60 . 
PONY AGAINST COACH. 
Burke considering, from the appearance of the pony, that it was 
any odds in his favour. The shortest cut, through Gray’s Inn- 
lane and across Mount Pleasant, was taken to Islington, and a match 
cart was on this occasion substituted for the gig. At Finchley, 
Barnet, and Welwyn, the leaders were again changed; and at the 
latter place the pony was taken out and put in the stable, where 
he staled, and drank two quarts of gruel with good appetite. He 
renewed his labours, apparently with undiminished vigour, and 
so passed through Hitchin, when the backers against time began 
to apprehend certain loss. Unfortunately, however, after passing 
through Hitchin, and within about three miles of Shefford, the 
poor little creature faltered, and Burke, as he had promised if the 
animal got fatigued, pulled up, saying it was all over. At first his 
friends were incredulous, but he said that, from the symptoms that 
exhibited themselves, it was unlikely he could succeed, and he 
would rather lose his money than his pet. The animal was then 
walked to Shefford and placed in a loose box. Mr. Powell, a 
veterinary surgeon, was sent for, and, on examining the poor little 
creature, foretold its speedy death. The lungs, he said, were con- 
gested from the speed at which he came through a foggy and foul 
atmosphere, such as Monday presented, added to the labour of 
going over a road interspersed with heavy hills, and covered al- 
most from one end to the other with rough gravel. Another vete- 
rinary surgeon concurred in this opinion, and, although attempts 
were made to bleed him, at ten minutes before eight the pony was 
no more. On being subsequently opened the cause of death was 
sufficiently evident; but from the soundness of the intestines and 
viscera, both surgeons agreed that if the air had been clear and 
bracing, instead of muggy and oppressive, the task, however great, 
might have been accomplished. When the pony was at Shefford, 
he was only eight and a half miles from Bedford, and had one hour 
and eight minutes to complete the distance. 
We have received several letters, complaining, and not unjustly, 
of the inhumanity of the match at this season of the year, and with 
the roads in so dreadful a state ; and others stating that, from the 
manner in which the leaders were attached to the harness of the 
pony, much inconvenience accrued, by the fresh horse dragging the 
poor animal that was fatigued faster than his own powers would 
justify. Other letters insinuate that the animal could have com- 
pleted his labours, but was poisoned. With respect to the latter 
charge it is utterly without foundation ; but with regard to the 
former we can offer no apology, although we are persuaded that 
Burke had a perfect assurance, from former experience, that his 
little favourite would have pulled him through. We do not be- 
lieve any very large sums were won or lost. 
