94 ECHOES OF OLD COUNTY LIFE. 



This rac3 was the prelude to many more in the 

 Aylesbury Vale, and in the year 1836 two of the most 

 celebrated steeplechases of the day were run during the 

 February meeting of the Royal Hunt. The first was 

 a heavy-weight race, for horses carrying I2st. /lbs., 

 and was run early in the day, on Tuesday, so that the 

 liounds could meet after the conclusion of the race. 

 Vivian, again steered by Beecher, was the favourite, but 

 was beaten a short length by Saladin, ridden by Powell ; 

 perhaps the Captain had made too sure. This race was 

 marked by many mishaps, one of which was the crippling 

 for life of Billy Bean, who after scuttling through a deep 

 brook came to a stiff bullfincher, and, in steering his 

 horse through a gap near a tree, caught his leg against 

 the trunk, and broke his knee-cap. 



On the Thursday the light-weight race was run, each 

 horse carrying list, /lbs., and many of the same horses 

 c mpeted as on Tuesday. Here the rat-tailed veteran, 

 Vivian, won an exciting race ; Grimaldi, the old grey of 

 St. Albans notoriety, being second ; The Pony, third ; 

 and, I think, the w^inner's former competitor, Laurestina, 

 was fourth. It w^as a splendid race over one of the 

 st'ffest countries in England. The start was at 

 Waddesdon, and the course was on the opposite side of 

 the road to that of 1835. The finish was at Ouarrendon. 

 The Marquis of Waterford fell two fences from home, 

 and his horse, Yellow Dwarf, w^as very much injured. 

 He rode himself, and felt sure of winning, but came to 

 grief at a great double which he attempted to clear at 

 one stride. Jem Mason was first favourite. He rode 

 a splendid horse, of great power and much speed. In 



