405 



its sweetest, he scored wins at every meeting, and sometimes three or 

 four in a day. 



The relationship between master and apprentice was of the happiest 

 description, and when he had served his time Mat Dawson presented 

 him with a valuable watch. For the next seven years he followed his 

 profession, and rode for whoever he chose, but gave the call of his 

 services to his former master whenever he required them. 



On January 1, 1881, he went into partnership with Mat Dawson, 

 and then came to reside at Falmouth House, which, with the stabling, 

 he had just built, and on January 31, 1883, he married Miss Nellie 

 Dawson, daughter of Mr. John Dawson, and niece of his friend and 

 partner. She died oa November 8, 1884, after giving birth to a daughter 

 who is at the time of writing a girl of eight years old. 



The death of his wife was a terrible blow to Archer, and I doubt if 

 he ever recovered from it. After awhile he went to America for a. 

 change, and returned to England in March, 1885. He then, on the 

 advice of his friends, resumed his profession. 



He paid his first visit to Ireland a few weeks before his death. 

 During the time, on October 20, he rode at the Curragh meeting for 

 Lord Londonderry in the Lord Lieatenant's Plate, which he won on 

 Cambusmore. Next day, in the Welters, he, on Mr. Charles Blake's 

 Black Hose, and Mr. Tommie Beasley on Mr. John Gubbins' Spahi, had 

 a rare set to, but our popular amateur beat him amidst the greatest 

 excitement. 



That Archer should get from the Lish a welcome of the heartiest 

 degree, which he undoubtedly did, was only what he was entitled to, 

 and would be expected of the people. But nothing, I think, showed the 

 respect we had for the great horseman more than, while thunders of 

 applause greeted his win on Cambusmore, and although every one of us 

 rejoiced hugely to see our own man beat him in the Welters, we 

 refrained from giving expression to our feelings by undue acclamation. 



Immediately after the Curragh meeting he returned to Newmarket, 

 and set hard at work to get off weight sufficient to enable him to ride 

 St. Mirin, 8st. 6lb., for the Cambridgeshire, then fast approaching. 

 To get to that weight was an impossibility, but he strove by every 

 means to get as near to it as possible. That event being the only one 

 of importance which he had never won, he was particularly keen to 

 break the ice this time, and as he had an undoubted good chance of 

 doing so on St. Mirin, he backed his mount to a very considerable 

 extent, but he could not get down to ride less than 8st. 71b. 



The race resulted in a tremendous finish between him and Alfred 

 White on Sailor Prince, but the latter won by a head. Although few, 

 if anyone, agreed with him, Archer thought he did not ride that race in his 

 usual style of excellence, and the idea took firm hold of him, and un- 

 doubtedly affected his mind. Of course he was very weak from the 

 excessive fasting, and may not have been able to finish as well as he 

 was wont to do. 



