16 Lovers of the Horse 



formerly prevailed, so far as the liiving and paying of wagers is concerned, tlieie is 

 none on this continent that stands in higher repute. 



While the dispute that arose in Joe Miller's year — that is, the year 1S!)4, when 

 he won the Queen's Plate — over the ])ostponenient in conse<|uence of a heavv down- 

 pour of rain, led to reorganization and, in some respects, to a change of programme, 

 and even of policy, the objects of the club have remained the same: and whereas the 

 red-coat races that, in Mr. Patteson's time were a promiiu-nt feature, have passed, and 

 for the nonce sundry values were reduced, the latter have not oidy been restored, but 

 in the case of the Toronto Cup, have been doubled, the former have been succeeded 

 by fields of cross-country performers that, prior to 1894, were unheard of and un- 

 thought of. Thus the tree, that the widely and sincerely lamented deceased planted. 

 continues to l)ear good fruit and to retain the good-will of all rational and reasonalile 

 yieo))le. 



Hut Mr I'atteson, in ceasing his active ])artieipatioii in racing all'airs, did not 

 relin(|Viish his love of the game or his admiration for the thoroughbred. These he 

 retained to the last, and during the year usually managed to see several of the great races 

 run in the New Y<u-k district, and also to inspect the cracks of the day. Xor were his 

 trips to Brooklyn or Sheepshead Bay the only way in which he maintained his interest. 

 For years it was his custom to have a wager of $1()(» with a prominent Toronto book- 

 maker that Mr. Seagram would win the Queen's or the King's Plate. Of course, the 

 account w^as, more often than not. on the right side, although in late years there has 

 been some divergence. 'I'hen, too, his pen was tireless. Only a few months before 

 he died he concluded a series of most valuable and interesting articles in The Kentuckv 

 Thoroughbred Record, about the collection and publication of which, in one volume, 

 he had consulte<l the writer It was not only to Canadian and I nifed States ])apers 

 that he was a fre(|Uent contributor, bul \ anity Fair and othei' English jieriodicals and 

 papers often contained graceful and knowledgeful contributions from '"i'C.P," llian 

 which, in tuif jouiiials. lu) initials were better known for thirtv or fortv vears His 

 memory, as has l)een said, was inodigions. and his ac(|uaintancc with both the American 

 and English stud-books was juofound and deej). One of his hobbies was the nann'ng 

 of horses. For years he named Mr. Seagram's youngsters, and also those of M r 

 Robert Davies. lie maintained an extensive corresj)on(lencc with men of note in 

 Britain, and iiol infreijuently suggested narncs for the colls and (illics born on cclcbralcd 

 farms there. it was Mr. Patteson who suggeste<l to the Duke of Portland, Airs and 

 (Jraces, for his ()aks winner by Ayrshire, and to Sir .bilui Thursbv. (ira\c and (Jay, 

 for his daughter of Henry of Navarre 



It was during the sadly brief prcniierslii|) of Sir .lolin Tlionipsoii. thai Mr Palleson 

 secured the in.sertion of the clause in the Criminal Code intended to except incorpor- 



ated race tracks from the action of the (iamblin<i' .Vet This clause was 



r^ 



iranie(l liy 



the deceased, on whose shoulders Sir .John pointedly said that he would have to place 

 the resyjonsibility. That the clau.se was intended to invalidale the disorderlv-house 

 contention, so far as incorporated tracks are concerned, is as cerlain as that llie world 



