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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..387b36a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #63218 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63218) diff --git a/old/63218-0.txt b/old/63218-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f7a6c92..0000000 --- a/old/63218-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11666 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Lord William Beresford, V. C., Some -Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Sol, by Mrs. Stuart Menzies - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Lord William Beresford, V. C., Some Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Soldier and Wit - -Author: Mrs. Stuart Menzies - -Release Date: September 17, 2020 [EBook #63218] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V. *** - - - - -Produced by Sonya Schermann, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V.C. - - SOME MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS - SPORTSMAN, SOLDIER - AND WIT - - -[Illustration: “FIGHTING BILL” - -_Reproduced by permission from “Vanity Fair”_] - - - - - LORD WILLIAM - BERESFORD, V.C. - - SOME MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS - SPORTSMAN, SOLDIER AND WIT - - BY - MRS. STUART MENZIES - - WITH APPRECIATIONS BY - THE EARL OF CROMER & - ADMIRAL LORD BERESFORD - 38 ILLUSTRATIONS, ALSO REPRODUCTIONS - OF THE SIGNATURES OF THOSE - PRESENT AT THE FAMOUS FAREWELL - DINNER AT CALCUTTA - - - HERBERT JENKINS LIMITED - ARUNDEL PLACE HAYMARKET - LONDON S.W. ✤ ✤ ✤ MCMXVII - - - - -PRINTED BY WM. BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -There are days when we are under the spell of the past, when lovely -times, lovely things, and delightful people that have lapsed into -“have beens” are again with us, in a mist of memories and dreams, but -memories and dreams that have been true and real--to be treasured -always. - -In my memory there are silhouetted against the horizon of the past a -few figures (amongst the many kind friends who have journeyed with -me) who stand alone, whose greatness of character singled them from -their fellows, others whose splendid works for state or humanity -have marked them, but I pause before a figure that would have told -us he was nothing in particular, yet few men have been so loved, so -universally popular as the late Lord William Beresford, V.C., one of -the most charming characters and greatest personalities of the age, a -brave and gallant soldier, a loyal and faithful friend, possessing an -extraordinarily generous nature. A man has not lived for nothing, and -must be something in particular, when his friends can truly say that -of him. - -I have waited a long time before undertaking this work, hoping some -more able pen than mine would give to his old friends and future -generations some record of Lord William’s eventful life, a few -memories of his many kindnesses and unostentatious charities, his -pluck, deeds of daring and unfailing cheeriness. - -No such scribe appearing, I have taken my courage in both hands -and endeavoured to pay a small tribute to the memory of an old and -valued friend, being encouraged by the letter I received (January -16th, 1916) from Lord Beresford, better known and loved by the great -British public as Lord Charles Beresford, in which he wrote: - - - 1, GREAT CUMBERLAND PLACE, - LONDON, W., - _19th January, 1916_. - - “DEAR MRS. STUART MENZIES, - - “Thank you for your letter. I am so delighted to hear that you are - going to write the life of my dear brother Bill; he had the most - lovable nature, the most charming character, the pluckiest spirit - and most generous mind that I have ever met. He was always thinking - of others and never of himself. I shall be delighted to help you in - any way that I can. - - “May all good luck attend you. The whole family will be most - interested in your life of perhaps one of the most gallant - officers, noble gentlemen, and charming comrades that ever existed. - - “Yours very sincerely, - “CHARLES BERESFORD.” - - -Lord Cromer also, who was for some years associated with Lord William -in India, wrote to me saying: - - - “DEAR MRS. STUART MENZIES, - - “As I understand that you are engaged in writing the life of - my old and very dear friend, Bill Beresford, I hope you will - allow me to bear testimony to his great charm of character, his - characteristically national sense of humour, and his staunch - loyalty to both his country and his friends. I knew Bill Beresford - very well and had a great liking for him. He was a fine gallant - fellow with all the pluck and dash of his race and family, - and moreover had a keen sense of humour. I was for some years - associated with him when he was on the staffs of Lord Northbrook - and Lord Ripon when Viceroys of India. He was the cheeriest of - companions and the most gallant of soldiers--in a word, one of the - best fellows I have ever come across during a long life. - - “Very sincerely yours, - “(Signed) CROMER.” - -I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the many friends of his -and mine who have been so good as to assist me, without whose help I -could not have hoped to do justice, even in this small measure, to a -life so full of incident, and kindness for all who were associated -with him. More especially are my thanks due to his brother, Lord -Beresford, Lady Waterford, Edith Lady Lytton, Lord Ripon, Lord -Rossmore, Sir Claude de Crespigny, his brother officers in the past, -and his contemporaries on the various staffs, to Mr. Arthur Meyrick, -also to his old and faithful friend, Mr. Charles Moore. - -I have used one or two cuttings from old newspapers, but having no -idea what they appeared in, I have been unable to ask permission to -reproduce them, therefore ask forgiveness from all on whose grounds I -may have trespassed. - -I must also ask the indulgence of my readers in the matter of dates, -having had to rely on memory to a great extent, aided by a few -letters, papers, race cards, photos, etc., being handicapped by there -being no mother or wife living into whose store-house of precious -letters, and documents, it might be possible to dip, also by so many -of Lord William’s intimate friends having left us and passed into the -great Silence. - - A. C. STUART MENZIES. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I - - EARLY DAYS - PAGE - Early Childhood--Eton Days--Mischief and Whackings--Companions - at Work and Play--Sporting Contemporaries of Note--The So-styled - “Mad Marquis”--His Bride--Carriage Accident--Ride in Grand - National--House of Commons Acknowledgment of Lady Waterford’s - Goodness to the Irish during the Famine--Joins the 9th Lancers in - Dublin--A Few Sporting Mishaps--Why he Spent his Life in India 1 - - - CHAPTER II - - GOOD-BYE TO ENGLAND - - Coach-driving Exploit--The Badger Bet and How It was Won--The - Raleigh Club and the Garçon Glacé Episode--Some Merry Frequenters - of the Club--Regimental Racing--The Tenth Hussars’ Steeplechases, - Exciting Race Between H.R.H.’s Horse and Lord Valentia’s--Aldershot - Coaching Accident--Polo at Woolwich--Sale of 10th Hussars’ - ponies--Friendly Altercations at York--The Three Brothers’ Race--Au - Revoir to Merry England 24 - - - CHAPTER III - - JOINS VICEROY’S STAFF - - What he Might Have Been--A Happy Exile--Lumtiddy Hall--Unsuccessful - Journey to Pay Calls--Appointed to Staff of Retiring Viceroy--First - Summer at Simla--Appointed A.D.C. to Lord Lytton--Annandale - Racecourse--Birth of _The Asian_--Dinner to Its Sporting - Owner--Winner of Viceroy’s Cup--Delhi Durbar, 1887--Mighty - Preparations--A Terrible Accident 46 - - - CHAPTER IV - - HE WINS THE V.C. - - Hero of Khartoum’s Fame and Tragedy, as Private Secretary--Indian - Famine--Lord William and the Jowakis--A Month’s Holiday - in Afghanistan--Back in Calcutta--Barrackpore Monument - to Lady Canning--Lady Waterford as Artist--Cawnpore - Memorial--Racing--Trouble in South Africa--A Favour Granted--Off - to the War--A Friend Left in Charge of Affairs--Some Fights for - Queen and Country--Some Fights for Private Reasons--Exciting - Moments--Irish Bravery of Man and Beast--Two V.C.’s at - Dinner--Receives Reward at Hands of the Queen-Empress--A Shower - Bath in Dublin--Some Racing and a Row--A Thrice-run Race--Miller - Addresses Lord William 65 - - - CHAPTER V - - THE VICEROY RETIRES - - Change of Government and What it Meant--Why it Took Place - at Simla--The Ceremony--An Anxious Moment--A General - Stampede--Retirement of Lord Lytton--Work of Which Viceroy?--Lord - William’s Services Valued--A Bet Between Him and the Author--Lord - William’s 10 to 1 96 - - - CHAPTER VI - - AN IDEAL MILITARY SECRETARY - - Dignity and Humour--Some Tests of Both--Affection of the Natives - for Lord William--How They Tried to Please him--What Happened - on a Slippery Floor--Some Tableaux--A Supper and a Race--What - the Jockey Club Would Have Said--Lord Ripon’s Message to the - Amir of Afghanistan--The Amir’s Reply--The Work of the Military - Secretary--Swelled Heads and Outgrown Shoes--How Lord William Dealt - with Them--Pay of Military Secretary--Compensation for Diminishing - Rupee--No Fish to Fry 112 - - - CHAPTER VII - - SOME RACING EXPERIENCES - - First Racing Partnership--Some Successful Horses--The “White - Mutiny”--Military Secretaries Come and Go--Fleur-de-Lys’ - Affection--Racing--Paperchasing--An Exciting Drive--Ponto’s - Admiration for the Fair Sex--Inverarm--How a Sick Soldier - Fared--Love of Children--A Children’s Party and How it Ended--The - Home for Lost Dogs--Simla Gymkhanas--A Sore Head--A Change of - Mounts--Sipi Fair and Marriage Market--What Some of Lord William’s - Friends Said--Why he was like King Solomon 132 - - - CHAPTER VIII - - LORD RIPON LEAVES INDIA - - Arrangements for Entertaining Visitors--Lord de Grey’s Shooting--A - Good-looking Staff--A Fancy Ball--The Baby cries--Lord William - Feeds the Infant--Singing Quadrilles--Pig-sticking--The Tent Club - and Its Members--A Case of Mistaken Identity--The Reputation - Match--Lord William Resolves to Give Up Racing--Lord Ripon’s - Farewell 153 - - - CHAPTER IX - - LORD DUFFERIN’S VICEROYALTY - - Lord Dufferin succeeds Lord Ripon as Viceroy--Durbar at Rawal - Pindi to Meet the Amir of Afghanistan--A Few Annoyances--How - it All Ended--Some Presents--Outline of a Viceroy’s Tour--A - Nasty Fall--Sale of Confederacy Horses--“Father Time”--Parlour - Fireworks--A Ride to the Pyramids--Unostentatious Charity--Some - Impositions 177 - - - CHAPTER X - - DEAR LONDON AGAIN - - The Man Who Thought He Was King--A Dance After Dinner--How It - Ended--Corney Grain in Disgrace on the Door-mat--Racing--Trouble - in Burmah--Lord Dufferin and Lord William Go There--Collecting the - Offertory in Church--Some Schemes of Interest 196 - - - CHAPTER XI - - SOME SPORTING MEMORIES - - Lord William’s Driving--One or Two Experiences--A Sermon in the - Smoking-room--Useful Shirt Cuffs--Convenient Handwriting--New - Year’s Parade--A Waiting Race--A Spoilt Meeting--Purchase of Myall - King--Dufferins Leave India--Rules Issued by Lord William for Their - Departure 214 - - - CHAPTER XII - - A WINNING YEAR - - On Leave--At the Derby Once More--Lord Lansdowne Takes - Office--Conjurer’s Discomfort--A Gentle Reproach--Irishmen - in India--Another Racing Partnership--A Turf Club - Inquiry--Paperchasers--A Telegram from Lucknow--Lord William’s - Health--Jockey in Trouble Again 233 - - - CHAPTER XIII - - THE FAMOUS FAREWELL DINNER - - Why the Maharajah of Durbangah Gave up Racing--The Maharajah of - Patiala Joins the Stable--The Indian Lotteries--Some Successful - Racing--Lord Bill Pays Up--Simla Feeling Sad--Death of Myall - King--Some of His Chief Races--Farewell Dinner--List of - Guests--Speeches 250 - - - CHAPTER XIV - - HIS MARRIAGE - - First Visit to the Deepdene--Finds a Relation in His - Bedroom--Engagement to be Married Announced--School Treats--One New - Year’s Morning--King Edward VII Visits the Deepdene When Prince of - Wales--A Narrow Escape--“Tommy, Where Are You?”--Why Lord William - wore a Turban--Fast Trotters and Their Doings--Mishap on the Way - to the Derby--Racing in England--Racing Geography--Another Racing - Partnership--Accident While Hunting--Mr. Palmer to the Rescue--Lord - William Tells a Story Against Himself--A Son Born 283 - - - CHAPTER XV - - BRINGS TOD SLOAN TO ENGLAND - - Engagement of Tod Sloan as Jockey--Beresford Family - Affection--Caiman Wins Classic Race--Democrat and His Races--A - Tip for the “Blues”--Accident to Sloan--His Downfall--Five Years’ - Racing and Winnings in Stakes Alone--Volodyovski Bought--At - Liverpool When Ambush II Won the Grand National 299 - - - CHAPTER XVI - - LAST YEARS - - “1900 ... and Feels It”--Affection for the 9th Lancers--Help for - a Brother Mason--Those Who Loved Him--Friends, not Sight-Seers--A - Treasured Gift--Sale of Horses at Newmarket--Purchasers and - Prices--Fate of Democrat--Volodyovski Wins the Derby--Too - Late--Fierce Ownership Dispute--The Law Settles It--Broken Head of - a small Beresford 315 - - - - -ILLUSTRATIONS - - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD (from _Vanity Fair_) _Frontispiece_ - TO FACE PAGE - LORD WILLIAM AT ETON. AGED 11 4 - - CURRAGHMORE 16 - - 9TH LANCERS IN DUBLIN, 1867 18 - - 9TH LANCERS’ POLO GROUP AT WOOLWICH 38 - - THE FAMOUS BERESFORD BROTHERS’ RACE 42 - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD AND CAPTAIN CLAYTON 48 - - “LUMTIDDY HALL” 50 - - 9TH LANCERS’ MESS, SIALKÔTE, 1876 52 - - THE DELHI DURBAR, 1877 60 - - XMAS CARD TO THE AUTHOR 72 - - CAPTAIN CHARLES MUIR (NOW COLONEL), A.D.C. TO VICEROY AND - COMMANDING HIS EXCELLENCY’S BODY GUARD 80 - - LORD WILLIAM AND PONTO 80 - - LORD LYTTON, FAMILY, AND STAFF, 1877 104 - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD’S HORSE DEMOCRAT 132 - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD LEADING KATE COVENTRY, RIDDEN BY - DEWING. CALCUTTA, 1881 132 - - GROUP AT BARRACKPORE ON THE LAWN 154 - - STAFF AND GUESTS AT VICEREGAL LODGE, SIMLA 156 - - SOME NOTABLE MEMBERS OF THE CALCUTTA TENT CLUB 160 - - LORD RIPON, LADY RIPON, AND STAFF 166 - - THE LATE MARQUESS OF RIPON, VICEROY OF INDIA 172 - - LORD DUFFERIN, FAMILY, AND STAFF 182 - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD IN 1886 218 - - THE VICEROY’S STAFF IN LIGHTER MOMENTS 232 - - THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE 234 - - BEAUTIFUL BLITZ 242 - - PILOTEER WINNING A TROTTING PRIZE 242 - - H.H. THE MAHARAJAH OF PATIALA 252 - - NEW PAVILION AT ANNANDALE 256 - - MYALL KING’S GRAVE 262 - - REPRODUCTION OF SIGNATURES OF THOSE PRESENT AT THE CALCUTTA - BANQUET, DECEMBER 30, 1893 272 - - LILY, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH 284 - - THE DEEPDENE, DORKING 286 - - FRONT HALL AT THE DEEPDENE 286 - - LORD WILLIAM, IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY 298 - - LORD WILLIAM AND HIS SON BILLY 298 - - TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS 304 - - CAIMAN AT THE POST FOR THE MIDDLE PARK PLATE THE DAY HE - BEAT FLYING FOX. TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS 304 - - LORD WILLIAM AND LORD MARCUS BERESFORD 314 - - - - - COLONEL LORD WILLIAM LESLIE - DE LA POER BERESFORD, V.C., K.C.I.E. - 1846-1900 - - - - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V.C. - - - - - CHAPTER I - - EARLY DAYS - - Early Childhood--Eton Days--Mischief and Whackings--Companions - at Work and Play--Sporting Contemporaries of Note--The So-styled - “Mad Marquis”--His Bride--Carriage Accident--Ride in Grand - National--House of Commons Acknowledgment of Lady Waterford’s - Goodness to the Irish during the Famine--Joins the 9th Lancers in - Dublin--A Few Sporting Mishaps--Why he Spent his Life in India - - -The subject of these memories was the third son of the fourth Marquis -of Waterford, who married the third daughter of Mr. Charles Powell -Leslie of Glaslaugh, M.P. for Monaghan. - -The children of this union were five sons:-- - - 1. John Henry de la Poer. - 2. Charles William de la Poer. - 3. William Leslie de la Poer. - 4. Marcus Talbot de la Poer. - 5. Delaval James de la Poer. - -In 1866 the fourth Marquis died, and was succeeded by John Henry, -the first of the five sons mentioned already, and elder brother -of the Lord William of whom I write. One of the most delightful -characteristics of this family has always been its unity; the -brothers were devoted to one another, their home and their parents. -To the end of his days Lord William spoke of Curraghmore as “Home,” -and of his devotion to his beautiful mother. She must have been -a proud woman, having brought into the world five such splendid -specimens of humanity, all handsome, having inherited the Beresford -good looks, high spirits, and pluck, whilst happily imbued with the -pride of race which is the making of great men. - -There is nothing snobbish or vulgar in being proud of our ancestry, -though it may seem so to those who are unacquainted with their own. -Even savages have pride of race, and it has been so since the days -of Virgil, and before that. Let us hope it will always be so. It is -our birthright, which is well, for it helps men and women to keep -straight, sorry to be the first to lower the standard or bring it -into disrepute. - -Look at the pride of race among the different tribes in the East how -strong it is, their castes are profound and deep religions to them, -their inherited pride of race, for which they willingly die, rather -than suffer any real or imaginary indignity. - -This instinct is still strongly marked in our present-day Gypsies, -who are exceedingly exclusive and proud of their race, and they will -tell with pride, if you know them well enough, that the reason they -are, and will be ever more, accursed and hunted from place to place, -is because a Gypsy forged the nails used in the Crucifixion. - -The Lithuanian Gypsies say stealing has been permitted in their -families by the crucified Jesus, because they, being present at the -Crucifixion, stole one of the nails from the Cross, after which -stealing was no longer a sin. This sounds irreverent, but they do not -treat it lightly. The belief has been handed down to them, grown with -them, and they seem sadly proud of their history, legend, or whatever -it may be. - -From an early age Lord William seems to have realised what was due to -his family and his race, for with all his high spirits, even in the -effervescence of youth, never once has anybody been able to say he -brought discredit on his family. - -The Beresfords have for generations been keen sportsmen, -high-spirited, unspoilt, straightforward gentlemen; using the word in -its old-fashioned full significance. Lord William was no exception -to this rule, and it has not been given to many to be so universally -popular. His worst enemy was himself, inasmuch as he habitually put -more work into twenty-four hours than most people would consider -a fair week’s allowance. From an early age he loved excitement, -courting danger and adventure, resulting in most of the bones in his -body having at one time or another some experiences, and I shall -always think that but for the juggling tricks he played with his -life he might still be with us, and the world the better for his -cheeriness, generosity, and loyal friendship. - -This is not a proper biography in the everyday acceptance of the -term, it aspires to nothing so great. I have neither the competency -to entitle me, nor the ambition to urge me to write a formal and -stereotyped account of Lord William’s life, but only some memories, -full of the little things that matter, small details that bring us -closer to the character and introduce us to the personality of the -man. - -It is not as a soldier, it is not as a statesman that I claim -applause for Lord William, though both may be owed, but for his -thoroughness in whatever he undertook, his unfailing cheerfulness, -his loyalty, energy, and marvellous pluck. - -In his early days the principle of--“Whatsoever thy hand findeth -to do, do it with all thy might,” must have been driven home, for -whatever he undertook, that he certainly did with all his might; but -his generosity and his kindliness of nature and his tact must have -been born with him on July 20th, 1847, in the quaint little village -of Mullaghbrach, in the north of Ireland, where his father was rector -until he succeeded his brother, the third Marquess, in 1859. The -early days of Lord William’s childhood were spent in this peaceful -home with the usual accompaniment of nurses, followed by a German -governess until he was considered old enough for further instruction, -when the Rev. Dr. Renau’s Preparatory School at Bayford was chosen, -the present Lord Methuen being there at the same time. After which, -when eleven years old, that is in the year 1858, he was sent to Eton, -first to the house of Mr. Hawtry, and then into Dr. Warre’s. - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM AT ETON, AGED 11] - -It is interesting to note that the present-day actor is a relation of -Mr. Hawtry of Eton fame. It was through the Eton Hawtry’s persuasions -that the Prince Consort founded a prize for modern languages at -the College. - -Lord Cheylesmore, Sir Simon Lockhart, and Lord Langford were at Dr. -Warre’s house with Lord William, the two latter being among the -Doctor’s earliest pupils. Lord Langford says, “Bill was never out of -rows of different sorts.” While Lord Methuen tells me he remembers -seconding a boy named Allen at his tutor’s in a fight with Lord -William, adding, “And it was a very hard fight,” but being senior to -Lord Bill he saw very little of him while there. Dr. Warre-Cornish, -Vice-Provost of Eton, said, “I always liked him. His Eton record is -chiefly connected with schoolboy sports and skirmishes with masters -at Windsor Fairs, and other places. He kept many bulldogs and was of -a turbulent disposition.” - -The gas works were close to Dr. Warre’s house, and behind them was -the rendezvous of those who had any differences to settle. Lord -Langford says, “I think Lord Bill often paid a visit there!” and -adds, “On one occasion he captured a polecat and tied it to the leg -of a chair in Dr. Warre’s house.” We can well imagine the breathless -moments in store for the household. Various surreptitious journeys -were taken to feed it and make sure of its safety. Then there was the -exciting time of changing the animal’s quarters and attaching it, in -spite of protestations, to a certain chair! - -History does not relate what happened, but something entertaining, no -doubt. After being a year at Eton, Lord Bill heard of the death of -his uncle, and that henceforth his home would be at Curraghmore. - -While at Eton he seems to have been chiefly conspicuous for his love -of sport and fighting, his high spirits, ready wit, and popularity -with all. He worked as much as was necessary and no more, for he -loved the river, running after beagles, paper, or any other form of -sport, more especially a fight. Happily in his time the battles were -not so serious as they were in 1825 when Lord Shaftesbury’s brother, -Francis Ashley, was carried home to die after fighting for two hours -with a boy named Wood. - -Like a few other men one could name who have been educated at public -schools, and later held important and responsible posts, he could -not always depend on his pen carrying out his wishes and spelling -properly. Long after having arrived at years of discretion, shall I -say? he constantly wrote to an old friend as “My dear Jhon,” meaning -John. One day we were talking about certain clever people being -unable to spell properly and chaffing him about it; nobody enjoyed a -joke against himself better than he did. Somebody asked him, “Bill, -why don’t you write the word you are uncertain of down on a piece of -paper with all the variations as they occur to you? The look of the -word would tell you which was right?” He replied, “I always do write -it down on a piece of paper and never doubt its being right.” After -which there was nothing more to be said, and we decided it would all -be the same a hundred years hence, therefore it did not matter; and -at any rate he had my sympathy. He agreed with Yeats, the Dublin -poet, who sang: - - “Accursed he who brings to light of day - The writings I have cast away; - But blessed he who stirs them not, - But lets the kind worms eat the lot.” - -Certainly Lord William’s letters were short and sweet; he did not -commit more to writing than he could help, thereby proving that he -was a wise man. - -Five years were spent at Eton, and they were spoken of as happy ones. -Even at that early age his passion for racing betrayed itself and -led to trouble, for on one occasion the attractions of Ascot became -too much for him. Knowing that if he asked for leave to go it would -be denied him, he took French leave, and received a whacking on his -return, which reminds me that before Lord William’s time a certain -flogging block belonging to the College disappeared one day, having -been kidnapped by one of the Beresfords, the third Marquess, I think, -when he was at Eton, and is now in evidence at Curraghmore, or was a -few years ago. As far as I can gather there was no hue and cry after -that interesting piece of furniture, and the next time there was any -whacking to be done another block was found to be reigning in its -stead; so presumably there was a supply kept in the store-room among -the pickles and the jam. - -Lord William’s contemporaries, besides those already mentioned, were -the present Sir Hugh McCalmont, afterwards a brother officer and -life-long friend, the late Lord Jersey, and the present Lord Minto. -Lord William was fag to both the latter in succession, Mr. Charles -Moore, another life-long friend, and, I believe, Lord Rossmore. - -At the age of sixteen, Lord William left Eton and went to Bonn -to study French and German under a tutor named Dr. Perry, others -studying there at the same time being the Hon. Elliot and Alec Yorke, -and the Hon. Eric Barrington, who tells me he was also with him at -Eton, where “his principal reputation was that he and a friend of his -had been subjected to more floggings within a certain time than had -previously been recorded by anyone else.” Sir Eric says when he found -Lord William at Bonn: “I was both surprised and delighted to find -Bill Beresford there, not having hitherto associated him with foreign -languages.” Some amusing accounts are given to me also of the Bonn -days, where he says: “Our tutor had a peculiar way of accustoming us -to the use of the German tongue, as, though we had a resident German -tutor in the house, we were strictly forbidden to make any German -acquaintances in the town, and were enjoined on our word of honour -to talk German to each other during certain hours every day. A worse -practice could hardly be imagined. Nevertheless, Bill undoubtedly -acquired a certain facility in chattering, which he afterwards told -me was most useful to him with the Dutch during the South African -campaign.” Again speaking of Lord William he says: “His nature was -exceedingly lovable, and he was very popular with his fellow pupils -and tutors, whom, however, he took no pains to conciliate. During -one altercation with his German tutor, the latter was heard to say, -‘Beresford, I loved you once, but I despise you now!’ which diverted -us greatly at the time.” - -From accounts of those times it appears that it was the habit of -Dr. Perry to give a gala supper the night before breaking up for the -holidays, at which all the instructors were present. On one of these -occasions a certain student at the University who had been giving -Lord William lessons in Latin, and who was much attached to him, made -the following speech in English with a very strong German accent: “I -have heard of Merry old England, but I have never heard of the Merry -old Ireland. I wish to propose the toast of the Merry old Ireland and -the Merry old Beresford.” - -To amuse himself at Bonn, Lord William used to boat with his -companions on the Rhine, and took special delight in the company of -an English livery-stable keeper, who kept a certain number of riding -horses of inferior calibre, with which he was intimately acquainted, -riding being his favourite recreation. - -I am afraid Lord William constantly broke Dr. Perry’s rules, and -was frequently being sent away in consequence; but his mother, Lady -Waterford, said she took no notice of the letters telling her of her -son’s dismissal, as they were invariably followed by others recalling -the sentence. Dr. Perry was really much attached to his unruly pupil, -and his pupil had a very loyal feeling towards him, and was the means -once of saving his life. Sir Eric Barrington tells me the story, and -I feel I cannot do better than repeat it in his own words. - -“Our Easter holidays were short and spent in expeditions to -Switzerland or the Tyrol. In the spring of 1866 Dr. Perry took six -of us to the latter. We were to walk across a pass with two guides, -carrying our knapsacks. We walked for ten hours with very little -food; the guides became exhausted and refused to go any further, but -Dr. Perry was determined to reach the village we were making for. -He misunderstood the directions of the guides and lost his way. We -boys were exhausted also by this time, so stopped at a small hay-hut, -where we resolved to stay the night. Dr. Perry went on in the dark, -and attempted to descend the mountain-side alone. Beresford became -uneasy about his safety, and went off to look for him. The rest of -us settled down and went to sleep, when we heard Beresford shouting -he had found Dr. Perry, but could not persuade him to return, as he -had sighted the lights of the village in the distance. Still uneasy, -Beresford started off again with a friend in the early hours of the -morning to look for Dr. Perry and see if all was well. After some -time he thought he heard a faint cry, and looking over the side of -the mountain descried the object of his search some way down sitting -astride an old tree stump, which had mercifully broken his fall, but -still in a most perilous position, and trying to keep himself awake -by digging his fingers into the decayed wood. From a cottage nearby, -Beresford managed to get a rope, but it proved too short, so he set -off for the village, where he found his companions and the guides had -arrived. Though feeling thoroughly tired out and done up, he insisted -on returning with the guides to show them where to find Dr. Perry, -and to help in the rescue. He was released with difficulty and after -some hard work. - -“Dr. Perry always felt he owed his life to Beresford’s perseverance, -and on that account was disposed to show leniency when his high -spirits led him into mischief on future occasions.” - -Bill’s main characteristics were courage and loyalty; it was -impossible not to be warmly attached to him. - -It having been decided that the Army was to be the profession of -Lord Waterford’s third son, after leaving Dr. Perry, several other -tutors were requisitioned to put the necessary finishing touches to -his military education, after which he passed very creditably into -the Army at the age of twenty, joining that popular regiment, the 9th -Lancers, as a cornet in 1867. - -They were a merry crowd in those days. Among Lord William’s boon -companions in the regiment were the present Lord Rossmore, otherwise -known as “Derry,” Captain Candy, “Sugar Candy,” Captain Clayton, -“Dick,” the present Colonel Stewart Mackenzie, “The Smiler,” General -Sir Hugh McCalmont, and the Hon. Charley Lascelles, who could do -such wonderful things with horses owing to his good hands and sweet -temper; and many more too numerous to mention, not a few of whom, -like Captain Candy, Captain Clayton, and Mr. Lascelles, have moved on -into another room, where their friends can no longer see them. - -It is an interesting fact that all good sorts and popular men get -nicknames attached to them, it being a sign of their value and the -affection borne them by their comrades. Not often are selfish prigs -called by nicknames, possibly they may be known behind their backs -as “The Swine” or “The Prig,” or some other uncomplimentary epithet -which can only be used sub-rosa, for who could so address them to -their faces? - -Among his friends, who were legion, Lord William was known as “Bill.” -His brother, Lord Charles Beresford, is always called “Charlie” in -the most affectionate way by even the crowd in the streets, who all -love him and look upon him as their own. - -Those were grand happy days when Lord William first joined the 9th. -He and his young friends had the whole world before them, life and -health then being a matter of no consequence, no consideration, for -in the arrogance of youth who takes thought of the morrow? If only -when people are young they could be persuaded to take a practical -view of life and map out their days, not spending strength too -freely, or trying nerves too highly, but keeping a little in reserve, -something to draw upon. Uncontrolled spirits often lead to disaster -early in life. The Irish are especially buoyant and their mad spirits -infectious and lovable. - -In later years Lord William often spoke of those early days, -referring in affection or admiration to many of his sporting -contemporaries, among whom were Mr. Garret Moore, who between ’67 -and ’69 rode many winners in Ireland and elsewhere. (He died in -1908.) Roddy Owen, a great winner of races, especially in India and -Canada up to 1885, after which he surprised people at home a little -by winning the Grand National on Father O’Flynn in 1892, Sandown -Grand Prize two years running and, if I remember rightly, the Grand -Military on St. Cross. Poor “Roddy,” as everybody called him, died -in Egypt on active service in 1896, mourned and regretted by everyone -who knew him. - -Colonel Meysey Thompson, who had known Captain Owen all his life, -wrote some charming lines “In Memoriam” when he died. I do not -remember them all, at any rate not correctly, but one verse I know -ran: - - “May the date palm’s stately branches - Above thee gently wave; - May the mimosa’s scented wattles - Bedeck with gold thy grave.” - -But as I am not writing Roddy Owen’s life I must hurry on, especially -as poking into the pigeon-holes of the past is apt to bring on fits -of the blues. - -Captain Bay Middleton, another great friend, however, must not be -forgotten. He was fond of cricket as well as hunting and horses. A -member of the Zingari, Captained by Sir Gerard Leigh, and while in -Ireland they played the 9th Lancers. I do not remember who won, but -when the game was over Lord William, to amuse his friends, suggested -a run with the drag hounds, managing to find mounts for all; they -rode just as they were, in flannels. Needless to say the fun and -enjoyment were great. - -It was delightful to hear these boon companions living over -again some of these times amidst happy laughter and friendly -recriminations, though perhaps sometimes tinged with regrets for the -days that were gone. Captain Middleton died in 1892, so another old -friend passed out of Lord William’s life. It was in April, I think, -when Captain Middleton was riding at quite a small fence (as is so -often the case), that his horse pecked, throwing its rider forward, -and, as almost invariably occurs when a horse is in trouble, threw -up its head, trying to recover itself, and in so doing broke Captain -Middleton’s neck. He was no doubt a great man on a horse, and as a -rule they went kindly with him, but I have seen him at times by no -means gentle with them, I am sorry to say, and not always when the -horse was to blame. - -Another great friend I must not pass over was Captain Beasley, called -“Tommy” by Lord William, who rode in twelve Grand Nationals. I have -only mentioned a few of the names that recur to me; it would take -many volumes if I were to enumerate all his great friends, for few -men had so many. - -At any rate the fun in those days was certainly fast and furious, -some of the practical jokes being distinctly drastic though -considered very amusing at the time. I doubt if in these days they -would be considered jokes at all. It does not follow that what was -considered funny and witty by one generation will be considered the -least amusing by the next, any more than what was true yesterday need -be true to-day, and often is not. - -On one occasion when his friend, Captain McCalmont, was driving him -from Cahir Barracks to Clonmel, while passing through the town of -Cahir, Lord William asked if he would mind pulling up for him to do -some shopping. When he returned with his purchases they consisted -of a sack of potatoes; this was planted at his feet, and as they -continued their drive he amused himself by throwing potatoes at -everyone they met. Some smiled and seemed pleased with the delicate -attention and gift of potatoes, others, however, were not, therefore -a crowd soon gathered and embarked on reprisals. The potatoes were -coming to an end, but his blood being up, he purchased more and -continued the battle. As they proceeded along the ten miles to -Clonmel, news of the battle had evidently travelled ahead of them, -for in places they found people waiting for them armed with missiles, -including brickbats. It now became a question how they were to get -away themselves. However, the Irish understand one another, and all -the country was fond of the Beresfords, from whom they had received -many considerations and benefits. At that time, in the eyes of the -people, the Beresfords could do no wrong, so it ended, I am told, -quite happily. In the autumn of our days it seems a very long time -since we were so full of beans that we could do such mad things, the -result of animal spirits. - -Lord William’s uncle, the third Marquis, has been called the “Mad -Marquis” owing to the extraordinary things he did, probably from -the same overflow of spirits from which Lord William suffered when -throwing potatoes at peaceful pedestrians on the road. - -The so-called “Mad” Marquis certainly did some very astonishing -things, but purely, in my opinion, from devil-me-care fun and -spirits, for when married to the beautiful Louisa, daughter of Lord -Stuart de Rothsey, whom he passionately loved, he settled down after -sowing his wild oats, and became a model husband and landlord, -beloved by the whole countryside. - -It appears to be rather fashionable to think everyone is mad whom -we do not understand, or even perhaps when they are superior to -ourselves in courage or intellect. - -I leave it to my readers to decide if he earned the sobriquet, if -they think a man who was so exceedingly devoted and tender to his -wife, and so full of consideration for his countrymen, could be -rightly termed the “Mad Marquis.” - -When he brought home his bride to Curraghmore, seeing a crowd of -country folk and tenants collected to greet them, he leaned over his -wife and lifted her veil so that all might admire, so great was his -pride in her. - -Soon after their marriage, when driving his wife, one of the horses -became restive while descending a steep hill. The only thing to be -done to avoid a bad accident was to turn the horses into a hedge at -the side of the road. Lady Waterford tried to get out, and in so -doing fell, hurting her head, causing concussion of the brain. Her -devoted and alarmed husband carried his unconscious wife in his arms -down the hill, through the River Clode, back to the house, that being -the shortest way, so that she could be properly attended to more -quickly. For several days and nights he scarcely left her; it was -hardly possible to persuade him to come away even for food; and when -the doctor said all her beautiful hair, that he admired so much, must -be cut off, he would allow no hands to do it but his own. - -[Illustration: CURRAGHMORE] - -Like all the Beresfords, the third Marquis was handsome and -loved sport in every form, especially fox-hunting; he hunted the -Curraghmore entirely at his own expense. It was a sad day when his -mount, May-boy, made a mistake over a rotten wall, which put an end -to all his hunting. - -It must have been from this uncle that Lord William inherited his -love for steeplechasing, for we hear of the Marquis in 1840, when -it was first becoming the fashion for gentlemen to ride in chases, -riding in the Grand National. He died in 1859 without any children, -and was succeeded by his brother, Lord William’s father, as fourth -Marquis. - -In 1847 (the year Lord William was born) Lord and Lady Waterford -devoted most of their time and much money in endeavouring to relieve -the distress in Ireland caused by the famine. The Marquis imported -shiploads of wheat for the people, and Lady Waterford’s goodness was -so great that the House of Commons felt constrained to acknowledge it. - -In return for this, these excitable people in the following year, -under the influence of agitators, became so rebellious to law, and -order and to their best friends, that Curraghmore had to be fortified -against them. The Fenians declared they would capture Lady Waterford -and carry her away to the hills. - -This alarmed her husband so greatly that he took her to her mother, -in England, for safety, returning himself to Ireland to protect -the home he loved so dearly, and if possible save the people from -themselves. - -To return to Lord William. The 9th Lancers were stationed at Island -Bridge Barracks, Dublin, when first he joined, which for an Irishman -was all that could be desired. Then on from Dublin to Cahir, which is -not very far from Waterford and Curraghmore; a troop of the 9th were -quartered at Waterford and half a troop at Carrick-on-Suir, close to -Curraghmore. For a time Lord William was with the Waterford troop, -and it was a curious turn of fortune’s wheel that brought H.M.S. -_Research_ to Waterford harbour at this time with Lord Charles as a -middy, or at any rate a very junior officer. Lord Marcus, in the 7th -Hussars, was also at home on leave, so the brothers were together and -there was a very happy gathering. - -All the officers of the 9th and the _Research_ were constantly at -Curraghmore, where they were always sure of a welcome, many carrying -away with them into foreign lands an affectionate gratitude for Lady -Waterford, who had made a home for them all when in the neighbourhood. - -[Illustration: 9TH LANCERS IN DUBLIN, 1867 - -_Back row, from left to right_: Lieut.