George IV. 1 1 1 



interest in everything that concerned the Heath ; and 

 when, on this occasion, Memnon had cantered past 

 him, with Sam "up," he rattled away with" Well, 

 William, how are you all going on at Newmarket ? 

 How's Pratt ? does he still feed his horses on potatoes ? 

 He's Irish, too, is my friend here" (pointing with an 

 arch look to the Marquis) ; and then, with a melan- 

 choly thought of old times, he added " I wish I was 

 among yon again, William ; but I am very happy here ; 

 I've everything to make me so I've my hunters, and 

 my hounds (motioning with his whip to the Royal 

 Kennels), and my racers again, and Virginia Water 

 and the Lodge ; but the old enemy" and he shook his 

 head as he glanced at his large lace-boot. He had no 

 idea of beating Memnon with Mortgage the next day, 

 as the latter was a very middling animal, and was 

 shortly afterwards turned into a hack in the Pimlico 

 stables. Memnon also retired quite worn out before 

 another Ascot Cup day ; but at present the King was 

 anxious to make a match between him and Fleur-de- 

 lis, whom he had just purchased from Sir Matthew 

 White Ridley, for 2000 guineas. This idea came to 

 nothing, as the Chifneys had never a very exalted idea 

 of Memnon in his best day, and Lord Darlington was 

 too good a judge to make a match when the horse 

 was beginning to lose all form, with one of the very 

 finest mares that ever looked through a bridle. But 

 for her tumble at the Intake turn, it is very probable 

 that she would have beaten him in the St. Leger ; 

 and as it was, she got so much in the way of The 

 Alderman, who was gradually stealing to the fore, 

 that Sam was obliged to chuck him up in his stride to 

 prevent his falling over her, and only finished a fair 

 second. The mare had had another tumble in running 

 against Longwaist (for whom 3000 guineas had just 

 been refused), for the Silver Tureen, at Manchester, 

 two or three weeks before the purchase, and the King 

 was very desirous to match her against this crack as 



