FAREWELL TO FINDON 15 



horses on equal terms, while he had his English 

 rivals at a disadvantage. Shortly after the Grand 

 Prix of 1863 John Porter's ten years' service at 

 Findon came to an end. He had during his 

 intimate and highly responsible connection with 

 the Goater stable established himself firmly in the 

 esteem of owners and others by a manifest pride in 

 his business, and unwearying attention to its every 

 detail, the smallest as well as the greatest. It was 

 at Findon he first indulged in his inherent passion 

 — for with him it is nothing less — for gardening. 

 (Captain Hawley Smart once said of him, ' that if 

 you started the subject of gardening in John Porter's 

 hearing the horse galloped clean out of the con- 

 versation.') He rented a small enclosed garden 

 in the village, and employed every hour of his 

 leisure which was undevoted to a tenderer occupa- 

 tion in cultivating it. He grew everything — flowers, 

 fruit, vegetables — and practically mastered an art 

 the love of which has strengthened with his capacity 

 to pursue it ever since. As to the produce — well, 

 as he says himself, ' I gave the stuff away.' Findon, 

 indeed, is to him a delightful memory. His place 

 with William Goater, who from first to last showed 

 him the greatest kindness and consideration, was 

 the very best of places. He parted with employer 

 and place with heartfelt regret. 



