THE GRAND NATIONAL. 77 



correct. In the constant preparation of this artificial 

 fence, the workmen had gradually diminished the 

 depth of the ditch till it had become a mere splash 

 of water, and I desired that it might be restored to 

 its former dimensions and no more. The water is 

 13 feet 6 inches in breadth, and more than 4 feet 

 deep. The rail is about 3 feet high, strongly made 

 and leaning towards the water. It is a \ery large 

 but perfectly fair leap, and I do not remember any 

 serious accident befalling a horse except in one 

 instance, when a fine Irish horse broke his back,, 

 but this happened in consequence of the frost. 



" Sefton." 



It was quite a case of "Handsome is that handsome 

 does " w^ith Miss Mowbray, for it is a fact that for a 

 long while, though a good performer in the hunting- 

 field and on sale for the small sum of 100 guineas, 

 not a soul would have anything to do with the mare 

 for steeplechasing purposes, amongst her detractors 

 being such good judges of a horse as Messrs. Charles 

 Bevill and Goodman, the latter of whom rode her 

 on the occasion we write of. 



At last, having carried Mr. J. P. Mason well to 

 the front in a very fast thing with the Oakley, that 

 gentleman bought the mare and forthwith had her 



