128 Silk and Scarlet. 



member rightly, that it is purely optional with a 

 master whether he ever relinquishes his claim on their 

 services ; and that if they refuse to ride, and want 

 arrears paid up, they must apologize by advertisement, 

 or be warned off the Heath. Hence their claim to 

 far more consideration than they receive. 

 Race Ridinff Would that, on the other hand, we 

 could believe that old racing-men and 

 trainers, who do not love to see regular jockeys 

 obliged to stand down for " Aztecs" and stable-lads, 

 are not too bitter when they shrug up their shoulders 

 at what is often termed " a magnificent finish," and 

 ask " Where is riding gone to V " There is no 

 patience and quietness," say they, " among the ruck 

 of these lads ; they ought to have their legs and arms 

 strapped to their sides ; they only use them to maul a 

 horse about in his canter, or upset him in his race." 

 And yet there is scarcely one of the juveniles who does 

 not think that he has forgotten more than Buckle took 

 nearly a life-time to learn, and that his hand is every 

 {vhit as delicate as " The Old Screw's." When we 

 mark the rare phalanx who went to scale for the Oaks 

 of '44, and think that of those alone, Sam Chifney, 

 Robinson, John Day junior. Chappie, Sam Darling, 

 Frank Butler, and Job Marson will ride no more — we 

 may well, in these latter days, when jockeys are so 

 rife and yet horsemen so rare, full often wisli for them 

 back. 



