BRITISH TURF. 395 



and with that remark I must leave it to those who 

 have leisure for such researches." 



The opinion of all the eminent veterinary sur- 

 geons we have consulted, is in favor of the possi- 

 bility of a horse being able to run a race imme- 

 diately after castration ; and from the frequent 

 occurrence of acts of cruelty to horses and other 

 animals at the period in which Mr. Frampton lived, 

 we think it highly probable such a race may have 

 taken place. Whether or not Mr. Frampton was 

 guilty of this cruel act, we have no means of 

 deciding ; but the universal belief which appears 

 to have existed from the early part of the 

 eighteenth century upwards, that he was the indi- 

 vidual alluded to by the benevolent Dr. Hawks- 

 worth, inclines us strongly to believe so. 



Another story is told of this remarkable charac- 

 ter, from which we may perceive that the black legs 

 may justly lay claim to be considered part of the 

 family of the father of the turf. 



Merlin^ was matched for a considerable sum of 

 money to run against a favorite horse of Mr. 

 Frampton 's at Newmarket. Immediately on its 

 being closed there was great betting between the 



* Old Merlin was bred by Sir Matthew Pierson, Bart., and sold ta 

 Mr. Acklam for a stallion. He was got by Bustler (son of the Helms- 

 ley Turk). Merlin won several plates and great matches ; he was in 

 very high form for racing, and allowed to be the best horse that had 

 ever ran in the kingdom. He was sire of Mr. Betthell's AVoodcock 

 and Castaway, Mr. Richardson's Merlin, and several others. 



