220 THE GRAND NATIONAL. 



When Zero fell in the second round few people 

 were probably aware how nearly a distuio^uished 

 career was prematurely nipped in the bud. As a 

 matter of fact, Mr. " Roily " narrowly escaped 

 breaking his neck, Sir James Paget, who was hastily 

 summoned, declaring that in the whole of his 

 experience this was the only instance he knew of 

 the vertebra going back into its place after being 

 stretched, adding, that his noble patient's skeleton, if 

 preserved, would be most valuable in consequence. 



