JAMES MERRY 



the Duke of Newcastle's Pericles over the last five 

 furlongs of the Rowley Mile, now known as the 

 Rous Course. Odds of 5 to 2 were laid on Fitzroy, 

 who was ridden by Fordham and was winning in a 

 canter, but, about thirty yards from the finish, those 

 standing round heard a crack like that of a pistol- 

 shot, and it was seen that the leader had completely 

 snapped one of his legs. This enabled Pericles to 

 get up and win, and poor Fitzroy was subsequently 

 destroyed. Payne's riding career was not a very 

 long one, and, some little time after it had ter- 

 minated, he took the place of coachman to a doctor 

 at Oxford. His engagement in that capacity ter- 

 minated abruptly. His temper was a somewhat 

 curious one, and, his master having incurred his 

 displeasure, he planned and carried out a novel 

 scheme of revenge. Having previously called at 

 a neighbouring lunatic asylum with a specious 

 story, he drove his master there one day, and 

 handed him over as a new patient. In vain the 

 unhappy doctor tried to explain matters. " Don't 

 pay any attention to him, he always says that," was 

 " Speedy's " last remark as he departed with the 

 brougham, and his master was detained for some 

 hours before the truth came out. 



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