-Surg. Longman, Riding Master -Crowdy, Capt. F. Gregory (A.D.C. to Lord Lieut. of Ireland), Capt. -Cave, Capt. Hardy, Lieut. Gaskell, Cornet Stewart-Mackenzie. - -_Second row_: Cornet Willoughby, Cornet Lord Wm. Beresford, Paymaster -Mahon, Lieut.-Col. Johnson, Capt. Erskine, Lieut. Palairet, Lieut. -Green, Cornet Percy, Adj.; Quarter-Master Seggie, Major Rich in plain -clothes.] - -The 9th Lancers had a pack of harriers when at Cahir, Lord William -acting as one of the whips. He had begun riding as a very small boy, -on a pony called The Mouse, which was shared by the three brothers, -each taking it in turn to ride. From this humble little mount he -was promoted to other ponies, on which he soon began to execute -little jumps, and ride about the country during the holidays. Before -many years had passed over his head he became a follower of the -Curraghmore hounds and other surrounding packs, often seeing more -of the fun on his pony than some of the field on famous horses, -partly owing to the plucky way he “shoved along” and to knowing the -country well, also partly to the happy way ponies have of turning -up unexpectedly and accomplishing wonderful feats by scrambling and -crawling along places where bigger horses cannot find foothold. The -old Curraghmore, now the Waterford, hunted a country of about -thirty miles from east to west, and twenty miles from north to south, -its boundaries being Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Wexford, and the sea -on the south. Having thus graduated in horsemanship, by the time he -joined the 9th he was known as a good man on a horse. - -He naturally loved horses and dogs, and had many, being a good judge -of both. In consequence of the number of the latter he usually had -about him, Captain Fife, of the same regiment, when compiling an -alphabetical list of rhymes in connection with his brother officers, -on coming to the letter B, wrote:-- - - “‘B’ stands for Bill, - Many cur dogs are his, - Good-tempered but hasty, - And easily ris’”; - -which, must be admitted, is a magnificent effort, even if it does not -scan very well. - -Witnesses of the fun in those days say they can never forget the -delightful time when all the brothers were at home together. Each -a sportsman, each a wit, full of merriment and pranks, and all -especially delighted when Lord Charles danced a hornpipe for their -amusement. How Curraghmore must have ached for their voices when they -had, as the old song says, “all dispersed and wandered far away.” - -It was when stationed at Cahir that Lord William began crumpling up -his bones owing to various tosses of sorts. At this time he owned -a very fast trotter, which could do sixteen miles an hour when -requested. He started one night with this fast trotter in a dogcart -to cover the three miles from the barracks to the station, taking an -English guest with him to catch the 10.30 train for Dublin. The road -was very dark and overshadowed by the trees of Cahir Abbey Park. Sir -Hugh McCalmont (then Captain McCalmont), a brother officer already -mentioned, was likewise performing the same journey bound for Dublin; -both started at the same time. Lord William set the pace, and was -soon out of sight and hearing. Added to the darkness, it was pouring -with rain. After journeying some little way Captain McCalmont was -held up by cries issuing from the gloom. Someone was shouting. He -pulled up in time to find his friend with his guest, his fast trotter -and some dogcart about the road. Lord William in his haste, combined -with the darkness, had driven at top speed into a cart, somewhat -to the surprise of the driver. The cart also looked as if taken by -surprise, in places. Having satisfied himself that no one was killed, -though all were more or less damaged, Captain McCalmont continued -with his “crawler,” as he called it, to the station and caught his -train, which is more than the fast trotting party did. - -Trifles of this kind, however, never worried Lord William, for his -spirits were unquenchable. - -One of the fastest runs with hounds he could remember, in those days -of scanty judgment, was when out with the Curraghmore hounds in the -northern part of the country. The fences were not very big, but the -pace was great. Lord William and Captain McCalmont were riding a -bit jealous, I think; after racing for about twenty minutes, they -both tried to fly a bank, with the natural result when jumping blown -horses. Captain McCalmont’s gallant little mare did not get up for -some time; she wisely lay still to recover her wind, but Lord William -had been so struck by her performance that he shouted, “I will buy -her”--and he did. But horses when asked to do too much, sometimes -break their hearts, and the mare was never quite the same again. - -Whenever sport was to be knocked out of anyone or anything Lord -William was sure to be there. Nothing came amiss to him, fisticuffs, -American cock-fighting, hunting, racing, polo, the latter only just -becoming popular in England. - -It was about this time that he came into his share of the family -fortune. He considered it so inadequate to his needs, that he decided -to spend the capital as interest. This is how he described it to me -one evening, years later, in the grounds of the Taj at Agra. - -“So inadequate to my needs was the interest on my share, that I -decided to use my capital as income so long as it would last, and -rearrange my life again when it came to an end. I started a coach, a -stud of hunters, some racehorses, and laid myself out for a real good -time. I managed to hold on until just before the regiment was ordered -to India. Then, as the fateful day drew near, I thought I would have -one final flutter at the Raleigh Club. A turn up of three cards at -£1000 a card! I won the lot, was able to pay up all I owed and clear -out to India, cleaned out, but a free man as to debt.” - -I do not feel I am betraying any confidence, as he told the story -to several people, and really it is an amazing example of what -pluck and daring, combined with determination, can do. A lesson in -resource and audacity that a young subaltern should arrive in India -a penniless soldier, and yet reach the height of social and official -fame combined with pecuniary comfort, as he did, in a few years. To -sit down with premeditation and map out such a wild scheme, and then -be able to bring it off and win the odd trick, was rather wonderful. - -Possibly what he suffered during those years when he was riding for -a fall made him reckless, risking his life more frequently than he -otherwise would have done, thinking it was bound to be a short and -merry one, so what matter? Or, like others I have known when riding -for a fall, would not give himself time to think. - -Some of the extraordinarily kind things I have known him do for young -men when in financial difficulties, though not overburdened with -cash himself at the time, leads me to the belief that he remembered -his feelings when the crash of his own arranging was drawing near, -assisted perhaps by a little luck, which saved him. - -Considering that he was not a rich man, it was wonderful how lavish -was his unselfish and large-hearted generosity. I verily believe no -living soul ever went to him in trouble and was sent “empty away.” -Yet he could never bear his left hand to know what his right hand -was doing. It really ruffled him if he ever heard of it again. -Nevertheless, some of those near his left hand did know what his -right was doing, more often perhaps than he guessed. - -Having explained the rather important financial position at this -time, we can return to the daily happenings, able to see some reason -in much that would otherwise seem of little consequence, but which -meant a good deal to Lord William, we can also admire more sincerely -the brain that evolved the scheme and carried it out. - -Some will no doubt think, and possibly say, that the affection we all -had for Lord William has made me picture a faultless man; this is, of -course, not so, and it is not difficult to recognise his failings, -which he shared in common with the rest of mankind, but I do claim -for him that they were none of them mean, little, or contemptible, -and we do not always like people less on account of their faults. -Generosity may be called foolishness: pluck, foolhardiness: morals, -not such as would be considered a proper rudimentary system for -teaching in elementary schools: but if, after all that has been said, -a man can count hundreds of deeply attached friends, and not one can -say he ever did a dishonourable action, or willingly hurt another’s -feelings, I claim that man is great. - -Lord William was an admirer of beauty and good taste; add to this, as -the cookery books say, his particularly charming manner, that would -woo the birds off the trees, and his good looks, it is small wonder -he was much loved by the fair sex. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - GOOD-BYE TO ENGLAND - - Coach driving Exploit--The Badger Bet and How It was Won--The - Raleigh Club and the Garçon Glacé Episode--Some Merry Frequenters - of the Club--Regimental Racing--The Tenth Hussars’ Steeplechases, - Exciting Race Between H.R.H.’s Horse and Lord Valentia’s--Aldershot - Coaching Accident--Polo at Woolwich--Sale of 10th Hussars’ - ponies--Friendly Altercations at York--The Three Brothers’ Race--Au - Revoir to Merry England - - -In addition to being a consummate horseman, Lord William was an -accomplished whip. When in Cork some foolish person made him a bet -that he could not, at any rate, drive his coach down the steep and -precipitous steps leading from the barracks, thinking they had at -last found something he could not possibly do. He, however, closed -with the bet at once, saying that he would bet them even money he -would. What sum was offered and taken I do not remember hearing, but -have been given to understand it was fairly heavy, as the feat was -considered impossible and really offered mostly in jest. Imagine -everybody’s feelings when next day the coach, with the wheels inside, -Lord William strapped to the box, and the four horses well in hand, -were seen tobogganing down the steps, and what is more, accomplished -it in safety, winning the bet. - -Making bets was always a weakness of Lord William’s. He acknowledged -it was a fool’s argument, but loved the excitement, moreover -generally won, which was an assistance to the exchequer--a matter of -some consideration. - -It would fill volumes to give accounts of all the mad exploits -of those times. Captain Candy was a constant companion of Lord -William’s, and many of the thrilling adventures of those early years -were shared between them. They appealed to one another, being equally -generous and open-handed. Many still living can remember the lavish -hospitality dispensed by Captain Candy, though it is the fashion with -some to forget the hand that helped them. No one wanting a mount went -without, so long as Lord William or Captain Candy had one standing -in their stables. Both were riding for a fall, but wished all within -reach to share their joys while they lasted. - -Hunting from Cork one day these two were riding close together when -Captain Candy, in taking a fence, found to his dismay that he was -jumping down a quarry, where he landed through the roof of an old -woman’s cabin, causing some splutter and consternation among the -inhabitants, who thought it must be the Fenians! One side of the -cabin had to be pulled down by Lord William before horse and rider -could be extricated. Strange to relate, no one was much the worse. -I think it would be a toss up which broke most bones during their -sporting careers. I myself saw Lord William break his collar-bone -twice and dislocate his shoulder three times on separate occasions. -Indeed, such small affairs became scarcely matters worthy of comment -with him. - -From Ireland the 9th Lancers went, in 1868, to Newbridge, then -on in ’69--Hounslow; ’70--Aldershot; ’72--Woolwich; ’72--York; -’74--Colchester; ’75--out to India, and stationed at Sialkôte, after -which a new leaf was turned over in Lord William’s life, and the -writing on the page took another form. - -He had a very uneventful time while the regiment was at Newbridge, -but while at Hounslow he was a good deal in Town, where his clubs -saw him fairly often. At Pratt’s one night he was talking to some -friends about a pet badger he had that could hold its own against -any dog. Someone, I think it was Captain “Chicken” Hartopp of the -10th Hussars, said they would like to see the animal, to which the -owner replied, “So you shall. What do you bet I will not walk down -to Hounslow and bring it back here by ----?” naming some incredibly -short time in which to accomplish the mission. Considering it almost -out of the question that this could be done in the time, a very -respectable sum was bet, and off started the badger owner to fetch -him, the bargain being that he must walk both ways. It was therefore -necessary to do some smart heel and toe work, which he carried out -faithfully, keeping a watch on the time as he went along. The badger, -as far as history relates, does not seem to have shown the least -surprise at his master turning up in the middle of the night in once -immaculate, but now very dusty, evening dress, and hurrying off with -him in his arms through the lamp-lit West End, to the amazement of -policemen and a few belated wayfarers. They both arrived within the -stated time, the bet being won, though the badger lost a beauty sleep. - -The old Raleigh Club was a great institution in those days, much -frequented by the frisky men of the time, and all young officers -quartered within possible reach. It was quite _the_ thing in night -clubs. Its doors opened at dusk; when they closed, I do not know, -probably shortly before business people in the suburbs were eating -their early breakfasts. At any rate, nobody was anybody, who did not -belong to this club, which was approached by a tunnel, adding mystery -and charm. Within these portals huge sums of money changed hands, -highly flavoured stories circulated, and cards figured largely; -so did swearing, if I may believe what I am told. In fact it was -considered a sign of military efficiency. - -One of the great surprises of my life was finding out, after I -married, that some of the most sedate-looking and highly proper -people I had been brought up amongst, who looked as if they would -faint if anyone said “Damn!” in their presence, were, in reality, -constant visitors at this club, and other popular rendezvous of fame -at that time, while their wives imagined they were seeing the boys -off to school, or some other highly domestic duty. As it was put to -me, some of these elderly friends of my early youth were among those -who “kicked up the most row.” - -There was that great fine Irishman, the late Colonel King-Harman, -most majestic of men and model parent, who came to children’s parties -and danced with poor awestricken me, my feet seldom touching the -ground, but my heart full of admiration for so king-like a being. The -Raleigh knew him as one of the merriest, always ready for a rag. - -Lord Alfred Paget, equerry to Queen Victoria, whom I used to admire -so much when I was a child, sat in front of us in church one winter -in the Isle of Wight. His commanding carriage, handsome dark eyes, -and beetroot complexion fascinated me; and he was so decorous -and good in church, with a pew full of daughters all apparently -reverencing him as I did, for he spent such a long time bending -over the pew and gazing into his hat when he came into church. And -the gallant way in which, without a smile, smallest hesitation, or -fluster, he disentangled the bonnets of two ladies who got mixed -up in front of him one Sunday. It came about through the lady in -the front pew getting up from her knees before the lady in the seat -behind her had completed her devotions. Consequently, when she did -get up the spangled aigrette in her bonnet mixed itself up hopelessly -in the veil and sweeping plume of the head-dress in front of her. -Both tugged and pulled, growing redder in the face and angrier each -moment. My eyes were riveted on the couple, appalled, wondering whose -headgear would be pulled off first, when the gallant equerry, without -moving a muscle of his face, reached over with his long arm and gave -one healthy tweak which separated the two bonnets, while a shower of -tinkling bugles fell from the aigrette to the floor, but still no -sign of mirth on the deliverer’s face. While walking home after the -service my father congratulated him on the speedy way he had freed -the ladies, but Lord Alfred was not unduly mirthful even then, when -out of church and all was over. Yet he too was no stranger at the -Raleigh. - -Oh, yes, and there were many more who took part in those festive -evenings of long ago. Lord Hastings, a friend of Lord William’s, -and like him most generous, in his case too generous to last, -unfortunately; Colonel Valentine Baker, afterwards Baker Pasha, with -his gentle voice and tragic history; Colonel Shaw of the London Fire -Brigade and patron of the Gaiety Theatre: all of whom I had regarded -with youthful awe and reverence. - -It was in the Raleigh that Lord William and one of his brothers, Lord -Marcus, I believe, or both of them, for some reason, or perhaps for -no reason, put the hall porter into the refrigerator. The heat of -the man’s body, or his language, caused the ice to melt, so one of -them drew from the tap some water into a tumbler and sent it with -his compliments to a friend in the smoking-room, describing it as -“Garçon Glacé.” The porter was left in a little too long, and there -was some trouble afterwards. This became known as the “Garçon Glacé” -incident. Everyone thought it funny except the waiter, and he had to -be pacified. Derby week was the time when the Raleigh excelled itself. - -Cards never really fascinated Lord William as racing did, and in -later years he seldom touched them, but in the ’sixties and early -’seventies there was an epidemic of high play which nothing seemed -able to restrain. If cards were forbidden for high stakes at clubs -the members used to hire houses and play, or go to hotels, even play -in their bedrooms if nowhere else was available. Sharp practice, -however, was not in vogue at that time; it followed later, many -stately homes being broken up in consequence. - -Poor old Raleigh! I wonder if to-day any of the ghosts of the past -re-visit it and look on in wonderment at the changed conditions. Now, -it is a club for overseas soldiers, who seem to have caught a little -of the infection, for during the heavy snow-storms of the early part -of this winter (1916) the present club men gathered on the roof and -hurled snowballs at the passing taxi and ’bus men, while a crowd -gathered to watch the fun. The cabmen and other recipients of the -missiles seemed to enjoy the joke, glad to see the soldiers amusing -themselves after their strenuous time at the front. Truly change is -the order of the universe, one of its most unalterable laws, and we -must march with the times, in step to its music. Much as we may look -back on the golden “have been” days, we must not allow ourselves to -become old derelicts, towed along in the wake of progress, but adapt -ourselves to the many changes, though never ceasing to regret the -loss of friends and playfellows of the olden days. - -Early in ’69 Lord William began taking an active part in regimental -races, also in any others where he saw a chance for any of his -stud. On April 1st that year he ran a horse in the Queen’s County -Steeplechases, the Scurry Stakes, 1 sovereign each with 20 added. -Distance 2½ miles. - -Four horses ran:-- - - Lord Wm. Beresford’s Fenian Captain Candy. - Mr. Crosby’s Joe Miller Mr. Onion. - Mr. Mole’s Bashful Captain Morgan. - Mr. Corcoranthe’s The Isle Mr. Burnett. - -The Fenian won in a canter, Joe Miller second, and The Isle fell. - -I have an idea that the Captain Morgan riding Bashful was none other -than the well-known Captain Freddy Morgan, brother of the Lord -Tredegar of Balaclava fame, who, in the great charge, rode a horse -called Mr. Briggs, on which he won a steeplechase before going out -and another on his return, both being among the lucky ones. - -I think this was the first year Lord William appeared as a winning -owner. This success was followed very quickly by another on April -27th in the Subalterns’ Cup, presented by Mr. Palairet of the 9th -Lancers, added to a sweepstake of two sovereigns each. Distance two -miles. - - Lord Wm. Beresford’s Fenian Captain Candy. - Mr. Herbert’s