30 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



with an old Marlow friend, Mr. John Brook, 

 of whose bold riding ranch had been said. 

 The consequence was rather unpleasant. Mr. 

 Smith's ardour was roused ; he had no idea of 

 being cut out in horsemanship, and he so 

 urged on his poor steed that it died on the 

 way home, and was disposed of to a knacker 

 for a guinea; a bargain this, which enabled 

 him to tell his wife with a clear conscience 

 that he had sold him, though of course the 

 particulars oozed out imder cross-examination. 

 This incident is mentioned to warn yoimg 

 sportsmen never to hunt or ride hard a horse 

 that is fat and out of condition. 



When in London, Mr. Smith's good friend 

 Mr. Gr. Taylor procured for him from the 

 Earl of Fife permission to shoot grouse, and 

 to fish for salmon in the Deveron. In his 

 way to Scotland he managed to be at Edin- 

 biu'gh when King George TV. arrived there, 

 which was in August 1822. At the request 

 of Lady Jane Taylor, who was the wife of 



