TATTEESALL'S. 



IN presenting our Kttlo work to the public, it became necessary to choose some 

 frontispiece that might, as it were, afford a theme on Avhich to foimd oiu- introductory 

 notice ; for a preface, like the preparatory canter to the race-horse, serves to give 

 the aspu'ing author confidence ere he is actually called on to face the reader — we had 

 almost ■written starter. This selection was a matter of no small difficulty ; for though 

 scenes representing either one diversion or another are easily pitched upon, we de- 

 sired to give something that should embody the idea of the three great English sports, 

 Hunting, Steeple-Chasing, and Eacing. In one spot, and one only, may they all be said 

 to centre, and that spot is Tattersall's. Hero the blood sire and brood mare are almost 

 weekly offered for public competition. Here the yearling, though certainly not showing 

 to such advantage as in the green pastiu-es of Hampton Com-t, Middle Park, East 

 Acton, Knavesmiro, or Doncaster, is yet to be seen. And in some sort the latter 

 resorts of pleasiu'c and business to so many connected with the race-horse are mere 

 extensions of the spot we have now under consideration — are Tattersall's "out of Town," 

 so to speak — since the same influence presides over both. Here the best himters in the 

 world are yearly offered for public competition ; and within the last few years it has 

 been our lot to see exemplified the price that men who mean business will pay for 

 blood, bone, and weight-carrying power. Here we have seen a young and green horse 

 of promise realise the uiiheard-of sum of £450 for his good looks alone ; and this not, 

 be it remembered, with the idea of winning large stakes through his means, but simply 

 to enable one who will not be denied to hold his own in the fii'st fliglit over a stiff 

 coimtiy. Here also are at various times to be seen the steeple-chasers of the day — 

 good, bad, and indifferent, the two latter classes unfortunately predominating, whom 

 their owners, either fi-om necessity or prudence, are anxious to be cpiit of. 



Xeither must hoimds be forgotten : though latterly it has become the custom to 

 dispose of them at their respective kennels, still notices are not by any means wanting in 

 which Tattersall's has been selected as the venue for their transfer of ownership. Here 

 meet the sporting men of all classes, the owner of horses, the gentleman jockey and the 

 ti'ainer, the M.F.H. and the "leg," the betting man and the "nobbier." Here, during 

 the spring and summer months, the student of character can easily detect the inmtsman 

 and whip seeking situations ; the stud-groom who has brought his late master's stud in 

 blooming condition to the hammer, and is himself likewise on the look-out for a situation 

 for the ensuing season ; while, in juxtaposition to these, may be seen the loafer and cad 

 of every dcgi-ce, anxious for a job that may tiu-n him in a shilling, or, should that not 

 be forthcoming, athirst for the humble "two pennorth." 



'Ko scene, then, could be so well suited for oiu' fi-ontispiece as the one where 

 sporting characters of every type and A'ariety mingle ; and as the artist has presented to 

 the eye a truthful sketch of Tattersall's as it is, a slight resume of its origin and 

 foundation, from our pen, may not be altogether out of place in the introduction to a 

 work descriptive of those sports which ai-e so intimately connected with the time- 

 honoured rendezvous. From authentic records we have been able to glean the following 

 facts concerning the " Comer," as it was wont to be termed, and the family whose 

 fortunes have been so closely identified with its history and records : — 



About the year 1760 we find Mr. Tattersall opened the Old Corner, and by his 



