A HORSE UP-STAIRS. 173 



of unequalled stamina and power can do, that in jumping 

 the last fence into the winning-field, every one present 

 was astonished at the apparent space the horses cleared ; 

 and soon after the race was over, the distance from 

 where their fore-feet left the ground to the points where 

 their hind-feet indented the turf was measured, and it 

 was found that a space of thirty-four feet seven inches 

 had been cleared — this too after running five miles and 

 three chains over the stiff and varied course I have 

 endeavoured to describe. 



In the year 185 1, at one of the early meetings of the 

 Aylesbury Aristocratic Steeplechases, and during the 

 stewards' dinner at the White Hart in the grand old 

 Rochester Room, the following event occurred. 



The conversation turned to the fact that the Marquis 

 of Waterford had once taken a noted hunter up the 

 stairs and led him round the dining-table in this very 

 room, whilst the noble Master of the Buckhounds, the 

 Earl of Erroll, and his guests fed the horse on biscuits 

 and apples — the Marquis afterwards leading him down- 

 stairs again into the entrance hall. One of the young 

 Oxford gentlemen, well known for his splendid riding 

 in the steeplechases which were then being held, turned 

 to old Charlie Symonds and said, " I believe, Charlie, 

 the little grey would come up these or any other stairs." 

 It was asked if the trial might be made, and, on consent 

 being obtained, down went two or three choice spirits 

 into the stable-yard, and, to the astonishment of the 

 party (nearly fifty people being present), a lumbering 

 noise was heard on the stairs, and presently in w^alked 

 the gallant grey. After leading him round the table 



