PURCHASE OF ' VIRIDIS' 29 



means of spending 1,000 a year ; and yet in the course 

 of some half-dozen years he managed to get rid of a 

 fortune of 300,000, or at the rate of 50,000 per annum. 

 This is almost incredible. And as he raced, his mis- 

 fortunes have naturally been attributed to following sport 

 in this form. Yet I think I can show that its thought- 

 less votaries, such as Mr. Starkey was, do more injury to 

 the repute of our national pastime than all the avowed 

 gamblers and unscrupulous schemers that are its real 

 plague-spots. For I can prove beyond doubt that in his 

 connection with the turf Mr. Starkey was by no means, 

 at any time, a heavy loser. 



Amongst other horses, he was the owner of Viridis, 

 which he bought at Mr. Blenkiron's sale. He bought 

 her, it may be said, almost by accident, or at all events 

 on the spur of the moment. In his good-natured way 

 he did not, as he said, ' like to partake of his host's 

 hospitality without making a bid for something.' And 

 he showed this sense of gratitude in action better than 

 words. For when the animal was brought into the ring 

 he made the only bid, 210, and to his surprise and 

 dismay the hammer fell, as he himself nearly fell too at 

 the shock. The first use he made of this good animal 

 was to his own destruction and heavy loss. In the 

 Danebury Nursery he had another horse running, Land 

 Tax, which he had backed for a lot of money. But he 

 entered the mare also, according to his own account, to 

 make a field, which was already large and respectable 

 enough for the purpose ; and she came and won, whilst 

 Land Tax was second. I really believe he was rather 

 pleased than otherwise with the result. At all events, he 

 appeared delighted, as we may be sure were the fielders ; 

 but not so his friends and followers, who were dreadfully 

 crestfallen at such an unlooked-for and disastrous result. 



