OLD MATCHES, AND NEW DODGES 71 



done the same thing ; and in the trial. Merlin, Sir 

 William's horse, beat his opponent about a length* 

 " Now," said Frampton to his satellite, " my fortune 

 is made, and so is yours ; if our horse can run so 

 near Merlin with seven pounds extra, what will he 

 do in the race ? " The betting was immense. The 

 south-country turfites, who had been let into the 

 secret by Frampton, told those from the north that 

 "they would bet them gold against Merlin while 

 gold they had, and then they might sell their land." 

 Both horses came well to the post, and of course the 

 race came off like the trial.' 



In the foregoing we have an instance of an 

 honest jockey and a confiding employer ; but owners 

 of racehorses have not always shown the same 

 amount of confidence. 



6 The notorious Duke of Queensberry possessed a 

 racing- stud, not so numerous as some of those of his 

 contemporaries on the turf, but he prided himself 

 on the excellence of it. His principal rider was the 

 famous Dick Goodison, in whose judgment he had 

 much reliance. But, in the language of the turf, 

 his Grace was "wide awake." Having on one 

 occasion reason to know the jockey, indeed, had 

 honestly informed him of it that a large sum of 

 money was offered his man if he would lose, " Take 

 it," said the Duke; "I will bear you harmless." 

 When the horse came to the post, his Grace coolly 

 observed, " This is a nice horse to ride ; I think I'll 