Mephistopheles Owner. - Mr. Mackenzie’s Black Bess Captain McCalmont. - Mr. Green’s Tommy Nodd Captain Clayton. - Mr. Wheeler’s The Nigger Owner. - -The Fenian won by a length, Mr. Herbert’s Mephistopheles second. -An Irish account of this race was very Irish. I give it verbatim: -“Betting 6 to 4 on Mephistopheles, 5 to 4 against Fenian, was a most -curious affair throughout. Mr. Herbert on Mephistopheles was winning -in a canter, but on the end of the enclosure (paddock presumably) -showed a great disposition to bolt, and a great desire to follow the -Nigger, who had been pulled up and was returning home by a short cut -to the enclosure gate. Mephistopheles suddenly stood still next -the palings to follow the Nigger in, and the Fenian came up in time -before Mr. Herbert could get his horse going again, and gained the -verdict, amid much excitement, by a length.” - -Judging by the rather curious account Mephistopheles ought to have -won, but refused to play the game, giving the Fenian an opportunity -his rider was not slow to take advantage of. But then it is just -those off-chances that constitute the excitement and uncertainty of -racing. - -Lord William did not have a mount at this meeting, and only won the -above race, although several of his horses were entered. - -Maid of the Mist carried his colours ridden by Captain Clayton, but -was nowhere in it. Captain Candy won riding his own mare Rosebud. -In another race Captain Clayton rode Lord William’s Cyclops, which -fell. This again was won by Captain Candy on his Park Mount. Maid -of the Mist had another try in the Four-Mile Handicap Steeplechase, -ridden this time by Captain Grissell, but the race was won by -Captain McCalmont on Bicycle. In the Flying Plate, Mr. Herbert rode -Mumbo for Lord William, but Captain Candy won on Strasburg. To put -the finishing touch to a most successful day’s racing for Captain -Candy, he secured under the circumstances the inappropriately named -Consolation Plate with Cracker. That was a “Sugar Candy” day with a -vengeance. Riding in six races he won five, and was second in the -sixth. A record for professional or amateur. - -No one was more pleased with his friend’s successes than Lord -William, for they were fast friends, and when Captain Candy married -the sister of his likewise friend and brother officer, Lord Rossmore, -he acted as best man. - -It was generally known about this time that the then Prince of Wales -was interested in racing, and had been for some time, but owing -to Queen Victoria’s objection to the Royal colours appearing on a -racecourse, His Royal Highness had been running his horses under -other people’s names. In fact, in 1876 Royal won him the Grand -National in Captain Machell’s name, long before Ambush II was thought -of. His Royal Highness also had a share in Lord “Joe” Aylesford’s -horses. Therefore, when the Prince’s racing colours appeared at the -10th Hussars’ Steeplechases, while they were stationed at Hounslow in -1871, I think, it was a day of great excitement, the Prince being in -the regiment at the time. - -There was no public announcement of the meeting, it being a -semi-secret affair held at Down Barn near Southall, within easy reach -of their quarters at Hounslow. Consequently there was no big crowd. -Nevertheless, it was quite an historic meeting; the rows of drags -that lined the course reminded those present of Ascot. The judges -were Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, Lord William Beresford, and Lord -Rosebery. The card of the day’s racing contained only five events. - -Everyone was anxious to see the Royal colours win the Challenge Cup -for bona-fide hunters; distance about three miles. - -The entries for this race were:-- - - H.R.H. the Prince of Wales’s Champion, b.g. Captain Rivers - Bulkeley. - Lord Valentia’s Wellington, ch.g. Captain Wood. - Hon. P. W. FitzWilliam’s Punkah, b.g. Owner. - Lord Valentia’s Vent Piece, bn.m. Mr. Woods. - Mr. Smith-Dorrien’s Marquis, ro.g. Owner. - Major St. Quinten’s Crusader, b.g. Owner. - -The Prince drove down from town with Colonel Kingscote in attendance. -Captain Rivers Bulkeley and that popular old sportsman, Major Chaine, -were the stewards, while Mr. Smith-Dorrien, whose name as a general -is so intimately connected with the War, was the most courteous of -secretaries. The idol of the hour after the Prince was Captain Rivers -Bulkeley, as being the first to wear the famous Royal purple and gold -braided jacket with gold and black cap. He must have felt a very -proud man, but unfortunately like Humpty Dumpty he had a great fall. -At the brook Champion, the Prince’s horse, came to grief, he and the -favourite Vent Piece fell together, the riders remounting, and in at -the finish. Champion managed to regain so much ground that hopes were -raised once more of a Royal victory, but in the last half-mile he -showed distinct signs of having taken too much out of himself at the -brook, so was overtaken by Wellington, who won for Lord Valentia by -ten lengths. Champion second, Punkah third. - -It was a great day. I wonder how many good men and true who were -there would be able to answer the roll-call to-day? - -There were a number of well-known people there besides the Prince of -Wales: Lord Westmorland (the handsome Frank) and Lady Westmorland, -the Earl of Cork, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Fitzgerald, Lord -Carrington, Lord Clonmell, Lord Charles Ker, Sir George Wombwell, -Colonel and Mrs. Owen Williams, and many others. - -When the 9th Lancers were at Aldershot, a good deal of mild racing -was the order of the day. On one occasion, when Lord William was -tooling his coach on to the course, in his endeavours to avoid -a runaway carriage and pair, behind which sat a screaming and -frightened lady, he managed to upset the coach without seriously -damaging any of the occupants. The late Lord Kinnoull, who was on the -coach, described it to me. He said he never saw anything so splendid -as the way Lord William handled the ribbons. The road was narrow, -on the left was a bank with roughly put up rails on top, while -speeding towards them on the right-hand side of the road was the -runaway carriage. The coachman had lost all control, yet my informant -declared if the clatter of the galloping hoofs and the screaming -lady had not frightened the horses in the coach, all might have been -well. As it was, there was an alarming cracking noise from the wooden -railings on the left, a great lurch, and the coach turned over. After -this it was difficult to say exactly what did happen, except that -there was a general mix up, and the poor lady in her runaway carriage -continued her career down the road. It was characteristic of Lord -William that he was more concerned about the fate of the screaming -lady than with his own predicament. - -So far Lord William had only been a winning owner. His first -appearance as a winning rider was across the Long Valley at -Aldershot. I give the race card. - - 9th LANCERS’ STEEPLECHASE - - ALDERSHOT, _April 27th, 1872_ - - The Subalterns’ Cup, added to a sweepstake of 2 sovereigns - each with 10 added. _Three miles._ - - Lord Wm. Beresford’s Star-gazer, b.g., 10st. Owner. - Mr. Wheeler’s Frolic, ch.m., 11st. Captain Williams. - Mr. Moore (St. Leger) Portfire, 11st. Owner. - Mr. Butson’s The Finnigan, 11st. Captain Grissell. - Hon. E. P. Willoughby’s Lowthorpe, br.g., 12st. Owner. - Hon. E. P. Willoughby’s Irish Kate, 11st. 7lb. Captain Palairet. - -Star-gazer won, which was a creditable performance, being his second -race that day, and taking into consideration that he fell in the -first. The earlier race he had taken part in was the Regimental -Cup, which was won by Captain Willoughby on his good horse Langar. -He won many races for his owner, who always rode him, including a -great point-to-point at York, when the Duke of Clarence was present. -Captain Willoughby was of great repute in the 9th on account of his -performances in the pig-skin as a steeplechase rider and polo player; -also Major McCalmont, a great judge of a horse. He once bought what -he thought a likely looking animal out of a thrashing-machine for -£45, which turned out a brilliant and valuable steeplechaser. The -present-day General, D. M. G. Campbell, was also in the regiment at -that time; he has been wounded twice in the present war, and is still -out there at the time of writing, with what remains of those who were -present at Mons. - -It may interest present-day race-goers to know that in ’72 the -“chases” were run at Aldershot the reverse way of the course, though -on the same land as at the present time, finishing at the bottom, -instead of the top of the hill. There was then no Terraced Mount for -the officers and their wives. - -Lord William worked hard at this meeting, having seven mounts, -winning one race, and being second in another. Star-gazer does not -sound like a very comfortable mount for “chasing.” - -From Aldershot the regiment went to Woolwich, but I know very little -of that time. Polo was in vogue, and some good games were played, -it being then in its youth as far as England was concerned, though -it had been played for centuries in Persia. The Manipuries first -introduced it to the British in 1862, on the Calcutta racecourse. -After this it was taken up by the 11th Bengal Lancers, but it was not -played seriously in England until 1874, when the 5th Lancers became -enthusiastic, after which it became fashionable. - -The Manipuries, who love the game, play it in the streets of Upper -Bengal, on scraps of ponies about twelve hands high, playing just -as they feel inclined, with both hands and short mallets. At first -when the game was played by the English, the rules were somewhat -slack; everybody played on what size pony they pleased, crossed and -recrossed each other, besides other curious things. - -Now the rules bid for greater safety and greater enjoyment, though I -remember as late as 1883, or thereabouts, at Lucknow, where the 10th -Hussars were then playing, they habitually sent down to the ground a -doolie or two for the removal of the sick and wounded after a game. A -doolie is a sort of hand ambulance, carried by natives. In India the -ground is so hard that if anyone gets a fall it is like coming down -on pavement. It is a mystery to me how the ponies’ legs stand it, and -the 10th played a fast game. - -They made a great name for themselves at polo, and when they left -the country their ponies were all put up for sale. People came to -the sale from far and wide, for the ponies naturally carried a -reflected glory from the prowess of their riders. I well remember -the sale. Of course there were some valuable ponies sold which had -made names for themselves, but there were not a few that had done -nothing very great, and their owners were staggered at the big prices -they fetched, simply because they belonged to the 10th, and people -therefore thought they must be good polo ponies. - -When one of the officers came to say good-bye to us, he gave a most -amusing account of the bidding and some of the bidders. Speaking of -one of his ponies that I knew very well and used to ride sometimes -in paper-chases, he said: “You know the poor old pony cannot gallop -faster than I can kick my hat.” This was embroidering a little. It -was a handy little beast and had played in many a game of polo, -helping out the stable on occasions though by no means one of the -owner’s best; nevertheless it realized a price that trebled what had -originally been paid for him, and after a couple of years’ work. - -[Illustration: 9TH LANCERS’ POLO GROUPS AT WOOLWICH - -_Left to right. Standing_: Capt. Clayton, Mr. Palairet, Capt. de la -Garde Grissell, Capt. Fife - -_On ground_: Lord William Beresford, Mr. Moore] - -During the early days of polo there used to be sad accidents, and -sad rows too sometimes; the amenities were not so refined as they -are to-day, though even at polo I have observed occasionally a soft -answer may turn away wrath. - -From Woolwich, Lord William went with his regiment to York, and -to this day the period the 9th Lancers were quartered there is -remembered as a red-letter time, for they were a great social -success. At that time the neighbouring country houses were more often -in the occupation of their owners than they are now, and Yorkshire -could boast of its old-fashioned hospitality and love of sport. I -have heard the north country accused of being boorish and stiff, -but this is a matter of opinion with which I, personally, do not -altogether agree. - -An amusing incident happened outside the solemn old club which stands -close to the Lendal Bridge at York. Lord Rossmore went into the club -one evening just in time to see one of the servant girls from the -kitchen regions make her escape from a young man who was evidently -annoying her. She fled down the area steps; Lord Rossmore collared -the youth, and began giving him a lecture of an improving nature. -At this moment, who should come out of the club but Lord William. -He at once scented battle; without having the slightest idea what -it was about, but longing to be in it, he cried, “Let me have him, -Derry. Oh, do let me have him.” “No,” replied the other, jealous of -his capture. “_I found him_; he is my man.” They became so absorbed -in the argument as to who should make the prisoner’s teeth chatter -that the man took the opportunity to make his escape. Looking round -and discovering his loss, Lord Rossmore indignantly reproached his -friend. “Now look what you have done!” he cried; “this is what comes -of trying to steal my man.” Then as the absurdity of the whole thing -struck them, they laughed until their sides ached. After which Lord -William apologised profusely for having spoilt “Derry’s” sport, and -losing his man. - -It was on that same Lendal Bridge, on another occasion, that Lord -William and the late Mr. Joseph Leeman, M.P., as a matter of detached -interest spent an hour one night, or rather early one morning, -struggling desperately to see which could put the other over the high -balustrade of the bridge into the river below. Each in turn would -get the other up to within an inch or two of the top preparatory to -a bath in the Ouse, which always looks particularly uninviting just -there. Lord William made one splendid effort regardless of popping -buttons and bursting braces to get Mr. Leeman up, and thought at last -he had accomplished it, but down he came with a rush. A wrestle then -ensued all across the road, each trying to get hold of the other in -just the right position; the game then began again, this time Lord -William being perilously near the top. At last, quite exhausted, they -adjourned to Mr. Leeman’s rooms at the Station Hotel, and finished -the night (?) there--of course, the best of friends the whole time. - -There is another York story, though I cannot vouch for its accuracy; -I only tell it as it was told to me. A certain youth joined the -regiment who, it was considered, wanted teaching a thing or two, -and who at that time they did not like. His clothes did not please -them, his face did not please them, in fact nothing about him pleased -them. So, while he was out of his room one evening, they, with much -difficulty and the help of many people, persuaded a lover of thistles -to walk upstairs into his bedroom, where it was put to bed. A large -cock with a strong voice was also thrust, protesting, into the -dirty-clothes-basket, where it presently fell into a brooding silence -of despair. When the unfortunate owner of the room returned he had -many exhausting moments with the donkey before he successfully turned -it out of the room and could go to bed. At dawn he was awakened from -a refreshing sleep by the clarion notes of the cock issuing from the -clothes-basket, and he began to wonder if the claret of the night -before had disagreed with him, or if it was all a horrid nightmare. -This story may, or may not be true, but I knew the youth in question, -and that he was not popular then. It is pleasant to be able to -remember that, some years later, when he died of consumption, his -sterling good qualities and unfeigned good nature had made him so -much liked that his loss aroused universal sorrow in the regiment. - -In ’74 the regiment moved from York to Colchester, where Lord William -seemed to get a great deal of leave, part of which he spent helping -his brother, Lord Charles, who was standing for Waterford in the -Conservative interest at the request of his eldest brother. They -had great fun together, but this has been described in Lord Charles -Beresford’s own book. - -It was in this same year that the memorable brothers’ race was run -at Curraghmore on the Williamstown course. The race is a matter of -history now, but I have seen quite lately a controversy about it in -the sporting Press, some declaring that Lord Waterford took part in -it, others that he did not. Only three took part in the race: Lord -Charles, Lord William, and Lord Marcus. Again, there are folk who -think it was all arranged beforehand who was to win. Wrong again. -Nothing was further from the minds of any of the trio; each meant to -win, and each thought he would. The race was run at the Curraghmore -Hunt meeting. Three miles. The brothers had a private sweep of 100 -sovereigns each. - -Anyone not knowing the sport-loving proclivities of the Irish cannot -picture the excitement there was in the country over this event. Even -the peasant women who knew nothing about racing but something about -men, bet on their fancy, some for the one with the curly hair, others -for the brave blue eyes, and so on. - -Each of the brothers had to ride 12 stone and be on his own horse. -The Beresford Blue was worn by them all. Lord Charles, being the -eldest, donned the black cap, which sounds rather as if he were -condemning someone to death; the others wore white and blue caps -respectively to distinguish between them. - -[Illustration: THE FAMOUS BERESFORD BROTHERS’ RACE - -(1) LORD WILLIAM; (2) LORD MARCUS; (3) LORD CHARLES] - -Lord Charles thought he had a winner in the black thoroughbred he -brought over from England for the race, named Night Walker, which had -been bred by a man named Power, the sporting tenant of the course. -Lord William rode his grey mare Woodlark, and Lord Marcus a bay -gelding, The Weasel. I like to picture these affectionate, sporting -brothers jogging off to the starting-post, all eager and happy. - -They got away well without delay, and at a cracking pace. Riding -boot to boot, charging each fence side by side until near the -winning-post, all riding straight and square like the sportsmen -they were. Soon the buzz of voices ceased, and a tense silence -made itself felt, for the last fence was being neared, and still -all were abreast, but now it became apparent that Night Walker had -done enough. The struggle then remained between the Weasel and the -Woodlark, the latter winning by a short head, so the crowd had some -excitement in return for their long journeys and, in many cases, the -night spent on the course to secure a good place. - -Lord Charles thought his horse got a chill coming over on the boat, -and was therefore not up to his best form. Lord Marcus remarked that -while each fancied himself enormously he enthusiastically eulogised -the other. The photograph of the race here reproduced is taken from -the picture hanging at Curraghmore, Lady Waterford kindly having had -it taken for me to use in this book. Other races were ridden in that -day by the brothers, but not as winners. The tall hat and pink coat -worn by Lord William in one of these races inaugurated, I believe, -the now common custom of riding in pink at hunt meetings. - -The Beresfords all seem to have the whisper understood by horses and -dogs, for they have been able to make them do some wonderful things. -Lord William’s uncle once jumped a hunter over a dining-room table -at Melton one night for a bet. Lord Charles, in his book, tells the -characteristic story of his having led a queer-tempered thoroughbred -from the road in Eaton Square into the house, along a passage, round -the dining-room table, and out again, without disaster. The only sign -of rebellion or annoyance on the part of the horse was to kick at the -fire in passing just by way of salutation, and to show there was no -ill feeling. This enterprise, of course, Beresford like, was for a -bet. - -At many gymkhanas I have seen Lord William do extraordinary tricks -and feats of horsemanship, but of that later. - -To return to Colchester, “the brothers’” race being over. On July -25th of that year, the 9th sent a polo team to Hurlingham, where they -played against the Blues. In the second contest, Lord William made -the first goal for the regiment, and again in the third. The Lancers -won. The Prince and Princess of Wales were present, and were much -interested in the game. - -On September 10th a “Horse Fête and Polo Match” took place between -the 9th Lancers and 7th Hussars. The 9th won, eight goals in -succession, the handsome cup presented by the Borough consequently -falling to them. One of the goals was won by Lord William. - -Monday, October 10th, saw the ponies at Tattersall’s, the regiment -being under orders for India. Among those of Lord William’s, Madge -fetched 62 guineas, Toothpick 36 guineas, The Wren 42 guineas, The -Gem 60 guineas, Little Wonder 50 guineas, Madame Angot 20 guineas. -Very different to the prices such ponies would command to-day. Before -leaving the old country a dinner was given to the regiment by its -former officers to wish them luck and au revoir. