580 A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH TURF. 



to live. Their work, and their anxieties, must often be hard enough to justify 

 their "relaxations," whatever form they choose. But let them remember the reward 

 that came to one member of their profession for sticking soberly to his business. 

 There was once a little jockey named Ward, who was born at Howden, in Yorkshire. 

 Being trustworthy as well as capable, he was sent over with some thoroughbreds to 

 Vienna. There Prince Lichtenstein' kept him in his service, and his name gradually 

 became transmogrified into Signer Tommasso, while his intelligence increased and 

 ripened under the influence of the constant study he managed to combine with 

 his training duties. By degrees his master asked his advice about other matters 

 besides horses. The trainer blossomed into a diplomat, and by one inspired stroke 

 restored the fortunes of the Duchy of Lucca and placed Charles III. upon the 

 throne of Parma, rising, himself, from the post of Minister of Finance to that of 

 Prime Minister. This is a romance of the Turf, indeed ; but there are many 

 of " Signor Tommasso's " old companions who would have deliberately preferred 

 training a Derby winner to being the Prime Minister of any other country in 

 the world. I have often wondered how many foreign diplomats would be willing 

 to reverse that process ; and I fancy Lord Rosebery would be the most likely 

 man to know. 



