52 KINGSCLERE 



4 Well, there was nothing much in the advertise- 

 ment, although my friend had his suspicions, but 

 there was a great deal in the reply, which I will 

 reproduce, merely premising that the letter-paper 

 was headed with the address of Mr. John Porter, 

 but of the word " Park " the first three letters had 

 been torn away, leaving the final letter " k " — a bait 

 which might have excited the cupidity of many 

 inquiring mugs but for the indifferent orthography 

 of the composition which was headed by this 

 respectable address : 



k House, Kingsclere, Hants, Saturday. 



1 " Dear Sir, — I regret that owing to the gross 

 carelessness of a clerk, your application addressed to 

 1 Continent,' with others, were only seen by me 

 whilst on a visit here for a week or two. The 

 appointment you then applied for is of course now 

 provided for (sic ! ). In the course of a month or so 

 several additions will be made to the Continental 

 office, and a gentleman for special duty between 

 London and Paris. We may then give your letter 

 consideration. No security will be required in these 

 cases, but the very best of references are necessary ; 

 you will, however, be expected to have some little 

 knoivledge of Turf details, practices, and phrases, 

 and I would advise you to purchase the ' Practical 

 Turfite,' which is published privately, and circulated 

 amongst professional people. It can only be ob- 

 tained from Mr. [here an address in the City is 



given], who will refuse to supply you unless you 

 mention my name. There is no necessity for you 

 to take a yearly subscription, ' two guineas,' one for 

 half-year will answer your purpose, One Guinea. If 

 you carefully study the information contained therein, 

 as well as the accounts, advice, and suggestions, you 

 should be fairly well posted, and if at any interview 

 / find you as intelligent as your letter suggests we 