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - JOINS VICEROY’S STAFF - - What he Might Have Been--A Happy Exile--Lumtiddy Hall--Unsuccessful - Journey to Pay Calls--Appointed to Staff of Retiring Viceroy--First - Summer at Simla--Appointed A.D.C. to Lord Lytton--Annandale - Racecourse--Birth of _The Asian_--Dinner to Its Sporting - Owner--Winner of Viceroy’s Cup--Delhi Durbar, 1887--Mighty - Preparations--A Terrible Accident - - -It is easy to imagine with what mingled feelings Lord William left -England: relief at being freed from the money difficulties that -oppress a young man in a swagger regiment in this expensive old -country; affectionate regret for the splendid days that were done; -the happy family gatherings, before all were scattered; still -cherishing some of the ideals of youth to which there is always a -sacredness attached. Children usually build mental universes round -themselves, and at the age of twenty-eight hope has not died in the -heart; that child of happiness still keeps it warm. Lord William, -not being one of those who wear their heart on their sleeve, was of -the merriest on board ship, full of courage and good resolutions, -determined to map out his future on safer grounds than hitherto. - -I have often heard it remarked that Lord William might have gained -and filled almost any great position in life that he chose, owing to -his talents, perseverance, and charm of manner, if it had not been -that he was obsessed by his passion for racing and horse-flesh. It -is said “he might have been a great soldier”; my reply is, _he was_. -Again: “He might have been a great statesman.” I reply, that in a -measure he was. To be the right-hand man of and Military Secretary -to three successive Viceroys, and a capable A.D.C. to three, -speaks for itself. What more could he desire, unless it was to be -Viceroy? which would not have appealed to him in the least. Some -of his friends have said they regretted his not having entered the -Diplomatic Service, which shows how little they understood him, for -nothing could have been less attractive to him, or more foreign to -his nature, than a life of trying to make black look white; though an -adept at bamboozling people for their own advantage, and smoothing -rough corners for their happiness, to bamboozle them to their -detriment, and smile with the face of a truthful prophet while so -doing, would have been impossible to him; also he was much too loyal -for that profession, who proverbially, as a class, are not given to -standing by one another. Any question that he had to decide he would -gladly have done with his fists, or sword, but not by parliamentary -inexactitudes. Besides, who among those who knew him would have liked -to see him any different from what he was? - -India appealed to Lord William, he liked it from the first. Perhaps -he, more than some, felt the loneliness inseparable from landing -in a strange country for the first time, with a career to make out -of nothing; far from the help and glamour of home associations, -feeling rather like goods on a market stall, from which the ticket -describing their merit and value has fallen, leaving the said goods -to prove their own merit, and so create their own price. - -Starting a life in any new country, individuals are only a number -to begin with. Yet India is one of the kindest to strangers, there -is something in the atmosphere that melts the Northern “stand-off” -attitude. All are exiles, which forms a bond of sympathy, uniting -them into one big family, so to speak. It is good for all to -find their own level; travelling assists them, gives them a new -education. There is much to be learned in a large mixed cosmopolitan -concentration, where princes, rajahs, judges, generals, police, -subalterns who know everything, old men who believe nothing, -middle-aged men who suspect everything, all rub shoulders, look well -groomed and comfortable, yet all with the same longing for home in -their hearts. - -At Bombay, Lord William met his brother, Lord Charles, then in -attendance on the Prince of Wales; this meeting was a great pleasure -and took the chill off the landing. - -Sialkôte is a pleasant station, more shady than many, boasting fine -trees and a certain amount of vegetation. A charming bungalow was -secured and shared by Captain Clayton and Lord William. These stable -companions were greatly attached to one another; the former had a -good influence over his wild-spirited friend, who quite recognised -and appreciated the fact. - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD AND CAPTAIN CLAYTON] - -The bungalow was christened “Lumtiddy Hall.” In the photograph the -tenants are seen sitting in the verandah, the servants standing -outside. I do not know why people always collect their servants -and stand them round the front door in India when having photographs -taken. It is not the habit at home. I think it must be with a view -to introducing the drapery and surroundings of our new lives to our -relations elsewhere to whom we send the pictures, more than anything -else. At any rate everyone does it, and the native servants like it; -indeed now I come to think of it, I am not sure that it is not an -arrangement of their own. - -Some of the things I shall have to touch on will not be new, I dare -say, to readers familiar with India, but there are other friends -of Lord William’s to whom the customs and etiquettes are unknown; -they may like to have some idea of his life, duties, pleasures and -general surroundings, also the way he fulfilled his obligations. -Among the latter I must not forget to mention the dutiful way he and -his brother officer, Mr. Charles Lascelles, started paying calls -after the fashion of the country. Armed with an alarmingly long list, -they rode out determinedly from the mess on their ponies. The first -bungalow they came to, where they intended to pay their respects, -had straw laid down along the road and up to the door. Lord William -pulled up, frowning wisely: “We had better call here another day,” he -announced, after deep thought. “Why?” asked Mr. Lascelles innocently. -“My dear fellow! don’t you see all this straw down? Someone must be -ill; having a baby or something most likely,” replied the sage. - -Horrified at the thought, and impressed by his friend’s knowledge and -insight, Mr. Lascelles agreed fervently, and they rode on to the -next bungalow. Here again they found straw laid down. - -“Surely they can’t all be doing the same thing at once, can they?” -said the astonished Mr. Lascelles. - -“You can never be sure what they do out here,” replied the other. “In -any case you can’t be too careful.” So they rode on. - -To their amazement they found straw at each bungalow, so they -returned to the mess to announce the discreet reasons for their -failure. The mess was delighted, and it was not till some time after -that the two were informed that the straw was there to prevent the -prevailing dust from entering the bungalows. - -New-comers in India find the rules appertaining to paying calls -at times amusing. The first thing that appears strange is the -conventional calling hours, being among the hottest in the day, when -quite possibly the people being called on are trying to keep cool -by lying in baths or under punkahs. A clatter of hoofs is heard, -followed by a voice shouting, “Qui Hie!” which means “Somebody.” - -There ought to be a servant or two sitting on the verandah, but at -times they are not to be found, their beloved hubble-bubbles having -enticed them away. So the callers continue riding round the house -shouting for “Somebody” plaintively until “Somebody” is found, and -a few well-chosen words addressed to him in the visitor’s best -Hindustani. Calling out there is altogether an unconventional art. - -[Illustration: “LUMTIDDY HALL”] - -I remember once at Sitapur, where all the officers of a newly arrived -battery of artillery dutifully called on us, with exception of -a Mr. Ross, who happened to be a particular friend of my husband, -so that his non-appearance caused us some surprise. At last he came -and apologised for not having been before by saying that he had been -awaiting his turn for the calling suit of clothes. Being youngest, -his turn came last! Poor soul; he was afterwards frozen to death in -the Afghan War. Found dead, still sitting erect on his horse. - -To return to Lord William; India was not long in finding out that a -good sportsman and a judge of racing had arrived in its midst. Before -many weeks had passed he had made himself felt, and was to be seen -officiating as judge at some pony races. His first appearance in the -pig-skin was in October of the same year (1875), when he rode a raw, -hard-mouthed horse named Clarion for a friend in the Grand Military -Chase, having amongst his opponents that well-known splendid horseman -Frank Johnson, who won on a horse called Ring, Clarion being third. -After this he continued to ride a number of mounts for friends and -acquaintances. - -It was about this time that Lord William was appointed A.D.C. on -the staff of the retiring Viceroy, Lord Northbrook, who was being -succeeded by Lord Lytton, one of Disraeli’s appointments. While -learning his new duties at Calcutta, Lord William did a little -racing, winning the Corinthian Purse on a black Waler called -Dandynong, for his friend Captain Davidson, the Prince of Wales being -present at the time. It did not take him long to master the duties of -an A.D.C. or to become popular, for he really commenced a new era in -the social life of India. Things began to hum, and everyone began to -enjoy the races, dances, picnics and paper-chases he inaugurated. He -was soon surrounded with friends. - -When Lord Lytton took over the Viceroyalty he retained Lord William -as A.D.C. on his staff. In April of that year, Colonel Colley, who -was Military Secretary to the Viceroy, wrote, in a letter to Lady -Lytton: “Lord William Beresford is full of fun and go, and is being -placed in charge of the stables.” So he was already doing the work -and fitting into the corner for which he was so admirably suited. - -The summer of ’76 was spent at Simla, his first introduction to the -place where he was to spend so many summers of his life. - -In a letter written home at this time, he speaks of being happy with -the Lyttons, and pleasure at having the management of the horses. - -[Illustration: 9TH LANCERS’ MESS, SIALKÔTE, 1876] - -Lady Lytton, referring to this time, says: “I noted that Lord William -managed the stables admirably, and our coachman Wilson was very -happy under him”; from which it may be inferred that Wilson was a -good servant, or he would not have been happy under Lord William’s -eye, for he was very particular, and would not be content unless -everything was properly turned out and in perfect order. It may -not be generally known that only three people are allowed to have -carriages in Simla, namely, the Viceroy, the Commander-in-Chief -and the Chief Commissioner of the North-West Provinces. The -Viceregal party are often the only ones to avail themselves of this -privilege. The rule sounds a little selfish and high-handed, but -it is explained by the fact that there is only one road where -it is possible to drive, and that one is very circumscribed. The -inhabitants of the station live in houses dotted about the hillside, -approached in many cases by scrambling paths, up which people have -to be carried in janpans (a sort of chair slung on bamboo poles and -carried by four bearers), ride, or in a rickshaw, a sort of bath -chair pulled by native servants. - -Carriages are therefore white elephants in the hills; and even for -riding it is necessary to have sure-footed and quiet ponies. - -There are so many books dealing with Indian life I feel that it -is rather superfluous to explain that the official residence of -the Government is, during the summer, at Simla, and at Calcutta in -winter. Lord Lawrence, the Viceroy in 1863, first started Simla -as the official summer residence, taking all his assistants and -council with him, the reason that this particular station was chosen -being that it was the only place in the Himalayas, or indeed any -of the Indian mountains, where there was sufficient accommodation -for the followers in his train. It was also easy of access and had -a good road to it, compared with those of the other hill stations. -Of course, like most innovations, it met with a certain amount of -grumbling from those who considered they could have chosen a better -spot, and each successive administrator tried to go one better by -suggesting some other place. Up to now, no other place has been found -more suitable, so it may be taken for granted that Lord Lawrence -made a wise choice. Anything less like a government house, at that -time, than the Viceregal Lodge, rejoicing in the name of Peterhoff, -it would be difficult to imagine, being nothing more or less than a -glorified bungalow, standing on the edge of what in England we should -call a precipice, and in India a hillside or khud, and with very -little ground round it. - -Having heard that there was a racecourse, Lord William, in his -first spare moments, went to see it, finding this dignified title -applied to a small, more or less flat piece of ground lying between -two hills, the roads to it being zigzag paths, hollowed out by the -mountain torrents during the winter and monsoon, to which a little -assistance was given by the authorities to make them safe. No -carriage could get there, nevertheless this little spot was a source -of joy and health to many, for here every Saturday races were held, -occasional cricket matches, and other health and pleasure giving -exercises, to which all the inhabitants and visitors thronged. All -the world and his wife used to go, also other people’s wives, for -there are always any number of grace widows in the hill stations, -whose husbands are unable to get leave to accompany them, or at any -rate only for a short time. Annandale was the name of this little -basin where the races were run at that time. I was introduced to it -a few years later, and thought its primitiveness added to its charm. -There was no such a thing as a grand stand, or even an un-grand one. -People sat about on the hillside to watch the racing. There was a -small shed, if I remember rightly, where Reigning Royalty could -shelter, should the necessity arise, which formed a sort of holy of -holies where they could carry out the exclusiveness necessary to -their position, so odious and trying to many of them. - -Now there is a gorgeous thing in pavilions, as will be seen by the -photograph, but I do not feel any ambition to go there, liking the -memory of Annandale as it was in earlier times too well to have any -desires for buildings comfortable or otherwise, in that historic -little corner. After a race meeting there was a general scramble up -the hillside again to dress for dinner and the evening’s amusements, -of which there were plenty; Lord William took care of that; -theatricals, dances, concerts, Christy Minstrel performances, and at -times quite classic and dignified oratorios, besides endless private -parties and social gatherings. - -Government House has to fulfil its obligations, and give a certain -number of dances and parties, so has the Commander-in-Chief and the -Governor of the North-West Provinces, this being one of the things -they are out there for. Some live up to the letter of the law, so -to speak, others are full of hospitality and private enterprise, -especially those with young people of their own out there with them. - -On August 6th there were great rejoicings, a son being born to Lord -Lytton, who was away in the hills at the time in connection with -his work. Lady Lytton, in a letter speaking of the many kindnesses -of their A.D.C., says: “Lord William rode twenty-six miles to Fagoo -with letters (to Lord Lytton), and brought me back the answers -and congratulations the same evening,” which is just the kindly -sympathetic thing he would do. - -The work and responsibility attached to the life of a Viceroy -is great and anxious. It is well that he should have sympathetic -workers under him who will relieve him, as much as possible, of all -unnecessary worries and anxieties. Lord William felt this keenly, and -all the Viceroys he served under expressed their gratitude for his -never-failing thoughtfulness and unselfish devotion. - -When it is realised that this one man, with his handful of -councillors, keeps in touch with 207,000,000 Brahmins, 9,000,000 -Buddhists, 62,000,000 Mohammedans, 2,000,000 Sikhs, 1,300,000 -Janns, 94,000 Zoroastrians (Parsees) and 8,000 Jews, not counting -the 8,000,000 of the aboriginal tribes whose religion I do not -know, considers all their grievances, studies carefully all their -superstitions and traditional etiquettes, managing to keep all more -or less happy, it seems a superhuman task. - -That such comparative contentment reigns is eloquent of the amount of -thought and care devoted to the smallest detail of government. Lord -Lytton came to the country knowing little of it or its people, but -quickly made a study of both, and was deeply interested. - -It has always struck me that Lord Lytton’s way of expressing himself -was exceptionally charming. His letters home, and to the Queen during -anxious times, are delightful to read. Lord William described him as -a most considerate Chief, and regretted that he was not stronger, -as he was so keen, and worked so hard, that he exhausted himself. -The years of the Lytton administration were full of anxious and busy -times. - -In October, Lord William found time to ride a race or two at Dehra, -winning one, thanks to good judgment and riding, on Red Eagle for a -friend, also the Doon Chase on Commodore for Captain Maunsell. - -A little later, at Umballa, he rode for Mr. George Thomas, and won a -hurdle race on Fireman. On returning to Calcutta from Simla he was -elected a steward of the Calcutta races, having already joined the -Turf Club. Among the other stewards for the year were Lord Ulick -Browne, the Hon. W. F. McDonnell, and Captain Ben Roberts. - -It is a matter of regret that in the early years of Lord William’s -sojourn in India, there was practically no sporting paper to -chronicle his many endeavours and triumphs; the only thing of the -kind being a rather superannuated _Oriental Sporting Magazine_, -which was more or less in a moribund condition, although run by good -sportsmen, some of whom were, perhaps, growing a little out of touch -with the views of the rising generation. It was not until 1878 that -_The Asian_ was started as a sporting venture, by an energetic person -called Mr. William Targett, who, though he knew nothing about horses, -felt that he was filling a long-standing want, which the success of -his paper proved to have been a correct and business-like surmise. -The paper may still be doing useful work for all I know, although it -has lost its original and popular proprietor, whom Lord William liked -so well. While speaking of _The Asian_ and Mr. Targett I think the -following little story is interesting. - -Mr. Targett was at home in 1894 on one of the holidays he allowed -himself every three years. The time was drawing near for his return -to India, so some of his oldest friends in this country convened a -little “au revoir” banquet at the Victoria Club in Wellington Street. - -Fully a hundred sat down, all good sportsmen hail-fellow-well-met. -Mr. Targett was evidently much pleased at the kindly feeling that -had prompted his friends to give him this send-off. All were in -their places except the intended president. Suddenly the door flew -open and the voice of the arranger of this merry meeting announced: -“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce your chairman, Lord William -Beresford.” Many present knew he was in England, but few that he -was in London, therefore little did they expect his presence. This -surprise was arranged between Lord William and Mr. Meyrick (the -well-known writer of “Sporting Notes” in the _Sporting Times_) with a -view to giving the proprietor of _The Asian_ pleasure. - -Mr. William Targett was delighted, and grasped his lordship’s hand, -saying: “What, you here, Bill!” The quick reply came: “Yes, Bill; I’m -here and so pleased at the invitation!” Wherever Lord William was, -there it was lively, and this feast lasted three good hours, until he -was obliged to keep what he referred to as an “austere appointment,” -but at the end of