173 



to do or die, but his crock regarded matters from quite a different 

 point of view— a buggy point— and swerved so badly that his gallant 

 owner nearly left the farm. Again and again did Mr. Blue Bag return 

 to the charge, endeavourmg to bring his steed to the scratch by the 

 use almost of incontestible (thick stick) arguments and legal lore until 

 at last, wearied by the long address, and persuaded against his better- 

 self, the tired out war horse elected a nonsuit— and had the lep ! 

 Vultus est index a7nvii. 



Mr. Edward, Lord William, Captain Fitzwilliam, Mr. Patchwork, 

 Mr. Mac and Nimble " Parlman " divided the honour and glory of 

 leading the hunt pretty fairly between them, but the little brown mare, 

 although twice disappointed, always had a bit the best of it, and her 

 rider having an idea whereabouts the finish was, had no difficulty in 

 scoring another clever win. 



There is no doubt that all contending for " the win " should have 

 a fair chance of knowing when to make their effort, and we think that 

 the promoters would find it a good plan to mark the second or third 

 fence from home by flags or otherwise. This would help to brino the 

 field together at the finish and ensure a struggle for the lead. 



The fifth meet of the season took place yesterday, the fixture bein'^ 

 Jodepore Station, a good way out for a Monday morning rendezvous. 

 Punctuality has never been a conspicuous element in our Paperchases ; 

 but when it conies to over half an hour's grace, it begins to strike one 

 that it's going just a bit too far. Of course, in these fine cold mornings 

 a chase could be run at noon just as well as at any time, but when anv 

 hour is advertised, it would be as well to stick to it. 



The courses this year have, as a general thing, been rural to a 

 fault, for to be quite successful a Paperchase should have a bit of a 

 gallery somewhere or other — better at the finish than anywhere else. 

 Yesterday after crossing the line of rail at Jodhpore (shortly before a 

 train passed by the same token) the course made as nearly as possible 

 a bee line through the jungle for the Rifle Butts at Ballygunge, ending 

 under a big bamboo clump near the level crossing. There was a good 

 deal of talk about heavy going, but with the exception of two short 

 stretches, where the going certainly was " ponky," the course was a 

 particularly good one. 



Spills there were in abundance, grief beginning so early as the very 

 first hurdle, where Mr, Hatband Merlot cut a voluntary. A little 

 further on old Exeter slipped with Lord William, the pair going to grass, 

 and the very mixed fence accounted for a trio of aspirants to Paper- 

 chase honours. 



