THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE 157 



CHAPTEE IX. 



MEN OF MY TIME, OB DANEBURY PATRICIANS. 



Example needed on the turf Danebury patricians Mr. Harry Biggs ; 

 love of sport His horses Little Red Rover A. bit of advice 

 Esteem for his trainer A night in a chalk-pit. 



Lord Palmerston ; his horses Iliona's name ; she wins the 

 Cesarewitch A welcome cheque Buckthorn's performances ; doubt- 

 ful riding in the Ascot Stakes Purchase of lliona His lordship's 

 habits Gallops to Danebury Story of my father's visit to the House 

 of Commons The butcher and his bill Other peculiarities. 



Sir Lewin Glyn Gross libel on him and my father Mr. Farqu- 

 harson His original views of racing As a sheep-breeder ; adven- 

 ture at a fair. 



Mr. Trelawney Coldrenick favourite for the Derby Officious 

 friends ' John Davis looked up ' The money hedged. 



Mr. Wreford Success as a breeder ; system pursued ; excellence 

 of yearlings ; Wapiti His horses ; mode of engagement ; races won ; 

 family disappointments ' A dinner for three ; disappearance of the 

 goose ' A hot breakfast and a hot pudding Shooting in Devonshire 

 and Wiltshire compared The sheep and the Downs A sad old age. 



Sir E. B. Baker ; complacence when beaten ; removal to Wood- 

 yates. 



Sir J. B. Mills ; easily satisfied ; story of another philosopher and 

 a lazy trainer Gout v. fishing Visits to Danebury Love of 

 cocking. 



IF racing is to be kept up with any degree of respect- 

 ability, it must rely on the support of those who, first, 

 can afford to pay for so expensive an amusement ; and 

 secondly, race for other motives than that of obtaining 

 wealth. Example in this way has a wide influence in 

 shaping the conduct of others who look up to their 

 superiors as oracles to be followed. I do not for a mo- 

 ment doubt that mercenary adventurers will always be 

 found amongst the motley crowd that figures on the 

 racecourse, conspicuous by the damage they do to its 



