35 



•a mud wall double. The course now laid over a portion 

 of the old steeplechase country of 1870-71 and the jumps 

 came fast and thick. Two small mud walls and one with 

 a ditch in front full of water had to be got over, but this 

 last obstacle unseated Mr. Bobstick, who now became 

 out of the hunt. A little later Duchess brought her 

 rider to grief, and at the next wall, the scene of the 

 Badger's disaster, the rider of Mariner had a narrow 

 -escape, but with a pair of strong arms and long spurs, 

 he righted himself again, and eventually passed the post 

 second, though a long way behind Jolly Boy, who 

 won easily. Duchess was third, and the Veteran on 

 Mare of Kent fourth. Mr. Bartlett's victory appeared 

 very popular, and no doubt the best horse won. It was 

 unfortunate that some others who had entered were unable 

 to start, but in my humble opinion the result would have 

 been the same. Jolly Boy sometimes has a playful trick 

 •of cannoning other horses at jumps, but on this occasion his 

 owner appeared determined there should be no complaints 

 on that score, as the result proved. Long may he live to 

 ■drink out of his Cup w^hich, we understand, is to be sent 

 to the American Centennial Exhibition. I had almost 

 forgot to mention that the paper was carefully laid by two 

 old hands at the game, and the style in which they took 

 everything without a mistake, was the adrniration of those 

 who were fortunate enough to see them. The course was 

 probably rather over 2^ miles and the time of the winner 

 ■9^ minutes. 



" Ballie Papier." 



1877. 



In this year the Cup was won by Mr. G. W. F. Buck- 

 land, on Mignonette ; but the historian of the period gives 

 us no aid and we have only the bare record. Mr. Buck- 

 land was then a light weight, and a limb of the law, and 

 was by no means unknown in races between the flags 

 where he used to score a good many successes, especially 

 in the *'Sky" Races. 



1878. 



Saturday morning opened with rather a fog, which, 

 however, did not interfere with a capital chase for this 



