

l - — o w o n s i . e a The horse with set hock . with long

a—is a a o man tibi n log us to the long , leggy , the ’ l e ngth be twe e n the latter s heel and his kn e e representing that between the stifle a n d ho ck of a o - horse . L ng limbed men have not as a rule

s a S - the ame st ying power as horter l e gged men . Whether this comparison between horses and men

an i a o e is of y value or not , the fact rema ns th t s m of the m o st brilliant race - horses have stood with

an s e hocks d knees well o ff the ground . For pe d o nly th e re is no do ubt that such a confo rm ation i s

o o a i g d , but from the point of gener l ut lity , weight

a so as o e carrying , etc . , the rgument is not e y to pr v , as many fi rst - cl ass steeplechase horses an d weight carrying hunters have had knees and hocks low set on .

o S me members of the antelope tribe , more

s a the e e fo r a e peci lly hart beest , have t rrific speed s o s a e e are h rt di t nce . Th ir h o cks and kn es extra o a o f a e i s rdin rily high . The speed the H rt beest

a e a o a n d much gre t r than that of greyh und , the spe ed O f bo th a greyhound and a ho rs e for a

s s — v i z a hundre d ya rd i ne a rly the same . bout four an d a a s qu rter econds . I n looking ove r a prosp e ctive purchase there are so many essential points to be noted that in making

1 60 SOLDI ER AND SP ORTSMAN in s uch a w ay as to cause di sco mfo rt to the a nim a l

e the e a e i s ut o n the s wh n br aking t ckl p , re ult will

sa a un be un tisfactory . A bad m o uth and gen e r l handine ss are seri o us defects when it c o me s to

a r cing .

m — d a e . a ue th se e Sym etry i . pro porti o n of e v r l

a s o f o to a —o r the a o f p rt the b dy e ch other w nt it ,

a a will be pparent to the eye almost at the first gl nc e .

o s o f se a o s can be With ut ymmetry , cour , h r e of

a e s n o a s to di s no v lue for racing . I t r quire rti t crimin ate between a well - made an d we ll - balanced a a is n a n I Is a o t . aI t nim l and one th t Then , g , — int e re sting to O bserv e wh at are the we ll marked p o ints that enable one horse to go faster than a noth e r .

o o o ac An blique sh ulder , g ing well into the b k ,

o e s se t a s a s e s with f r leg well forw rd and tr ight , de crib

s a o f c n wh at i s kn o wn a g od o rehand . This o form ation is a bso l utely n e ces sary to e n able a ho rse to s - a i s s be a e to tay th t , he will when tired till bl gallo p a lmost automa tically without shortening his stride . ! a o a a Fo r The te rm staying is lm st p radoxic l .

s a a o se a o has ac co m in t nce , h r th t tires bef re he

li she d s at a m a se t to p five furlong r cing speed y, if

o o a has g a mile , beat the h rse th t conquered him at

s o o f e tw o o se five furl o ngs . I f the kelet ns th se h r s were measured it wo uld be fo und that the winner CONFORMATI ON 1 61 a t a mil e w as the better sh o ulde red ho rse O f the tw o . The kn e e s sh o uld be in pro p o rtion to the bo dy and the bone (known as the pi sci s) at the

a s is to b ck hould sta nd o ut pro min e ntly . It this bone that mus cle s and tend o n s are wh a t may be

i n o t o termed hinged , and if there s sufficient ro m

o e s f is for them to w rk with a e , the ef ect that

o c o r a o a h rse tires qui kly bre ks d wn .

e to s e a o the Oth r points be e p ci lly n ted are , first ,

s S — e e rib hould be strong and well sprung i . . th y sh o uld give no suggestion of being flat ; al so l e ngthy quarters are just as nece ssary as a lengthy

o a se t . f reh nd , and the tail on high rather than low

a re o s . Most important , however , the h ck Whether

v a e o r lo w pl c d high , they must be strong and have ‘

o s s the go d width . I t is from the e joint that pro

e o r au pelling power is deriv d , and bent f lty hocks

o a an s c ndemn lmost y kind of horse . I t is es ential that the bon e be carried down straight and lev e l

o fr m the hock to the pastern joint . I have heard American judge s specify the need of a prominent s as e a e the tifle giving xtr lev rage . As whole weight

i s a n d of a horse carried on the pastern joints feet ,

o s o o it is bviou that , with ut strength in the f rmer

a and correct sh pe in the latter, the most perfect c o f use onformation in other respects would be no . The pasterns of h o rses appear to differ consider

b ut fi rst - e ably , in class horses they are nev r on the ‘ 1 62 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

o a a re l ng side . I n f ct , long pasterns detrimental to a a an d s b l nce peed .

ss By kind permi ion of Sir Theodore Cook , ( I saac Bickerstaffe of Tne f i eld) thi s very interest

a e o a e ing rticl is reproduced fr m th t newspap r,

2 where it appeared on 2 5th December 1 9 0 .

s o f o When on the ubject conf rmation , I have ende avo ured to prove th a t for purposes of speed

i n o t a a n d o e . e o nly ( . gen r l utility) a sh rt tibia,

o e a a a o f a l ng f mur , giving the ppe r nce high

a o an d e e s is an a e pl ced h cks kn , which ttribut o f the Gal o pin line o f horses is demonstra ted in

e o n d studying the sk let ns of Eclipse a Persimmon .

E CLIPSE AND PERSI MMON

The appeara nc e o f the skel e t o n of Eclipse be side th a t o f Persimmon in the Briti sh Museum ( N a tural H istory) in the Cromwell Ro a d sug ge sts some interesting fa cts and a few valuabl e

o a so s c mp ri n .

! T a king the stati stics fro m the first race up to

1 06 all the 9 , Derby winners , with four exceptions ,

a to o r Matche m an d tr ced Eclipse , H erod , , two o ut o f these four tra ced to the s ire and grandsire ’ s a a of Eclipse respectively . E clipse s de cend nts lso

o a s s c mprised in Donov n and I ingla s , the two h o rses tha t had won most money in stakes ; in

o St ckwell and St Simon , the two most valuable

ECLI PSE AND PERSIMMON 1 63

e Fo x - o the sir s ; in Flying , the race h rse sold at

highest price at public auction ; and in Sceptre , the o nly yearling that had ever c o st The record times for the Two Thousand Derby and St Leger ( 1 906) were also a mong the achievements which Eclipse blood could claim ; and there is sm all wonder tha t it has s s a as lowly been e t blished the best , not in

this country alone , but in Europe , the United States

an d se el where . An exact comparison between the skeletons of Eclipse and Persimmon ought to produce certa in

a s a o f ct of v lue to the trained biol gist , if he can only be induced to make it . The difficulty in this , as in

s e so many kindred matters , is that the man of cienc ra rely appreciates exactly what the horse - br e eder

a o w nts to know , and the man who writes with kn w l e dge a bout racing is too often co mpletely ign o rant

s The of the es sential element of science . mere

a f ct , already mentioned , that this comparison , when completed , will be actually the first of its kind is

s significant en ough . The mo t enlightened and broad - minded of modern celebrities might le giti m ately o bject to o ur digging up his great - gre at grandfather in order to compare that ancestral framewo rk with his o w n ; nor would the operation l e ad t o much even when the problems involved were merely physical but inasmuch a s the brain is 1 64 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN by fa r the m o st important fa cto r in hum an de ve l o p ment the difficultie s of the investigation would be a in u m II n tabl s r o e . s as lmost Among animal , the c e

s s is as far as a e of Eclip e and Per immon , I am aw r ,

o e o f Of so e o f unique , th ugh r cords the breeding m the Brocklesby hound s ca n b e authenticated fo r a s far back as 1 746 ; greyhounds will soon have pe digrees th at will be alm o st as valuable to our

sc e a so n the de ndants ; and John M ill is , of famous

s a o n the arti t , collected some very valuable f cts

s breeding Of dog be fore his death . But parall e l co mpanions such as those reproduced in the se

a a o a n d p ges h ve never been pr perly studied , it m ay fervently b e h o ped that they will l e ad t o results more valuable and permane nt than I can as yet produce from them .

a Few would be likely to im gine my first difficulty ,

to o for it is at once too simple to believe , and

a fundamental to neglect . I t is this . No ccurate system for the scientific me asurement of bones has yet been devised , and I Shall be forgiven for ex pressing my co nfidence that this extraordinary hi atus i n research has only to be mentioned to be promptly filled . A bone has an irregular though a beautiful and intelligible outline . I n the case of ’ s o are a horse f re and hind legs , with which we at

o e e so o a pre se nt chiefly c nc rn d , me b nes h ve pro

o s je ctio n s at one end and depressi n at the other .

1 66 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

inclinatio n of the shoulder - blade o r scapul a to the

- s s to upper arm bone , or humeru , or with re pect the relative position occupied by the latter bone

s s a in the living animal , unle s cast of the rel tive

o s positi ns of these bones were taken on the carcas . The relative positio n of the humerus in Persimm o n can , of course , be more nearly described than in

s o the case of Eclip e , though the w nderful measured drawing from which Stubbs did all his pictures must be a remarkably faithful likeness of the older

a o f i s un st llion . I n the matter height , it again

i n a has doubted the more modern anim l , and prob ably been faithfully pre served i n the setting up of the skeleton ; but in Eclipse there are elements

o of uncertainty . His height , when alive , is n where a as ccurately stated , and his feet were foundered

o his s e bef re death , we probably have k leton look

s ing lower than it was in life . I n pite of this , it is certain that he mu st have been at least a hand

ss P le tall than ersimmon , and in view of this it i s signifi c ant that the relative size s of their limbs sh o w far less difference than might have been ’ s s s o s s a expected . Per immon kelet n tand trifle ’ i s an o ver sixteen hands high . Eclipse s inch o ver fifteen h ands .

! se s a a With the re rvation alre dy expl ined , the foll o wing measurements may pro ve inte re sting ECLI PSE AND PERSIMMON 1 67

Pe rsimmon S to ckw ell E clipse ( 1 893) ( 1 8 1 9) ( 1 764) S capula 1 52 I si 1 5 Humerus 1 32 I 35 1 4 Radius 1 5 1 5 1 5

Fo re - cano n 1 6 3 1 05 1 0 Femur I 82 1 7 1 8 — Tibia 1 42 1 5 1 55

» Hind - cano n 1 2 5 1 2 5 1 ! Kne e to ground 1 7g 1 7 1 55

As regards the relative prop o rtions of the limb

a o a bones , it will be app rent fr m the table th t the

- length of the lower arm bone , or radius , is the

e o same in all three skeletons , while ther is als very little difference i n the length of the corre

din o s o n . p g b ne in the hind limb , or tibia On

o . the ther hand , it will be noticed that the pro po rtio nate length of the humerus to the scapula

s o r c in Per immon is normal , pra tically the same as as 1 E cli se in H ermit , recorded on page 57 of p ’ e an d O K e/ty. The differenc in the length s of

e se s s o e th bone in Eclip e is much less pr nounc d , a n d in Orm o nde they are stated to be nearly

o o equ al . Stockwell ccupies a s mewhat inter mediate po siti o n i n this respect between Persimm o n

and Eclipse . ’ The m o st remarkable feature in Persimmon s

s e o i s a - o r k let n the gre t length of the thigh bone ,

e as a o f the f mur , compared with th t lower leg

o e a e the t w o b n , or tibi , the differenc between 1 68 SOLDIER AND S PORTSMAN

i n s . e s being no les than 4 , wher a in Eclipse

2 i n . 2 . it is only 5 , and in Stockwell in A long femur i s a valuable fe ature in connecti o n

s his s with peed , enabling a horse to tuck leg

his s e as well under and increase trid . The c es

and s of Eclipse , more e pecially , of Stockwell

e s indicate , however, that it is not an absolutely se ntial o feature in connection with speed . P ssibly, in the case of Eclipse the shorter distance of the

is middle of the knee from the ground , which believed to be indica tive of greater speed as com

sa pared with Persimmon , may have compen ted for

o the sh rtness of the femur . I n Stockwell the distance from the knee t o the ground i s nearly as

o e great as in Persimm n , but this may be larg ly due to the articulator .

! AS regards the number of ribs and the co m

arati v e s s a p shortnes of the rible s interv l , very little difference i s apparent between Persim mon and Eclipse : and much the same seem s to be

so s the case , far as can be judged by compari on

o f r o f a the photog aph the l tter, with regard to ’ o f o the relative breadth barrel . Touchst ne s

s co n keleton shows an extra rib , but whether it

sa tributed to his pace or not , I cannot y. H e certainly threw his legs very wide b e hind wh e n

a110 a n d a g ping , it will be remembered that grey ’ hou nd s hind legs co nsiderably o verl ap hi s fo re

1 70 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

it o pendulum , is also more likely to pr duce a speedy action . ’ a o As to height , Admiral Rous s generalis ti n that h o rses have increased an inch every twenty - fi v e years since the eighteenth century will stand the test of experience and research ; and it remain s to be seen whether the further prophecy of

a a a a t i s 1 6 C pt in H yes , th t the limit heigh 3, will

o o pr ve to be correct . All we kn w now is that s m all horses usually last a di stance better than big o ne s ; that most of the flyers for a r mile have

s a - o been big one , with plenty of he rt ro m ; and

a o s o n e th t , ther thing being equal , a good big

e o o o n e a 1 1 will b at a g d little , as The B rd ( 5 )

t o his s s fo und co t . I t is al o true that our fields n o wadays run to a much greater average o f h e ight th an they ever did when S ampson ( 1 5 2 ) w as

o o s 1 c o nsidered a giant by the c nn i seurs of 745 . One hundred an d fifty years afterward s Zinfandel

w as o a a his s e a wh le h nd t ller, though mea urem nt

o le o w as e a r und the g , bel w the knee , x ctly the ’ a s a so s sam e S mp n . ! One feature in which the skeleto n o f Per s imm o n diffe rs markedly fro m that o f Eclips e i s the much gre ate r h e ight o f the spines o f the

ae s o f the vertebr at the wither , which fifth

a dorsal form s the summit o f an rch . The bow

s an d o o f o i n wither high cr up Eclipse f rmed , ECLI PSE AND PERSIMMON 1 71

s deed , one of the few un atisfactory features of that horse .

! a an Fin lly , interesting point arises in connection with the diseased condition of the left side of the , ’ o pelvis and the left femur in Persimmon s skelet n , for if thi s necro sed condition had developed when the horse was three and a half years old it would account for his rather sudden falling off after his Derby! Although this is a que stion on which veterinary experts are alone capable of giving an

o s opinion w rth having , it may be permis ible to mention that the severe character and large ex tent o f the necrosis seems to indicate that the di sease was of l o ng standing previo us to the a e se ccident which led to the d ath of the hor ,

n t o f a and o a result that ccident .