his response to the toast of his health he took -the whole room into his confidence with the concluding sentence: -“Gentlemen, while you are thinking about your Christmas dinner, -Targett and myself, with good luck, hope to be on the Calcutta -racecourse; and I must tell you that this week I have, I think, -purchased the winner of the Viceroy Cup--Metallic--for my old friend -Orr-Ewing. Good night and good luck to you all.” - -One jubilant and well-known Umballian present shouted: “I am betting -on the Viceroy’s Cup. Who wants to back his lordship’s tip?” He -quickly found customers. The recounter of this story to me added that -he risked a little bit, and was pleased to find on the following -Christmas week that Metallic had won, and he therefore the better off -by a “tenner.” It was kind of Lord William to find time to give his -little Calcutta friend this pleasant surprise, considering that every -one of his own friends and relations were clamouring for his time. - -But to return to 1876 in the East. At the close of the year, all -official India, and a great deal of the unofficial, gathered at Delhi -for the Proclamation of the Queen as Empress of India on January 1st, -1877. This entailed unceasing work on the Vice-regal staff, and all -Government officials, both civil and military. The assemblage was to -last fourteen days, and the heads of every departmental government in -India were to be present, besides 14,000 troops, seventy-seven ruling -princes and chiefs, and 68,000 people were invited and actually -stayed in or around Delhi. - -Only those who have been in the vicinity of, or engaged in, the -preparations for any big gathering in India can imagine for a -moment the amount of galloping and fuss, the thraldom of official -red tape and etiquette to be punctiliously observed, the number of -contradictory orders, the hurt feelings and notes of explanation that -are flying about; most of this galloping, between head-quarters and -heads of departments, being carried out by the A.D.C.’s. - -At last everything was growing shipshape, and people left off saying, -“I told you so,” even began to smile furtively once more, for all -was in readiness. The Rajahs’ gardens were laid out elaborately -round their different tents and camps, each vying with the other -to have the best and most attractive display. The elephants had -arrived and were amiable and docile. The Rajahs’ horses in readiness, -with magenta tails and gorgeous trappings. The jewels laid out and -counted. Everything, in fact, ready for the great day. Therefore -a little relaxation was considered consistent with good form on -the part of the staff and officers in waiting for the great event, -consequently a game of polo was arranged for Christmas Day. - -This chance game, a thing born of a few spare hours in the midst of -the pomp and glitter of Eastern rejoicing, was destined to prove the -blackest sorrow of Lord William’s life. Captain Clayton had become -to Lord William, what is perhaps the most irreplaceable thing in the -world, his best friend, and during this game their ponies cannoned -into one another. Captain Clayton’s fell; its rider was picked up -unconscious, and died the same night. - -[Illustration: THE DELHI DURBAR, 1877] - -Poor Lord William was wild with grief, and Captain De la Garde -Grissell, an old friend and brother officer of his, who was in the -camp with the 11th Hussars, was sent for to the Viceroy’s camp to -stay with Lord William during the night. Captain Eustace Vesey and -Captain Charles Muir sat up with Captain Clayton until he died at -midnight. Captain Grissell tells me that they were so anxious -that none should do anything for their dear friend but those who -had known and cared for him, that he and Captain Vesey made all -the arrangements--in India everything has to be carried out so -swiftly. There was no undertaker, so a soldier made the coffin and -Captain Grissell himself screwed down the lid, both he and Captain -Vesey being greatly overcome. The funeral was next day, and a most -impressive sight, all the troops at the Durbar taking part. A -military funeral is at all times impressive, indeed harrowing, to -those who mourn the loss of one who has shared their lives, but it -becomes doubly so when the circumstances have been so tragic. He was -buried in the graveyard behind the ridge held so long by us during -the Mutiny, and he lies with the 9th Lancers who fell at that time -and are buried close by. - -All the rest of the time Lord William was in India he used to go away -by himself on the anniversary of that terrible accident and visit his -friend’s grave. So great had the grief been to him that he always -felt that he must be alone on that day; alone with his grief and the -spirit of his old friend. He did not want to speak; not because there -is anything in life too sacred to say or tell, but much too sacred to -parody. But the world and all its shows will not stand still for us -while we grieve, and Lord William with his good pluck struggled to -perform his duties at the Durbar, working so hard that he only had -time for a couple of hours’ sleep out of the twenty-four. The strain -was too much for him, and he fainted while sitting on his horse and -had to be carried away. - -His heart and courage were always too big for his body and strength. -Captain Clayton had been his life-long friend, and what made him feel -it even more, was the thought that through his pal’s death he had -gained his troop. - -The actual Durbar appears to have been a success, and the Maharajahs -and Princes were so pleased that they each wished to present a -bejewelled crown to the Empress Queen, but Lord Lytton, with some of -his well-chosen phrases, expressed appreciation, and explained that -it would not be expedient, for in the first place the Queen would -have a crown for nearly every day in the year, and secondly, it -might lead to jealousy and heart bitterness, better avoided, which -explanation appeared to be conclusive and void of offence. - -On Friday, January 6th, Lord Lytton held a review of all the troops, -preceded by a march past of those attached to the native Princes in -Delhi. - -At this time Lord William was still hard at work studying the -etiquettes, ritual, superstitions, religions, and dignified -ceremonials so dear to the heart of Orientals, who are all great -observers of ceremony. The study fascinated him, and proved of great -use later in assisting those he worked for; knowing what to avoid -and where to give pleasure. No one can hope to fill any responsible -position in India who has not studied and had long education in these -matters, and this was so quickly grasped by Lord William, that to the -end of his days the Rajahs were among his most faithful friends and -admirers. - -By January 15th the Viceroy was back in Calcutta, and Lord -William riding in races again. He had one of his bad falls in a -steeplechase, hurting his nose considerably, besides receiving other -injuries. As usual he tried to make light of them, but collapsed and -had to be carried home. - -Before closing this chapter it will be interesting both to Captain -Clayton’s and Lord William’s friends who may not already be -acquainted with the fact to know that there is a marble tablet in the -church at Curraghmore, placed there by the fifth Marquis of Waterford: - - In affectionate remembrance of - William Clayton Clayton, - Captain, 9th Lancers. - For many years the dearest friend of the House of - Curraghmore. - Born April 23rd, 1839. Killed while playing polo - at Delhi, Christmas Day, 1876. - -Another instance of the respect and affection with which Captain -Clayton was regarded at Harrow-on-the-Hill, where he was educated. -There is a white marble cross in the churchyard, the inscription on -the base being:-- - - In loving memory of - William Clayton Clayton, - Captain, 9th Queen’s Own Royal Lancers. - Born April 23rd, 1839. - Killed while playing polo at Delhi, India, Dec., 1876. - - Oh, the merry laughing comrade, - Oh, the true and kindly friend, - Growing hopes and lofty courage, - Love and life and this the end! - - He the young and strong who cherished - Noble longings for the strife, - By the roadside fell and perished, - Weary with the March of Life. - -So great was the feeling of loss at his death that old friends, -Harrovians, soldiers, and indeed those of all classes who knew him, -wished to do something to perpetuate his name, and decided to found -a scholarship. Subscriptions flowed in, and in 1881 the Clayton -Scholarship was founded, valued £40 a year, tenable for three years -at Harrow School. - -Lasting affection of this kind is not inspired by any but good men, -and speaks better for the character of the individual than any words -of mine, for words are poor impotent things. England, prolific though -she be in men of courage and manliness, can ill spare one of her sons -when of the nature of Captain Clayton, whose influence was everywhere -for good. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - HE WINS THE V.C. - - Hero of Khartoum’s Fame and Tragedy, as Private Secretary--Indian - Famine--Lord William and the Jowakis--A Month’s Holiday - in Afghanistan--Back in Calcutta--Barrackpore Monument - to Lady Canning--Lady Waterford as Artiste--Cawnpore - Memorial--Racing--Trouble in South Africa--A Favour Granted--Off - to the War--A Friend Left in Charge of Affairs--Some Fights for - Queen and Country--Some Fights for Private Reasons--Exciting - Moments--Irish Bravery of Man and Beast--Two V.C.’s at - Dinner--Receives Reward at Hands of the Queen-Empress--A Shower - Bath in Dublin--Some Racing and a Row--A Thrice-run Race--Miller - Addresses Lord William - - -It is not possible to give a correct idea of Lord William’s life in -India without briefly mentioning the chief measures proposed and -carried out during the different Viceroys’ administrations. - -He, of course, made it a point of honour never to criticise or -express any opinion on the policy or private lives of those he worked -for, but being so intimately connected with the Viceregal Court, -both in his official capacity and as a valued friend, all movements, -military or civil, naturally entailed work for him, and it must be -borne in mind that he not only did what his calling demanded, but -at all times laid himself out to be useful to his masters and their -belongings. - -It is worth pausing for a moment to reflect on the life of an Indian -Viceroy; we shall then be able to realise what it must have been to -them to have a man like Lord William, with his loyalty, ability, and -never-failing sympathy and cheerfulness always at their command. -No doubt it is a great honour to be asked to represent the King in -India, and a much coveted position, but when we look back at the men -who have held this high office, it seems that nothing but patriotism, -of the highest order, can have persuaded them to leave their own -beautiful and stately homes, where they were their own masters, could -live in peace with all they loved around them, and where they could -mix freely with their neighbours, for the splendid isolation of the -Viceregal throne; not having been trained, as Royalty are, to be -approached only through mediums, having to sit upon a pedestal from -which they must not descend, no matter what their inclinations, and -up which none may climb to greet them, is paying a huge price for the -honour. They must often feel very lonely, some I know do, and very -homesick. - -The choice of the staff is naturally a matter of great importance, -and a Viceroy usually selects people with whom he can unbend and -associate without infringing precedents and necessarily established -laws and customs. Not every man makes a good A.D.C.; it is of no use -their having views of their own; they are there to do as they are -told. Their duties are not very arduous, unless they like to make -them so by doing all sorts of kind and thoughtful things not marked -on the day’s programme. How unsuited some are for the appointments -they hold, was proved by Captain Gordon (later of Khartoum fame and -tragedy), who came out from home as Lord Ripon’s private secretary. -By the time he had been in the country a few weeks he resigned, as he -could not countenance His Excellency’s policy, and expressed his own -views somewhat bluntly, which was disconcerting to everybody in turn. - -After this little digression we must return to the time after the -Delhi Durbar, when famine was casting a heavy shadow over the land, -and Lord Lytton decided he would go and see for himself the extent of -the misery and distress; no light undertaking, as it entailed much -travelling to visit all the different parts, chiefly in the Madras -Presidency, the district that had suffered from the same cause in -1853 and 1854. The affected area covered 2,000,000 square miles, -where food was wanted for thirty-six million people. - -Unfortunately Lord William was not able to accompany His Excellency, -owing to his latest racing accident, from which he had not -sufficiently recovered. This was a great disappointment to him, for -he may have been happy-go-lucky and devil-me-care in his own private -life, but there was nothing approaching it in his official capacity, -where he was always keen and full of enthusiasm. - -Lord Lytton had arrived in India knowing nothing of it “except its -myths,” but was hard at work learning more, being somewhat puzzled -but greatly interested. Amongst other matters, such as famine -and irrigation, there was the ever-troublesome question of our -geographical boundaries amongst the Afghan mountains, requiring close -study and attention. It would be pleasant to follow the work done -on this tour and its far-reaching results, but it has no place here -except as far as Lord William was connected with it, so I pass on, -simply stating that after a long and careful study of the famine -question, Lord Lytton satisfied himself that periodical famines must -be expected, and provision must be made for such distressful times -during the country’s prosperity. He appointed a famine commission to -enquire into it and report thereon, as to means of irrigation and any -other measures possible to adopt. This report was issued in 1880, the -year of Lord Lytton’s return to England, and was the foundation of -the latter-day system of irrigation, developments of communication, -and famine insurance, the benefits of these measures to be reaped by -his successors. - -In September of the same year (1877) His Excellency returned to -Simla. In October Lord William had collected a few promising horses -and began entering them under his own name. His colours were carried -at the Dehra October Meeting by Oliver Twist, Lucifer, and Firetail. -Lucifer was a country-bred, on which Captain Chisholme of Lord -William’s regiment won two races for him. A little later, at Umballa, -he had a good time, Oliver Twist bringing in the shekels by winning -the Drawing-room Stakes, ridden by T. Tingey, the chief professional -jockey in India at that time. Lord William rode in all the “chases” -at the meeting, but scored no wins. He had a fall in the Grand Stand -Plate, but was not much the worse, so remounted and rode in another -race the same afternoon. The betting and plunging at this meeting -amounted to a scandal, especially as many of the losers were more or -less penniless. The settling naturally took a long time; indeed, I -have heard that some of the winners never got their money at all. -This meeting was the beginning of the break up of a very well-known -figure in those days, Captain Frank Johnson, one of the handsomest of -men, he being one of the heaviest losers. - -Lord William’s attention was now turned towards Jowaki, where the -Frontier tribes were growing aggressive, and it became necessary to -send troops to straighten matters out a little, and he had great -hopes of being allowed to accompany them. Lord Lytton complained to -the authorities at home that it was somewhat difficult for him, when -so little was known of what we called our frontier, as there were no -maps to show where our territory really began or ended. - -The hill tribes are always rather a problem. All are muscular -and warlike, but many of them acknowledge little tribal control -or responsibility, which makes it difficult to know whom to deal -with. Their chiefs have no control over them, even when they have -chiefs, on which point I am by no means clear. The incessant raids -on Peshawar and the district could not be tolerated, so Lord Lytton -sent troops with instructions to deliver a night surprise, which, -for some reason, did not come off until daylight, thereby losing its -effectiveness and warning the tribes of our intentions, which was -unfortunate. The first stage of this expedition was consequently a -failure. After this little miscarriage of justice and retribution, -General Keyes was sent with more troops to punish the raiders. This -was called the Jowaki Expedition. Lord William begged the Viceroy to -allow him to go with General Keyes. Permission being granted he was -happy, for this was after his own heart. The General’s instructions -were, to cut off the Jowakis from the other tribes, to prevent their -neighbours joining in with them. This was successfully accomplished, -and a good lesson taught, as the Jowakis’ losses were severe and ours -light. After this, there were only about 1500 rebel tribesmen left -to deal with. Finding their strongholds destroyed and most of their -land in our hands, they gave in, and sent to make terms. Lord William -enjoyed himself, as this was his first experience of active service, -for which he received the medal and clasp. After several months of -climbing mountains in pouring rain, and struggling across torrents, -he returned to Simla, where someone asked him the time-honoured -question, “What were your sensations when first under fire?” To which -he replied, “I don’t remember what I felt like under fire, but I do -remember what it felt like under water--dashed unpleasant!” - -Under Lord Lytton’s orders the tribal frontiers were thoroughly -surveyed and mapped out, also good roads made in every direction, -after which the Punjab frontier settled down to peace and quietude. - -So many years have elapsed since Lord William was in India, indeed -so many since he died, that I am somewhat handicapped by letters and -documents dealing with this, and many other parts of his life, having -been destroyed. So many of his contemporaries have passed away, also -no wife or mother living, with cherished letters and records to help -in these Memories. His brothers, though deeply attached to him, -were of necessity much apart, each following his own profession, and -therefore not in a position to help much about his foreign service. - -After the Jowaki Expedition Lord William returned to his duties on -the Viceregal staff, keeping one eye on the Russian influence in -Afghanistan, hoping he might have a chance of more fighting. He was -longing to be back with his regiment, as they were sure to go if -there was any serious trouble, and this there was before long. What -is now known as the second phase of the Afghan War came after the -hasty treaty of Gandamak. The Khyber Pass Force was withdrawn as far -as Lundi Kotal, and Sir Louis Cavagnari, a political officer of some -repute, was sent with an escort to Kabul as resident, Sir Donald -Stewart’s division remaining at Kandahar. As many people expected, -this arrangement did not last long, but they were not prepared for -the terrible thing that happened. - -While the whole country was waiting to hear of the safe arrival of -Sir Louis and his escort, news came that he and all with him had -been massacred. Thus began the second phase of the Afghan War. Sir -Frederick Roberts fought his way up to Kabul and remained there, -trying and hanging a number of people, some say wrong ones as well as -right, but it was impossible to help it, and no doubt they all richly -deserved what they got, so it was just as well. The 9th Lancers -were in the thick of the fighting and Colonel Cleland disabled, so -Lord William’s old friend, Colonel Stewart Mackenzie, took command. -They had great difficulty in saving the guns by getting them across -a twelve-foot ditch, the only possible crossing of which had been -blocked by a fallen wheeler and the gun stuck fast. Colonel Stewart -Mackenzie endeavoured to execute a charge, the second during the -day. Meanwhile the officer responsible for the gun gave orders to -unhook and spike it. Colonel Stewart Mackenzie’s horse was shot, and, -falling on him, he was rescued with the greatest difficulty. - -[Illustration: XMAS CARD TO AUTHOR] - -The accounts of all the deeds of bravery amongst his brother officers -made Lord William long to go and share their dangers and hardships, -for he loved the “Old 9th,” as he called them. At last, unable to -bear it any longer, he asked for a month’s leave. As usual on such -occasions, he was tortured by the fear that it would all be over -before he got there, so he made elaborate arrangements to do