GLANCE AT THE STEEPLE-CHASE AND COURSING

SEASONS OF 1848-49.

BY COLONEL CHASSE.

"Let Little steer Chandler, Proceed carry Peel,

Let "Strathmore" and Rowlands give Switcher cold steel:

I don't envy their fun nor begrudge them their knocks,

In a chase without music, a post for a fox.

Some lovers of leggings and gaiters agree,

That a "turn" and "pass-bye" do a man good to see;

Sowing gape seed for hours has little fun in it,

For when See-Howed" she's lost, or run down in a minute."

-Hunting Song.

Our earliest recollections of this sport do not by any means date back as far 1808, when it is supposed to have first come into vogue, and when the newspapers of the day, after announcing a race, solemnly explained how "every rider was expected not to go more than fifty yards down a lane looking for a good place to leap. It had hardly, however, any regular existence till the days of Moonraker and Grimaldi, when the copper-bottomed squire was in the zenith of his glory in the Leicestershire country, with Jack Stevens as first whip, and a splendid fortune as "feeder.' Since then it has gone through several strange phases, and had a variety of tutelary saints from the Marquis of Waterford to the speculating horsedealer. Of the deeds of the noble Irishman on Cock Robin and Yellow Dwarf over the Northamptonshire country the memory is still green; and those who saw him, will not easily forget how he would go out of the flag-line for the sake of larking a few extra fences on old Columbine, or rode a race on The Sea against Earl Dysart across a stiff country to the gorse of the day, "without shaking a blessed twig."

From his secession till the advent of Lord Strathmore with Switcher in 1846, the horse-dealers had it pretty nearly their own way, and produced a succession of champions from their strings, who starred it at the few places that chose to patronise the sport. Money, however, was difficult to get together, as the inn-keepers complained that few people cared to come, and that the owners of the winners "left nothing in the town." Oddly enough, too, no one seems to have thought of applying the handicapping system to it. Liverpool, in 1839, commenced a sort of new era, but placed on each horse the fair sporting hamper of twelve stone, thus shutting out all chance for a four year old, like Seventy-Four, who under a handicap, would probably have gained the prize on that memorable day. When once handicapping was introduced, the sport made, in boating phraseology, "a glorious spurt," and large "fields" were the result. We cannot, however, help thinking that this system has been suffered to run too much riot, and that if horses were handicapped between 10 st. and 12 st. 7lbs., it would be preferable to

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admitting horses at the present ridiculous weights which figure at the bottom of many large handicaps. It may also be asked, and with considerable justice, why should the distance for all great steeple chases be "four miles"? If "three" were substituted, we should, in all human probability, hear much more rarely of beaten horses overjumping themselves near home, and of knackers' knives being put in requisition to end their sufferings. The horse slaughter which takes place annually at Liverpool does not seem so much to be owing to the long distance as to the crowd of horses and the small grip-nature of some of the leaps, which have naturally induced a lazy, fatal style of jumping. Accidents always occur much more seldom with large raking jumps, and we have never witnessed the rush of horses past the Liverpool Grand Stand, while standing there amid a cry of "Hats off," under a cold March sky, without thinking how much better it would be to run the lot over a three mile course in two classes, and then let the two winners settle their differences after the flat races, over the last mile-and-a-half. By adopting such a plan the accidents would be very much fewer, and the spectators get more for their money. But to return to the past. The style in which Lord Strathmore came out with his slug Switcher in 1846-47 astonished every one; he appeared, for a time, as invincible as his chesnut compeer, the Hero till War-Eagle rudely broke the spell in the Doncaster Cup Race. His lordship was an indefatigable driver, and a Brixton treadmill must have been delicious as far as work was concerned, in comparison with the twelve minutes or so which he used, hunting or dog whip in hand, to spend on his back during these conHis straightforward style of riding presented a wonderful contrast to the exhibition we once saw him unavoidably make at Gorhambury Park, when, in the words of the sporting historian, "Lord Glamis and his horse were all over the course. Like most modern steeple chase cracks, the first "place knew him no more after that season, and thus having received as much flogging as the game General Chasse used to endure from John Holmes, in his Liverpool Cup contests, he has gone into private life for the present. His slow style of leaping a fence is beautifully hit off by Herring, in his picture of "Steeple Chase Cracks." That picture is in fact a complete key to the successive champions of the science from 1839 to 1846. Where all the animals there depicted have gone to is a problem we cannot solve. Salute was shot only a few weeks ago, at the early age of fourteen years; and the last thing we heard of Old Lottery was, that he had fallen into the hands of a gentleman who used him for short rides over his farm, but never put him at fences, as such exertion always made him pass blood. Barring waterjumping, at which he was a sad sloven, a more perfect hunter never existed; and the style in which he caught and beat Seventy-Four by a head, at Leamington, stamped him a horse of undeniable speed.

