BRITISH TURF. 51 



Light Dragoons, a party of them were also on the 

 ground on horseback for the hke purpose, 

 which unquestionably were the means of many 

 lives being saved. 



" About four o'clock, Mrs. Thornton appeared on 

 the ground, full of spirits, her horse led by Colonel 

 Thornton, and followed by Mr. Baker, and Mr. H. 

 Boynton ; afterwards appeared Mr. Flint. They 

 started a little past four o'clock. The lady took 

 the lead for upwards of three miles, in a most capi- 

 tal style. Her horse, however, had much the 

 shorter stroke of the two. When within a mile 

 of being home, Mr. Flint pushed forward and got 

 the lead, which he kept. Mrs. Thornton used 

 every exertion, but finding it impossible to win the 

 race, she drew up in a sportsmanlike style, when 

 within about two distances. 



" At the commencement of the running, bets 

 were five and six to four on the lady : in running 

 the three first miles, seven to four and two to one 

 in her favour. Indeed, the oldest sportsman on 

 the stand thought she must have won. In running 

 the last mile, the odds were in favour of Mr. 

 Flint. 



"Never, surely, did a woman ride in better 

 style. It was difficult to say whether her horse- 

 manship, her dress, or her beauty, was most ad- 

 mired — the tout ensemble was unique. 



"Mrs. Thornton's dress was a leopard coloured 

 body with blue sleeves, the vest was buff, and blue 



E 2 



