3 oS 'LORD OF THE ISLES: 



had Scythian, Little Harry, and many of the best 

 horses in the world for the purpose, with which to 

 try St. Hubert ; and with all his care and ability in 

 trying, was thought not likely to make a mistake. 

 My brother John, too, was credited with talent 

 sufficient to ensure his bein^ able to ffauge the merits 

 of Kingstown to the greatest nicety ; whilst I had 

 many who believed in what I did, and my stable was 

 to some extent considered powerful. My father ex- 

 pressed his opinion a few days before the race in 

 these words : ' William,' he said, ' I shall win, and 

 you will be second.' My brother feared mine. I 

 feared neither, because I believed in one good horse, 

 and knew that others were difficult to find. Kings- 

 town, it is true, ran well, showing an improvement of 

 about two stone on his form at Salisbury, which, 

 however, could not be considered formidable. 



The race itself has been described and redescribed 

 at the time and afterwards by so many able pens, 

 that I shall venture but a slight description of it. 

 After the candidates for high honours had entered the 

 saddling-ring, they were scrutinized with eager eyes 

 by friends and foes, and pronounced well or unfit, as 

 reason or fancy dictated. Save of the three cracks, 

 little was said of condition. Certainly, Kingstown, 

 when he walked round the ring divested of his 

 clothing, looked well ; and being on the big side, as 

 my brother's usually were, was deservedly much 

 admired. St. Hubert looked as if nothing on earth 



