HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 75 



the van was composed of Mr. Landen's 

 " Parchment," with Mr. Payne up, Mr. Russell's 

 two horses, and Miss Tawke's " Conspiracy," 

 ridden by Mr. Manley Baker. With the last- 

 named gradually drawing up to the leading two, 

 when three parts of the course had been com- 

 pleted, it was evident that an interesting race 

 would follow. The last two fences were in and 

 out of the lane leading to Laindon Church, and 

 from the winning field it looked as if all four 

 horses were in the lane together, but here 

 Morning Glory blundered, almost coming down, 

 and Mr. Tippler lost a stirrup, and, after an 

 exciting finish that is not often witnessed at the 

 end of a four miles cross country race. Con- 

 spiracy just won by a neck from Morning Glory, 

 Fisherman, barely a length behind, third, and 

 old Nobility, close up, fourth. Parchment next, 

 and the other two horses completing the course. 

 The Farmers' Race also produced seven 

 starters. Mr. Stallibrass, on his horse, Nebu- 

 chadnezzar, cut out the work for the great part 

 of the race, with Mr. Goodchild on his chestnut 

 mare, " Countess," and Mr. Payne on Mr. 

 Rogers' mare, " Radwintee," in close attend- 

 ance ; at a short interval came Mr. Richardson's 

 " Peter," ridden by Mr. Blyth, Mr. Blackburn 

 on his " General," Mr. Gardner's " Tormentor," 

 ridden by Mr. HiUiard, and Mr. Davis's horse, 

 which fell early in the race. Half a mile from 

 the winning field Nebuchadnezzar had shot his 

 bolt, and the race seemed to lay between 

 Countess and Radwinter, when, just before 

 reaching the last obstacle, Peter, coming along 



