195 



Owing to the return of the Viceregal party to the capital, there was 

 a considerable increase both in the followers of the paper and in the 

 spectators who defied the morning cold to witness the performances 

 good, bad, or indifferent, of the competitors. Many ladies yesterday 

 graced the scene with their fair presence, and the effect on the riders 

 was wonderful. We observed several gentlemen getting over their 

 jumps in true acrobatic style, but directly they caught sight of the flutter 

 of a habit they pulled themselves together with a sharp jerk, and 

 charged the next jump with a " do or die'^ expression on their faces. 

 Many, alas, paid dearly for their gallantry by parting company with 

 their mounts, as though the spirit was willing the seat was weak, a.id in 

 some cases very weak. 



We noticed amongst the starters Mr. McNair on Rocket, "The 

 Major" on Lord Harry, Mr. Lawrence on Lady Love, Lord William on a 

 hunter-like animal that reminded us strongly of the game old Mariner, 

 Mr. O'Malley on the handsome pony Garibaldi, Mr. Lauderdale on lona, 

 Mr. Beresford on a handsome mare (belonging, we believe, to "The 

 Major," who threw most enormous leps over the fences. Mr. Bombay 

 on Tit, " The Tougall " on Black Water, the brothers Petrie on Skipper 

 and Sappho, The Doctor on a grey, Elliot and a pal or two on raw 

 'un's, Kilburn, one or two strangers from Government House, a contin- 

 gent from the Fort and the usual ruck. 



The start took place on the right hand side of the road just beyond 

 Juggernauth Car. The paper was laid by Captain Muir and Mr. Latham 

 on two perfect fencers. The usual scramble took place at the first 

 hurdle, where Messrs. Allthere, Simpson and Bombay came to a full 

 stop on perfect refusers. The course now wound round to the left, over 

 the road and a big mud wall, in full view of the -gallery, the running 

 being made in close order by Lady Love, Black Water, The Doctor, and 

 The Skipper, then through some very cramped, not to say dangerous, 

 country, amongst big ditches, trees and bamboos, the first proving a 

 stopper to Kill'em and Oilem and two or three others, who abused each 

 other roundly for not giving a lead. After negotiating two more walls 

 and several hurdles — at one of which " The Tougall " went to earth with 

 a beaming smile of joy— up the road, where the leaders overshot the 

 paper leaving the lead to Mr. Petrie and Mr. Beresford through a thick 

 clump of jungle. Here The Doctor and Mr. McNair collided, both 

 going down like a shot and performing the remainder of the course on 

 foot. The red flags now appeared and the pace began to c(uicken. 

 The two leaders raced together to the distance, where the little mare 

 was beaten and Lady Love went up to the Skipper, who, however, 

 always held her safe and won pretty easily at the finish. So many 

 people claimed the empty honors of third place that it is impossible to 

 say who deserves them. The leading lot, however, were Messrs. 



