CHASING AND RACING 245 



points of merit. I never saw such a deep and well- 

 ribbed chest, nor such long sweeping shoulders. His 

 quarters, if somewhat ragged, were immensely power- 

 ful; in fact the whole figure of the horse suggested 

 great strength and staying power. 



But " Mr. Jersey " was not so fortunate the next 

 time of asking, when she imported Aurum, a colt of 

 the right strain, whose performances " over yonder " 

 had been most impressive. When he reached this 

 country it was found impossible to train him properly ; 

 moreover, to the best of my knowledge, he never 

 became a success at the Stud. 



A notable mare which was left to Mrs. Langtry 

 by the testamentary disposition of George Baird 

 (" Mr. Abingdon ") was Lady Rosebery, who con- 

 tracted the pleasant habit of winning Liverpool Cups, 

 and rounded off with the Jockey Club Cup in 1893 ; 

 her example being emulated by Merman five years 

 later. 



" Mr. Jersey " was devoted to her horses, and no 

 matter how badly they cut up or how completely they 

 let her down, had always an excuse for them. My 

 critical faculty sometimes urged me to make remarks 

 which were extremely distasteful to my friend. 



On one occasion, after inspecting her string, good, 

 bad, and indifferent, I came out with, " I say, Missus, I 

 wish you would ask me down for a few days' shooting! " 



" But, my dear Harding, you know I have no 

 shooting to offer." 



