i54 MEN OF PAST DAYS. 



made it known, particularly the trainer. But it was 

 so, and I discovered it on his arrival at Woodyates by 

 the saddle-marks, which could be seen quite plainly. 



I purchased the whole of Lord Exeter's property at 

 Newmarket of his agent, Mr. John Francis Clarke, 

 for £11,000, for Mr. Simpson the banker at Diss, and 

 owner of the breeding stud of that name. A curious 

 circumstance occurred on my doing this in the follow- 

 ing way : I bid Mr. Clarke £9,000 for it, the price 

 asked being £10,000; but, as a friend, he advised me, 

 if I really wanted to buy it, to give the price at once ; 

 for, he added, ' Lord Exeter is such a curious man to 

 deal with, he may say he won't sell it at all, or else put 

 the figure up.' But I did not quite see this, and bid 

 him the £9,000 again. In due course this offer was 

 refused, with the intimation that Lord Exeter would 

 not now take less than £11,000, confirming Mr. 

 Clarke's advice to the very letter. After consulting 

 Mr. Simpson, I took it at the enhanced price, and even 

 then it was very cheap. After the bargain was com- 

 pleted, his lordship requested, as a favour, to be 

 allowed to move the marble mantelpiece in the dining- 

 room, on which ' the Godolphin Arabian ' was sculp- 

 tured, he undertaking to replace it with a better. The 

 request was acceded to, and the promise fulfilled. 

 Lord Exeter, who in all his relations bore the 

 character of a strictly honourable man, was in all 

 connected with racing an example of integrity. He 

 lived respected, and died at a good old age. 



