The Life of Fred Archer 293 
write you a few lines of sympathy. I cannot tell you how 
deeply grieved we were when we heard the news of poor Mr. 
Archer's sad death, and how truly sorry we feel for you, his 
poor sister. You must indeed need sympathy to help you to 
bear your great trouble. I knew your poor brother very well, 
and it makes me terribly sad to think we shall no more see him 
when we come to Newmarket ; it seems almost impossible to 
beheve that he is gone — and so young a man. One can only 
say, ' Thy will be done, O Lord.' 
"Both his lordship and myself would think it very kind 
if you would please place the small white cross we have sent 
on poor Archer's coffin as a last mark of our affection and 
esteem for him. Trusting that you are bearing up pretty well 
under your sad trial, and again expressing my great sorrow for 
you, 
" Believe me, yours very truly, 
" Elizabeth Hastings." 
" Chveden, 
" Maidenhead. 
" Dear Mrs. Coleman, 
" May I beg to offer to you and poor Archer's family 
all sympathy on the loss of one whom we can so ill spare ? 
" I was deeply grieved to receive your telegrams this evening 
giving the disastrous news, and made all the sadder by the 
manner of the end, which must have been terribly shocking to 
you and to his friends. 
" I had a very great regard for him throughout, as I hope 
he had for me, and it always gave me pleasure to see and talk 
to him through now many years. 
" Racing will be a different thing for me now — so much heart 
cut out of it. 
" He will be greatly and sadly missed, not only for his 
services, which were so remarkable in his profession, but for 
himself, and we can truly say we shall never see his like again ! 
