6 ECHOES OF OLD COUNTY LIFE. 



riders) as a marvellous water-jumper. One and all they 

 objected to this water-jump, till I remarked, "Well, I 

 am only on an ordinary hunter, and she shall jump it in 

 her snaffle-bridle, without whip or spur." They declared 

 it an impossibilit}'. I was too careful of my own neck 

 to risk it myse'.f, but called to one of my neighbours, a 

 plucky farmer, one of the best light-weights I ever saw 

 cross a country, who knew my mare's prowess well, and 

 I asked him to ride her. He willingly did so, mounted 

 her, took her back about three hundred yards, shook her 

 up, and she flew the hurdles which were in front of the 

 brook, and landed safely over it on her hind legs, never 

 wetting her heels, and went on in her gallop without 

 noticing it. After this there could be no objection, and 

 the race took place. The result was that out of fifteen 

 starters eleven of them got into the water, and the others 

 stoutly refused, two of them precipitating their riders 

 over their heads into the middle of it ; but as it was 

 easy getting out, the race continued, and a fine finish 

 was the result, Mr. Goldingham, I think, being declared 

 winner. The jump of my mare was measured, and it 

 was found she had cleared twenty-nine and a half feet. 



A most amusing feature of one University Meeting 

 was the prowess of Professor Neate, Professor of Political 

 Economy at Oxford, and at one time IMember of Parlia- 

 ment for that city. The dons and heads of houses were 

 determined to put down steeplechasing, but old Neate 

 stood up for the undergraduates ; and, to show his con- 

 tempt for their rulers, entered his own horse for one of 

 the principal races, and named him " Vice-Chancellor." 

 The day of the race came, and great doubts were raised 



