THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH 7 



he employed had to follow his example. The 

 religious and secular education of his stable lads 

 caused him much concern; indeed, he took a 

 fatherly interest in their welfare generally. He 

 would not tolerate swearing, and the sight of 

 a jockey or stable-boy smoking horrified him. 

 It has been well said that he was " as simple as a 

 child in his tastes and pursuits, but, in his inter- 

 course with society, a perfect man of the world, as 

 respectful to the peer as courteous to the peasant." 

 As I have explained, I went to Michel Grove 

 as a light-weight jockey. I had one essential 

 qualification, for my weight at that time was only 

 4 St. 10 lb. There are, however, many things 

 required to make a jockey, and not the least 

 important is opportunity. I had as a rival none 

 other than John Wells, who was at this period of 

 his career attached to the Michel Grove stable. 

 Because of his diminutive stature, he was generally 

 called " Tiny." He could then ride at 6 st., 

 perhaps less, and was already so successful that 

 he obtained, as a matter of course, all the mounts 

 John Day could give him. Maybe I sometimes 

 felt disappointed ; perhaps I thought I was not 

 getting the chances I deserved. But before 

 many years had gone by I came to realise that 

 circumstances were all the while trending to my 

 advantage. If only we could throw our vision 

 into the future what vexation of spirit we should 

 often be spared. 



