60 
TURF PERFORMANCES OF ACROBAT. 
going publications, Mr. Percivall was also the inventor of a 
Patent Horse- Sandal, to supply the place of a lost shoe in 
the hunting-field, being likewise highly useful as an infir- 
mary shoe, in very many of the ordinary diseases to which 
the foot of the horse is liable, and which only requires to be 
better known to be more fully appreciated. 
Within the last six months, the declining health of Mr. 
Percivall rendered it imperative upon him to seek pure air 
and retirement from professional occupation. From the cir- 
cumstance, however, of his successor in the regiment being 
on foreign service, he was scarcely permitted to accomplish 
this desirable and all-important object ere he was seized with 
the sudden illness, which, in the short space of ten days, 
terminated a life devoted alike to his military duties and his 
literary labours. 
In public professional life, for the reasons already stated, 
Mr. Percivall was little known. On one occasion only, 
though contrary to his own inclinations, did he appear as a 
lecturer, being free to acknowledge his inability as a public 
speaker. To oblige a friend, suffering from severe indisposi- 
tion, he delivered, on the occasion referred to, the Introductory 
Lecture on Veterinary Science, at the University of London, 
on November 20th, 1833. 
It may be permitted us to add, that the subject of this 
memoir was a good husband, a kind father, and a faithful 
friend ; qualities that could not fail to endear him to the 
domestic circle, where his loss will be long felt and deeply 
deplored. 
January 12, 1855. 
ON THE TURF PERFORMANCES OF ACROBAT. 
By W. J. Goodwin, M.R.C.S., M.R.C.V.S. 
“ On the last day, the victory of Acrobat (who had run so wretchedly in 
the Leger) over Ivan, beaten only by a head for the former race, gave rise 
to a scene which w r e never hope to see repeated ; nor did the subsequent 
accusations and recriminations do anything towards freeing the case from 
the suspicion which attended the whole matter. The sooner the incidents 
are forgotten the better.” 
In a survey of the last year’s racing occurrences so ably 
detailed in a late number of c Bell’s Life,’ the above para- 
graph is found, and I cordially coincide with the writer of it 
in all but his concluding remark; but while facts are 