I ndeed , when you consider that more is known about the perform ance and c onformati o n of hi s a s a a I n nce tors than bout any other nimal , man

s cluded , the carcity of accurate knowledge about

he i s s ‘ t horse urprising . His spe e d has m o st ’ e s s s decid dly increa ed . A cetic Silver did the 4

8 6 s o f a o miles 5 yard the Gr nd Nati nal , with thirty

2 - s 6 ; e c . 1 0 fences , in 9 min 34 5 in 9 , a far greater pace than w as e ver shown for that distance o v e r

the flat a a hundred ye rs ago . At shorter co urses

the i s s as improvement ju t marked . I n the C o ro nati o n C up o f 1 90 5 Pre tty P o lly did the Derby 1 72 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

- s 2 se c . di tance in min . 33 4 5 , a wonderful per f r n 1 o ma c 1 00 a . e . I n 9 Caiman did mile in min

33 1 - 5 sec and thre e h o rses in 1 903 did fiv e

2 - o e furlongs in 56 5 sec . None f the ighteenth

a s century cr cks could touch the e figures , and it is safe to say the great Eclipse him self never ap

ro ache d o i s a p them , th ugh it unfortunately the f ct ’ ’ that we have Colonel Andrew O Ke lly s wo rd fo r it that he was never timed .

a i s I f greater p ce the one thing we want , why have we not yet discovered the exact points of

! structure which seem likely to produce it, and done ! our best to breed them The answer is twofo ld

s a n o s o f o it is fir t , bec use tandard system b ne

has s o measurement yet been accepted ; and ec nd , because we are still almost completely ignorant of

e what the results of any union will be . Ev n when a particular sire an d da rn produce a particularly ’ ma successful winner , that winner s own brother y

s se a s be worthle s , and has ver l time been proved

d a to so . o a n be Age , theref re , clim te , and many s a s to e s o s ubtle n tural causes , eem nter into thi b cure

a a o e sa a calcul tion . We c nn t ven y exactly wh t we mea n when we sp e ak of an offspring (AB) being a ‘ ’ d blend between two parents (A) a n ( B) . I s the ! re sultant A B co mposed of half A an d h alf of B ! so i s a a I f , it a chemic l or a mech nical mixture I s it o nly the vi sible qualities of A and B whi ch

CHAPT E R IX

MORE RACING

AC I N G may be said to be part an d parc e l ’ o f a s e are o e s oldi r s life . Few the ffic r in a ny bra nch o f the servic e who have n o taste

e o ss to o in that dir ction , nor is it p ible that much

a l encour ge ment can be given to it by al concerned .

w ho s o s s A man , by clo e observation of the h r e

hi s o w n s a e fo r o r s e e in t bles , ither hunting for t ple

as has a a o o f ch ing , gained a pr ctic l kn wledge them , will be more likely to take them through a c ampaign with a minimum of the s o re ba ck s an d field ailments in separable from campaigning than a m an wh o se

n orders a d regulation s are his only guide s . There i s no r e creation for keeping body and mind in health equal to that of riding or tending horse s .

1 88 e o at I n 7 the writ r f und himself Mhow ,

a a n a a o f Central I ndi , ide l station for man fond — sp o rt a small garrison compo sed o f one battery

o n e a a of artillery , one infantry battalion and c v lry

- h regiment . There was a good race course on w ich pro spective race - horses could be exe rci se d and ma ny were the trial s which to o k place there . What drew the entire English society w as a weekly I 74 MORE RACING 1 75

a a s e o gymkh n . The cour e ncircled the pol ground

and was a bout three - quarters of a mile in c i rcum n

a man his ference . Every week e ch pulled out

s a an d a a hor es or ponies for a r ce or two , h ndic ps

so a were djusted that every horse or pony , however

had . e poor , a chance of winning in his turn A rac

w as o f instituted , but gradually died out for want

s o a s upp rt , distance one and quarter mile , to be 1 o n s s o a ridden numnah , and whil t in v gue it cre ted

a as s much musement , falls were numerou .

o Twice I had the good fortune to win it , b th

o n e times a pony , Prince Charlie by nam . I paid

2 fo r w as s £ 5 him , and this price con idered to be

o s a a e s - da m t exorbit nt , contrast indeed to pr ent y

s as as price , when good ponies cost much in I ndia

s o f r th e y do in thi c untry . The height o polo ponies

w as 1 2 a a 1 2 then 3 hands ; now d ys it is 4 , an

e as - as incr e which , along with the fact that high cl s

e a re l poni s difficu t to get , places polo a little

a o beyond the reach of po r man . My experience o f racing in I ndia w as entirely

a s - a s n f with Ar b . A high cl s Arab is o e o the

o s a ma s o o n e o a m t be utiful ani l in creati n , utst nding

c a a e s e a h r ct ri tic b ing the exquisitely shaped he d , with an expression suggesting gentleness an d

e se t o n s courag , the neck with perfect ymmetry

a a o and gr ce . Ne rly every thor ughbred horse has

1 N a : a fe t sa e - c o t w t o t st s umn h l ddl l h i h u irrup . 1 76 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN a simil ar se tting o n o f the h e a d ; wh e n scr utini sing a yearling it is o n e o f the mo st impo rta nt po ints to

o o . o s e e a l k for Without breadth acr s the for h d ,

o f o depth and width jaw , and wide n strils typical

a a s e to o ut o of the Ar b , hor e is not lik ly turn a go d race r . Thi s characteristic inherited by the tho ro ugh bred horse from Arab ance stors appears to be l e ss

a a prevalent as the ye rs go by . I n I ndi , where clim atic and gro und co ndition s are to be de p e nded

a o is o n f the upon , gre t st re put time test , which no

o a s a n d ubt under cert in condition is reliable o e . I rem e mber di scussing the subj e ct with the late

a - in - law a a a Gener l Beresford , father of C pt in H rry

e e o o as the Gr r , now kn wn to the racing w rld

a a t m nager of the National Stud Tully, County

a . s Kild re The General , with a long and succes ful e w as a man to xperience of I ndian racing , indeed listen to . H e was a great believer in running

s a h o rses in blinkers . As a proof of atisf ctory

s e re ults , he used to declare it would fr quently

a happen that a horse , say h nds , that could always be relied on to gallop half- a - mile in sixty seconds would be beaten by a bigger an d l o nger s o s his o a triding h r e which , in gall p gainst the clock , wo uld take many second s longer to co mpass the ’ s same di tance . General Beresford s explanation of this was th at by re ason o f the smaller h o rse gallo p

s o i ing tride for stride , unc nsc ously lengthening it to

1 78 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

Cheltenham appears to have always attracted

r o f s s frate nity the be t . Lind ay Gordon , well kn o wn in the Cotswo ld country before he left fo r

n o t o o f the Australia, did forget to menti n some ’ B Fl od and Fi la ancients when he wrote his y o e . The district also bears the reputation of being the

s e How w e beat tne scene of his famou po m ,

F av uri te o . I n the latter you find mention of

e Stevens , none oth r than the record rider of five

Grand National winners . In the verse I here quote

F lood an d F i elcl from , Bob Chapman and Tom Oliver are mentioned among his celebrities :

I e e e the o we w te o r m mb r l ring in ry m rn , A the st o n the o tsw o s nd mi C ld Hill , ’ W e e I o ce e a the ast o f the ts a s o h r n h rd bl hun m n h rn, fa f s No t r ro m the se ven rill . ac E s a e w as t e e an d St a J k kd l h r , Hugh Cl ir, B o b a a and A e w K e Ch pm n ndr rr, A Ne d f t s o n D e v ] ma Ca e nd big Gri fi h i y r , A O v nd Black To m li er.

Although Bo b Ch apma n was one of the most s ss s a a w as ucce ful dealer , he himself dmitted th t he o n e o f s the wor t judges . H e never attempted to

o r o the a buy young untried h rses , and late Willi m

o a o f - Che lto n i o ns H lm n , father the well known

e o b fo r b aring that name , did that part of the j

. o n a s o n o him When he was their b ck , h wever , man was a better judge than Chapman . H e used to say some horses jump and some dive MORE RACING 1 79 o e e s a v r their f nces . Personally , I cannot tand

! ! diver .

be - a a a o s To successful in horse de ling man , m ng t

s a other requisite , must have a l rge capital if he is

o n a and trading big scale , he must be able to give

o n e s w a s unlimited credit . On occa ion when I ha ving luncheon with Bo b at his club he was

a a s o m e a c lled way . O n returning , he h wed

! ’ 000 s : s - £5 cheque , aying That about one third o f wh at is due from Mr I have rema rked th a t Chapman w as a bad j udge o f a a The horse till he w as on its b ck . opposite w a s e a a the case , howev r , in reg rd to the l te Mr

f n suc J ames Daly of Lif ey Bank , Dubli , a most c e ssful I rish dealer . For the greater part of his life he never mounted a horse , but he was a

! o n e wonderful judge on the ground . At time

e hi s s he had the gr at Cloister in po session , and he used to say that a more ca reless and worse hack

e than Cloister could not be found . Ev n with a man to e on his back when going ex rcise , there was a n o ther man to l e ad him until he got o n the gras s

oe s n o e the in Ph nix Park cl o e by . I am b liever in old m axim that a ho rse that walks well will gall o p

e s well . A fri nd of mine bred a hor e called Barney

a I I I . who mongst other races won the Scottish

Grand National . H e was a brilliant hunter once you got him to the meet . So often had this horse 1 80 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

a the a e s hi s e e s f llen on ro d , thre time cutting kn , that his original owner s o ld him and he became the

o e a pr p rty of Mr Ad m Scott . After the horse won at o a Ayr , Mr Sc tt decl red he would win the

National . H e subsequently came to grief thro ugh slovenliness . About the time of that vi sit to Cheltenham it was the custom to give a horse longer and more

o o severe gall ps than is d ne nowadays . I well

To n an s o remember seeing Jupiter , a Grand Nati nal

a - a s candidate , do seven mile g llop . J ack J one , the Epsom trainer , was another who believed in

to very strenuous work . I used often go over to his stables and watch a h o rse called The Sc o t doing his 1 884 National preparation ; he would gall o p

s from three to four miles almost every day . Thi

o s o w as to h rse tarted fav urite , and the first horse

a w as carry the royal colours in the Nation l . H e ’ a s o f a e ridden by J ck Jone , the Prince Wales tr in r , who although succes sful as a st e eplechase jockey

e was not in my opinion a good horseman . H e us d to ride with his stirrups so long that he could o nly

s a n d e so s ju t reach them , his l gs were traight that he gave one the idea he was clinging to the saddle .

' he an s I n consequence , kept upright po ition , ’ equivalent to many pounds increase of weight . I t i s po s sible mat e rially to alter the fo rm of a horse by girthing the saddle well back from the withers .

1 82 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

e by the soldi rs and their friends . By the way , it w as in the first o r s econd year of the change that

. w o n King Edward V I I , when Prince of Wales , his

s s fir t steeplecha e . I t was a very bad day for

w as a weather , but there a large comp ny , which

o f included the Princess and the Duke Connaught . The winner was the late C aptain W e n ty H ope

o s o a J hn tone , who then wore the r y l livery on

w as s Leonidas ; it an ea y win , but matters might have been very much closer had C aptain Annesl e y

n a a s a a u o Pixie not m de mi t ke at the w ter j mp .

s o f has Recently the tyle riding change d .

s o s s o f Hand , h wever, mu t alway remain one

o s s o se the great fact r in succe sful h r manship . I t is surprising what po wer can be bro ught to bea r

s . s ss e s in handling a hor e Like ucce ful g neral ,

n jockeys a re bo rn and o t made . No d o ubt to o

u e a to s s as m ch att ntion p id port , uch steeple

a a n o sse ch sing and hunting , by fficer , may le n

the s o a a s intere t he sh uld t ke in milit ry dutie , but several of o ur most distingui shed general s h ave given considerable promi se as riders ; among

s a an d Raw lin the e I might mention Gough , H ig

n o a o s as he so . L rd H ig , I n tice , is still enthu i tic ; w as much interested at the last Grand Military

s o a e s as M e eting . H e h wed consider ble nthu i m in his subaltern riding days an d it may h ave be e n forgo tten by many that a t the 7th Hu ssars chases MORE RACING 1 83 at Aldershot in 1 88 5 he certainly had a good

the s o n s ~ day in addle , for his own horse Cambu he was second to Tommy H o ne on Ranger in the Subs Challenge Cup ; third on Lampas to Lady H elen for the Regimental Challenge Cup ; unplaced on Lampas in the Hussars Cup and la ter in the afternoon on C ambus succeeded in making a dead - heat of it with Mr H one on The Scout in the Welter Cup and the stakes were

a divided . I wonder did he feel a bigger man th t

o n a a day , or the day when he re lised th t the tide

fo r of battle had turned the Allies . Besides good hands a man must have good ! a e nerve to become successful jock y , no matter ’ fl s o whether i t is on the at or o ver jump . I w uld

! ! define good nerve as that will - power which keeps the n o rmal balance of the mind . I have heard of go od j o ckeys who h ave thrown a race

w o s a a a ay , having been pr mi ed l rge present in

a the case of success . I h ve known men who if

sa 0 e a they had , y, £5 on their mount b c me hope

ss s e o le ly nervou . Ther was one soldier j ckey of — his time w ho had a perfect nerve Captain Percy

Be w icke o f 1 ss . e o , late the 5th H u ars I hav kn wn him to have as much as £ 1 000 on his m o unt an d never turn a hair . ’ Mytto n s M a id was a useful soldier s anim al I

at owned , as two miles one could make pretty 1 84 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN sure of her winning against the class of horses

s w as in military race . After she done for racing

Pu fo n d as re . e w I gave her to Mr W . B . y H er

a i co w o a . tr g c . She was gored by a when in f l

Pure fo a e s fo r Mr y s id it was a good l s on him , and since then he has never had horned cattle in the same field with horses . On one occasion Mytto n s Maid w as entered fo r

2 a As a £ 00 hurdle race at S ndown . I could

s th s not ride the weight , Billy Morri of the 7 Hu sars accepted the mount ; in a previ o us race in which

w as an d e e he riding , however, he came to grief th r

s e e a e fo re could not ride her . The ubstitut ng g d

M tto n s by his advice brought disaster . y Maid

and s o had a ewe neck , horse with that conf rma ’ s s i n tion never have go od mouth . The rider structio n s were to let her go at her own pace and

n o t to try and steady her . I n the pre liminary canter he did exactly what he was to ld n o t to

do she to e , with the result that came the hurdl

o s a a with her head in the air and to k uch bad f ll ,

s o a she e injuring her h ulder , th t was nev r much

good again . I n 1 88 2 I became attached to the 1 9th Hussars W Ith the army th at went under Wol seley to mete o ut retribution to the Khedive I recall with

e a a 1 88 2 a n d pl asure that c mp ign in Egypt , , in the

a 1 8 8 —1 88 e o Sud n , 4 5 , wh n hardships were alm st nil .

