368 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



attentions he had just received from burglars. Archer's 

 wife, nee Miss Rose Dawson, predeceased him two 

 years, leaving one child, a little girl. The famous horse- 

 man was within two months' of completing his thirtieth 

 birthday. His height was 5 feet 8 inches — considerably 

 above that of the average jockey — and his stature 

 seemed greater by reason of his slimness. The per- 

 petual strain of training had undoubtedly prejudicially 

 affected his constitution, none too robust to coimiience 

 with. His nearest friends had seen a change in him 

 during the preceding twelve months, and the malignant 

 typhoid found a ready victim, the fever flying to his 

 head. Dr. Wright, his medical attendant, had examined 

 him only an hour before his death, but anticipated no 

 delirium. 



Archer was born at Cheltenham on 11th January, 

 1857. His father was a steeplechase jockey of 

 some repute; and he had two brothers, William, his 

 senior, who was killed dX Cheltenham Steeplechases in 

 1878, and Charles, the present Newmarket trainer, who, 

 in his day, was a jockey of considerable talent. The love 

 of horse riding was instinct in him from childhood, and 

 his introduction to Matthew Dawson's stable formed 

 the link which connected his fortunes with those of 

 Lord Falmouth and Matthew Dawson. 



In the latter part of his career it was quite usual 

 for Archer to receive retainers of £2000 for the first call 

 on his service, whilst for the second £1000 had been 

 paid, and for the third £500. Rumour enlarged these 

 amounts, and it was well known that the late Duchess 

 of Montrose would have granted him ahnost his own. 

 sum for the priority of claim. 



As a judge of pace, he was unsurpassed by any 

 jockey in his day. He had the finest of hands, witk 



