LORD CLIFDEN WINS 19 



Now read the following, undated, but written in 

 September, 1863, from Coxwold Vicarage : 



DEAR POLLY, 



I suppose you know the winner of the St Leger, but 

 supposing you don't, I will tell you: Lord Clifden first, Queen 

 Bertha second, Borealis third. Lord Clifden didn't start until 

 they had got two hundred yards, and one old gentleman said: 

 " A hundred to one that he is nowhere," but he won quite easily. 

 Your affectionate brother, WILLIE. 



The following year was Blair Athol's, which drove us all 

 mad on the subject of racing, but I have written so very 

 much about Blair Athol at various times that I will let 

 this most glorious of all horses pass on the present occasion. 



I went to a preparatory school at Rugby the following 

 year, and from there wrote as follows : 



OAKFIELD HOUSE, 



May zgth 1865. 

 DEAR POLLY, 



If you have an account of the Derby send it to me, for 

 I have not been able to get a paper. I was top of the class last 

 week and I think I shall be second this week. I can beat all the 

 class but one boy and I can beat him in everything but French. 

 We have cricket matches every holiday. There is not a nasty 

 boy in the school. 



There is a small boy being thrashed on the table at present, so 

 I cannot write very well. Is there good fishing now ? 

 My love to all. 



W. ALLISON. 



I must clearly have been not unpopular at that time 

 at any rate, it is obvious I had not been dealt with after 

 the manner of the " small boy on the table," with whom 

 I seem to have had no sympathy. 



Now comes a letter which to some minds will suggest 

 the facilis descensus : 



RUGBY, June 1869. 

 MY DEAR POLLY, 



Now in the first place I want the Calf money and IDS., 

 as I have got Kirby's puppies and have paid for them, advancing 



