io KINGSCLERE 



to John Day) at Findon, Mr. Pad wick made 

 arrangements with Porter to remove to the latter 

 place in his especial interest. He took up his 

 residence at Mr. Padwick's house. At Findon, 

 notwithstanding his youth, he was appointed to a 

 responsible position. He fed the horses, kept the 

 books, was paymaster, and, in short, saw to every- 

 thing. Whatever may have been said of Mr. 

 Padwick by others, John Porter always found him 

 a kind and considerate employer, one of the least 

 suspicious men in the world, and one whom it was a 

 constant pleasure to serve. Porter's recollections of 

 William Goater are grateful and admiring. He (to 

 quote the words of the subject of this biographical 

 sketch) ' was an excellent stableman and a sound 

 trainer, although, perhaps, a little too severe ; a good 

 and honourable man, faithful to his employers, and 

 most kind to me.' In recalling those days he 

 adds, ' Findon in more than one respect proved 

 the turning-point of my career.' For example, he 

 went to Epsom to ride Virago in the Metropolitan, 

 but that marvellous mare winning the City and 

 Suburban (both races took place on the same day), 

 she put up the penalty and let in Wells. It was 

 a battle between Danebury and Findon, and the 

 circumstances of it made the conflict one of the 

 most remarkable on record. The two races were 

 run on the Thursday, and we read that ' in the 

 City on Tuesday morning Virago opened in im- 

 mense force, and as little as 2 to i was taken 

 about her until the advance of Marc Antony, 



