THE TURF. 
" I know not where I got the information, nor how, 
but in the very height of my distress I heard that Mr. 
John Watson, training and riding-groom to Captain 
Vernon, a gentleman of acute notoriety on the turf, 
and in partnership with Lord March, now Duke of 
Uueensbury, was in want of but just then found it 
difficult to procure, a stable-boy. To make this pleas- 
ing intelligence more welcome, the general character 
of John Watson was, that though he was one of the 
first-grooms in Newmarket, he was remarkable for 
being good-tempered ; yet the manner in which he 
disciplined his boys, though mild, was effectual, and 
few were in better repute. One consequence of this, 
however, was, that if any lad was dismissed by John 
Watson, it was not easy for him to find a place.* With 
him Jack Clarke lived, the lad with whom I came from 
Nottingham ; this was another fortunate circumstance, 
and contributed to inspire me with confidence. My 
present hopes were so strongly contrasted with my late 
fears, that they were indeed enviable. To speak for 
once in metaphor, I had been as one of those who walk 
in the shadow of the valley of death ; an accidental 
beam of the sun broke forth, and I had a beatific view 
of heaven. 
" It was no difficult matter to meet with John Watson : 
he was so attentive to stable-hours, that, except on extra- 
ordinary occasions, he was always to be found. Being 
* This is still the case at Newmarket. No trainer will take a boy that 
offers himself until his late master has been consulted. 
160 