1 86 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

I wo uld not be permitted to run the horse at

Punchestown . I t required all my persuasive powers to a hi s a ss lter decision and obt in permi ion . I was

e t o ut o f o o not y the w od , h wever , as the day before ’ the o ffi ce rs s w as o race an ride (first charger ) rdered ,

b e o . o I e no excepti n to granted Wellingt n , n ed

w as o s a not say, not impr ved in steadines fter a few

a o n . a a to g llops the Curragh H owever , I m n ged

e t g through the ride . The entries were eighteen in number for the

s a tw o o I ri h M ilit ry , and included at least go d

— a a horses viz . Chiv lry and mare ridden by Capta in Hughe s Onsl o w (kn o wn as about the

s so e o o f be t of the ldi r j ckeys the time . These

s a e s an d s a o two t rt d fir t econd f vourites , Wellingt n a t sixe s . A new Io op in the course had been made and

rs an s W e the fi t fence was up tanding bank . starte d

o ur a a an d e o a e with b cks to the w ll , W llingt n , v ry

so a headstrong animal when extended , on put lead o f some lengths between him and the re st o f the

o s o field and with ut steadying him elf one bit , t ok the

s bank in hi s stride . The cour e then turned rather

a Sharply to the right , but before I could get pull

w as s a n d a a e to he well pa t the turn , I just m n g d

o a bullfi n ch sto p him by running int big fence . By the time I go t back on the course the re st of the

o s at a 2 0 n o t h r es were le st 5 yards away , and I did MORE RACING 1 87 get on terms with them again till they reached the

o far o \ d uble on the Side of the c urse . I n jumping ’ thi s I touched H ughes Onslow s mount on the u q arters , with the result that She fell . The chief danger was out of the way , as I thought , but

a o Chiv lry , Captain Bald up , was still f ur or five length s to the good . As we came to the wall his

e e hors may have hesitated for a s cond , as we jumped

s it ide by side ; but from then on it was plain sailing , and I won by three lengths .

o ut I weighed all right , but my troubles were not

o - - yet over . Wellington had won a p int to point

a o a o r ce in C unty K ildare , and regul ti ns then in force were th at a certificate by the Master o f

e o H ounds , Maj or St L ger Moore , should be l dged to the effect that the races had taken place . Thi s

a by some in dvertence had not been done , so an

w as o w as objection l dged , but fortunately over

e s rul d . The re ult was satisfactory to all who had

a supported my mount , but perh ps what gratified me m o re th an anything w as that shortly after the race I happened to meet the lat e Mr J o hn

! w ho s : Watson , aid I never heard a louder cheer at Punchestown . As I consider this Punchestown successful ride the red - letter day in a l o ng asso ciati o n with steepl e

a ma s o e s ch sing , I y be excu ed fr m h re in erting the

a s official re turn of th t I ri h Military . 1 88 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

I DARE AND N E O N 1 8 K L PU CH ST W , 95

Tn esda z ra ri l —T I S A S A y, 3 Ap HE RI H MILIT RY HUNTER PL TE F 1 0 o s S O 5 S v . 32 MILE

’ o c tt s e 6 s a o G d. r 1 t ow s 1 . M j r S WELLIN TON , p unkn n , y , e 3 lb . Ow n r I ’ F E L r s a t . . . a s s 1 1 t . . Ow e 2 C p B ld CHIVA RY , 4 y , 4 lb n r ’

A . e e s rs 1 1 st O e Mr K nn dy THE KITTEN , 5 y . , . 4 lb . w n r 3 ’ t c s AD A C a e 1 st a a a 2 . . C p . B r l y L Y LI E , g d , 9 lb s s Capt . Hugh e On l o w o ’

t 6 rs. 1 1 O a o e s 1 st . e C p . C l KATHERINE , y , . 3 lb w n r 0 ’

a o a s M a e 1 1 st . . O . . e 1 w e 0 M j r B Cr gh SILVER ERE , g d , 3 lb n r ’ M e 1 1 t 1 z a o s e s a s . . o o M j r Fi h r TRA ORE , g d , 3 lb Mr Cur n ’ t O a e 1 1 1 O a e e s A II . st . e 0 C p . Fi ld r UTL W , g d , 3 lb . w n r ’ R t s D N a e 1 1 st 1 a a . . Mr . K . F rr n LA Y ELL , g d , 3 lb a t o o C p . Bidg d o ’ F D AM DS 6 rs 1 t . a t a s . 2 s C p . Murr y QUEEN O I ON , y , Mr Elley 0 ’ rs st 1b c e 1 1 T 1 8 . S G . 1 . . ar s 1 st tt s . b Mr T . Pi GEOR E , 5 y , 4 , ri Ow ner 0 ’ 6 r 1 s 1 st . O e e o s . 1 . w 0 Mr G . W ld n HONEY , y , 3 lb n r ’ AM S a e 1 st O e se s 2 . . w 0 Mr F. H . Wi G E TER , g d , 9 lb n r

B etting 3 to 1 against Lady Alice ; 5 to 1 against Chivalry ; 6 to 1 against Wellingto n

e B Won by fi v lengths. ad third

I believe most men can look ba ck o n som e achieve

o a n o t s ment c nsumm ted by luck , but again t it . I ’ recall the ca se where Paddy Fowler s so n pulled

the match playing fo r Eton v . Harrow o ut o f the fire by a display o f nerve a nd batting that i s a by

word at E ton to this day . I forget the sco re a s it

o o o e st od when y ung F wl r went in , but well over a hundred w as required ; these run s he put up with

1 96 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN as w e o w as a kn w , tr ined by Mr Gilpin . Mr Gilpin purchased the pet colt Del aunay for so mething

200 o like £ fr m Mr E . Kennedy , and recently

a a a a s e 2 . Comr de , Gr nd Prix de P ri winn r , for £ 5 Following the military steeplechase came the

a e e Kild r H unt Cup , won by Sir Hugh , ridd n by

ho . he h a w . . a t t Mr D M G C mpbell of 9 L ncers ,

o a 1 8 6 a in the f llowing ye r , 9 , rode the So rer to victo ry in the Grand National for the present Lord

s Wavertree . I t was Lord Wavertree who pre ented the o a a n d a s c untry with Tully Stud F rm inm te , incidentally initi ating the first G o vernment venture of the kind . General Campbell distinguished himself as a

a e a w a r cav lry lead r in the l te , thus proving the v alue and importance of fo x - hunting an d steeple

as i n ch ing the training of an officer . I t is not out o f pl ace to mention the name s of sev e ral very — succes sful cavalry o fficers in the l ate war General s

an d m French , Haig , Allenby , Gough H o e I believe that the l a te Lord Wol se ley preferred

o a infantry officers , and , when he c uld , g ve pre

s ferenc e to them in choo sing his subordinat e s. Thi mayacco unt fo r the paucity o f distingui shed cavalry

s se o fficer during the Wol ley era . Loo king back five a n d twenty ye ars at that

o is o so Punchest wn Meeting , it pleasing to n te many still in the land of the living . Besides the MORE RACING 1 91 a a e to a a e e lre dy ref rred Gener l C mpbell , ther figur d in the fighting line such turf celebriti e s of to - day as

s . Captain Dewhur t , Mr Atty Persse , Mr J Ferguson , a a a e M jor Malcome Little of the m t urs , and Anthony , the rider of Ambush I I . and trainer of Troytown in the Grand N ational . I have be e n told tha t for sheer imperturbability under circumstances which to most people would

e s o S ie v ie r be a t rrific train , M r R bert takes the

the a w ho cake ; he vies with late Lord H stings , could lose tens of thousands of pounds with marvellous complacency .

’ Mr S i e v ie r s app e al from the Court deci sion in the late libel case reminds me o f a story in which

a an a law a man ( loser in import nt case) , meeting

! : n o t an d s his opponent , said I am satisfied , hall

! ! s a take you to the Court of Appeal . I h ll be ! d ’ . n o t o there , was the reply I f that does , I ll ! ’ll . I take you to the House of Lords be there , reiterated the fellow . Exasperated , his opponent

! ’ : a s do continued I f th t doe not , I ll take you to

! ! ! hell . Very good , was the reply , my lawyer will be there . 1 92 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

- a a a s a , to A well managed st ble will lw y , p y but achieve success a v e ry high class of intellige nce

a o n the must be brought to be r management . I n — the period fro m 1 895 1 9 1 2 the m 0st successful

a w a s f st ble under the management o Mr W . B . ’ Pure fo at y, the Druid s Lodge ; their successes

a n d as s were phenomenal , the Pre s had it , the mantle of Captain Ma che ll as a racing engineer had

s P ure fo fallen on the shoulder of Mr y. Among o e s a Um ther winners were Hackl r Pride , L lly , ’ s a s O Malle s a in ured , Ch rle y, Chri tm s Daisy ,

o Templem re , Ypsilanti , Ulster King , Tender and

a True , and l st but not least Aboyeur , a batch of

o s g od fortune eldom equalled . At the period when doping horses w as not prohibited two America n trainers gained gre a t

kudo s . They improved the fo rm of some h o rses

the os as an d a in m t tonishing manner, no doubt m ny

English trainers also tried their hand in that direction .

Pure fo a a o Mr y, however , alw ys maintained th t d ping

. do sa was more likely to harm than good , to y nothing of permanently injuring the constitutio n of

a ho rse . The practice was eventually condemned

and very properly prohibited .

1 1 . I n 9 0 Mr A . P Cunliffe , one of the four

e o fortunat winners in the Netherav n stable ,

a o s an d e purch sed three Desmond c lt , wh n they arrived in I rel a nd I h appened to see them let loose

MORE RACING 1 93

As he a as a s o a e . t w int fi ld l st rele sed , I aid

! ! a s There go es the Derby winner . I rec ll thi

as incident I made up my mind , there and then , to

n a back him when the time came . O that r ther memorable Epsom day I w as i n company with a gentleman who trained in the stable ; as we were l o oking over the Derby horses in the paddock we

a s o c me to Aboyeur . I again expre sed my intenti n

Off of backing him . H e , however, put me by saying that on his trial he had proved that he had no

s a e chance whatever . The odd gainst him wer a hundred to one , and some bookmakers offered

s a hundred and fifty . As the world now know ,

Aboyeur won , after an objection instigated by the

n ac stewards and o t by Mr Cunliffe . From the co mpanying photograph it appears to me that

Cra an o ur Aboyeur was the culprit and not g , the

a horse that w s disqualified .

I n well - man aged stables the idea of stopping horses , or running them when unfit , with a View to getting them well handicapped , is not tolerated , and I very much doubt if it proves successful where

i s it practised . To stop a horse by pulling him is

s a n d a dangerous busines , requires a very good horseman to do it effectively . Of course , very few

- high class jockeys would risk it . To run horses many ti mes when they are unfit is apt to make

them sour and ungenerous . But , taking all things 1 94 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

o s a o the o e a int con ider ti n , Turf is much m re cl n and wh o lesome than a nti - sportsmen would like to m ake

Ma he ll sa a out . Captain c used to y th t the only finesse permissible was to run a horse o ut of his

s five - o a di tance . For instance , a furl ng anim l might , b e a . run in races over longer distance , and vice versa Ev e n then a clever handicapper wo uld not be hoo d ’ Mache ll s o winked by such methods . Captain the ry was that if a man was going to back a horse he should first satisfy himself that the animal had a

a n o stone in hand ; sound proposition , doubt, but

a s in h ndicaps no such chan ce s pre se nt themse lve . The grea t triumph of a handicapper must be to se e

the top and bottom weight first and second , or better

- a s still , a dead he t . I believe the ba is in making

s are a handicap is as follows . A suming there two

at horses that will run a dead heat , even weights at different distances

a se ne se 1 . at 2 e s he w o se 2 e t s Pen li o hor lb 5mil , ill l by l ng h 2 es 1 mil , 5 1 e s 1 e t 5mil , l ng h 1 e s 5mil , 5 1 e a ea mil , h d

I n l ater years the class of steeplechase horses has

e s c rtainly improved , and recently we had such hor es

as Po e thl n o y , Waterbird and Pollen , all able to h ld

Po e thl n their o w n on the flat . Of y it is worth

a w as 8 recording that, as foal , he sold for £ , and

MORE RACING 1 95

s a - - r e purchased a two year old for 50 . I t must be presumed that his appearance when immature must have been poor . There is no need to go into

o his expl its , but he has proved himself one of the b e st chasers of all times ; no small credit for this is due to his trainer , Escott , for keeping him up to the scratch without overdoing it . Waterbird was regarded as a very useful horse on

thl n - the flat ; P o e y and he ran a dead heat . Pollen ran second in the Chester Cup . Take at random a few old chasers like Why Not , Frigate and Old

o e J , all winners of the Grand National , the latter

1 0 st . . by six lengths , carrying 9 lb I do not think

- they could have won a decent class race on the flat .

sa The folly of trying them , to y the least of it , was

s 1 886 expo ed when Old J oe ran the same year , ,

the 6 st lb in Cesarewitch , weighted . 3 . , and was n o t in the Abingdon dip when Stone Clink caught

Co b a The and be t him a length . There is a story , se e an of a man who went to a friend in asylum .

The conversation got on to racing, and the visitor m e ntioned that he had backed Old Joe for the

a Ces rewitch . ’ Hush ! said the lunatic don t let a nyo ne hear

o u. y There are men in here for less than that . Old Joe was originally o n e of the H unt horses ’ o f Buccle uch s the Duke of hounds , but he was such a poor performer that he w as sold for £40 to 1 96 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

o to e s o g the Dumfri sshire Hunt . H is fir t perf rm

a t a - - He ance in r cing was o win point t o po int . w as then tried at the real game and no doubt proved himself ag se fu] horse . No t o f a Why , when the property Mr D . J . J rdine , a nd had a managed by Mr C . J . Cunningham , sever l attempts befo re he was successful in the hands

Ni hti n all Hi . s of Arthur g g previous pilot , Mr

a o n e o f ss Charlie Cunningh m , was the best cro

s a o r country rider , either over country in the

a w as to o hunting field , th t ever lived ; but he long

o a in the leg , and if his h rse did not jump cle n the ’ a nim al w as to some extent hampered by his rider s

d . feet , brushing through the fences , acting as a rag I t was partly owing to this that he never won a

National . The year ( 1 889) that Why Not ran second to

1 1 . 1h. o n his Frigate with st 5 back , Charlie Cunningham had in hi s stable a ho rse called Sir

s No t H erbert . Thi horse and Why were tried

o at not nce , but twice , even weights , Sir H erbert

as winning both times by many lengths . The l t

o w as trial , h wever , one too many for Sir Herbert ,

ran a as he broke down and never gain . H is

w as st 1 2 weight in the Nati o nal 9 . lb . Had all

s a a concerned been atisfied with one trial , wh t fortune might h ave been m ade !

o f to Why Not was made iron , as he continued

1 98 SOLD IER AND SPORTSMAN fail for the reason that th e y h ave some co n stitu tio n al s weaknes , either lack of sufficient nerve

o o r so a s f rce me undetected physic l di ability .

