466 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



tained all the sentiment embodied in both the address 

 and the spirit which had led to the formation of a 

 testimonial fund, the veteran recipient of this most 

 kindly and gracious acknowledgment of his long and 

 honourable career as a jockey, rose to reply. It was 

 evident that " Our Johnnie," as his Northern admirers 

 affectionately dub him, felt the great and crowning 

 honour which was being done to him, and, in a voice 

 which, though firm, yet rather trembled with emotion, 

 he said, " I cannot express my feelings at the present 

 moment for the great kindness and generosity that I 

 have always received from all classes. I hope, gentle- 

 men, you will excuse the brevity of my remarks, but I 

 am embarrassed." 



With the same promptitude which had so far 

 characterised the proceedings, Sir Charles Russell rose 

 to his feet and said " My Lords and Gentlemen, we all 

 meet here, as you know, to recognise and do honour to 

 a most distinguished and meritorious career on the Turf, 

 and it is very fitting that, upon this occasion, the 

 Senior Steward of the day should have made the 

 presentation, and still more fitting that the Senior 

 Steward should be a man who stands so high in the 

 estimation of all who have any connection with the Turf. 

 It is right, therefore, I hope you will think, that I 

 should ask you to give a vote of thanks to Mr. Houlds- 

 worth for presiding upon the present occasion." 



Sir Henry Hawkins having expressed the pleasure 

 it gave him to second this resolution, the motion was 

 put to the meeting and carried with acclamation. 



Mr. Houldsworth, in reply, thanked Sir Charles 

 Russell for the kind manner in which he had mentioned 

 his name, and the gentlemen present for the hearty 

 manner in which they had responded to the resolution. 



