174 WAYFARING NOTIONS 



left in jumping is well known, but a more tactable 

 chap in ordinary exercise could not be made to 

 order. The boy who walked him off to the 

 stables after John Watts had been on his back in 

 a canter may have weighed fifty pounds, but I 

 think I should rather bet that he did not go four 

 stone than wager the other way. This tiny mite 

 and the big horse got on together admirably. 

 Among the string Mr Marsh had out were some 

 two-year-olds calculated to take anyone's fancy, 

 and tried performers whose records can be read 

 in the Calendar. They and their work made one 

 chapter in a delightful volume. The well-drilled 

 army of retainers, units in the great machinery 

 of the vast establishment, could furnish another, 

 with system and consequent economy of time and 

 labour always accentuating themselves on your 

 observation. The parade on the home walking 

 ground before making for the Heath gave another 

 charming scene, but the prettiest of all was to see 

 the stud matrons with their babies — some little 

 leggy things only a few days old, and as pretty in 

 their ways as fawns, with the old ladies' eyes 

 always on them. One very distinguished lady I 

 came across looking as sober and demure as if 

 she had never known what excitement spelt — 

 still, a very observant party all the same, taking 

 interest in everything going on within her view. 

 This was Sceptre, one of the greatest popular 

 idols of any age, and I should not like to say 

 how good at her best. If anyone could have 

 such things as racing establishments for play- 

 things, as do children toys, and I were given only 

 one choice, I think someone else would have to 

 decide for me between a farmyard and a trainer- 

 breeder's household. I rather fancy best the 



