i6 



housed over the stables at Rowland House. Brancker was the Huntsman. 

 Then finding no sport was to be got out of them, they started the Paperchases 

 and Steeplechases. I well remember Brancker coming in quite excited one 

 morning saying that he had discovered a natural Steeplechase Course at Tolly- 

 gunge, which is the present one used by the Turf Club, and that there was a 

 mound of earth, that would do for spectators. This has since been converted 

 into the Grand Stand. Lord Mayo, who was assassinated at Port Blair, used 

 frequently to attend the Meets of the Fox-hounds, but had reluctantly to give 

 them up, as he said it was more like chasing an old woman's cat round a 

 village, than fox-hunting. 



The following is the extract which Mr. Watson sends 

 us from the Oriental Sporting Magazine — Racing Calen- 

 dar. It is headed " Barrackpore Steeplechase, June 21st, 

 1870'' :— 



" As there is nothing of any particular importance now impending in the 

 way of sport, it may, perhaps, interest some of your readers to hear what was 

 the result of a "Steeplechase" at Barrackpore in the " rains." Unfortunately 

 two dry sunny days that had quite led us to hope for a light going course and a 

 " close thing" ended on Sunday night with torrents of rain, that made the 

 ground very holding — like a good wheatfield after a thaw. Monday morning 

 broke cold and cloudy with a light drizzling rain, just similar to a first meet at 

 home in November. Greatcoats and wrappers were in great request, and more 

 thnn one short pipe and brandy flask were to be seen handed about. In spite of 

 the " cheerless weather " to the astonishment of all, there appeared to be no end 

 to the arrival of equestrians, and about half-past six, when the weather cleared, 

 and men emerged from their respective shelters, there might have been num- 

 bered, as near as possible, 200 spectators, more or less well mounted, and bent 

 on seeing the game played out. There was some delay in waiting for two 

 good horses that had either gone to the wrong end of the course, or were_ other- 

 wise absent, and meanwhile most of the spectators rode on to select their pet 

 jumps and difficulties, but by half-past six ic out of the 12 horses engaged were 

 at the post, and got away to a good start. They arrived pretty abreast at the 

 first post and rails, most uncompromisingly stifif, and considering the heavy nature 

 of the ground very unpleasant for the little ones ; a little grey smashed the top 

 rail with a fall, and let through two doubtful ones, and the rest cleared it, with 

 the exception of *' Ivanhoe " who refused, but taken at it a second time cleared it 

 cleverly, and put on steam after the field. *' Faugh-a-Ballah " drew away and 

 appeared to have it quite his own way for the next few fields, when he was joined 

 by " Ivanhoe " and " Have-a-Care," the rest following pretty close. Then came 

 banks and ditches — in and out post and rails — and a nasty drop into a lane, so far 

 pretty well managed by the entire field, without any perceptible difference in 



