252 The!Life"^of Fred Archer 
race. I only regret not having been there to see it, but pray 
accept my warmest thanks and congratulations. I do not ever 
remember seeing his lordship so pleased as he was on his return 
from Epsom yesterday, and I can assure you I was just as 
excited. 
"Yours truly, 
"Eliz. Hastings." 
Melton was always a difficult horse to train, and Dawson 
had many anxious periods with him, but all went well, and on 
St. Leger day it was written : 
" Melton was one of the first of the St. Leger candidates 
in the paddock, and he threaded his way through the crowd 
as quietly as possible. He wore drab cloths on his hind and 
fore legs, which, however, it was plain to be seen were as 
perfectly clean as bars of silver. 
" He has thickened immensely since he won the Derby, 
and the shine on his coat told its story as to his health and 
condition being as perfect as his most ardent admirers could 
posssibly desire. Mathew Dawson had, in fact, very great 
reason to be proud of the appearance of his favourite when 
stripped, and of the result he has achieved through diffi- 
culties almost unparalleled in the intricacies of his calling as a 
trainer." 
After the Derby the St. Leger ! There were ten runners, 
and odds of 95 to 40 were laid on Melton, while Isobar and 
Lonely were joint second favourites at 10 to i. The race was 
started by Lord M. Beresford, and Melton was one of the first 
away, but Archer eased him until he was absolutely last. 
Melton, however, gradually improved his position, and when 
nearing the last bend except one Lonely and St. Helena went 
wide to avoid some new ground. Archer shot Melton in on the 
rails. 
