88 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



Mr Williams, at my request, went to Eaton specially to 

 communicate to his Grace, as I have before mentioned. 

 I no doubt said that the publication of our conclusions 

 had been prematurely and hastily made, as it would in 

 all probability tend to defeat our object in trying to trace 

 the matter out and bring the offenders to justice. I am, 

 sir, yours sincerely, J. PORTER. 



PARK HOUSE, KINGSCLERE, 

 1th May 1892. 



It was of course necessary for me to refer in some 

 way to the above letter, and I did so, on i ith May 1891, 

 as follows : 



" The Sportsman" nth May 1891. 



MYSELF AND JOHN PORTER 



MY attention has been called to letters from John 

 Porter and others published in yesterday's Sportsman. 

 I have no concern with the "others," but, so far as John 

 Porter goes, a few words from me may be needed. 

 Having read his amiable letter, written after he had 

 had an opportunity of seeing the Duke of Westminster, 

 I can only say that such reputation for memory as I 

 possess may be cast to the winds and a good riddance 

 to it rather than I should stir up strife between 

 trainer and employer. I certainly accept John Porter's 

 correction that the Duke had been too hasty in publish- 

 ing the poisoning idea, and not in entertaining it. That 

 indeed was what I intended to convey ; but as to the 

 rest, I do not want to express any further opinion. 



I should have written with less freedom than I did 

 had not John Porter expressed a desire that I should 

 " keep back nothing." The statement that I did not see 