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A very laughable incident took place at the beginning of the season 1847-48, and an equally painful one marked its close. At the Meeting a reverend dean, hearing that his gallant nephew had been stopped by the bailiffs when ready-dressed and weighed for riding, posted down to the ground in a chaise, like a trump, and became security for him; and at the Hampton Meeting, Mr. Rowlands, who under the nom de guerre of "F. Wilson," had ridden most admirably and successfully throughout the season, was thrown off Cherry Bounce at a

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hurdle race and nearly killed. Since then we have never seen his name gazetted as a pilot. Such was the success which attended his efforts, and those of Captains Little, Peel, &c., that the "5lb. allowance for gentlemen riders" is pretty nearly obsolete. It was absurd both in principle and practice, as it is well known that many "gentlemen riders" are not only quite equal to any of the professionals who ask and receive their conventional " £3 a mount and £5 a win," but also take regular pay, either through the medium of a fancy bet, or some other conscience-soothing process. Taken as a whole, we should decidedly say that the steeple-chase season of 1848-49 was inferior to the preceding one, as the horses were by no means of such a high stamp. The fun commenced at Worcester, which, like all other places possessing a good line of country visible from the grand stand, supports it manfully. The day was a complete " pour-down," and the weather elerk and the horses made such a splashing overhead and underfoot that the poor riders were regular mudlarkers before they completed their weary way. However, the Peel and Little division triumphed over every difficulty, with Proceed, 11st. 12lbs.; Red Lancer, 10st. 4lbs., whom his rider, Rackley, on his own confession, made far too free with, running second, while Victim, 10st. 12lbs., who, in consequence of supposed bad treatment from handicappers during the prior season, had resigned the magniloquent title of Standard Guard: British Yeoman, 11st. 10lbs., and Prince George, 10st. 7lbs. brought up the rear, with a host of others unknown to fame. Among them was Peter Simple, 10st. 7lbs., who ran swerving between a fence and the river, and did not proceed much farther through the weary waste of mud. This was, we believe, his first appearance before an English public in the steeplechase line. Ridden by Mr, Donkin, he had been starring it as a leather plater on the border, whence he was purchased by a few "Manchester men," in whose hands he bungled and stumbled through four races, and was sold the morning or evening of his Stourton victory to a Mr. Simpson, of Beverley. From that moment he took up such new views of leaping, that to use the words of his trainer-jockey, Cunningham, "be the fence what it may, Peter will have it some way or other." To proceed; Crewe, which has been dilated on with so much gusto by Sir Francis Head, in his delicious "Stokers and Pokers," gave us a good race, in which Old Doctor, 12st., beat Forest Boy, 10st. 7lbs., and several others, that neat little animal, Tom Bowling, among the number. The winner was claimed by the Proceed party; but as they did not produce the full amount of the needful, and Mr. Sait, like the Eastern Counties shareholders, put his trust in " cash," the offer was said to be compromised, on the condition that the pair were to run to serve themselves at Liverpool; but that if either won, the money was to be divided. After a somewhat bungling race there, in which the Doctor, 11st. 2lbs., and Victim, 11st. 2lbs., refused a fence, and Proceed, 12st., after several times of asking, flatly declined to follow them over, the old horse was again A 1; and Peter Simple, 11st. 5lbs., little dreaming of the glories in store for him at the next meeting, got a heavy fall, and walked home at leisure. The Oxonians were in high feather at Newport Pagnell, and actually succeeded in winning the great race with Charity, 9st. 13lbs. Few men are greener in sporting matters than the fast men of both universities; and from conversations we