the -journey in record time the moment his leave was granted. Booted and -spurred, he paced up and down his rooms until the joyful news that -his leave was granted was brought to him. He jumped on to a waiting -horse and galloped away for Umballa. Fresh ponies were waiting for -him at different stages of the journey, which enabled him to catch -a train that took him to the rail head of the expeditionary force. -Without waiting for food or sleep, he began riding again; here fresh -ponies were in readiness for him, and he arrived among his war-worn -brother officers scarcely less travel-stained than themselves, after -riding day and night for five days, only broken by the train journey. -He was in time to accompany Sir Sam Browne, V.C., up the snow-covered -Khyber Pass, which he regarded as a refreshing holiday. I give a -little sketch sent to me at this time by another friend enjoying -the same holiday, which will give a little idea of its pleasures. The -Sir Sam Browne mentioned above was destined to be immortalised by the -now famous Sam Browne belt. It was the child of the gallant General’s -imagination, and first worn on active service during this campaign. -Whatever its merits have now been proved to be, it was greeted with -contumely and caustic comments by the army, as is customary with all -new inventions, but like the Brodrick cap, it has weathered countless -storms. I remember men used to speak of it with suppressed passion -as “the Christmas tree arrangement.” I do not know why, unless on -account of the things supposed to be hung on it. - -Soon after Lord William joined him, Sir Sam Browne decided to storm -the Citadel of Ali Musjid from the right-hand side of a rocky ridge -of some height. General Appleyard at the same time was to lead his -brigade up the left side, along a precipitous path, little more -than a goat track. Between these two brigades was a deep gorge with -rushing water at the bottom. The air was alive with bursting shells -fired from the Citadel. The Afghans were engaged in shelling the -ridge from end to end, which made it, according to Lord William, -“lively.” Shells were even bursting among the advancing columns. - -When nearing the Citadel, Sir Sam Browne wished to communicate with -General Appleyard on the opposite ridge. Here was Lord William’s -chance. He at once volunteered, and General Browne accepted his -offer, instructing him to reach General Appleyard as quickly as -possible, but to make a detour of the valley to lessen the risk. - -“All right, sir,” replied Lord William, who had no intention of -making a detour at all. Dismounting, he gave his horse to someone to -hold, scrambled down the precipice, and was out of sight in a moment, -hidden by the flying earth and smoke from the bursting shells. -Reaching the bottom safely, he sat down and took off his boots, -partly wading, partly jumping, from rock to rock, arriving safely at -the other side. Here he again sat down and lighted a cigarette before -putting on his boots and scrambling up the hill, where he delivered -his message. He was as calm and collected as when out partridge -shooting, in fact calmer than he was sometimes on those occasions, -but always with the same fire burning in his keen eyes. - -By the middle of December, 1878, General Sir Sam Browne’s column was -in occupation of the Musjid, after climbing that stern, sulky-looking -Khyber Pass. Lord William’s leave being up, and feeling how good it -had been of Lord Lytton to let him go, he hurriedly ate his Christmas -dinner with the Headquarters Staff and started on his way back, -meeting with some excitement on the way down, as the Afghan hillmen -potted at him most of the time from their hiding-places in the -mountains. - -A month was not long in which to journey to the Khyber Pass, take -part in the storming and capture of Ali Musjid, and then return to -Calcutta, but proves the old saying that “Where there is a will there -is a way.” - -Lord William received a medal and clasp and was mentioned in -despatches for his share in this campaign. - -I do not think a man less brave because he loves doing daring and -dangerous things. Certainly he appeals to the imagination no less, -though, I suppose, in the last analysis, it is the man who is afraid -in his heart, yet does a brave thing by force of will over body, who -is the most truly brave. - -On his return to Calcutta he took up the thread of life where he had -left it, and continued during his lighter moments, racing, dancing -and flirting; for he was a veritable butterfly, fluttering from -flower to flower and sipping honey in the sunshine. And why not? -A little gentle flirtation is good for everyone’s self-respect, -and keeps them young. After all, what are a few little silken -insincerities? What is flirtation? Simply a social accomplishment, a -little mutual sympathy beautifully expressed, and a little repartee. -There are not a few who think it is pleasanter to be in sympathy with -many than in bondage to one. - -When at Calcutta Lord William was fond of spending week-ends at -Barrackpore, which is a sort of country residence for the Viceregal -people, standing on the banks of the Hugli, and has lovely gardens -and grounds, with the advantage of being within a few miles of -Calcutta, therefore not much packing up and journeyings required. It -was a place much sought after by honeymoon couples. The Vice-reine -used to lend it to them, and Lord William had the privilege also of -using and lending it when not required by their Excellencies, to -those in search of quietness and peace. - -After the big official Government residence at Calcutta, this homy -countrified house was very restful. All felt the moment they arrived -that the official smile might be laid aside for a time and some of -the stiffness out of the spine. - -There is an interesting monument at Barrackpore erected to the -memory of Lady Canning, sister of Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, -wife of the third Marquis, and therefore aunt by marriage of Lord -William. Lady Canning was very beautiful, and like her sister very -good. Her husband, Viscount Canning, succeeded Lord Dalhousie as -Governor-General in 1856, and when she died in Calcutta, November -18th, 1856, from fever caught while sketching in the Terai, was -mourned most sincerely by the community at large, to whom she had -always been sympathetic and kind. At the time of her death Lord -William was fourteen years old. Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, -shared her sister’s love of art and painting, was indeed an artist -of merit. Mr. Watts considered her one of the greatest real artists -of that time. One of her celebrated pictures hangs at Ford Abbey, -a place which she inherited in Northumberland. The picture is -entitled “The Miracle of Healing the Two Blind Men.” Some of her book -illustrations were also considered by authorities on such matters -as excellent. It was Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, who designed -the beautiful monument of a guardian angel which stands to-day over -the fateful well at Cawnpore, where the unhappy English people were -thrown in alive during the Mutiny. Anyone visiting that station in -India cannot fail, when driving through that dusty, sun-dried place, -to be deeply impressed by this beautiful white, calm-looking figure, -spelling pity and peace. It is difficult to prevent bitter and -revengeful feelings taking possession of us as we remember all that -happened in that historic place, but after looking at that calm, -peaceful and dignified figure, a certain feeling of “Father, forgive -them, for they know not what they do,” takes the place of revenge. It -is seldom that a monument appeals to us in that way; many are grand, -great works of art and manipulation, but that white angel at Cawnpore -is something more. If my brain had conceived the idea and my hand -designed it, I should be a proud and soul-satisfied woman. - -The Beresford stable was now seldom idle even when the owner was -away. In 1879 his horse Telegram was figuring in Calcutta, winning -the Alipore Plate. The same horse got beaten a little later by quite -a slow mare called Blue Bonnet, belonging to Mr. E. T. Roberts, which -was a piece of bad luck, more especially as the cause was the poor -beast’s breaking a blood-vessel, which, however, did not prove a very -serious matter, as he was patched up and fulfilled his obligations -to his owner by winning the Calcutta Cup on the second day of the -meeting. - -At Dacca, which is about 150 miles from Calcutta, Lord William won -at this time a steeplechase with (I believe) Telegram, and it was -rumoured that for some unaccountable reason the Dacca steamer was -delayed for a day, instead of starting at the advertised time, which -was very convenient for Telegram, as it allowed him to be at Dacca -in time for the meeting, which would otherwise have been impossible. -Everybody wondered how such an unheard-of thing could have happened. -I wonder if Lord William could explain? - -It was in the January of 1879 that the Viceroy’s anxieties were -increased by war breaking out in South Africa. In case any of my -younger readers do not know, or have forgotten, about this war, I had -better recall the immediate cause leading up to it. - -In 1879 Sir Theophilus Shepstone had annexed the Transvaal. Sir -Bartle Frere, as High Commissioner, explained to the Zulu King, -Cetewayo, that there must be no more arguing about a certain strip -of land claimed both by him and the Transvaal Republic, and to avoid -further trouble he had better disband his army. This demand, stated -as bare, undiluted fact and shorn of parliamentary terminology, -sounds rather high-handed, but anybody interested in the history can -read the matter up and form his then more mature opinion, as there -were other matters of importance attached to the situation without -which it would not be possible to form a fair judgment. At any rate -Cetewayo, seeing “no sense in it,” as an old retainer of ours used to -say when requested to do anything he did not like, began the row by -totally defeating the British troops at Isandhlwana on January 22nd, -1879, which was not a good beginning for us, and we felt rather small. - -The horrors of that time must be still fresh in the memories of all -persons alive now, who were old enough to read and think in 1879. -Lord Chelmsford, who was in command, was greatly blamed for his plan -of campaign, but he afterwards retrieved his mistakes to some extent -by defeating the Zulus at the battle of Ulundi and taking Cetewayo -prisoner. That, however, was poor comfort to those whose dear ones -had been sacrificed to his mistakes, that is to say if the disaster -was attributable to his errors, which I am not competent to judge. - -It was at this battle of Ulundi that Lord William so distinguished -himself and won the name of “Fighting Bill,” appearing in _Vanity -Fair_ in September the same year under that title, though I cannot -congratulate “Spy” on the production, for he represents Lord Bill as -a “beery”-looking person, which is the last thing he ever looked in -life, but in the picture it will be noticed more than any other of -his pictures or photos the resemblance in the eyes and upper part of -his face to his uncle, the third Marquis. - -Hearing of the unfortunate reverse at Isandhlwana, Lord William was -“just mad,” to use his own words, to go and fight in South Africa, -and the kind, indulgent Lord Lytton again allowed him to go, this -making the third time he had been permitted to leave his work on -the staff to which he had been appointed. Doubtless His Excellency -admired the spirit which prompted Lord William to again ask the -favour, and six months’ leave was granted. - -Once more we see Lord William happy and “off to the war,” his soul -on fire. He succeeded in getting appointed to Sir Redvers Buller’s -staff, and left all his affairs in the hands of a brother A.D.C. -with whom he had been sharing a bungalow, and who was a great -friend, telling him to attend to all his business for him during -his absence, and to open all his letters, adding, “If you find any -of them beginning very affectionately you need not go on.” The -friend who received these instructions was Captain Charles Muir (now -Colonel), at that time not only A.D.C., but also commanding His -Excellency’s bodyguard. - -Lord William knew how to choose his friends, and felt he was leaving -everything in safe and adequate hands, that his interests would be -faithfully looked after, and all private affairs treated with tact -and delicacy. It was an anxious and responsible position for Captain -Muir. There were the private letters to be cared for, the official -ones to be answered, the racing stable with its inevitable worries -of horses going wrong, men going wrong, and the usual everyday -matters to be carried out and adjudicated upon, all this requiring -considerable discretion. - -Lord William arrived at Durban about the middle of April, 1879, -after a tedious journey from Aden in a coasting steamer, which, -like excursion trains, seemed to stop everywhere with no particular -object, and mostly at horribly unhealthy-looking places. - -[Illustration: CAPTAIN CHARLES MUIR (NOW COL.), A.D.C. TO VICEROY AND -COMMANDING HIS EXCELLENCY’S BODY-GUARD] - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM AND PONTO] - -All around the roadstead were the transports that had brought troops -from England. This thrilled Lord William to such an extent he could -not wait to begin his fighting for Queen and country--that was to -follow--so just to keep his hand in he indulged in a fight on his -own account in the hotel at Durban, which was cram-full of officers -in every branch of the service. This was fight No. 1, before he -had reached head-quarters or reported himself; that time-honoured -institution he attended to later. Fight No. 2 was another private -affair, between himself and a war correspondent named Mr. Fripps, who -made some disparaging remark about General Buller, when Lord William -delivered a message he had received orders to convey, and which -caused the artist inconvenience. - -Lord William could not stand this, and said he would not allow -anybody to abuse his General, and if they did he would thrash them. -Mr. Fripps did not appear the least awed, and suggested when they -got back to camp that night they should settle the matter. Amidst -the work and excitement of the day Lord William forgot all about the -suggested thrashing: not so Mr. Fripps, who turned up before going -to bed to see if it was convenient to his lordship to carry out his -threat. A fierce encounter ensued, and it was just touch and go who -came out on top, when one of Lord William’s arms got rather badly -hurt; he wanted to go on fighting with only one arm, but chivalrous -Mr. Fripps suggested finishing the fight another day, when he had -both arms and it would be fair play. After this they were the best of -friends. - -Now came the official fighting. Lord William had been hoping for some -staff appointment. His lucky star being in the ascendant, the wish -was gratified almost immediately, as will be gathered from the above -narrative, by General Redvers Buller (at that time Colonel Buller) -appointing him, with the sanction of Lord Chelmsford, as his staff -officer, in the place of Captain the Hon. Ronald Campbell, who had -been killed in a recent battle when fighting against 20,000 Zulus. - -Captain Campbell was a difficult man to follow, and Sir Redvers was -rather in despair of finding anyone who could fill his place. General -Marshall, who knew Lord William better than most people at that time, -hearing he had arrived in the country, hastened to bring him to Sir -Redvers’ notice, knowing he would be invaluable. - -It did not take Lord Bill long to collect his kit and start off on -his long journey to join his new Chief up country at Kambula, where -he was in command of the irregular Volunteer Cavalry, forming part of -Sir Evelyn Wood’s splendid little fighting force, and it was here the -Fripps fight already mentioned took place. - -Lord William found he was the only staff officer with Sir Redvers, -so his hands were soon full. The force of 8000 under his chief -were a strange but interesting crowd, made up largely of gentlemen -not wanted elsewhere, runaway sailors, Australians, Canadians, and -some of the undescribables from South African towns, in fact a -cosmopolitan crowd who had volunteered for the period of the campaign -for the sum of 5s. a day as pay. - -What made Lord William’s work the more difficult was that there -were several sub-commands which had originally been forces of their -own, all of whom he had to keep up to the mark, work together, make -efficient, and content. Every detail had to be arranged by him; also -the daily parades had to be inspected. - -It was no sinecure being right-hand man to Sir Redvers, for he was a -firm, silent martinet, ruling all under him with a rod of iron, and -he considered it Lord William’s place to wheel this heterogeneous -crowd into line and order. Lord William was, in some degree, of the -same way of thinking as his Chief. Both were born fighters, both, -at any rate in theory, strict disciplinarians, but Lord William had -the happy knack of always drawing the best out of people; his Irish -wit, combined with his cheerfulness, was irresistible; even the most -cantankerous, the worst funkers, the most lawless succumbed, and -became his willing slaves. - -June 1st saw Lord Chelmsford’s Army in the Valley of the Umvaloosi, -where across the silvery winding river could be seen the Kraal of -the Ulundi King, with all its minor attachments surrounding it. Two -or three days only had been allowed in which the Zulu Chief had to -decide whether he would do as we bid him or not. While the gentleman -was making up his mind it was considered wise to find out what sort -of ground was in front of our force, over which it was expected -we should advance. The orders were that Sir Redvers was to make a -reconnaissance across the river without aggravating Cetewayo unduly, -before his days of meditation were concluded. - -At the appointed hour Lord William and his Chief were to be seen -in front of Sir Evelyn Wood’s tent, waiting for the rest of the -contingent, made up of all sorts and odds and ends. - -Sir Redvers led the way, followed by the rest of the horsemen, Lord -William bringing up the rear, to see all was complete. He then -galloped forward to join and lead the Scouts, little thinking what -stern adventure was awaiting him. General Buller followed with the -rest of his party. - -Cetewayo, not requiring time for consideration, having quite -decided on his course of action, when hearing of our assortment of -troops climbing down the bank of the Umvaloosi, at once commenced -hostilities, a scattered fire from the Zulus greeting our horsemen. -Nothing daunted, they forded the river on the left of a kopje which -was evidently being held by the Zulus, and then bending again to -the left took it in reverse. The late occupants were seen hurrying -through the long grass out on to the open plain in front of our men, -who thought they feared being cut off. Lord William and his scouts -were pressing on the heels of the fleeing Zulus, some of them not -reaching the Kraal they seemed to be heading for. - -It looked as if Sir Redvers and his staff officer were going to -have an easy time and run straight into Ulundi. This was very -exhilarating, and they galloped on close behind the Zulu Chief, who -was evidently in command of the fugitives, and possibly from design -in their rear. He was a huge, powerful man and a veteran, which was -proved by the ring round his head. Suddenly he turned round on the -advancing scouts. Lord William being well in advance of the rest, -leading his men, could plainly see the Chief marking his distance -preparing to use his assegai, and it came. But his opponent was -ready, and too quick for him, so dashing aside the assegai, he -galloped with his sword up, the point fixed and rigid. The Zulu -waited with his shield up. He did not wait long, the impetus -given by the pace his horse was galloping carried Lord William’s -sword right through the shield and half through the man’s body, -entering his heart. He dropped dead, and the assegai was sent home -to Curraghmore, where it decorated the corner of Lady Waterford’s -drawing-room. - -I think we may take it the flight of the Zulus was only to lead -our men on, and get them into a tight corner, for suddenly several -thousand Zulus appeared out of the long grass which had entirely -hidden a deep water-course in which they had been waiting. It -therefore became necessary to retreat, and Sir Redvers Buller gave -the order to fire a volley and then retire. Lord William and his -scouts rode back, followed by many bullets. Two men were killed, and -a third wounded, his horse getting away. - -Always the first to lead the way into any danger zone, so likewise -Lord Bill was the last to leave it. He had been taken by surprise, -but