SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



board of the Newmarket Subscription Rooms. His 

 hammering and sawing did not prevent him paying 

 heed to the general conversation of the members, 

 and as the betting proceeded he jotted do\\ai with 

 his pencil a good many of the wagers. A close 

 examination of the figures showed Davies that the 

 bookmakers had much the better of the argument, 

 and he quickly decided that laying the odds was a 

 more profitable business than fixing skirting boards. 

 The Messrs. Cubitt, of Clerkenwell — his employers — 

 did not long retain his services, Davies flitting to 

 Long Acre, where he put up a list at a public house 

 kept by one Joe Barr. This was his first step on 

 the path to fortune, and the name and fame of 

 Davies as a bold, dashing bettor, thoroughly trust- 

 worthy, soon spread over London. After the sup- 

 pression of the List Houses he took regularly to 

 travelling the meetings, and continued pursuit of 

 the career he had marked out for himself till the 

 hand of affliction fell heavily upon him. The 

 closing passages of his life were saddened by 

 an attack of paralysis, and towards the end he 

 could see no one. Between Davies and myself 

 there was ever a strong bond of friendship, and 

 our transactions were as numerous as on occasions 

 they were important. The last letter I received 

 from him I present : 



37 



