THOMAS SPENCER I 79 



Another set, with decorative borders, beautifully 

 engraved by R. Houston, was published in 1755; 

 and several similar works were published between 

 1751 and 1755 by Thomas Butler "at his shop 

 in Pall Mall, London." Among these, for example, 

 was a portrait of the horse Sportley, owned by 

 Lord Massereene. This plate, which was engraved 

 by H. Roberts, depicts the horse with his jockey 

 in the saddle ; below appears Lord Massereene's 

 arms, the names of Sportley's sire and dam and a 

 list of the important races the horse had won. 



The Earl of Rosebery possesses a fine example of 

 Spencer's work in the portrait of Mr. Churchman's 

 racing mare Bonatee, painted in 1730. The canvas, 

 which measures 10 feet by 7 feet, shows a blue 

 roan mare with brown muzzle, life size ; the owner 

 stands at her head holding the bridle. The picture 

 shows admirably the dress characteristic of the 

 time. 



With the view, doubtless, of showing the horse 

 in the most spirited attitude, Spencer painted the 

 portraits of some of the great sires of the day 

 in the company of a mare. Among such were the 

 following, which were beautifully engraved in mezzo- 

 tint by R. Houston : — 



Dormouse and Mare, one groom holding the 

 stallion, another the mare. Dormouse was the 

 property of Lord Clidworth. Published in 1755. 