NA IONA N A ON 886 T L HU T , M LT , 1

Tharsda 1 1 th March—THE NA y, TIONAL HUNT C F A T L S STEEPLE HASE O £2 77. BOU 4 MI E

’ D a e s ba HY NOT st e Mr . J . J rdin y W by Ca l reagh out of

tte rs . 1 s t . w 2 . a I T i r , 5 y , 5 lb Mr C J . Cunningh m ’ to c s A E s 1 t . . r . 2 s . 1 Mr J H S k C NT EN , 5 y , lb . Mr Wilmot Smith 2 ’ s C a e 1 st 1 . 2 . 0 Mr W Wilkin CORNY BLA K , g d , lb . a co tt C pt . S 3 ’ oo s THE A rs 1 0 st 1 0 Mr J . M . Br k CAPT IN , 4 y . , . lb . Mr Watkins 4 ’ o C olmon dele s THE F rs I st 1 1 h. h . O . 0 L rd y AWN , 4 y ,

a t o es 0 C p . J n ’ s KY rs t R so S . s o 1 2 . 1 Mr bin n BLUE , 5 y , lb . to 0 R . oc Mr W . Br k n . ’ I i e SAS NNACH rs 1 st e u u s U . 0 1 0 . e 0 Mr g g , 4 y , . lb Mr K nn dy ’ A s O rs 1 st s c e C D 2 . I . o o 0 Mr C . r h r R A IAN , 5 y . , lb Mr Br k

ett to 1 e ac a a st Not an d O ca a B ing 3 h g in Why r di n , to 1 a a st u e an d 8 to 1 o t e s 4 g in Bl Sky, h r

sta ce B ad t Won by di n . hird

1 8 o f I n 99, on the outbreak the South African

a a a War, I had m de arr ngements to join the st ff

s Tne D ai l Te le ra n an d of the correspondent of y g p ,

o to s wr te thi effect to my friend , Mr Peter Purcell

- He e Gilpin , wishing him good bye . was th n ’ at : training Langton , near Blandford , and wired

! ! c c Come and se e us befo re yo u go . I a epted the MORE RACING 1 99

o invitation , with the result that , instead of g ing to

Africa , I agreed to go and give him a hand at

s Langton , doing odd job , and , as he ironically

’ sa as id , giving him tips to training . I was well a ware that what he did not know about horses

b e was not worth knowing . I t was generally lie v e d that the South African War would be

s e a . fini h d in matter of three months , or less We certainly made a bad guess as to the duration f o f a s o . th t war , but a much wor e this last one S ! I t I never safe to prophesy unless you know . I can conceive no occupation more alluring or

a an d more interesting than the tr ining , breeding

o o f devel pment the thoroughbred horse , albeit di sappointment and blighted hopes are more pre valent in everything co nnected with horse s than in

s s any other indu try . I have heard a distingui hed

! o sa a wner y when he purchased yearling Ah , more

! o ! a tr uble Even so , with cert in disappointment

e o n e the and troubl staring in face , one cannot

a o s his s s s sh ke the sp rting Briti her in ta te for h o r e . Some thou sands of yearlings co me up for sale

s annually , and the majority are purcha ed ; every buyer is convinced that he has succeeded in ao quiring a winner ! What a gam e it is ! What a glorious triumph when succes s i s ache iv e d ! During the year and a half when Mr Gilpin was at Langton I had many o ppo rtunities fo r 2 00 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

s sa studying men and horses . Shake peare ys ,

! ! o is The pr per study of mankind man , and the man in any bu siness whatever must agree with

s o suc Shake peare . There is no greater fact r in cess than the successful selection of subordinate s ;

o as a go d staff is quite important as a good h e ad . ’ n o t a a e A trainer s job is , as m ny people im gin it to e o be , a matter of rul of thumb ; far fr m it . I t

a d requires deep n original thought .

s No man , for In tance , could ever become a s s ucce sful trainer by theory only . H e should

! make it hi s business to ascertain the character of every individual emplo yed by him and to find o ut the peculiarities of every horse in the stable .

a e s o Ap rt from adopting practical m thod , he sh uld have intuitive knowledge , a gift hard to define ,

o f but the first importance for a man who bets .

all I believe Mr Gilpin had these , and many other

a s a is so qu lification , and th t why he has proved

e s a minently uccessful . I can recall one inst nce of

s a o s mi t ke in judgment . Five weeks previ u to

a the Kempton Jubilee , Mr Gilpin being det ined

to o in I reland , I was left l ok after and supervise ,

o according to instructi ns , the work of the various

8 st 6 w as . horses . Sirenia in the J ubilee with lb

n o t e e by any means a w ight that , had she be n

a e . s fit , would h ve stopp d her winning But ju t b e fo re Mr Gilpin l e ft fo r I rel a nd she went

202 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN met good stayers in the Hay Pre sto an d B ach e l o rs

she as Double w beaten . I must hark back to the days when my regiment w as s quartered at Colche ter . Abo ut twenty miles

o e t s a a s fr m there y live gre t portsman , Sir Claude

Cre s i n o n e o f De p g y, the hardest men who ever

w o a an d lived ; I uld b ck him to walk , box , swim

a s man o f his a a ride gain t any own ge . He had priva te ste e plechase co urse o n his e state at Cham

o the s 88 1 pi n Lodge . E arly in pring of 1 Sir

s o sa Claude placed thi course at our disp l , and there we held o ur first regimental races after ’ e a s s o s eleven y r ervice abr ad . At thi meeting I man aged to win three e vents with tw o a nimals

! a the s o f s e s th t came under de ignation cr w . A

a - b o f screw is a class by himself, and the st nd y ’ — the po or man s stable never quite l a m e a n d

! an d a s e as never quite sound , if he m ke the l t

s o u t bit of noi e y know So much the bet er ,

fo r o s e he will cost less , and , judici u ly ridd n , he

a o o the o will prove satisf ct ry en ugh . At end f

a o a a the se s n you will find screw , lthough he

! has probably do ne twice the work of the sound

! e a o o s cl n y ung h r e , just as well as when the

so o s sea n began ; the latter , however , lo k dejected

a n d fo r i s a fo r s e careworn , he qu lifying the cr w

a e e a s a st g . When he has reach d th t t ge he will

b e a hunter . ’ f R an ch Copy ri g ht ; Il A

P RE TT Y PO L L Y

2 6 4 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

o at Eps m , many critical eyes were there to take sto ck . There w as only one o fficer in the re gi

e m nt in my time who could do the thing in style , a n d that was the present Lord Gisbo ro ugh : pre

o n a w as a vi s to taking th t title he D ick Ch loner ,

! a w as and before th t known as Sammy Long . The breeding an d development of the tho ro ugh

a as e bred is , indeed , most f cinating nterprise . Thousands are spent annually in the attempt to

s breed classic winners , and it seems trange that not

o fi rst m re than two , or at the most three , absolutely

C as a re a a l s horses bred annually . T ke the annu l — entries for the Derby say a hundred and fifty every animal with the bluest of blood in his v e ins ; yet as often as n o t it turns out there is only o n e

- o a a o top class h rse in the lot . What is the expl n ti n o f ! a fi rst this I f th t explanation could be found ,

as o s as s as s cl s h rse could be numerou Plater . The very best land can be acquire d ; the management o f a as he a the breeding stock, as ne r can , re ches perfection the treatment of the yo ungsters by the bulk of the trainers is unquesti o nable ; and still

- o nly one or two fi rst class h o rse s is the result . I

! ! s s o n hi s venture to sugge t that , unles luck is s s s an ide , a man may trive to achieve uccess in y

! —i e o fo r a . . undert king and fail . Luck f rtune — go o d o r for evil is an enigma that confo unds l o gical definiti o n o r explanati o n ; it i s n e v e rth e l e ss MORE RACING 205 a a an d a n d o e fascin ting theme , the why wheref r mu st present itself to the ordinary man many times a day .

a o N p leon put great store on luck . H e says

o a o — G od fortune , what fact r it is what may it ! ! not lead a man on to do H e preferred a lucky

! to a o n general good e . Putting luck on one

am i n - side , I inclined to think that close breeding

s is conducive to more failures than successe . The conformation of both sire and dam should be ta ken — o i e . int consideration . deficient points in the mare might be compensated fo r by a prominence in the se

o o so— p ints in the horse , with ut regard to the called

!

o . s nicking of bl od I remember Mr Alli on ,

i Tne S ortsman Special Comm ssioner of p , starting a very interesting discussion as to what horse

C s s a a - ( las ic) hould be ccl imed as the best looking .

o a w as e I f rget now wh t animal sel cted , but I sugge s t that there were never better - looking horses

a and bred than St Simon , Bend Or , Lad s Bayardo fo r o s a e expression , p wer , ymmetry and b lanc .

a e us e a u Old g deprives of many pl asures , lters s

a a s s in m ny w ys , but the sporting in tinct live as long as life lasts nor surely does the love of horses ever die .

The poets of Australia seem to ha ve reali sed

s e b e tte r o thi ev n than th se of our own land .

A . B . Paterson , most popular of Australian poets 2 06 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

’ S s o o s da o e s his o e ince Lind ay G rd n y, v ic it in p m , ’ Ol a P ardon tae S on o R e ri eve o f ma , f p , which I y perhaps be allowed to quote a v e rse

’ — But he s o ld an d his e ye s are gro w n ho llo w ; e me w t t atc o f the s o w Lik , i h my h h n W e he e s t e I o e I ma fo o w h n di , h n h p y ll ,

A o w e e the ace - o se s o nd g h r r h r g , ’ I do n t w ant n o h arping n o r singing ’ Suc h things w ith my style do n t agre e ; Wh ere the h o o fs o f the h orse s are ringing ’ T e e s s c s ffi c e t fo r me h r mu i u i n .

208 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

. s himself This applie to the two later entries ,

s a A cetic Silver and Covert Co t . ’ s s a a s o e I t is ati f ctory to know Mat M her br th r ,

a o e C ptain Ge rge Maher , carries on the Stud form rly

Ma t s a owned by . George Maher , for ome ye rs in

th a a the 7 Dr goon Gu rds , figured in the Sporting Press as one of the best men to hounds in

I reland . By far the greater majority of horses that a re

ar s put to jumping e geldings . The reason for this

o are bvious . They require less work than entire

o c a nd h rses , are much more amenable to dis ipline , m are less inclined to be tricky and unreliable . Co

arati v e l a p y few mares are put to the g me , hence we have to go back as far as the second year o f the

s pre ent century to find the gentler sex successful . Tha t o ccurred when Shannon Lass scored a very popular win for Mr Ambrose Gorham , who still ’ owns and likes to talk of that heroine s victory .

a I n all , however, since Lottery won in the inaugur l

1 8 s . year, 39, only ten mares have been succes ful

an d Of these , Emblem Emblematic were own

1 8 1 sisters by the 5 Derby winner , Teddington , and

ss succe ive heroines . H ere are given the ten mares who have

a a a s been Grand N tional winners , with p rticul r

of their owners , riders , pedigree; full age and weight THE GRAND NATI ONAL 2 6 9

’ T F s s b ss A a cast a 1 8 2 . . a o a 5 . Mr M n y Mi MOWBR Y by L n ri n I s A m a N o a a e o t . . . o o . rm , g d , 4 lb (Mr G d n ) ’ 1 860 a e s b a ANATI S Dan — o sto e . Mr C . C p l y by King J hn n

ass a e st . I O . o as. L , g d , 9 lb (Mr Th m ) ’ 1 8 e ett s o S T e e— ew e ss 61 . w h . Mr J B nn br n JEALOU Y by Cur J ,

t 1 . e a rs s 2 . . 7 y . , 9 . lb (J K nd ll ) ’ — 1 86 o o e t s c est . EM M e to ss 3. L rd C v n ry h BLE by T dding n Mi I lb te e s r 1 st O s. . . att s. 0 B y , 7 y , . (G S v n ) ’ 1 e s est EM MA C e 86 o o t c . to 4. L rd C v n ry h BLE TI by T dding n 6 e t 6 rs . 1 0 st . . te s ss at . Mi B y , y , lb (G S v n ) ’ E e s est SS e e a c . t 1 872 . Mr . Br yl y h CA E TETE by Trump r

o sta ce rs. 1 0 st . . a e . C n n , 7 y , (J P g ) ’ 1 88 r t s est EM SS o o R — en Duc o C . o a 0 . M . h PRE by Bl d y l J

s 1 t . e s e des ot rs. 1 s . . a . M , 5 y , 7 lb (Mr T B l y ) ’ 1 Ki n k est ZOE DONE O — e s s . ss s es s 883. Princ y ch by Mi w try Mi s rs 1 1 st O e o to 6 . . w H ni n , y , ( n r) ’ 1 e b t— f 88 . a s a F G o a a a o 9. Mr M M h r y RI ATE by Gunb F ir M id

e t 1 rs . 1 1 st eas e . K n , 1 y , . 4 lb . (Mr T . B l y ) ’ 1 2 s ba r SS 0 . A o a o o A A tte 9 Mr . G rh m y br w n SH NNON L by Bu r — z rs 1 s I D R tc a a . t e sco 0 . . . a . h M urk , 7 y , lb ( d )

a a o a a The Gr nd N ti nal is a unique r ce , in th t the Aintre e course with its big fence s demands

e a a e s o s o sp ci l qu liti fr m hor es racing ver it .

e a a a Willi Moore , who tr ined M nifesto , maint ined tha t it w as the style in which a h o rse jumpe d tha t made him able to negotiate obstacles with a mini

o f o n e a a e mum energy . I f w tches st eplechase carefully the difference in the style of j umping o f

o s is s e a c mpeting h o r es ea ily notic ble . I f when coming to a fence a horse does not time ! s — is to sa it in his tride that y, put a short one in

he a a s o loses b lance . Pr ctice , of cour e , can impr ve

s an animal in thi respect , but some horses never

0 2 1 0 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

e o a s a s o s o as b c me efficient ther . A go d ch er will ’ e e a - a a i s e s a n v r jump a h ir s bre dth higher th n nec s ry , a n d will la nd so that he gets into his stride without losing an inch of ground . I t has b e en my good fortune to se e a goo dly

