38 



of sending me a ticket by way of return. There are a 

 number of men who would be quite ready to enter and ride 

 their own nags over hurdles, if they were only sure they 

 would not meet cattle a little more than worthy of their 

 steel. Telegram and Oliver Twist no doubt kept 

 away a good many men from having a fly for the Cup ; but 

 you can scarcely expect an owner of good horses to go out 

 of his way to get one bad enough to meet the wishes of his 

 opponent. I should be intensely sorry did bad feeling and 

 squabbling spring up to mar the friendly aspect of our 

 favourite cold weather amusement, and it might be well to 

 have a more explicit set of Paperchasing Rules drawn 

 up. But to yesterday's chase. 



The paper Avas carried by Mr. Latham on The 

 Weaver and Captain Muir on Shamrock, but I am free 

 to confess that their performance over a country was not as 

 faultless as I had expected, neither of the horses, — known 

 fencers, — jumping in their usual form. 



Punctuality was fairly well observed, which was a for- 

 tunate thing, as the morning was uncommonly close, and 

 twenty minutes past seven saw the field starting on their 

 2^ mile journey. The pace, which was pretty stiff for 

 paperchasing all through, was first made by Mr. D'Arcy 

 on Escort, but he overran the paper on the Red Road, 

 and carried Telegram and others with him, leaving 

 Messrs. Mac and Collins to go on w^ith the lead ; when the 

 field hove in sight at the Sheep-pens Mr. Collins had a 

 decided lead, Nancy and Oliver Twist some lengths 

 behind. This order was maintained until Nancy persistent- 

 ly refused a bit of a hurdle any Polo Tat could clear, thus 

 putting what would have perhaps been about the most 

 popular win out of the question. Mr. Mac is one jof the 

 oldest and most consistent supporters of the chasse ait 

 papier^ and it is a pity to see his chance time after time 

 upset by the growing bad temper of his mount. Mr. D'Arcy 

 and Telegram lost verv little time in getting on terms 

 with the leaders, whom Mr. Edward on his grand little 

 mare Di Vernon had by this time joined ; in fact, after 

 half the distance had been travelled, the only horses actual- 

 ly in the hunt were the two thoroughbreds, " Commotion " 

 whose owner rode with his usual finish, and Mr. Edward's 

 mare. Oliver Twist may be quicker than the old 

 chestnut at racing weights, but Telegram, who was 

 going well within himself till very near the last fence,. 



