n8 MEN OF PAST DAYS 



up.' But I did not quite see this, and bid him the 9,000 

 again. In due course this offer was refused, with the 

 intimation that Lord Exeter would not now take less 

 than 11,000, confirming Mr. Clarke's advice to the very 

 letter. After consulting Mr. Simpson, I took it at the 

 enhanced price, and even then it was very cheap. After 

 the bargain was completed, his lordship requested, as a 

 favour, to be allowed to move the marble mantelpiece in 

 the dining-room, on which ' the Godolphin Arabian ' was 

 sculptured, he undertaking to replace it with a better. 

 The request was acceded to, and the promise fulfilled. 

 Lord Exeter, who in all his relations bore the character 

 of a strictly honourable man, was in all connected with 

 racing an example of integrity. He lived respected, and 

 died at a good old age. 



Of another of the worthies of old, Sir Gilbert Heath- 

 cote, I feel bound to record my humble testimony in 

 praise of an honourable career and many acts of un- 

 selfishness. He was quite one of the old ' top-booted ' 

 school in dress and manners a thorough Englishman 

 of the best caste. He raced for the love of the sport 

 entirely, and for nothing else. He had several horses, 

 which were trained by Mr. Sherwood on Epsom Downs, 

 the stables being situated on the hill opposite to the 

 Grand Stand. His best horse, or the one that did him 

 the most good, and afforded him the greatest amount of 

 pleasure, was Amato, with which he won the Derby in the 

 year 1838. Strange to say, the horse was evidently lame 

 at the time, like Phosphorus, who won it the preceding 

 year. If Sir Gilbert betted at all, it was merely for the 

 sake of backing his opinion. When he won he generally 

 gave the stakes to the poor in his neighbourhood, though 

 he did not forget to reward both his trainer and his 

 jockey. 