! a a s e o n e c o a e s number of N tion l , and wh n mp r

e S unlo ch o moderns like Asc tic Silver, and Troyt wn

a with Frigate , for inst nce , it makes one wonder

e has a wh ther Size much to do with c rrying weight .

i s Symmetry not often combined with great size , yet they are bl e nded perfectly in this really mag

ifi c n t s e e o f a — n e . p cim n a ch ser viz Troytown .

a S un lo ch w as s e On the other h nd , a curiou typ t o i be a winner of the chase , he be ng very distinctly

a s on the leg , seventeen h nds high , and by rea on of his previ o us perfo rmances s e emed an unlikely

to w as n o t his as horse win . This the opinion of p t owner and trainer , M r Tom Tyler of Loughborough , one of the old sporting sort ; he was so confid e nt o f the succe ss of hi s horse that he actually spent the time the race w as being run in writing telegram s to

o a th at effe ct to his fri e nds . Tom had s ld h lf the

o s ruffi anl a a e e h r e to a y dventurer, and it h pp n d

s w a s a a that thi fellow in g ol on the day of the r c e .

a o Tyler , however , previous to s ddling the h rse ,

o s the a n d a had c n ulted stewards , expl ined the situation to them ; but no rule co uld be found by

an which owner, or part owner , of a horse who

2 1 2 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

o o e s fo r lo w e s o u o d ubt many th r , bought pric , c ld nly

o e o b Sh w th ir excellence when put to the big j . And alth o ugh mo st of these h o rses are in the

S tn cl B ook o o , with the exception of Roquef rt , n ne o f them was trained until four years or upwa rds i n

a o s s f ct , if we g over the winners for year pa t , it will be seen that successful N ationals are not always

th flat - recruited from e misfits of racing . I t is my humble Opinion that prospectiv e N ati o nal

se s s The ho r hould not be trained early in life . s a s a the tr in , e pecially on the he rt , is too much if

o se s are to a e h r put work befo re they are m tur .

e s m e the When my h lpmate , M r Meyrick , ent li st o f the only ten ma res that h ave w o n the

a a a s a e o o f N tion l , he lso kindly enclo ed full r c rd the entire h o rses who have been succes sful in

s e s w as thi race . Thes total seventeen . The fir t

a 1 8 o o a W nderer , 55 , and the m st recent Covert C t , ’ 1 1 Asshe to n e 9 3, the last of the late Sir Smith s thre

1 868—1 8 1 winners . I t maybe noted that The Lamb , 7 , a n d 1 86 —1 8 0 e s tw o The Colonel , 9 7 , w ere winn r on o a e s e cc sions , as were also the g lding , Peter Simpl . — — 1 8 1 8 - el - 1 8 0 1 8 1 a n e s o 49 53 ; Abd Kader, 5 5 ; M if t ,

I 8 8 s Po e thl n 1 1 8—1 1 P o e thl n 97 I 99, and la tly y , 9 9 9 , y standing as the third successive do uble with Abd - e l

o Kader and The Colonel , if it be c rrect to include ’ the triumph of Mrs Hugh Peel s gre at perfo rmer at

—e a o Gatwick . And why not S eing th t Mr T pham THE GRAND NATI ONAL 2 1 3

at not only made the handicap Gatwick , but kindly gave a trophy with the transfer of the title although the official yearly S teeplecnase Calen dar in its statistics singularly enough do not recognise such

substitution . ’ Here is Mr Me yri ck s list of successful entire horses

THE ENTRIES

’ 1 8 D s b a e e . A D a a 55 Mr unn y W N ERER by V rul m , g d , 8 1 st h a o . 9 . . (H nl n ) ’ 8 6 e s e t 1 . a tt o D at o 5 Mr W . B rn br w n FREETRA ER (l J hn Brigh ) T e Se f ss e rs st 6 h a o ut o o . . . by Mi C bd n , 7 y , 9 lb te e s (G . S v n . ) ’ 1 8 o s o n F S o a 59. Mr Will ughby br w HAL CA TE by M rg n R t 6 rs st ee a t e . . . . . l r , y , 9 7 lb (C Gr n ) ’ 1 862 Vi s de N am s b a SMA b s e dam o f . ur y HUNT N y Tup l y t A st s rs. s . a Yo 1 1 . . ung ugu u , 9 y , (H L mplugh ) ’ 1 8 A e s c est A C D o ssac o t f 6 . u o 5 . Mr B . J . ng ll h L IBIA E by C k A s r 1 t t o v e t t s 1 s . . a . . un Philli , 5 y . , 4 lb (C p H C n ry . ) ’ 1 8 6 E t s b a A MA D e E te r 6 . a s . Mr S udd y S LA N ER by Fir r , 7 y . , t 1h A a 1 0 s . . o o . 7 (Mr G dm n . ) ’ 1 868 o P oulett s e THE AM Zo a e am . L rd gr y L B by u v d by A 6 r 1 s s t s 0 t . . E w a r hur , y . , 7 lb (Mr d rd . ) ’ 1 86 e man s ow THE t o f a s 9. Mr W y br n COLONEL by Knigh K r f a ea 6 rs 1 s te e t o o c 0 t . . ou . s. B di y , 7 lb (G S v n ) ’ 8 E a s o THE t of a s 1 0 . w 7 . Mr M v n br n COLONEL by Knigh K r f a e rs 1 1 st te e s t o c a . . ou o . 1 2 . . B di , 7 y , lb (G S v n ) ’ 1 8 1 o P oulett s e THE AM Zo a e dam 7 . L rd gr y L B by u v by

A t rs. 1 1 st . . o as. r hur , 9 y , 5 lb (Mr Th m ) ’ 8 a t Machell s b a D S A C o ot o out 1 73. C p . y I TURB N E by C mm i n P 6 r 1 1 1h m s st . 1 f eachu . 1 . . o o . P lly , y , (Mr J M R c a so i h rd n . ) ’ 1 8 a t Machell s b a R G o s out o f Re e 74. C p . y EU NY by Min in t 1 e 6 rs 1 s . R c a so a c 0 . 2 . . . Bl n h , y . , lb (Mr J M i h rd n ) 2 1 4 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

’ 1 8 s s est AUS E Z R o o c . t 77 . Mr F . G . H b n h T RLIT by ataplan ou f i a rs 8 O t . e o . 1 0 s . w . Lu r , 5 y , lb ( n r ) ’ 1 8 8 o Ni hti n al l s ow F A ac a o 7 . Mr J hn g g br n SHI N L by S ch r ete t o f tess A r ou o s . 1 st 1 0 2 . m r C un my , 9 y , . lb o es (J . J n . ) ’ 1 01 Bletso e s o GRUDON O 9 . Mr B . br w n by ld Buck o ut f A s 1 1 rs 1 st A Ni hti n ll o . 0 . a . vi , y , ( . g g ) ’ 1 6 ce Hatz feldt s c est ASC C E As et c 90 . Prin h ETI SILV R by c i t of e a rs 1 0 st H ou . A . on . Silv r L dy , 9 y , 9 lb . ( . st s Ha ing . ) ’ 1 1 Assheton t s b a A 9 3. Sir C . Smi h y COVERT CO T by ac e o ut o f a o rs 1 1 st 6 1h H kl r Cinn m n , 7 y . , . . (P . a s W o o dl nd . )

I t is ' worthy o f note that n o t one of the abo ve when at the Stud produced a co lt o r filly that w o n

h o s can a o f t e Grand Nati nal . I t al o be s id the m a re s th at so far they have ye t to produce a hero o r o ss a a o a her ine of great renown , much le N ti n l winner . M o st of the oldest of living experts regard The Col o nel and The Lamb as the finest entrie s

o s o . o s o s s s of m dern hi t ry Both th e h r e , ingularly H o . o w en ugh , ended their careers in Germany

m a o sa e true it y be I cann t y, but when the Colon l left Engl and after hi s Liverpool defeat in 1 8 7 1 he w as used fo r I mperial Stud purp o ses ; so w as The

o a . Lamb , the only grey to score in the Grand Nati n l

o s o f w as e H wever , the Stud return how both quit in

a o e as o ch racter with other fam us National winn rs , fr m

o o e a s s The C l nel we never h rd of any great re ult , while The Lamb had a fatal fall in a steepl e chase

2 1 6 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

o an d to a his backed fav urite , was expected repe t

s s as n he great performance of the previou e o , when made all the runnings and won by forty lengths in

2 . s the then record time of 9 min . 3 g e c . The fall referred to not only caused him to be scratched , but

a sa created univers l di ppointment , and although

1 8 —1 6 . 1 8 handicapped at 3 st 3 lb . in 95 9 , he ran in

an d a neither year , his career in the N tional really

1 8 a a ended with his 93 popular and g ll nt Victory . So far the Liverpool record tell s us that no

o s horse has ever been thrice successful , but Cl i ter with the least bit of luck might have acco mpli shed that feat , as prior to his Victory, when carrying the

o s to o col urs of Lord Dudley, he was econd C me

1 8 1 1 8 2 Away in 9 , and in a like position in 9 , when

’ ! Father O Flyn n an d Captain Ro ddy Owe n cam e sailing home well ahead of him when in receipt of

1 2 no l e ss than 1 st . lb .

Ahd- e l - 1 8 0—1 8 I Of the double winners Kader , 5 5 ,

o owned by the late M r J oseph Osb rne , is the first o n record , his feat being sandwiched between the

1 8 —1 8 two successes of Peter Simple , 49 53, a bay horse by Patron even now oft confo unded with the grey Peter who e arned the sympathy o f all Lincoln shire on no fewer th an half- a - dozen successive o cca sions just prior to the bay Peter coming

s successfully o n the cene . The neare st the gre y

hi s si x w as 1 8 1 Peter got in attempts , firstly , in 4 , THE GRAND NATIONAL 2 1 7

when he ran third to Charity ; he w as in the same

a Ga lad position the next ye r to y , and second in

1 8 to 45 Cure All , who , like the grey Peter , hailed ’ fr o m the Fen country . The bay Peter s opening

! 1 8 victory was in 49 , the first time of asking . ’ - e l - H e ran in both Abd Kader s successful years , ’ and again was beaten in 1 8 5 2 ( Miss Mowbray s

1 8 year) , before scoring a second time in 53, finally breaking down badly in the off fore leg the next

s year, when Bourton was succes ful . The bay

o s o o s Peter theref re ran in seven uccessive Liverp l , just one more than the grey . To my way of thinking a grey in a steeplechase

a s n s always ttract great public interest , and the eare t ’ I can recall to The Lamb s dual victory in the

s o f o a hi tory the Liverpo l , apart from the alre dy

i s w ho 1 86 referred to Peter Simple , Fosco , in 3

o e s was f urth to Embl m , Sultana in a like po ition

1 8 to Austerlitz in 77, Downpatrick third to Empre ss

1 880 1 8 8 to Z o e do n e in and again fourth in 3 , and

1 1 lastly the French horse Trianon I I I , who in 9 4

un l ch w as second to S o .

And now fo r some brief remarks about the amateurs a nd pro fe ssionals who have gained much

h o a di stinction in t e N ati n l . ’ Fo r many years the famous T o m Oliver s thre e

o ut o f a s o f s wins nineteen , the l rge t number ride of

a o e ss o a c ase w as either am tuer or pr f i n l in the h , the 2 1 8 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

’ next best record to Stevens five successes out of ’ Pi c ke rn e ll o fifteen until Mr T . tied Oliver s rec rd

a s 1 8 60 1 8 1 an d with Am ti , , The Lamb , 7 , the ’ a 1 8 6 a e P thfinder , 7 . The L mb s success was for

o a t ld in a dre m .

s a d Per on lly , I do not believe in reams , but the

o o is e truth of the f ll wing incident , I believe , prov d

e P ul by d o cumentary evid nce . I n a dream Lord o e tt saw hi s o e a a a h rs , The L mb , win the Grand N tion l a se e Pic ke rn e ll s cond tim , with Mr in the addle .

! B e fo re the entrie s had cl o sed he wro te to Tommy

a to relating his dre m and engaging him ride .

o f a has o The gist th t letter often been qu ted , but

a n o w has a e a the origin l until never pp red in print . S upe rstiti o n s p e o ple may like to he ar of a no ther

o to e . s dream , which ccurred Fr d Webb Thi ,

o a o however , did not c ncern the Grand N ti nal (in which in 1 88 1 he had a m o unt on The Sco t a n d

s o o o a fini hed fifth when W dbro k won) , but more

o e — o f 1 8 tIm e imp rtant ev nt the Derby 73, the only he w as ever succe ssful in that race . When Webb arrived at Ep som on the M o nday before Derby

o s s a o f o Day he had no pr pect wh tever a m unt , but during the night he dre a mt th at he had won that

s at o e s . c nt t On the down exercise the next morning ,

o h wever, Robert Peck , casually meeting him , at

s s a o . once ecured his ervices , with Vict rious result ’ H arking b ack to the Grand National s winning

TH E GRAND NATI ONAL 2 1 9

Picke rn e ll riders , Mr Tommy Beasley , like Mr and

An tho m s Mr J . y, was thrice succes ful , twice in su ss o — o n 1 8 80 cce i n Empress in , and on Wood bro o k in 1 880 ; the third time was o n Frigate in

1 88 fi v e 9, after that mare had had failures . Of

o Ni hti n all s the pr fessionals , Arthur g g and Erne t Piggo tt so far are the o nly two to get on equal

s term with Tom Oliver . Of the amateur s and profe ssionals to have ridden tw o s o winner , it will be seen bel w th a t o nly Mr

. . so . . an d J M Richard n , Mr E P Wilson Mr Alex . o a a re o f o a n d o Go dm n the f rmer, J hnny P age a nd

e o s P rcy W odland of the latter . The best average ’ i s a a s s s th t of Mr Rich rd on two consecutive win ,

s a 1 8 1 8 Di turb nce , 73, and Reugny , 74, out of fo ur

! s e mount , if of cours the one ride one win o f

1 86 Captain H enry Coventry , Alcibiade , 5 , Mr

1 8 a nd Freddy Hobson , Austerlitz , 77, Lord

1 88 2 Manners , Seaman , , are not considered in thi s

s stati tical reckoning . The appended tabl e giv e s the winning and placing of the leading halfi- d o zen a mateurs and pro fessio nal s

AMATEURS

Wi n 2 n d 3rd Unplaced Total Pi ck ern ell T , Mr . 3 2 1 2 1 -7 eas e T B l y , Mr . 3 2 I 6 1 2 An t o R m . h . y, Mr J 3 4 7 I 4 R c a so . . 2 i h rd n , Mr J M 2 4

so E . . 2 Wil n , Mr P I 3 1 6 o o a A . 2 G dm n , Mr 7 1 1 2 20 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN

PROFESSIONALS

l/Vi n z a d grd Unplaced Total t e e s . 1 1 S v n , G 5 9 5 O e . 1 1 liv r , T 3 3 2 1 9 Ni hti n all A . 1 1 g g , 3 4 7 5 o tt E Pigg , . 3 2 7 1 2

a e . 2 I 1 1 1 P g , J 7 o l o a s . 2 1 I W d nd , P 7 O A wonderful feature of the Grand N a ti o nal is that almo st from the date o f its inception the name of Toph a m has figured at the head o f the

a e o a m nagement , the pr sent ffici ls E . and W . being

so o f o w ho a grand ns Mr Edward T pham , , we re d , s a ucceeded Mr Lynn , the origin l founder . At any rate praise has always and ju stly bee n given to ’ a s a o e s Aintree s ffair . What p et wrote some y ar a o a i s s t o add g of the grandf ther , it is plea ing , applicabl e to the grandsons

’ ’ Aro us d o nce mo re fro m w inter s n ap ’ A t e e s o to ui ck n i n sa s r e s r p nd q g p, ’ O fts sta t at a ff s ta r sp e ndthri r b ili p, The Muse re sume d he r lay : O To ph am gre at thro ugh all the land With c h ase intrin sically grand Undimmed by th at o f so uth band Your h and ’ ’ Again ti s Aintre e s day.

