SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



With an idea of shaking off the effects of the acci- 

 dent he ran the circuit of the course twice, though I 

 do not think the " faculty " would have recom- 

 mended the proceeding. Shortly afterwards he was 

 struck on the head with a heavy blunt instrument 

 by some scoundrel intent on robbery. The plan was 

 foiled by the timely appearance of strangers, but 

 though Davies offered a big reward the identity of 

 his assailant was never disclosed. In 1857 he 

 retired from the Turf, giving a farewell dinner at 

 Brighton. His parting words I still can recall. 

 *' Now, gentlemen," he said, "we have, I think, all 

 had a good night ; and I am very glad to see you. 

 But now I must say good-bye to you. And it is 

 good-bye. I shall, owing to the state of my health, 

 never see a race-course again. I shall never possibly 

 see any of you again. But I wish you well. 

 Gentlemen — friends, I may say — one and all, good- 

 bye." What Davies said he meant. He was, after 

 that night, at home to nobody. The late Sir Robert 

 Peel once declared that Davies would grant him an 

 interview, and called at his house. But his effort 

 was futile, Davies making no exceptions. The letter 

 I have quoted demonstrates that. He died on 

 October 4, 1879, "after" — to use the words of his 

 memorial card — "many years of suffering." 



42 



