CHAPTER XI 



Sir Joseph Hawley — Reasons for engaging John Porter as 

 trainer — I sell Sir Joseph The Beacon — His sarcasm about 

 that horse's food — " Was it sawdust ? " — Lord Westmorland 

 — A dispute over my boy Morris — I give "way, and beat his 

 lordship — Tom Heartfield — A fine horseman — Vestminster — 

 His trial — I mystify Lord Westmorland — A good haul — Vest- 

 minster and the Cambridgeshire — A pertinacious "tout" — 

 Strong measures necessary — An ague-stricken " chucker-out " 

 — My confidence in Vestminster — Mr. Gideon's warning about 

 Cerdagne — Mr. Toy's " little beggar " — The French filly hand- 

 somely beaten. 



In most reminiscences relating to the Turf the 

 name of Sir Joseph Hawley necessarily largely 

 figures. But in not one that has come under my 

 notice has been told the unvarnished tale of the 

 reasons that induced him to entrust his horses to 

 my esteemed friend, John Porter. Sir Joseph was 

 a man of peculiar temperament. He had a con- 

 suming hatred of advice, and would tolerate any- 

 thing rather than interference. Yet the most self- 

 willed of us are from our necessities at times forced 

 to seek counsel. Still, I own I was surprised when 

 one day Sir Joseph approached me for guidance on 

 so vital a matter to him as the choice of a new 



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