The Life of a Great Sportsman 



John, M.P. ? — which last, unless I am greatly mistaken, was a 

 real good animal. 



The form on the flat, before they were initiated into the 

 jumping business, of Disturbance, Reugny, Regal, and Chandos, 

 was certainly some degrees removed from moderate. I well 

 remember Rose of Athol, who ran third in the St. Leger, 

 trying to give Reugny 7 lbs. in a six-furlong race at Kelso, and 

 failing signally in the attempt. Chandos, again, ran promi- 

 nently in the Derby ; whilst great things were expected of 

 Regal when a two-year-old in the French stable. 



It was after winning a six-furlong welter race on his back 

 at Ayr in very easy fashion that I bought Disturbance from 

 his owner, Mr. James Barber, and as at the same meeting I 

 also secured Reugny and Defence, giving ^1200 for the three, 

 all on behalf of Captain Machell, I may be fairly said to have 

 made a record bargain. Jimmy Barber, as he was familiarly 

 termed, was quite a character, and his eccentric "get up," so 

 familiar to race-goers of that period, consisting of a tightly- 

 buttoned swallow-tailed coat, shepherd's plaid trousers, and a 

 very tall and indifferently brushed hat stuck well on the back 

 of his head, was quite in harmony with the wearer ; whilst, 

 in cold or wet weather, by way of protection from the 

 elements, a blue cloth cape of antiquated pattern would adorn 

 his shoulders. Add a thick stick in his gloveless hands, and 

 you have a pretty accurate portrait of Mr. James Barber. 



I need scarcely remark that the whilom owner of Disturb- 

 ance was " not born yesterday," as the saying is, and I 

 remember his once telling me that if a man did him once he 

 cried shame on him, but if the same man did him twice, he 

 cried shame on James Barber. In spite, however, of his 

 boasted worldly wisdom, I am afraid Mr. Barber did not woo 

 Dame Fortune on the Turf with much success, and to one 



272 



