THE CORINTHIAN CUP PICTURE. 307 



did not live long enough to gain the place in 

 the annals of Irish sport which his accomplish- 

 ments would have entitled him to. It is not, 

 however, my office now to speak of them or their 

 conquests. In my chronicle of sjDort I should rather 

 fill up some pages in recounting the deeds of the 

 youngest brother of the three; and if to *' witch the 

 world with feats of noble horsemanship," be worthy 

 of ambition to Colonel R. Bernard, then belongs the 

 crown of conquest. Early in life he entered the 

 Austrian service, but long prior to the Crimean war, 

 through which he served as a volunteer, the greater 

 sporting attributes of his own land recalled him to 

 Ireland. During the years which have intervened, few 

 names have been so constantly and so creditably as 

 his on the lips of hunting and racing men on this side 

 of the Channel. Elsewhere I have alluded to his 

 connection with the "old garrison" and Kilkenny 

 Hounds, and it is now only possible for me to assure 

 my readers that he was a horseman of undaunted 

 pluck and judgment, with a perfect knowledge of pace, 

 exquisite hands and seat, great strength, and a coolness 

 in difficulties and in finishing, which gained for him 

 the credit of more "head" than almost any of his 

 Corinthian opponents. Such qualities of a successful 

 sportsman were backed up by a thousand others 

 which only belong to the character of a most amiable 

 and kindly-hearted man, and perfect gentlemen, have 

 gained for Colonel "Dick" Bernard an army of 

 admirers and well-wishers, amongst whom the writer 

 hopes he may be permitted to enrol himself. 



The chapters on the Ward Union Hounds and the 

 " Kilkennies " were printed, and this brief reference I 



