i6o 



The Chase was full of excitement and fun. To speak first of the 

 foxes. Countess, ably piloted by the straight-going Mr. Latham, went 

 the course as usual in finished style, and old Chuckerbere being a little 

 above himself, threw a " lep '^ or two right manfully Both saved their 

 brushes, and were accused only of making the scent not strong enough, 

 but perhaps there were perfumed violets about them. The pack was 

 soon in full cry after them. Nothing eventful occurred until the double, 

 except a reported strategic movement on the part of Mr. Phocuss to 

 avoid a nasty wall of which he didn't like the look. He took ground to 

 the rear where the paper wasn't and then savagely shouting he couldn't 

 find it galloped off on another track No I by the way I am wrong. 

 That happened at the big wall after the double. No matter, the sad 

 delinquency is recorded. Hark for-r-rard I Over the fatal double the 

 first flight, including the Big Bay, the Bench, Mephistopheles, 

 Mr Choter, and others got safely over. Then began a scene worthy of 

 adoption for the comic business of a circus. It was much appreciated by 

 the audience, and their shouts of laughter were abundant testimony 

 that grief for the bur-si monsoon had been chased away. Chowpy led off 

 by here turning his first summersault and did it well. Second clown on 

 a fiery chestnut soon followed and rolled over Chowpy in the (saw) dust, 

 in approved fashion. This was the prelude to a scene of wild calamity 

 and confusion that was very humorous Horse after horse, rider after 

 rider, came to grief one way or another, until the double was stuffed as 

 full as a Strasbourg pate. Men, horses, topees, and oaths flew about 

 unrestrained ; wits fled, the jumble was indescribable until the Squeeler 

 let them out. He came up at " sixteen annas" pace. His rider casually 

 roared out a general admonition to all to get out of the way (as if they 

 could) and jumped bang into the middle of the rabble, knocked them 

 all in a heap like a bunch of ninepins, and a big hole opening out in the 

 outer wall the crowd escaped. Hardly had I wiped from my eyes the 

 tears of laughter elicited by this entertainment when, turning in my 

 carriage 1 saw the leaders coming in at the finish, Mephistopheles who 

 kept cleverly to the front as usual was first. The learned Judge was 

 decreed a good second, whilst little Mignonette, who was capitally ridden 

 by a most promising young 'un, was landed third. 



As she crashed through the last hurdle amidst encouraging cheers, 

 she, following the ruling fashion, added to her titles (with a defiant toss 

 of her head) that of " Forget-me-no:," a prophetic warning to the other 

 maidens relating to the next Ballygunge Steeplechases. Next came the 

 Badger and Jute Butts. The latter, though he hadn't more than the 

 weight of a " sparrow " on him, hadn't a kick left and collapsed at 

 the last jump but one, like a burst ball. After him came the ruck 

 including welter weights and little Red Deer who would have been 

 nearer, were his legs as speedy as his heart is stout. The rear 



