' THE FRENCH YEAR; iS6<;, 147 



solved to do his very best to ensure that there would 

 be no complauit from either owners or the public, and 

 he certainly succeeded, as was afterwards universally 

 admitted. The winner was in no way favoured, al- 

 though, as may be well supposed, there were not want- 

 ing those who if they could would have favoured some 

 of the English horses. Wild Charley, Mr. Merry's 

 horse, was first off, but was at once held back by his 

 jockey, and, ilhistrating the proverb, was almost the 

 last horse in the race when the moment arrived for 

 judgment to be recorded. Almost from the start the 

 horses were so crowded too^ether that some of them 

 could not act. Tilt v/as seen in front till the mile- 

 post was reached, and then Eltham, running vigorously, 

 got his head in front and still further improved the 

 pace. After passing the mile-post a 'scrimmage' took 

 place among the second lot in the race ; some of the 

 jockeys in consequence using language to each other 

 that was more forcible than polite. In the melee 

 Wild Charley was greatly interfered with, and was 

 actually at one place carried off his feet, and when 

 released from his awkward position stumbled upon 

 Archimedes, who in turn canoned against Gladiateur, 

 and so much imperilled his chance for the moment 

 that Grimshaw (his jockey) was compelled to pull him 

 short up, which in turn interfered with Longdown. 

 Toddlcben and Braham were now brought to the front 

 by their jockeys, and ran well among the horses that 

 were leading. By the time that Tattenhara Corner 

 was reached the field was seen to be a straoi-'dinsf one. 

 Christmas Carol on the inside berth came round in 

 grand style, indicating that he had a fair chance of 



10—2 



