BRITISH TURF. 577 



are the droll stories told of some of these originals, 

 hinging on this little failing, joined to their profes- 

 sional peculiarities. We must content ourselves 

 with the two following anecdotes, which sufficiently 

 illustrate our meaning. 



Although so splendid a rider over a race-course, 

 Old Chifney by no means shone as a workman 

 across a country ; nor did he ever willingly incur 

 any risk when following the hounds ; and his ti- 

 midity in the field being well known to his royal 

 master, the Prince of Wales, his Royal Highness 

 often derived much amusement by practising on it. 

 Keeping his eye on his nervous jockey, the Prince 

 would delight in ordering him to lead the way over 

 difficult places ; an unpleasant distinction which 

 Chifney could not well decline, and many a tumble 

 was the result of his obedience. On one occasion, 

 having received a terrible purl over a fence, which 

 the prince had sent him over to explore, the un- 

 lucky jockey, as soon as he could find breath, 

 bawled out the following report, to the no small 

 amusement of his royal master and his atten- 

 dants : — "A ditch, by G— d ! your Royal High- 

 ness, and I have nearly broken my neck, and if 

 you try it, yours will be quite done for." 



Our next illustration of the characteristics of 

 these rough and ready riders of the old school, refers 

 to Old William Clift,* an instance of whose nerve, 



* We believe this veteran jockey is still enjoying a green old age at 

 Newmarket. 



VOL. II. P P 



