544 A HISTOKY OF THE ENGLISH TURF. 



objects of this scheme were to raise the moral character of the boys, to increase their 

 efficiency, and to produce a large number of capable jockeys, the idea being to 

 combine the education required by the law of the land with a sound course of 

 instruction in riding and stable duties, so as to supply trainers with a continuous 

 stream of "half-made jockeys." It is significant that this proposal came up just as 

 the Bishop of Hereford's Betting Bill had been rejected by a small majority of the 

 House of Lords, and when the country was considerably agitated over the Govern- 

 ment's new Education Bill. Neither Mr. Lowther nor Lord Durham saw their way 

 to supporting the scheme as it stood, and the matter fell through. The fact is that 

 the prevalent craze for over-education, in subjects of which the utility is controversial, 

 made any such combined system impossible, and it is probably only under such an 

 exceptional master as Tom Cannon that any good could really have been effected. 

 Even he could never teach an apprentice to have "hands." That is a gift that 

 is born and not made. So is the mysterious sympathy which exists between a few 

 people and all the horses they have to do with. Yet each of these qualities is 

 practically essential. A boy of fourteen, fresh from school, must at least possess 

 them, or he will get no further than a stable-bucket for several years out of the five 

 of his apprenticeship. When the lad has been taught not only how to look after 

 his horse in his stable, but also to sit on his back at exercise, he has a lot more to 

 learn before he can be trusted to ride any trials. On his success in these depends 

 his chances of a mount in public. Once he is weighed out in his silk jacket and cap 

 by the clerk of the course, he has the opportunity of his life before him, with far more 

 races in which to learn his business than was ever the case before, and with prospects 

 of a far higher reward. Tom Cannon himself may have deserved ,15,000 paid in 

 advance as a retainer for three years ; but Fordham only got .1,000 a year from Mr. 

 Stirling Crawfurd for many successive seasons ; and Archer preferred to have his 

 liberty. Sam Rogers only got ,50 a year from Colonel Lowther. Frank Butler 

 was paid ,100 a year by Lord Derby to take Bill Scott's place. Jem Robinson, 

 earlier still, received still less, being content with ,25 from Mr. Rush, and "two .10 

 notes " from Lord Jersey for his victories on Cobweb. When I compare the fees 

 such men as these were paid with the thousands squandered on the American 

 brigade, I find it difficult to offer any explanations ; for apart from Tom Cannon, 

 who rides races no longer, I can think of no one now living who can compare 

 with any of his predecessors I have just mentioned. Though Morny Cannon 

 has only won the Derby with Flying Fox, it must have been an unusual sensation 



