The Life of a Great Sportsman 



Thursday night, 25th, went back to London again, dressed at 

 the St. Pancras Railway Hotel, and went down to the funeral 

 at Edmondthorpe Friday 26th. Went to Freddy Blair's at 

 Ashwell, and with him to the funeral. My old friend gone. I 

 cannot say what a wrench it is the link with so many recollec- 

 tions, and another life which seems now to have belonged to 

 another world. A change seems to have come over my 

 world, and it is not the same now he is gone out of it. He 

 was a splendid fellow, by far the best and most polished rider 

 I ever saw, and not only excellent at all games, but possessed 

 of brilliant natural ability. He sat in Parliament for some 

 months for the Brigg Division of Lincolnshire, and after losing 

 his seat did not return to politics ; but in any line of life he 

 might have taken up he would have held a foremost place 

 amongst his fellow-men. 



From Lord George Hamilton, 



My first recollection of J. M. Richardson was his arriving 

 at Harrow a short time — some two years — after I had myself 

 joined the School. He was a very quiet, cheery little fellow, 

 with a pink and white complexion and a very round face. 

 This secured for him the sobriquet of " Puss" or "The Cat," 

 by which up to the end of his life he was always known. He 

 was a boy who slowly but surely made his way in popularity 

 and the esteem of those with whom he came in contact. He 

 was a very quiet, plucky little fellow, and played all games 

 well. He was very strong for his make, and was an extra- 

 ordinarily fair and just-minded boy. 



After a little while he signalized himself by becoming a 

 very accurate field, and during the time he was in the Harrow 

 School and Cambridge University Elevens it was no exaggera- 

 tion to say that he was the best amateur cover-point in England. 



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