1 82 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



of three or four of the Seven Dials sort, that 

 used at one time to be hawked round the public- 

 houses at which sporting men were wont to 

 congregate. One sample of the doggerel — I am 

 not speaking now of the graceful contributions 

 published by BeWs Life or The Sunday Times, 

 but of the Cattnach kind, written for recital in 

 public-houses, one of which I well remember — 

 proved a fortunate tip, as it wound up with an 

 excellent prophecy : 



All who desire to quench their very great thirst 

 Must back my bright fancy, brave Pyrrhus the First. 



Another of the kind, after dealing with all the 

 animals likely to start for the race (more than a 

 dozen), pronounced boldly in favour of the horse 

 that won, winding up his narrative with the 

 following rather clumsy lines : 



Now this fair chance is given, play you your cards right well. 

 Take my advice — down with your dibs on the bold Dayrell. 



I am quoting these lines from memory, and 

 another concluding couplet dwells in my remem- 

 brance : 



Coldrenick ! Coldrenick ! the crowd loudly cry, 

 But Attila's the animal that wins, in my eye. 



afterwards altered by " the poet " to : 



Coldrenick ! Coldrenick ! the crowd loudly shout, 

 But to-day I set down as Attila's day out. 



In respect of the art of really ''poetical" 

 tipping, there are few who know how very 

 difficult it is to render the matter presentable ; 



