82 Saddle and Sirloin. 



action. After a sale luncheon, which was of a truth to 

 the North what Mr. Macintosh's memorable one had 

 been to the South, the agricultural worthies, headed 

 by Tom Gibbons, might be seen cosily seated round 

 the ring for four long hours, cheering whenever the 

 biddings rose to fever heat for Moss Rose and the 

 Princesses, and smoking their "churchwardens" in 

 supreme delight. Mr. D. R. Davies, Mr. Brogden 

 (who was then successfully wooing Wednesbury), and 

 Mr. Drewry mounted a low platform, with Mr. Thorn- 

 ton as a " Herd Book in breeches" on the box of a 

 drag at their elbow, and a very " hot corner" it proved, 

 when business fairly began. 



Mr. Strafford, who, as usual, held a commission for 

 " the Kentish Son of Thunder," fought Mr. Davies by 

 io-guinea bids from 300 (where five bidders had 

 dropped off) up to 400 for Moss Rose. This was her 

 fourth appearance in a sale-ring. First she fell as a 

 blooming Cobham calf for 260 guineas to Mr. Hales's 

 nod ; then it was " 245 guineas, Mr. Betts," " 230 

 guineas, Mr. Foster ;" and now 400 guineas for the 

 Mere Old Hall herd completed her Tale of a Time 

 Glass. Duchess Gwynne (180 guineas), Princess 2nd 

 (300 guineas), and Princess 3rd (330 guineas), were 

 fought out between Lord Kenlis and Mr. Brogden, 

 and his lordship won the rubber. Nothing daunted, 

 in went Mr. Brogden for Countess Gwynne (240 

 guineas), and got her. At this juncture, the platform 

 could bear such heavy volleys no longer, and collapsed 

 amid a roar of merriment ; and when Mr. Brogden 

 and Mr. Davies lighted on their legs, and presented 

 themselves again on a surer footing, they were greeted 

 with the assurance that " weiglit of brass brokt doon." 

 Sir Wilfrid Lawson was not long in making up his 

 mind for Royal Cambridge, a massive son of Moss 

 Rose, and at 240 guineas the roan was booked for 

 Brayton. His brother, Royal Cumberland, tempted 

 Mr. Fawcett at 160 guineas, and he and the wealthy 



