old Gervasc hath it. Here, with the form slightly altered, but not more so than from the 

 old-fashioned four-mile heats to the present T.Y.C spin, we get the steepleehase, or at 

 any rate its counterpart. 



Possibly, their essays may have been more across rough ground, bogs, heath, and so 

 forth, than would exactly suit the notions of Mr. Edwards or Geo. Stevens ; but doubtless 

 there was a certain amount of fencing included, and not unlikely a deep and broad river 

 or two in the line, as in that martial age a horseman was expected to manage his steed 

 as well in the water as on land; and if they could not, like Dick Christian, " 'ketch 'em up 

 and make 'em go " across thii-ty feet of water at a fly; they could encoimter rivers where 

 many of their successors woidd look out for a boat. In fact, their bits and saddles must 

 have sadly interfered with really scientific riding across country ; but after having, in 

 our own experience, seen a Yorkshire boy get along respectably witli hounds on a rough 

 unkempt pony, by the aid of a hemp halter tlnnist in his mouth, and a thorn twig 

 pidled ir-om the liedge to act the part of whip, spur, and one rein, we must give them 

 the credit of having made at least a decent fight across country. But space warns to 

 drop the old-world stories, and come to the time when steeplechasing, pure and simple, 

 became an institution in oiu" country. 



This we may fairly date from the day when Captain Eoss and Lord Kennedy 

 met on the coach, and discussed the merits of Cai)tain Douglas as a rider, the 

 result of which was the celebrated Clinker and Radical match. This set the ball rolling, 

 and then we find Clashcrand Osbaldiston, Beecher and Vivian, Moonraker, Grimaldi, 

 and Co., taking up the tale. Then Jerry became but a grand prelude to the celebrated 

 Elmore Lottery era, and in conjunction with Gaylad, the short-quartered brown, who 

 had a grey tag to his tail just like a fox, played such havoc amongst his compeers, 

 that handicaps succeeded penalties, any amoimt of which failed to stop Jem 

 Mason and the Holderness Brown. Then Cigar, Peter Simple, and Vanguard 

 formed a triplet of grays well worthy the fame of their renowned predecessor, 

 Grimaldi. And Discount, with the Switcher as aide-de-camp, put in a strong claim 

 for the light and dark chesnuts. The latter was a queer gentleman to ride, and 

 perhaps on the whole scarcely so good as his stable companion St. Leger, and he 

 used to give Lord Strathmore a rough time of it to shove him along OA^er ditch and 

 bullfinch. These done with, Boiu-ton and Lord George, whom we remember seeing stai-t 

 for the Goodwood Cup in Nancy's year,worthilj- carried on the cross-countrj^ honours, until 

 light weights and handicaps brought in a lower standard, and it took the prestige of Lord 

 Coventry, with the crack sisters Emblem and Emblematic, once more to give a real 

 sterling character to the sport, despite the prowess of Huntsman, Emigrant, and another 

 or two. With L'Africaine the French seemed about to cut us down in cross-country 

 events, as they did with Gladiateur on the turf ; but there was a mystery hanging about 

 both, which sadly marred tlieir brilliant performances. By the way, it just occiu-s to us 

 that we have this year seen Eltham, third to the French crack in the Derby, and one of 

 the best of the lot that he gained so much kiulos by beating, figuring in hack races, and in 

 bad company even for such aff'airs. What a feat for the host horse the turf ever saw to canter 

 away from Christmas Carol who has once since won a handicap, and from Eltham who runs 

 hack selling races. Trulj' lie, the great, the invincible Gladiateiu-. worked hard for his 

 renown ! But he is not a steejjlechaser, and consequently beyond our remarks. We beg 

 his pardon for mentioning the mighty name in such company, but unfortunately all liis 

 followers have descended so low, that they call to mind the adage, " tell me your company, 

 and I will tell you who you are." Again, space warns us that we must follow our cross- 

 country memories no further, and as more recent events are touched on in another place, 

 we may well dismiss the theme, and turn om- attention to the sister sport on the flat. 



