'VARSITY STEEPLECHASE 157 



The man who first suggested the feat, a well-known 

 North Country clergyman, then attempted it. The horse 

 just cleared the table, but caught one of his heels on the 

 edge, and, pulling the cloth over, smashed some plates and 

 glasses. Of course, a dozen others wished to try, but 

 enough had been done, and the veto was put on any more 

 displays of circus-riding. How was the horse to be got 

 down ? The corridor already mentioned was traversed ; 

 but, on coming to the top of the stairs, nothing would 

 induce the horse to put a foot on to the first step, although 

 he was as quiet as a lamb. A learned Q. C, staying in 

 the house, suggested the original solution of the difficulty, 

 viz. to blindfold him, and then to take him to the end of 

 the corridor, and lead him steadily along without stopping 

 a moment. This advice was immediately acted upon, and, 

 the horse coming along freely enough, began to go down 

 the stairs, but, getting frightened, stumbled and fell on his 

 knees, but did not cease to scramble on. The two men 

 who held him by the head, soothed him, and in the end he 

 landed safe in the entrance-hall, breaking, however, three 

 or four of the carved oak balusters in the course of his 

 descent. 