2 22 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN se a o f o s s u cond ye r the c nte t . The bays al o incl de

- l - c the s o f si x u e . Abd Kader , fir t the d al winn rs

The e o a a a ch stnuts , alth ugh numeric lly l rger th n the

o s n o a e a o a o f br wn , have du l winn r m ng their tot l s ixteen . The only dual grey winner was The

a — i s o a e L mb that , if he c uld be c ll d a grey, for he

a re lly had a beautiful black skin fle cke d with white . He ha l n o t whitened when he ra n hi s last rac e in England over the Droxford course prior to leaving fo r o his Germany , where , as menti ned elsewhere ,

a a - a e a c reer ended f tally at Baden B den . R g l and

a a are o Pl yf ir the nly two black winners . The ho rse that most frequently too k part in the ’ e re a e s Grand National was Manif sto . The g t h ro

e ca reer at Aintree is worthy of being recorded h e r .

a o his I ncident lly , it may be menti ned that skeleton is to be fo und in the Natural H istory Museum at

e Liv rpool . MANIFESTO AND HIS GRAND NATIONALS Year R i der Weight R esult Wi n n er 8 1 s Fo t Man o 1 95 K avan agh 1 t . 2 lb . ur h Wild fr m B o rn e o

8 1 st . e o a e 1 96 G ourlay 1 4 lb . F ll S r r esto 1 8 a 1 1 st . o n a 97 Kavan gh . 3 lb W M nif 1 898 Non - Starter Droghe da fe to 1 8 a so 1 2 st . . Wo n a s 99 G . Willi m n 7 lb M ni

1 st 1 A s I I . a so 2 . 1 900 G . Willi m n . 3 lb Third mbu h 1 901 Non - Starter Grudon E o tt 1 st 8 a o ass 2 . . 1 902 . Pigg lb Third Sh nn n L ill 1 t T i D c ee a so 2 s . . 1 903 G . W i m n 3 lb h rd rum r 1 ace Moifaa 1 t 1 b . 1 E ott 2 s . 904 . Pigg Unpl d

S m ar —Wo z o t 1 ace 2 o tal 8 u m y m ; Third , 3 ; F ur h , ; Unpl d , ; T , PEDIGREE AND COLOUR 2 23

a s w as a ba Man - o f M nife to , who y gelding by

W ar Vi ctia w as a out of Vae , seven ye rs old when

a 1 8 an d he m de his debut in the Liverpool in 95 , consequ e ntly was sixteen years old in his l ast effort

1 0 Z Mo ifaa . in 9 4, when the New ealander won ’ The nea rest to Manifesto s eight effo rts a re

e — sev n each Viz . The Liberator , Frigate , Game cock and Why Not—and a single run and winning effort al o ne rest with Gaylad Discount Wanderer Half C a ste S alam ander Austerlitz Seaman Come Away Drogh e da Shannon Las s Ere mo n Rubi o and Troytown BAYS

* I - - — ABD EL- KADER ( 1 850 1 851 ) by I shmael English Lass U — ALLY SLOPER ( 1 91 5) by Travelling Lad S ally in our

I Alley U ANATI S 1 860 Dan— o sto e ass Q ( ) by King J hn n L - — TBALLYMACAD ( 1 91 7) by Laveno B al lymacarn ey N — ’ BOURTON (1 854) by Drayto n Tri fle s dam w — CHARITY ( 1 841 ) by Wo o dman dam unknow n S 8 As et — II CLOI TER ( 1 93) by c ic Grace . l n —L w COME AWAY ( 1 891 ) by Cumbus a g arkaw ay

— O COVERT COAT (1 91 3) by H ackler Cinnamo n U — DISTURBANCE ( 1 873) by Co mmotio n Po lly P e achum N

DROGHEDA ( 1 898) by Cherry Rip e- Eglantine H D C 1 Asc et c— tc I RUM REE ( 903) by i W—i hing Ho ur U EMIGRANT ( 1 857) by Melbo urne Pandora N — EREMON (1 907) by Thurles Daisy H

J OTE —Tho se marked are double w inn ers w ar substitut s at a i N r e G tw ck . n m f ar n The figures i dicate the number o f ti e s o s t ti g. 2 2 4 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN ’ — FATHER O FLYNN ( 1 8 2) by Retreat K athleen 9 — FRIGATE ( 1 889) by Gunboat Fair Mai d of Ke nt AM C C 1 88 Re o e —dam t o ot G E O K ( 7) by v lv r— by Ligh f GAYLAD (1 842) by Brutan dorf dam unknow n — GLENSIDE ( 1 91 1 ) by St Gris Kilw imnit — GRUDON (1 901 ) by Old Buck —Avis HUNTSMAN (1 862) by Tupsley dam by Yo ung Augustus — JENKINSON (1 91 0) by Hackler Playmate a s ate — a JERRY M . ( 1 91 2) by W lm g dam by Lumin ry ’ — ’ LIBERATOR ( 1 879) by Dan O Conn ell Mary o To o l e 8 8 a es XII — et o t LITTLE CHARLEY ( 1 5 ) by Ch rl . P w r h * - - - — MANIFESTO ( 1 8 7 1 899) by Man o i War Vae Vi cti a 9 — MATTHEW ( 1 847) by Ve stri s dam unk now n — MISS MOWBRAY ( 1 852) by Lancasteri an N orm a — OLD JOE ( 1 886) by Barefoo t S pot — PATHFINDER ( 1 875) by Mogador dam unknow n ; * — PETER SIMPLE ( 1 849- 1 853) by Patr o n dam unkn ow n — PIONEER ( 1 846) by Advance dam unknow n * TP OETHLYN ( 1 91 8 1 91 9) by Rydal Head Fine Champagne — REUGNY (1 874) by Minos Re ine Blanche

- — SALAMANDER (1 866) by FIre Eater dam unknow n — SEAMAN ( 1 882 ) by Xenopho n Lena Rivers SHAUN SPADAH ( 1 92 1 ) by E aster Priz e out of Rusi alka by Bushey Park — SHIFNAL ( 1 878) by Sacch aro meter Co untess Amy THE a —dam a SOARER , by Skyl rk by Lurg n — S UNLOCH (1 91 4) by Sun dorn e Gral l och — VANGUARD (1 843) by Old Advance —dam unknow n TVE RMOUTH ( 1 91 6) by B arcaldail e dam by Bush ey Park — WANDERER 1 855) by Verul am dam unkno w n ( — WHY NOT ( 1 894) by Castlereagh Tw itter

CHESTNUTS — ALCIBIADE (1 865) by Cossack Aunt Phill is — ASCETIC SILVER ( 1 906) by Asc etic Silver Lady — AUSTE RLITz (1 877) by R ataplan Lui ra

226 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

IRON - GREY

* THE LAMB ( 1 868- 1 871 ) by Zo uave- dam by Arthur

UNKNOWN COLOUR — JERRY 1 840) by Catterick dam unknow n ( — CUREALL ( 1 845) by Physician dam unknown C H APTE R XII

THE NATIONAL H UNT STEEPLECHASE

S a preface to a complete list o f winning

o wners , riders , and the heroes and heroines

a e of the N tional Hunt St eplechase , it may b e intere sting to record the fact that thi s long p o pul a r ev e nt w as origin a ted by a party o f n o ble me n o f and gentlemen who , at the end the fifties , found that the J o ckey Club had neither time n o r d e sire to shape their rules to fit hurdle and steeple

as It o ch ing . therefore became necessary to f rm a similar guardianship solely to take over the

a o ur m nagement of jumping affairs . Stee plechasing at that time had sunk to a lo w

the s , a level , but Situation was at once aved by th t

e e - - be - o o s s n v r to forg tten go d port man , Mr B . J . ! ! o r e as w as a e Ch rry Angell , he lways referr d

to his s . a s o by friend As was anticip ted , thi m ve m ade by Mr Angel] quickly found a fo ll o wing

o f . o n o t the right sort There , h wever , are many living w ho can recall that great se t - o ff in 1 860 at

a o o s M F rnd n , about a mile and a half ut ide arket

s w as e c o H arbo ro ugh . Thi d ided ver four mile s of a beautiful hunting c o untry thro ugh which ran 2 2 7 2 28 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN

its se t a natural brook which , if width did not

at the notorious Skittles defiance , brought many of the Opposite sex to grief when taking part in

a - s the gre t contest . The thirty one starter here

s o 1 1 1 con tituted a rec rd until 9 , when , at the pre

a sent Cheltenh m home , it was broken with the seven and thirty that fo llowed in the rear o f Sir

a Gri sse ll H lbert , who belonged to Captain Frank , th an old 9 Lancer amateur steeplechase rider . ’ I t is singular that among Sir Halbert s backers

s o f was the Earl of Coventry , now Pre ident the

his o New Club at Cheltenham ; moreover, l rdship w as one of the above - mentioned party o f noble men a n d gentlem e n to flock round Mr Angel] in

a the fo rmation of our N tional Hunt Committee . Among others in that party were Lord s We st l Po u e tt o . morland , , Suff lk , Grey de Wilton , Sir F

! o e o f J hnstone , Captain J os y Little Chandler

a o e f me , Captain H enry C ventry , Mr Georg Payne ,

a Mr W . G . Craven , Mr A . Sumner , Mr C . C rew ,

s a . o and last but not lea t , Lord Ch plin C ncerning

- are o the last mentioned , few aware that when kn wn

! ! as the Squire of Blankney his lordship suc c e e de d in placing his name thrice as the winner of the National H unt Steeplechase : first with his Emperor, M r A . Goodman , at Wetherby

1 86 . a in 5 ; another called Emperor I I I , Capt in ’ o at 1 86 s H enry C ventry , Bedford in 7 , Hermit

230 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN w ho s e 1 886 a o ut as i ts ucce ded in at Malton , st nds

e a a i ts a s s sol Gr nd Nation l hero . I n e rlie t of year ,

o o the h wever, Bridegroom came very near to d ing

a 1 860 trick ; for after winning the Nation l Hunt in ,

s a he fini hed fourth to J ealousy in the following ye r ,

Fitz Adams an s e being ridden by Mr , a sumed nam

a e . for Mr H . Blundell , relativ of Mr Burton I n

1 86 2 a , with what they then called Young Ben L nd

w as s a in the saddle , there only the winner Hunt m n

s ma to to p the way . I t y not be generally known tha t it w as in the Aintree event th at Bridegro o m ran unpl a ced in 1 860 befo re making succe ssfully all the u e a e r nning in the N a tion al Hunt Stee pl ch s .

a a n At Liverpool he was the mount of Mr Ek rd , as a Re v sumed n me for none other than the . Mr ’ a s n o t Edward Drake , Mr Burton s weight did

e p rmit the mount at Aintree .

s sa e But as the Rev . Cecil Legard u ed to y wh n talking o f his own earliest Of steeplechas e s addle

! s a w as e o o day , O f course th t befor I t ok H ly

! s o s Orders , and uch was no d ubt the ame with Parso n Drake and his 1 860 Grand N a tional mount o n Bridegroom .

In s a o the National H unt list of winner , M j r ’ Tempe st s n ame is se e n again st the N ati o n al Hunt

e a t s o as far a as 1 8 w e h ro Pickles Bri t l , b ck 73, h n he defe ated M r Arthur Yate s a head o n Cardiga n

- n o after as gra nd a se t to as o e c uld wish to witness . THE NAT IONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE 231

With r e ference to the lov e of military amateurs

a a for the N tion l Hunt Steeplechase , no even Short review of the history of that chase would be com ple te without reference to the successful doings of ! a i Capt in Arthur , or Dog e , Smith , as he is more fa miliarly c alled by his many yet admiring friends . Captain Smith for riding winners o f the National Hunt Steeplechase goes very near the great record o f the a l te Mr E . P . Wilson , who is credited with

five wins , all of which , curiously enough , were won o n o - a - o s o e e f ur ye r ld , l ng since d barr d from taking ’ a e s pl ce in the contest . Of Mr Wilson s five victori

o : f ur were successive Pride of Prussia , Four Oaks

1 8 8 1 1 88 2 Park , ; Llantarnam , Derby , , in which

a Frigate made her debut in Engl nd ; Satellite ,

1 88 s 1 88 e Melton , 3 ; and Equity , Leice ter , 4 ; th se 8 e e a 1 . w r preceded by The Bear , Cottenh m , 77 But C apt a in Smith runs this gr e at score very cl o s e with four win s at much wider interval s : Game

e 1 86 a o 1 8 1 Chick n , Melton , 4 ; Daybre k , Burt n , 7 ;

Luc e llum s 1 8 , Ayle bury , 74 ; and New Glasgow ,

e 1 88 s o 0 . Liv rpool , I n the la t , h wever, only three

se ran the s a a hor s , m llest field ever to take p rt in

h i ts t e . chase I n movable days , curiously enough , that w as the only time the Hunt Committee p a id

s a vi it to Aintree . I t is further recorded of Captain S mith that the New Glasgow win was not scored ’ r fiv e without a fall . One of M Wilson s also was not 232 SOLDIER AND S PORTSMAN

to attained with o ut grief. Allusion here is made

fa Satellite at Melton , where he won after a ll and a desperate race , finishing on a broken saddle . The various vicissitudes of the National H unt are fully mentioned in the appended table , but all these ch a nges have long since a ppeared a thing of the past . The Grand Military permanently pitched their camp at Sandown in 1 887 ; the N a tional H unt Committee since 1 9 1 1 have become more than wedded to Cheltenham .