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have overheard in Hall, it often makes very little matter to them what horses have accepted, as they back horses in that predicament with equal faith and hope as those who are in favour at the "corner." Cambridge men, from their proximity to Newmarket, get remarkably well fleeced in this way by two or three sporting residents, who are always looking out in the respective colleges, seeking whom they may devour. The gentlemen of the first mentioned university were so elated with the success of Charity, that having no fear of Duns before their eyes, they backed her at 10st. 2lbs. for 100 sovs. a side against Chandler, 11st., for the next meeting. Chandler's party had a good line from Pullaway, 10st., who in spite of repeated refusals had run a fair second, beating British Yeoman, 11st. 8lbs., and Dubious, 10st. 7lbs., and a few others very handsomely. The latter is a fine specimen of an old English hunter, but unfortunately wears himself out by pulling double, and rushing at his fences like a bull, to the imminent peril of Frisby's neck. Leamington began its season with the Free Handicap, which was won by Painter, 9st. 8lbs., who for magnificent leaping may perhaps be backed against any horse in the kingdom; Tom Bowling, Lincoln, and Peter Simple, 10st., following him at a respectful distance. The Grand Steeple Chase fell to the lot of Knight of Gwynne, 9st. 8lbs., seconded by Doctor, 10st. 10lbs.; Chandler, 12st. 4lbs., Red Lancer, 10st. 4lbs., Prince George, 10st. 4lbs., being among the " fortunates" by flood and field. The withdrawal of St. Leger after his number was up was the subject of much remark, and was explained to be James Mason's fault, who, though informed an hour and a half previously that the horse would not start, persisted in going to scale! Wolverhampton, no more blest with the presence of the "Glaucus gelding," who adopted his subsequent name owing to the double honours he won there, bestowed its prize on Prince George, 10st. 8lbs., who polished off among other notables Richard the First, 10st. 5lbs., Victim, 11st., Proceed, 12st. 8lbs., and Peter Simple, 10st. 9lbs. Newport Second Meeting, Lincoln, with Bevile on his back, twice cleared a splendid bullfincher, which the others went round to avoid, and received the race as the reward of his gallantry. In the Great Race Mr. Vevers' Vengeance, 8st. 13lbs., beat Pullaway, 11st. 7lbs., and Co., while the Oxford men mournfully saw Chandler work the mare's head off in her match. At Stourton, Frisby, by a beautiful effort on the post, landed Peter Simple first by a head, though the Irish rider of La Sylphyde invoked all the saints in the calendar to bear testimony that he had won. The running of the Doctor in this race gave rise to the most unfavourable suspicions, and Prince George met with the direst mishaps. At Louth, Hope, 10st., a prophet without honour in his own country, gave this gentleman at 11st. 7lbs., with a large troop of others, a thorough dressing. Lincolnshire steeple-chasing did not end here; at Retford, a horse called after a neighbouring little village, Cadeby, and whose inhabitants "kept high festival" for many days after, beat the Emperor and one or two others over the stiffest country that man ever beheld. The lads of Brocklesby, too, were on the qui vive, and mustered eighteen nags at the post; Rachael first, and Tom Bowling second, being the fiat. Cheltenham witnessed the triumph of Pullaway, 11st. 2lbs., ridden by an Oxonian, under the title of "W. Davis," (a university practice both at boat-races and steeple-chases, to

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escape the cognizance of anxious, serious-minded mammas and stonyhearted deans,) won a good race against Vengeance, 10st. 2lbs; and Lincoln was twice victorious during the two days. At Bath, the Irish

mare, Solace, 9st. 12lbs., atoned for the defeat of her country at Stourton, by beating the eternal Pullaway, 11st. 10lbs., who is almost as indefatigable in his vocation as Inheritress or Sylvan. Peter Simple gave his new party a splendid lift at Wakefield, and began to make the tartan jacket as lucky as it has lately been under the auspices of Fobert and Marlow. Victim, 10st. 12lbs., was, as usual, second best; and the fun was by no means equal to what it ought to have been, in consideration of the "added money," nearly all of which, to the shame of the dingy countytown of the West Riding, be it spoken, was subscribed by three or four individuals both this year and last. Dicky Misfortune was the hero of Bridgenorth, and Queen of Hearts delighted her backers by the banks of the beautiful Wharfe at Wetherby. The recommendation of Cunningham to the Beverley boys, not to hedge one penny of their money on Peter at Liverpool, proved correct, and in token of being thus "put up to snuff," they promptly presented him with a subscription silver snuffbox. The annals of that steeple-chase have been laid up for future ages, embalmed in a savage leader in the " Times, and certainly the horse-slaughter was painful to behold. Wakefield, the jockey, made his début; but meeting with the same fate as Johnny Broome last year, declined the fray at an early stage. "The Vicar had better confine himself to his favourite "heats," where he is nearly as great as "Mr. Tommy Lye" in the olden time. The first Great Steeple-Chase ever run at Manchester was won by Fanny Grey, 9st. 9lbs., the property of an inn-keeper in the town; and though only kept to hunt with some harriers, she victimised the poor Victim, 10st. 13lbs., and his companions with very great ease. At Lincoln, British Yeoman, 11st. 8lbs., re-appeared, but was beaten easily by Rachael; Blue Bonnet falling and nearly annihilating her hardly convalescent jockey. "It is a long lane which has no turning," says the old saw; and accordingly Victim, 10st. 12lbs., at last won at Coventry, where a somewhat ambitious two days meeting turned out nil. As a sort of blind, he was advertised “to be sold with his Leamington engagement," but we believe he did not change hands. after all. Doncaster was an easy triumph for Peter Simple, over an artificial course, commencing in the middle of the moor and passing twice in front of the stand. The incivility of the clerk of the course (who has since, happily for the races, been dismissed), disgusted the jockeys and owners, and his refusal to alter the stiff artificial fences to any extent produced nothing but one series of falls in every race. Queen of Hearts won "queen's-heads ad libitum at Stratford and Ashbourne under the guidance of Taylor; and the close of the Oxford term produced a couple of days of excellent racing as soon as the "exeats were granted, during which Mr. Allgood much distinguished himself. Oxonians are generally far a-head of Cantabs in riding, as they have much more money to keep and hire hunters with for drags and fox-hunting. Mr. Merry's arrangements for keeping the Military and Open Leamington Steeple-Chases separate excited much surprise. The only attraction of the first was the 200 sov. sweepstakes, in which Knight of Gwynne, 10st. 7lbs., beat Wolverhampton, 10st. 11lbs., by a head; Chatham, 9st. 10lbs., who seemed most likely on paper to win