16 'OLD q' 



the events just recorded introduce his lordship 

 to the reader in a new light — that of a jockey, 

 as it is not every devotee of the 'craft' who has 

 the nerve or ability to ride his own horses in 

 races or matches. It was this 'gift' to act in the 

 'pigskin' that enabled his lordship to know, of his 

 own ' ken,' what his ' Pegasuses ' could do, and he 

 doubtless frequently asked them ' a question ' before 

 committing himself, or them, to a match or the 

 ' market odds.' Indeed, this knowledge of jockey- 

 ship will be found to have saved him from machina- 

 tions perhaps not yet wholly unknown in the present 

 day. 



Owing to the defective chronology of racing his- 

 tory at this period (1748), much remains unrecorded 

 of the Earl's prowess ; though it Avill be found that, 

 with a better and more detailed record, which begins 

 a few years later, enough and sufficient reference to 

 his lordship's performances and racing career will be 

 made to satisfy the most enthusiastic turfite. 



In support of a former allusion that wagering on 

 horse-matches or races was not the only form of 

 gambling his lordship affected, he formed a desire 

 to make, about 1748-1749, a 'record' — which still 

 flourishes like a ' green bay tree ' — against time. In 

 arran^ino" this affair, which resulted in the now 



