OFFICIAL REPORTS. 59 



An " official report," however, of a later elate, announced 

 that " towards the afternoon the strong current which had set 

 in against the favourite earlier in the day met with a decided 

 check, and before the close of the afternoon anything over four 

 to one was taken freely." The inhabitants of the earth had 

 scarcely become either older or humbler, when a third " official 

 report" was circulated that "the friends of Sunshine rallied 

 in such force that so far from any symptoms existing of the 

 likelihood of his being ' knocked out,' layers became so shy that 

 three to one could hardly be obtained, and many books were 

 closed against him." Then followed a fourth "official report :" — 

 " We learn that the rumour of Sunshine having overpowered 

 his lad while at exercise was quite in accordance with the fact ; 

 but that his having pulkcl up dead lame may be construed as 

 an unequivocal exaggeration of the mischief. In order to learn 

 the worst that might have happened under such circumstances, 

 his trainer, Mr. James Sloper, immediately called in the 

 services of the eminent veterinary surgeon, Professor Doeland, 

 and that gentleman, after a careful examination, pronounced 

 a most decided opinion that the colt had received no injury 

 whatever. The reinstatement of Sunshine as first favourite in 

 the betting must prove highly satisfactory to his influential 

 party, and the public in general, who have supported him 

 throughout in a manner which proves the immense confidence 

 entertained in his capacity to pull off the double event." 



Mr. James Sloper perused the details of the fourth " official 

 report" with a relish approaching the indescribable. He 

 rubbed the ends of his fingers together, and his inward 

 chuckle miglit have been accepted for the pur-r-r of a cat 

 without any great stretch upon the imagination. Never did 

 the claret taste better, never did it look more brilliant, as 

 Mr. James Sloper held it to the light previous to bringing it 

 in contact with his lips for the consummation of enjoyment. 



" It was as good a movement as was ever made to get on 

 at a better figger," said Mr. James Sloper to the transparent 



