BRITISH TURF. 387 



Chifney was examined at considerable length 

 by Mr. Humfrey, who then addressed the jury, 

 and commented with great severity on the evidence 

 of the bankrupt and his brother ; and the jury, 

 after consulting for about ten minutes, found the 

 following verdict : — " We are unanimously of 

 opinion that Samuel Chifney was not a horse- 

 dealer, for he had no board over his stables, and 

 only liveried horses which were sent him to be 

 trained ; and we are still more unanimously of 

 opinion that he was not a dealer in hay and corn." 

 The trial lasted the whole day. 



In consequence of this verdict, Chifney suffered 

 much inconvenience and loss of time by imprison- 

 ment, until he took the benefit of the Insolvent 

 Act. 



This was an unpropitious year for the interests 

 of the turf, as it witnessed the breaking up of two 

 of the most considerable racing-studs in the 

 country, caused by the deeply lamented deaths of 

 their owners. 



First in importance, as in the affectionate sympa- 

 thies of his subjects, was that of William IV. Al- 

 though no sportsman himself, most probably from 

 the fact of the bias of the pursuits of his youthful 

 days having been directed towards the sea, his 

 Majesty suffered no opportunity to escape, of pro- 

 moting our national amusements of the turf and 

 the chase. Under his munificent patronage, the 



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