N L HU T STE EPLCHASE THE ATIONA N N o . 0; Starte rs ’ - — l r . A s . a et a o o M . e 1 860 M rk H rb r ugh B J ng l b . g by Smal lho es a e dam a e B o out of p , g d , by Ch rl y y

e a st . to . o e 1 2 E . . S v r ign L dy , (Mr C Bur n ) — ’ a et a o o - Mr A e s E S 1 861 M rk H rb r ugh B . J . ng ll QU EN F e ree o rs st . 1 2 E w . ERRY , p dig unkn n , 5 y , (Mr . C .

Burton . ) ’ — r Fitz l ak er 5 br In 1 862 Rugby M O d . . FIDGET by Priz e

a e s Mr . te 1 2 t . . . w o t figh r , g d , 7 lb ( Skip r h — J - Hon F a et a o o . a te a s o 1 863 M rk H rb r ugh . ( f rw rd L rd) Cal ’

o e s c . C o n a R t h. t a e a e h rp g SO KS by C n ugh ng r , g d ,

st 1 0 . A o o a . 1 2 . lb (Mr . G dm n ) 5 ’ 1 e —Mr e e s c H 8 to . M C 6 h. . 4 M l n T B hr n h GA E C I KEN , pedi ee ow a e 1 2 st a t A . . t . 8 gr unkn n , g d , 7 lb (C p . . Smi h ) 2 ’

et e . n ow o a s c W h rby Mr H ( L rd) Ch plin h. g . EM O e s dam Reco b a e PEROR by rph u , by rd , h . . , g d ,

1 2 st 1 0 A o o an . . lb . (Mr . G dm ) ’ e e—Mr t s 1 86 e E . G R 6 Cr w k rn S udd b . h . SHAN A RY by o esso dam eat ea t b s 1 s . . r 2 t C nf r , by Gr h r , h , 5 y , . A o a o . (Mr . G dm n ) ’

1 86 e o . n ow o a n s 7 B df rd Mr H ( L rd) Ch pli b . g .

EM III . oc Ro n dam Reco PEROR by C k bi , by rd , 6 rs 1 s 6 a t e . 2 t . . o nt . y , lb (C p . H . C v ry )

2 34 SOLD IER AND SPORTSMAN

’ 1 881 o O a s a —Mr Ta ot s D F F ur k P rk lb b . g . PRI E O SS A o c e t f e s w o u o w c r . PRU I by Cr n Prin Ship r k , 4 y , 1 s 0 t . 1 0 . E . . s lb (Mr P Wil o n . ) ’ 1 88 — 2 e Mr . I D . e M . A A s C . rby W H P . J nkin h LLANT RN by ’ ac Cat o ut o f o e s t . n dam rs. 1 0 s Bl k C lumbi , 4 y ,

1 E . 0 . i s o . lb (Mr P . W l n ) ’ 1 88 e to —Mr Tri n E . tto s C 3 M l n h. g . SATELLITE by e te d m e o l e 0 . a e a a rs. 1 0 st . 1 Sid r li , by G n r l S , 4 y , lb s (Mr E . P . Wil o n . ) ’ 1 88 - R e ceste Mr . o et S ch. E e 4 L i r H w t f . Q UITY by Vand r ec e o ut o f D ess f E c o rs 1 0 st . d k n u h dinburgh , 4 y . ,

I O . E W lb (Mr . P . ilson . ) ’ 1 88 co — r a s M S M c In . AD T h. 5 Lin ln S urin . L Y TE PE by t f I o a ou o eet s 1 t . t n r . 2 s 1 . ng m r Sh Ligh ni g , 5 y , lb

eas e . (Mr W . B l y ) ’ 1 886 — r al to D . M . Y a e s . H NOT M n J J rdin b . g W by ast e e a o ut f w tte 1 o rs. 2 st . . C l r gh T i r , 5 y , 5 lb (Mr

C . J . Cunningh am . ) ’ 1 88 D e — a o e se - s 5 S 7 rby M j r M y y Th omp on ch. g . MONK D cas o ut f A ess 6 rs 1 st 1 0 o . 2 . HOO by Un bb , y lb .

t O . a E R . e (C p . . w n ) ’ 1 888 a o — E a s o e se S nd w n Park Mr . J y (L rd G r y) GLEN c e l e f a D h. . a o ut o a t o e THORPE g by Gl nd L dy n h rp , rs 1 t I H t . 0 s . O . on . . a o 4 y , lb ( J L mb n . ) ’ 1 88 a f —Mr R s NAP N sb ur . o o s . 9 C rdi f B b n b g . by ap y ut f t s o o a o r . 1 0 st . 1 0 . . L dy Lin n , 4 y , lb (Mr C

Th o mp so n . ) ’ 1 8 0 I e—Mr A I SFA t s . . 9 rvin T . G . r hur b h NNI IL by Ro st ev o o ut of a o ee rs. 1 2 st . 1 . r r M v urn n , 5 y lb

’ 8 1 st a —Mr S IM 1 O c . 9 Hur P rk W . L W h g . PEYAN by te out o f t e e r st I a s. 1 0 . O . S rling K hl n , 4 y , lb a e (Mr Cr w l y . ’ 8 e — r 2 D M . a o s br R A B C b 1 9 rby T C nn n . g . OY L U K y E a the o fess f r w o o ut o nte o e s . d rd C n r l p , 5 y ,

1 s 1 . Y e . 2 t . lb (Mr o rk A ’ 1 8 — b an o a a t . a e S AN D G 93 S d wn P rk C p Cr w l y . g V ER BER TH E NATI ONAL HUNT STEEPLECHASE 2 35

D tc ate o ut o f Yurata a e 1 2 st . 1 0 . by u h Sk r , g d , lb

e . (Sir C . Slad ) 1 D — s h PHI LACTE RY P ilam 8 e cott c . . h 94 rby Sir S . S g by

m o n out o f E a e 6 rs. 1 2 st . 1 . a o l in , y , lb (M j r

Ricardo . ) ’ — - - r A o s FI N MA II . 1 895 Sandow n Park M J . rn ld COUL l a a dam o t a o rs ch. a g , by B lin f d , by L h ri , 5 y

1 t 1 . t s . s . A n o 2 . lb . (Mr F B ki n ) — bb ’ S S s . 8 r . . DG A 1 96 Hurst Park M C P hru b g . LU ER H LL tee t f a a oc rs 1 st 1 a ou o a . 2 . . by Priv r L dy C r d , 5 y , lb

. R e . (Mr H M . ipl y ) — B i ’ N a e e e ssere s . N D 1 897 e w m rk t Vicomt d u ch. g OR f L 1 O S u e rs st . a o t o a a . 0 UE T by G min V gu , 4 y ,

1 o a . 0 lb . (M . M r nd ) ’ - r F a RE c M . s s . A AM C t . 1 898 Gatw i k P . Ly gh b g L SH RO K e f 1 t se a e De a rs. 0 s o out o E . by Primr L gu rin r , 4 y

1 0 E . . lb . (Mr P . Grundy ) ’ s — a a e s n o o 1 899 Hur t Park Mr W . H ll W lk r ( w L rd e e Gl e v u f Wavertr . ) GLEN ROYAL by n an n on o t o

Ro al N a a rs 1 st 1 e ss . . 2 . . . u o 2 2 y i d , 5 y , lb (Mr J F rg n ) ’ 1 e a —M B B O S a 00 o r a en s . . O t t 9 K mpt n P rk T . yd b g by S r f t o o ut o Da rs 1 s 1h A . I O w . 2 . 1 . . . o o f rd n , 5 y , (M G rd n ) ’ 1 01 e to —Mr a c a a e s A 9 M l n B r l y W lk r b . g . FRI R JOHN by s t c f ss 1 1 ce t . . A o ut A e rs. s o 2 . i Mi nn , 5 y , lb (Mr H

Sidney . ) ’ 1 0 a —MI HAR 2 c . . a e 8 b A SSA w r . 9 W r i k J J M h r . g M RPE M ut f c o o e a Xe o o rs. 1 2 st . ITON Gr i n by n ph n , 5 y ,

I e s . lb . (Mr H . S . P r se ) ’ 1 0 a —Mr F c . s M tte w . 9 3 W r i k F Bibby b g . CO IT by Bu r scot dam l r 1 c C an o al rs 1 st . n d 2 . h , by , 5 y , lb

a t . . s. (C p R H . Colli ) ’ 1 0 e te a - Mr W P bri e TM . ar s . . 9 4 Ch l nh m B . dg bl g I OTHY

S ot out of e c ce 6 rs 1 2 st . TITU by Tim hy Pr ipi , y ,

1 0 . I o A lb (Mr v r nthony . ) ’ 1 0 e te —é M SS F I ha r D 5 h D I . a e c . . M 9 5 Ch l n m . F b r m I CLI EN ’ Fi z lif s t C den out of z e s dam a e I O t . by King Fur , g d , 1 2 R e lb . (Mr H . M . ipl y . ) 2 36 SOLD I ER AND SPORTSMAN — ’ 1 6 a r arte s . F S c . R 90 W rw ick M W . Ch r h g COUNT U U t o f Af r e se o ut o ab a I z st . . by Wi C un y, g d , 3 lb (Mr

A o . . Gord n ) — ’ 0 a r t s ch. R D H . a a . 1 9 7 W rw ick M H . G F rr n g E ALL by in kfi el a a o a e 1 s lb O d d m 2 t . . e . W , by C ir , g d , 3 ( w n r ) ’ 8 — L k s 0 a c t . a c R co h. . 1 9 W rw i k C ap . J . F y c g ORY ’ O MOORE Ro a eat out of a al e a e by y l M h V nd , g d , t e st . a . 1 2 . 3 lb . (Mr P Whi k r ) ’ 1 0 a — r R a t t s C D c M . . 9 9 W rw i k C r w righ b g . WY HWOO t f ix i e e e u D ann a st 1b . o o o 2 . by Sir M dr d , g d , 1 3 R t o e s. (Mr P . b r ) — ’ a w Mr E e a s . N M A t c . 1 91 0 W r ick . P . S inm n h m I BLE K TE S e a e s m t c a t . o o da 1 2 . by M ri n , by Mi h l , g d , 3 lb

Ro e ts. (Mr P. b r ) ’ 1 1 e — t Gris e s r e a an s ll b . . 9 1 Ch lt nham C p . Fr k g SIR f L ac e o ut o D c ess I I . a e HA BERT by H kl r u h , g d ,

1 st A t . 2 . 3 lb . (Mr . Smi h ) — ’ 1 e r t s E I . e M E at TH R C D . 1 t n a . 9 2 Ch l h m . Pl EJE TE V b g f t e 1 t o ssa t out o at e e a 2 s . . by T u n K i H rmi , g d , 3 lb

tt . . E o o (Mr G . C n ) ’ — ANS F L e e e br . KR 1 t a a t . . Yat s UG 1 9 3 Ch l nh m C p S . g by sse s dam ll e out of t t Mi l Thru h , by Gu iv r Bir hrigh , R t MI . a . a e s . . g d , 1 2 ( H H ll ) ’ — I H al co s s b AR D e e a M o . 1 91 4 Ch lt nh m . F. M m n . g W UKE te out of ar a e st W 1 2 . . by S rling Bird , g d , 3 lb s e (Mr H . U h r . ) — i ’ v s . . 1 1 e e a . . I 9 5 Ch lt nh am M j or ] H gr g MARTIAL V . e t f a est a e 1 s a est o ou o 2 t . . by H rv M n y M j y , g d , 3 lb

(Ow n er . ) Fro m 1 91 6 to 1 91 9 inclusive n o race o w ing to the A e w r lli s a . ’ — r D a s D MM e te a M . . 1 920 Ch l nh m J . ly b g PRU HO E by f e e rs 1 t P t o c . 2 s am ou . . Prud n , 5 y , 3 lb (Mr C . z Brab a on . ) ’ a — H h e te Mr . ow s c G 1 921 Ch l nh m Br n . g . BU LER by e a o f a e o e a s ut o s e 1 2 t . . Fugl m n M ri L ui , g d , 3 lb a t B onnet (C p . . )

238 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN call at Aintree the year Co rto lv i n won for the

a o f a l te Duke H milton . Singularly enough , King

u a at Arth r belonged to M jor General Brabazon , the time of writing the olde s t living Winning

a is owner of the Gr nd Military Gold Cup . H e ye t pro ud to tell of the tall pedigree that so n of

an d s The Cure Miss Agnes po sessed , and very

t e o f justly so , seeing that Polly Agnes , h dam ’ s Lily Agnes , was King Arthur own Sister , and ’ Lily Agnes alliance with Bend Or produced the mighty Ormonde . I n chases like the Grand Military o n e d o e s n o t

s its s expect to find high classed sire among winner , but in the ho rses figuring in the li st b e lo w there is a — h appy sequ e nce wo rthy of menti o n Lady S he rw e ll

o 1 8 a 1 886 by Oxf rd in 75 , Stand rd by Sterling in ,

s 8 8 o o 1 . a and C unty Council by I on my in 9 Ag in , if its li st o f winners never contained a Liverpo o l

e o r o sa a o h ro her ine , it may be id th t either bef re or subsequ e nt to their victorie s at Aintre e such

a n d us I I o s s o . h rse as Cloi ter , the S arer Amb h

o had been defeated in the Military G ld Cup .

o s s s a t Few living can recall two cca ion , fir t

s 1 8 1 an d at u 1 8 2 Wind or in 7 , then R gby in 7 , when actually a Grand Prix de Pari s winner in Fervacque s

w as the . e w as in M ilitary fighting H e , howev r , a

a fo r at so a Ma e n n is f ilure , Wind r with C ptain g up he

u e o the o f o o an d the j mp d right Int middle the br k , GRAND M I LITARY STEEPLECHASE 239 next year did no better in the hands of C aptain

s th Wentworth H ope John ton e at Rugby . Later in e seas o n he gave us a bit of his old form on the flat at ’ Ascot by winning the Visitors Handicap , although in the Queen Plate he made no fight of it with

risande Co and Dutch Skater . But Fervacques was not Captain H ope Johnstone ’s only Grand Prix

s a sociation in the chief military steeplechase , for the second of his three wins was landed for the present V iscount Downe on Earl Marshall , who was a so n o f The Earl w ho w o n the Paris Grand

1 868 Prix in . H e , like Fervacques the year pre v i o usl s y, was ridden by Fordham , who , the record

sa - y, won by a nose after a dead heat with

Patricien . Of these two Grand Prix winners ,

The Earl by Young Melborne , it will be remem bered , played no mean part in connection with

! 1 8 8 the S pider and the Fly 6 classic scandal .

ma I t y be added that , after winning the Grand

a e Prix , Ferv cques some three weeks later cam over to E ngland and w o n the Northumberl a nd

s Plate , a race in which his ire Underhand had

e been thrice in succ ssion successful . All the a b o ve is here given because some of the m o dern sch o ol are apt to think the horses of the Gra nd Military were nearly all of the hunter and ch arger type .

