BRITISH TURF. 493 



its usual interest, from none of the fillies entered 

 for the Oaks having been favourites or winners of 

 the 1,000 gs. and other stakes, the usual touch- 

 stones of their merits. 



We next come to Ascot races, which once 

 more brought the Derby horses before the public. 

 The first race we have occasion to refer to was for 

 the Ascot stakes (handicap), won by Mr. Forth's 

 filly by Merchant by half a length, after a splendid 

 race, for which the public were indebted to the 

 great judgment displayed by those who fixed the 

 weights. The excellent riding of Little Bell, a 

 mere child, only four stone, and who rode the 

 winner, excited general wonder and admiration, 

 and even attracted the notice of her Majesty, who 

 was pleased to have the juvenile jockey brought 

 before her after the race, and graciously presented 

 him with a ten-pound note. It is said that, upon 

 being asked his weight by the Queen, he answered, 

 to the no small amusement of the royal circle, 

 " Please, ma'am, master says as how I must never 

 tell my weight." 



This little bijou of a jockey was accidentally 

 picked up by Mr. Forth, while riding a restive 

 horse in Oxford Street. Mr. Forth had him 

 apprenticed to him ; but he soon afterwards bolted, 

 but was recovered, upon a reward of £10 being 

 offered by Mr. Forth, much after the method 

 practised on the loss of a favourite lap-dog. 



The next race, the Ascot Derby, caused 



