MR GEORGE PAYNE'S OFFER. 243 



The announcement was, however, a great blow to 

 me, although his Lordship's repeated intimations 

 that he could no longer carry on his racing and 

 his political careers simultaneously should have 

 prepared me for his decision. Even at that early 

 date I had come to the conclusion that his Lord- 

 ship had, in Surplice and Loadstone, the two 

 best yearlings that he ever owned ; and none of 

 the friends with whom I was intimate could have 

 failed to understand what inexpressible pleasure it 

 would have given me to win the Derby for my 

 beloved and honoured master, with a horse bred 

 by himself a son of his old favourite, the peerless 

 Crucifix. 



Scarely had I found myself alone with Mr 

 Payne before he announced his intention of leasing 

 Michel Grove, near Worthing (which was then to 

 be let), if I would consent to take charge of all 

 the horses. Mr Payne added that if I would 

 become his private trainer, he would give me 500 

 a-year beyond what I was in receipt of from the 

 Duke of Richmond and Lord George. Although 

 much distressed at the prospect of losing such a 

 master as Lord George, I thanked Mr Payne as 

 best I could for his flattering and generous offer, 

 and for the confidence which he was pleased to 

 repose in me. I added, however, that it was 

 impossible for me to close with him until I had 

 ascertained the Duke of Richmond's wishes upon 

 the subject, as his Grace was also my master, and 



