PALMER'S STUD 309 



was the riding that did it.' While the sentence was being 

 passed Palmer drew himself up as if about to make some 

 remark, but did not attempt to speak ; then he stood quite 

 calm, and when his Lordship had concluded, turned round 

 and walked from the dock with the same coolness he had 

 shown during the whole of his protracted trial. 



palmer's stud 



An account of the sale, dispersal, and subsequent per- 

 formances of the horses comprising Palmer's racing stud 

 appears necessary in order to complete the collateral story 

 of the notorious poisoner's connection with the Turf. In 

 1 Bell's Life ' of January 20, 1856, we read that ' William 

 Palmer's own life is insured in the Albion Office for 5,000/., 

 and the policy is assigned to Mr. Wright, solicitor, of 

 Birmingham, for " advances made." ' Mr. Wright, it may 

 be remembered, is the person who swept off the whole of 

 Palmer's effects, under a bill of sale for 10,000/., including 

 the racing and breeding stud, which was brought to the 

 hammer at Tattersall's on Monday last, and realised 3,906/. 

 Pratt had a bill of sale for 500/. on Polestar, Mr. Cook's 

 mare, which it is understood he has since voluntarily relin- 

 quished, so that she, together with the remainder of Mr. 

 Cook's stud, will shortly be sold. ' As to the sale of 

 Palmer's stud, it naturally drew together a very large 

 attendance, including many leading patrons of the Turf, 

 and most of the principal trainers. There was some 

 spirited bidding for The Chicken between a supporter of 

 the Danebury stable, and Mr. Harlock, the latter of whom 

 eventually secured the horse for a noble lord [Lord Ports- 

 mouth], who adopts the nom de course of ' Edwards.' Major 

 Grove secured Tricktress for the Royal Stud, but the 

 Prince's commission (!) would not allow of his securing 

 Nettle (who was ruined by her accident in the Oaks for 

 racing purposes), and he was outbid by Mr. F. L. Popham. 

 The Seaweed filly and Rip Van Winkle return to Woolcot's. 

 Mr. Howard bought the two highest-priced yearlings (the 

 filly out of Maid of Lynne, and the colt out of Dervish's 

 dam), and they go into William Goater's stable ; and the 

 yearling colt out of Goldfinder's dam was purchased by 



