7 LORD GEORGE BENTINCK 



the accurate carrying out of the rule. But as punctuality 

 was always strictly attended to, the rule not being 

 broken was never enforced, and no longer exists. Never- 

 theless, if admirable intentions be the basis of our 

 judgment, his lordship in this case must undoubtedly 

 be regarded as a true reformer of racing abuses. 



We must remember, too, that his magnanimous deeds 

 extended to that erratic and most objectionable class 

 called ' Levanters,' with sweeping severity. Here, again, 

 his lordship did good service to the cause he so heartily 

 espoused the dignity and honour of the turf. In this 

 respect one instance must suffice to show the cause and 

 effect of what he did, and how and for what purpose he 

 did it. Glen, the well-known 'baker,' then living in 

 Eegent Street (if I mistake not), lost to his lordship 

 2,000, and offered to pay him half, saying he 'would 

 give him the rest as soon as possible.' But his lord- 

 ship's dignified reply was, though curt, to the purpose. 



* No, sir,' he said ; ' men have no business to bet that 

 have not the means to pay if they lose, and at the 

 proper time, punctually ; and unless you do so at once, 

 I shall proclaim and denounce you as a defaulter.' 



I believe that in this case Lord George, for the good 

 of the turf, of which he was the great ethological 

 exponent, pursued the best possible plan in order to 

 keep it free from defaulters and, which of course was 

 a mere bagatelle in his eyes, of getting his own money. 

 He knew Glen stood well with the ring, and had a 

 good business ; that to be a defaulter in the one, or to 

 lose the other, would be his ruin ; and that rather than 

 either disastrous event should happen, he would, in 

 some way or other, find the money and pay the debt. 

 This expected result, however, did not come off. We 

 are told that after the solemn words of admonition fell 