M e nti o n has be e n made a b o ve o f M aj o r - General 240 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

Brabazon being the o ldest winning o wner o f the

CO1. Gold Cup with King Arthur , ridden by Knox , a . . o o s who , like M jor W H J hnst ne and Major Hughe

s i ts e Onslow , tand out with three wins each as r cord

o f i riders . This trio celebr i t es Is no w o f the

, Great B eyond . Colonel Harford , who rode King Arthur when he was favourite for the Grand

o s to Nati nal , is not the olde t living officer have a mount in the Go ld Cup ; that distinctio n is

o 1 86 1 p ssessed by Major Tempest . I n , when

s w as o the cha e decided at Cheltenham , Maj r

s s s Tempe t had only the Hon . F . G . Elli on Inni

to s e s w as um killing top the way . Major Temp t

u a o l cky with his Gr nd Military , and m re so with

o s ss his Grand National m unt , but if he mi ed

s o hi s both these , there was some compen ati n in ju st d e feating Mr Arthur Yates o n Cardigan in

s o the National H unt o n Pickle at Brist l . I n co nclusion it may be added that the late Maj o r Roddy Owen is the only military rider to be the o credited with a victory in Liverpo l , the

a a National Hunt and Gr nd Milit ry Gold Cup . That gallant rider w as o n the back of Father ’ O Fl n n 1 8 2 y when he won the Liverpool in 9 , the Grand Military fell to his share on St Cro ss in

1 88 1 88 9, and he won the National Hunt of 7 for

- Colonel Mey sey Thompso n on Monkshood . Appended i s a full li st o f Gold Cup winners

242 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN

’ ’ 86 R — a or omb ell s L S F 1 M . W w ch 4 ugby j F BEL LI E . g . by t 6 rs 1 2 st 1 0 a t A w o . . t . Hur r h , y , lb . (C p . . Smi h ) ’ 1 86 R —Mr te e so s C s e 5 ugby S v n n GLEN AIRN by Kingfi h r , s 1 st O e 6 2 . r . w y . ( n r ’ 8 — l o s I S D 66 a c Co . b r e 1 W rw i k Kn x RON I E . g . by Dfiance

o ut o f E o s st C l o . 1 o . mul u , 3 . ( Kn x ) 1 86 e o o —Mr eo e a e A HO 7 Liv rp l G rg n m d T LLY b . g . by e A a dam l a o w a e 1 st . C m y , by Wi lingh m , g d , 2

(Mr Gerard . ) ’ - t n o G B 868 R a . a o n a az o 5 b 1 w e . r ugby C p ( M j r ) r b n . g . G A The e o ut o f ss A es KIN RTHUR by Cur Mi gn ,

l . 1 st Co . o 6 rs. . y , 3 ( Kn x ) ’ 6 — t o e a s M R a . 8 . T 1 9 ugby C p C l m n JURY AN bl g . by he ’ f s o o e out o ow e dam . C r n r Fl r Girl (Mr Pritch ard . ) ’ 1 8 0 R — o ar es I es- e s KNOCKANY br 7 ugby L rd Ch l nn K r . g . 6 rs st ol o . C . e ee w 1 2 . . o p digr unkn n , y , ( Kn x ) ’ — r R Ra s ch D N 8 1 so M . . 1 . F 7 Wind r . H y g O ATO by an ’ a o dam Y o a e o ot out of a e s d ng , by ung B r f L wy r

dam a e 1 2 st . tc a . , g d , (Mr Pri h rd ) ’ — s R a o e . A E L 1 872 ugby M j r Byrn b . h CH RL VI LE by — o e e des I es a a e a ce a e T nn rr nd Cz rin (br d in Fr n ) , g d ,

1 st . ow e ! 3 . (Mr H Br n ) ’ R —Mr e o a w e s ch REVI RES A 1 . C T 873 ugby H r n M x ll . g by o n dam n o e s ee w a 1 2 t . 1 0 Ch rful H r , u kn n , g d , lb.

o sto e . (Mr W . H . J hn n ) ’ — Ra 5 br A R a t . . A O N 1 874 ugby C p . y h M RIE NT I E by Fitz a i ato out o f st a a Lanerco st 6 rs Gl d r Chri i n by , y . ,

t Col a o . z s . I . ( H rf rd ) ’ —Col e s D R . A SHER . WE L 1 875 ugby . Byrn b m L Y L by O o out of De a at o a e 1 2 st xf rd f m i n , g d, . (Mr W . H .

Johnstone . ) ’ — i s e s V . o . 1 876 Rugby D w n b h . EARL MARSHALL by The E out of Fran i an a rs s a . 1 2 t I O rl g p , 5 y . lb. (Mr

o sto e . W . H . J hn n ) — ’ A. 8 a t . a et b 1 877 S andow n C p P g r. h . CHILBLAIN by ost out of ran Duc ess ac a e 1 2 st . J k Fr G d h , g d , 7 lb .

. or s. (Mr W . B M ri ) GRAND MI LITARY STEEPLECHASE 2 43

’ 1 8 8 — a . . s r. 7 S andow n C pt A Paget b h . CHILBLAIN by ac o st o ut f a D ssa 1 st o c e . . J k Fr Gr nd u h , 3 7 lb o s (Mr W . B . M rri . ) ’ 8 a — r P S o . e A 1 w M H . . 79 S nd n nning , b g BOYNE W TER by l f a o out o a a e st a t a . 1 . S n Lyr , g d , 3 (Mr H r ig n 9 ’ 1 880 R — r al bi s c YMRW B en ev en i M . . D a h . C ugby H S . g by ’ o ut of Taf s a e a ce a e 1 1 st fy d rn (br d in Fr n ) , g d , .

O e . 7 lb . ( w n r ) ’ 1 88 1 a o —Mr F a o s E A w . . S nd n W ldr n b m . LOB LI by St o a ut o f s e t o Ge l us 6 rs 1 st o t o o 2 . Fl ri n Si r g , y , 1b Le e a e . 3 . (Mr B rb r ) ’ 1 882 a o — D C o e s . S nd w n L rd M ann r b . g LOR CHAN ELLOR T e a f 6 rs 1 st h w e out o a a . . . by L y r F ir Pl y , y , 3 7 lb e (Ow n r . ) ’ 1 88 a o — l s F o Co . b d 3 S nd w n Murray . h . BEAU ORT by L r f 1 s L Ro al o ut o e a a e 2 t . . e e n d Br d , g d , 7 lb (Mr

B arber . ) ’ 1 88 a - s A A ate a o a o e . 4 S nd w n M j r Tidw ll b g . L RV (l P ddy f ca o ut of a c o ess Ro se rs Gri fy) by Vul n M r hi n , 5 y ,

1 st - 1 . . Mr oc . 7 lb ( J . Burn Murd h ) ’ 1 88 es — S e D b . N a A a . e C 5 yl bury C pt Child g . S OR by Kyrl ly f o ut o D 1 st A a to . s a a e 2 . . i d in , g d , 7 lb . (Mr B r n ) 3 ’ 1 886 A e s ot —a t e s b r D D ld r h C p . Child . h . STAN AR by f s te out o t ate a e 1 2 t . S rling S r gy, g d , . 7 lb . (Mr T e H on . ) ’ 1 88 an o — a t s e s D SMA w . 7 S d n C p . Fi h r b h . ALE N by e t e 6 s 1 s . a c c out of a ce t r . 1 B u l r L dy Milli n , y , e (Ow n r . ) 1 888 a ow —Mr e kS b B A w c . . S nd n H . T . F n i f ERTH by Sky a out of A s st es a e e r . 1 1 . l rk nn b ll , 4 y , (Mr Hugh s On low . ’ 88 a o —M A s ST SS 1 w r e a de . . 9 S nd n B . l x n r b h CRO by

s f 1 1 st a t E . R . t o ut o e a 6 rs . . Qui V r , y , (C p O e w n . ) ’ — A 8 AD A a . S ndow n Lord nn aly ch. f L Y SAR H by

Ae o a t o ut o f a Harkfi eld rs. 1 0 st . r n u L dy , 4 y ,

a t tt e . 7 lb . (C p . Li l ) 2 44 SOLDI ER AND SPORTSMAN — ’ 1 8 1 A E ta e s . G t . a ow a . . 9 S nd n C p . Whi k r b h HOLLIN TON f s 1 s t . a ca e out o et r . 0 . by B r ldin Junk , 4 , 7 lb

a t a to . y (C p . C . L mb n ) — ’ 1 A E a e s . O RM D 8 a o t t ch. a . . 92 S nd w n C p . Whi k r g ERO E w a the o esso out o f a a ew by d rd C nf r L dy C r , i B k e . 1 st . t e c rs . 0 . a . w 4 y , 7 lb (C p ) ’ 1 — r e s DS M 8 an o . . 93 S dow n M H . L . P w ll b g MI HIP ITE o e o dam New Osw est out o f ss by T rp d , by ry Mi

- ott a e 1 st . a o oc . Pigg , g d , 3 . 7 lb (M j r Burn Murd h ) 7 ’ 8 — e s ZE i en 1 a t . . . SOP Ch 94 S ndow n Cap . M Hugh b g by pp s 8 e f F e 1 1 t 1 2 a e . a o ut o a e a . . d l bl , g d , lb (Sir C . Sl d ) ’ — - 1 895 Sandow n Mr Eustace Lo der s FIELD MARSHAL by f e 1 st o e st e out o Ro e Ga n e a 2 . B rd r Min r l ug q , g d , t . a aw e . 3 lb (C p . Cr l y ) ’ 1 8 — O - E s N 6 a o a t . w . . 9 S nd w n C p . J rr ing b m ELLY GRAY f 1 t B en att e o ut o eace a e 1 s . . by B l P , g d , 7 lb

D a e . (Mr . M . G . C mpb ll ) — ’ 1 8 l o s . . A a o o . 97 S nd w n C G . H . G ugh b m P RAPLUIE

t . f rs 1 1 s . e o ut o a a e 6 . by Juggl r P r bl , y , 7 lb r D M . . a e ( . M G C mpb ll . ) ’ 1 8 8 o — 5 C C L a a o e c c . 9 S nd w n M j r F nw i k h. h OUNTY COUN I

I so o out of a e a e 1 1 st . . by n my L dy P ggy , g d , 7 lb a o es O s (M j r Hugh n low . ) ’ — l s b LAMBAY 1 8 a o a t a Thri e and . . 99 S nd w n C p . Murr y p m

Ro a eat out of Lambthor e 6 rs 1 2 st . by y l M h p , y , e (Ow n r . ) From 1 900 to 1 902 inclusive n o race ow ing to S outh A ar frican W . — ’ s br . 1 903 S andow n M aj or Eustace Lo der . g MARPESSA

t f e Xe o o 6 rs. by M armi o n out o Gr cian by n ph n , y ,

1 st a es O s ow . 2 . 7 lb . (M j or Hugh n l ) ’ 1 0 a o —Mr E asse s D 9 4 S nd w n H . . Br y UNBOYNE by o ui dune o ut o f o e rs. 1 1 st . a Q C nni , 5 y , (M j r

’ — - Z 1 0 a ow Rea A a to 5 ch. . R 9 5 S nd n r d. L mb n h UY LOPE s t Simon tault out o f o c e rs. 1 1 t . a . by M u h , 5 y , (C p t S ackp ole . )

GRAND MI LITARY STEEPLECHASE 2 45

’ 1 6 —Mr R F E e s R Z 0 a ch. . 9 S ndow n . . yr g OYAL BLA E Ro al E c e o ut f e c t 6 rs 1 2 st a o a . by y x h ng S r hligh , y . , D a t . e . (C p . L S . nny ) ’ 1 —Mr B e i k S r br LD 0 a o C . c e . o . . O 9 7 S nd w n w b . g FAIRY S e f e rs 1 st ac o ut o c . 2 HOU E by H kl r Cir , 5 y , .

(Ow ner . ) ’ 1 08 — t a te s S a o a . . 9 S nd w n C p G . P yn r b g. MOUNT PRO ’ F G S St s o ut o f a e s E T FORTUNE by Gri L dy Child r ,

6 rs 1 st . y . 3 — ’ 1 0 a o Mr E st e e s . 9 9 S nd w n . Chri i Mill r b g . SPRINKLE

ME e e st . Ra al o dam ac a 1 2 . by p l , by H kl r , g d , 3 lb

a t . a . (C p C . W . B nbury ) ’ 1 1 0 — s e - e S a o E t . a t . S 9 S nd w n C p . . Chri i Mill r b g PRINKLE 1 st E R a ac e a e . M a o dam 2 . by p ll , by H kl r , g d , 7 lb

a t . a . (C p C . W . B nbury ) — ‘ ’ 1 91 1 Sandow n Mr Dermo t M Cal mo n t s VINEGAR HILL r br St a out o f oe a 6 rs . o A b . h . by id n Ph nix P rk , y 1 st 1 . ’ 1 1 2 a o — E s br A Hon . n a . . 9 S nd w n . . H Wy dh m g NOTHER ’ D G e e a o s out of A e s De t ELI HT by G n r l Sym n nni ligh , a e 1 s O e 2 t . . w . g d , 7 lb ( n r ) ’ 1 1 a o w —Ho n E a s br A 9 3 S nd n . . H . Wyndh m . g . NOTHER ’ D G e e a o s out o f An e s De t ELI HT by G n r l Sym n ni ligh , a e 1 s O e t w . g d , 3 . ( n r ) ’ 1 1 a ow — t te s ACK M S a . a . . 9 4 S nd n C p G . P yn r bl g J SY ON

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F o 1 t e e A es w ar r m 91 5 o 1 91 9 n o rac o w ing to th lli .

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e 1 st a o al . a 2 . w g d , (M j r W yn ) ’ 1 —Mr e s ch PAY O 2 1 a ow . . 9 S nd n W Film r m . NLY

a s ate - e III a e 1 s 1 0 l e 1 t . . by W m g T ddi . , g d , lb Ow e ( n r . )