was in no way flustered, and with that thought for others for -which he was so remarkable, turned for a moment in his saddle, though -hotly pressed by the enemy, to make sure all his living men were away -and safe; he then discovered the wounded man whose horse had run -away, lying helpless and dazed on the ground, but trying to rise. He -was a non-commissioned officer, Fitzmaurice by name, and at the mercy -of the advancing hordes of savages who were perilously near. Quick -as thought Lord William turned his Irish charger and galloped back, -threw himself out of the saddle and tried to put Fitzmaurice up on -to his horse, but the wounded man was as splendid as his preserver. -Realising the delay only meant both being killed--one might possibly -escape, but two? It seemed impossible--the Zulus were close on them, -so he shook his head feebly, saying, “No,” begging Lord William to -leave him and save himself. - -Of course Lord Bill would have none of this, and, swearing mighty -swear words, yelled at the man, “Come along, you b---- f----” -(meaning I suppose “beloved friend”). “If you don’t I’ll punch your -b---- (beloved!) head for you.” How characteristic of Lord William. -Those who knew him well will be able to picture the fierce way he -would say it. Seeing Fitzmaurice was weak from loss of blood and -unequal to any exertion, Lord William, though sadly impeded by the -arm hurt in the previous private fight, with some difficulty lifted -and shoved the man on to his horse, no easy matter on a highly-strung -impetuous animal, but it was accomplished, and, hurriedly mounting -behind him, galloped for life, but with little hope of escaping, -the Zulus following closely. What desperately anxious moments! made -doubly so by the wounded man being unable to keep his balance from -weakness and loss of blood, twice his weight nearly pulled Lord -William out of the saddle, and he felt all was over. Just when -beginning to fear he could not support Fitzmaurice any longer, help -came in the shape of Sergeant O’Toole, who had seen their danger -and rode out in hot haste to the rescue, shooting Zulu after Zulu -with his revolver as they came within measurable distance. He then -assisted Lord William with his now helpless burden. - -It is interesting to note that both those brave men, Lord William -Beresford and Fitzmaurice, were Irishmen, O’Toole, who came to -the rescue, was Irish, and the horse which bore them into safety -was Irish, each so splendid in their several parts; Lord William -risking his life to save his countryman, he in his turn refusing to -jeopardise his officer’s life, then the plucky Irish horse straining -every nerve in response to his master’s bidding, though carrying a -double burden of swaying riders. Again, the Irishman that grasped -the situation, and without waiting for any word of command, lost not -a moment in riding to their rescue, no precious time being lost in -wondering what had happened, and if there had been a disaster. Truly -a quartet of distinction. - -It was hard to tell when they arrived at last in safety who was -the sufferer, for all were bathed in gore. Mr. Archibald Forbes, -the clever newspaper correspondent, tells the story of how on the -afternoon of the same day, hearing Lord William was to be recommended -for a V.C., he hurried to his tent to tell him the news, and -congratulate him; finding his lordship fast asleep, the sleep of -exhaustion, he debated in his mind whether to awake him to hear the -good news or let him sleep on and recuperate; deciding on the former, -only to be rewarded by having a boot thrown at his head and being -told to go to h---- (heaven, I suppose). - -Later on, hearing he really was to be recommended for the Cross for -Valour, he remarked it would be no pleasure to him unless O’Toole -received one also. I wonder how many men there are who would have -thought of that? No doubt O’Toole’s promptness had a good deal to do -with the ultimate safety of the party, but it was due to Lord Bill’s -courage and kindness of heart that the episode occurred, and to him, -assuredly, the greater glory. - -In a letter written at this time by Lord William to Lady Lytton he -says, speaking of his experiences, “They were indeed two days worth -living for, and never to be forgotten. I was lucky in the day’s -reconnaissance inasmuch that I helped to save a poor man’s life, -whose horse fell with him, about 200 yards from 3000 Zulus. He was -half stunned and bleeding a good deal. I galloped back to him and -with difficulty got him on to my horse (even more exciting than the -gymkhana races two on one pony). The Zulus had come to within 50 -yards of us when I managed to start off at a gallop with him, never -thinking that the pair of us would get out alive, but we did.” - -It will be remembered that it was during this savage war that Prince -Louis Napoleon lost his life. - -When Lord Bill, or “Fighting Bill” as he was now called, returned to -India, many people hardly knew him he was so altered in appearance, -owing to his having grown a beard. It certainly entirely changed his -face, and his friends were glad when he turned up one morning “in his -right mind” as somebody expressed it, or, in other words, shaved, and -as he was before he wasn’t. - -He was of course fêted and patted on the back, but fortunately he -was not a nature this would spoil. At one regimental dinner given -in his honour while being carried round the table on the shoulders -of some of his old pals he espied in a corner of the room a doctor -wearing the ribbon (V.C.), so the moment he could free himself from -the affectionate attentions of his friends he made a dive for the -doctor, and hoisting him on to his shoulders (regardless of the man’s -protests, who thought his last moment had come) ran round the room -with him on his shoulders, all present now cheering lustily. It is -delightful to remember this sympathetic action of Lord William’s, his -blood still at fever heat, from the excitement and lust of battle -and the appreciation and applause of his countrymen, yet in the -zenith of his pleasure and congratulations on receiving the V.C., -the moment he caught sight of the ribbon on another man’s breast at -once wished him to share in the applause and cheers of the evening. -With quick perception and never-failing sympathy with others, he knew -in a moment what memories had been stirred in the old hero’s heart, -perhaps a little bitterness for the forgetfulness of mankind, and -that chivalrous action of Lord William’s turned his night into day, -all present drinking to the two V.C. heroes. - -There are in this world a certain number of people who are by nature -so jealous they cannot bear to hear anybody praised but themselves, -who say when others have performed deeds of valour that it is purely -a question of chance and luck, that of course everybody would have -done the same if only they had the opportunity. No doubt many would -like to do great deeds, give their souls for the opportunity, yet -when the moment presents itself, fail to recognise it, and so the -golden chance is lost. All are not blessed with a quick perception, -dashing courage and an uncommonly human heart. - -Deciding that a sight of the old country would do him good, Lord -William thought he would finish up the remainder of his leave by -dashing home. After figuring out the time it would take going and -returning, he found he would have just eighteen clear days for -enjoyment. They were a great eighteen days, but hardly restful, -though certainly refreshing. The first to greet and congratulate him -as the ship neared Plymouth was the Prince of Wales, who was in the -Sound at the time with Lord Charles Beresford, and His Royal Highness -was the first to convey the news to Lord William that the Queen had -been pleased to give effect to the recommendation for the V.C., and -that he was commanded to Windsor to receive the reward at the hands -of the Queen-Empress. This was a happy beginning to the short but -well-earned holiday. The Prince was always a good friend to Lord -William, indeed to all the Beresfords. It was seldom one of them was -not in attendance in some capacity. - -A very happy, light-hearted Lord Bill journeyed to Windsor to receive -the modest looking but much coveted bronze Cross “For Valour,” Her -Majesty pinning it on to the hero’s breast, but not before he had -explained to his Queen he could not in honour receive recognition of -any services he had been able to perform, unless Sergeant O’Toole’s -services were also recognised, as he deserved infinitely greater -credit than any that might attach to himself. - -The Queen, appreciating this generosity and soldierly honesty, -bestowed the reward also on Sergeant Edmund O’Toole of Baker’s -Horse, and Lord William was satisfied. He received a great ovation -in London, being especially pleased with the congratulations of the -Prince of Wales, who, while shaking him warmly by the hand, made one -of those individual and graceful little speeches for which he was so -deservedly popular. - -When the Prince of Wales became King he grew so weary of wrestling -with the pins of medals which would not penetrate stiff material, -that he designed a hook for fastening these on, to take the place -of the pins, which makes it a much more simple and less fatiguing -process. The hook is taken back after the hero leaves the “Presence.” - -After a great ovation in London, Lord William made straight -for Ireland, going first to the Bilton Hotel in Dublin, then a -fashionable resort. He asked his old friend the hall-porter if there -was anybody he knew in the hotel, and was informed that Captain -Hartopp, 10th Hussars, known to his friends as “Chicken Hartopp,” -was in the bathroom, so he quietly went upstairs and locked the door -on the outside, then turned on the cold douche from the main source, -giving the occupant a rather forcible shower bath. This was followed -by strong language from inside the bathroom. Lord William was outside -listening, and awaiting events. Presently he heard “I thought there -was only one man in the world who would dare to do such a thing, and -he is safe in Africa.” - -But he soon found out his man was not in Africa, but at home, very -much at home in Ireland, where he was pleased to find he was not -forgotten, but that if he hoped to visit all the kind friends who -sent him pressing invitations he would have to cut himself into a -great many pieces. - -While preparing to return to India, Lord William was staying with -his mother in Charles Street. The Prince of Wales was dining quietly -with her one night; Lord William came down without his V.C. medal. -The Prince at once noticed its absence and told him he believed his -mother had given him the V.C., and he should remember it ought always -to be worn when in the presence of Royalty. Lord William, of course, -went and fetched it. - -The holiday was over all too soon, but there was nothing depressed or -“dumpy” about his lordship. At any rate the world was not allowed to -see it if he was, for up to the last moment he was playing practical -jokes and laughing. One of the reasons why he was always happy and -pleased, wherever he might be going, was because he was sure of a -hearty welcome, but of course that was thanks to his own amiability -and cheerfulness. - -Returning to India it was pleasant to be told how much he had been -missed, and how delighted everybody was he was back again. He was -looking forward to the Dehra races, which would be due shortly after -his return. His cousin Willie Holmes was managing the meeting. Here -he found a goodly collection of cheery souls, amongst them the -well-known Mr. Kelly Maitland, Mr. Horace Hayes, and many more. Lord -William’s Gazelle managed to beat Mr. Horace Hayes’ Bismillah in -the pony race. They then all moved on to Meerut for more racing. At -this meeting Mr. Kelly Maitland gave a cup for a three-quarter-mile -pony handicap. The handicapping of Sattara, the pony belonging to -Mr. Maitland, upset him, for he considered it unfair. It was a -little unusual to enter anything to run for his own cup, and so he -had better have swallowed his discomfiture and said nothing, but he -began airing his grievance at the Wheler Club in the evening, when -Mr. Holmes came into the room, and made some pointed remarks about -the generosity in giving a cup he was so evidently anxious to win -himself. Then the fat was in the fire, everybody talked at once, -shouting to make themselves heard, while somebody went into the -lottery room where Lord William was busy, and told him Mr. Maitland -was calling Mr. Holmes naughty names. This of course could not be -tolerated; he must see his cousin was not sat upon by Mr. Maitland or -anybody else, so he dashed into the fray, after which matters were -not quieter and the hullabaloo ended in the celebrated “Maitland -versus Beresford” defamation case, which was tried before a native -judge in 1880 and the plaintiff was non-suited. Lord William’s -language was as a rule most polished, and personally I never heard -him otherwise than parliamentary, but I have been told that on -occasions “He could bring tears to the eyes of a cabby from an utter -incompetence to compete with him.” I am under the impression this -racing row gave him one of his opportunities and he threw in a few -new words not generally understood outside Ireland, which added -lustre to the occasion, and it is always annoying to have words -hurled at you that you do not know the meaning of. It leaves so much -room for speculation and possibilities. - -There was a little excitement also at the Allahabad races of 1879-80, -where he rode his own Pomponius Ego heavily handicapped by the weight -of 13st. 7lbs., while opposing him was Daintily, ridden by Tingey, -carrying 9st. 7lbs. The latter was declared winner, while Lord -William firmly believed he had won, but Pomponius swerved when just -on the post, and as several ponies were all up together in rather a -bunch it was perhaps difficult to tell exactly. At any rate the judge -decided he was fourth. There were ructions over this, Lord William -speaking his mind; it was finally agreed there should be a match -between Pomponius and Daintily, 1000 rupees a side, the same weights -and same distance, only instead of riding his own pony Lord William -put up John Irving. - -The match was breathlessly watched by a large gathering, and some -betting was the order of the day. The result was a dead heat. The -owners refused to divide, so it had to be run off again, when -Pomponius once more swerved just on the post and was beaten by half -a length. So Pomponius’s owner had to pay up and look as if he liked -it, which none knew better how to do, for there never lived a more -cheerful loser. - -Taking it all together Lord William was fairly successful this cold -weather with his horses. Telegram won a couple of hurdle races at -Agra. The stable did nothing at Lucknow, but in February Ashantee, -ridden by Lord William, won the Himalayan Chase at the Dehra meeting. -Mr. Abbott tells a good story about this event. Ashantee’s owner had -backed him pretty heavily through his pals with Miller the bookmaker, -till the horse stood at 2 to 1. Before mounting to go to the post -he went up to Miller and put on another thousand. Miller addressed -him thus, “Well, my lord, I should be sorry to see a promising young -nobleman like yourself cut off at the commencement of a brilliant -career, but it would suit my book if you was to break your blooming -neck in this race.” - -I remember on one of my journeys in a P. & O., Miller and his -partner, whose name I forget, were on the same boat journeying to -Calcutta. He seemed a very gentle-voiced retiring sort of man, but no -doubt could make himself heard and felt when so inclined. - -While all the fighting in Afghanistan and South Africa was -proceeding, each treading hotly on the other’s heels, the country -at home was growing discontented and upset, for it naturally became -disorganised, business interfered with, and some discomfort for the -inhabitants, which ended in Parliament being dissolved on March 24th, -1880, the Liberal Government being returned by about 120. - -The Queen sent for Lord Hartington, then for Lord Granville, and -lastly for Mr. Gladstone, who accepted office. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE VICEROY RETIRES - - Change of Government and What it Meant--Why it Took Place - at Simla--The Ceremony--An Anxious Moment--A General - Stampede--Retirement of Lord Lytton--Work of Which Viceroy?--Lord - William’s Services Valued--A Bet Between Him and the Author--Lord - William’s 10 to 1 - - -In the spring of 1880 there was the change of Government at home -already alluded to, brought about mostly by the dissatisfaction of -the country over Lord Lytton’s Afghan policy and the war in South -Africa with its disasters and awkward situations, Mr. Gladstone -succeeding Lord Beaconsfield as Prime Minister. He at once took steps -to reverse Lord Lytton’s policy. Therefore His Excellency resigned, -Lord Ripon taking his place in June, if I remember correctly. - -The change in Viceroys usually took place in the cold weather at -Calcutta, but on this occasion the Afghan War was still going on, and -the new Liberal Government could not wait until the monsoon, which -was due in a few weeks, had cooled the air, so Lord Ripon had to take -the reins from Lord Lytton at Simla. - -In those days the railway was left at Umballa, on the main line of -the Indian North-Western, after which the rest of the journey was -done with horses in vehicles of some sort, the usual mode being -by “tonga,” a sort of phaeton hung very low and drawn by a pair of -ponies harnessed curricle fashion, the ponies being changed about -every four miles, this part of the journey taking about eight hours. -The first forty miles over the plains to Kalka, the roads are good, -and the travelling over them is very pleasant. After that they become -mountainous for fifty-eight miles, climbing and winding up the spurs -of the outer Himalayas to the deodar and rhododendron clad ridge of -Simla, six or seven thousand feet high. - -Government House, or the Viceregal Lodge at Simla at the time of the -Ripons’ arrival was called “Peterhoff,” and it would be difficult to -imagine an abode less viceregal. It was simply a rather glorified -bungalow, situated on the edge of a young precipice, the house -cramped and inconvenient, with very little ground about it, but -it has long since been superseded by the much more commodious and -impressive new viceregal lodgings on the summit of what was then -known as Observation Hill. The lawn in front of Peterhoff was no -bigger than many of those often seen in front of suburban villas. -This Peterhoff lawn was, however, historic, for it was there that -Lord Lawrence thrashed a chuprasse (messenger) _with his great-coat_ -for some unusually flagrant act of carelessness or disobedience. - -Small as this historic lawn was, it had to take part in the -ceremonies attendant on the change of Viceroys. Lord William was not -responsible for what occurred there on this memorable day, but as an -acting A.D.C. necessarily took part in it, and I think if he had -then been Military Secretary the arrangements might have been better. - -When the change of Rulers took place at Calcutta there was plenty -of space and room for the crowd of dignitaries, British and native, -presenting an impressive show as they lined the stately portico and -ample stairway. The numerous uniforms, picturesque dresses of the -native chiefs and notables, together with the scarlet uniforms and -tall lances of the bodyguard combined to make the scene gay, and even -splendid. - -Not so at Simla, where on this occasion the whole officialdom from -the Commander-in-Chief and members of Council downwards, were packed -into a big shamiana (tent with a flat roof) somewhere about twenty -feet square. Most noticeable amongst the assembly were the two Sikh -Chiefs, of Jhind and Nabha, their states not being far from Simla; -both were elderly men, tall, handsome and strikingly alike, though I -believe no relation. With their snowy garments, jewelled necklaces, -aigrettes and gold-hilted swords, they looked what they were, warrior -princes of the best Oriental type. - -There was nothing remarkable about the rest of the crowd. Everybody -of course had to be in uniform, and as no one was allowed to remain -outside the shamiana it was soon packed and most uncomfortably hot. -One side of the tent was open, and a strip of red cloth led from it -to the porch of Peterhoff. - -Everybody was awaiting the arrival of the new Viceroy, Lord Ripon, -who had slept the night before at the foot of the hills at Kalka, and -was expected every moment to arrive with his personal staff in a -train of tongas. - -Sir Robert Egerton, the Lieut.-Governor of the Punjab, had gone to -meet Lord Ripon at the first rest-house, some six or eight miles -down the road, where the new Viceroy was to refresh his inner man -and change his travelling garments. Everybody in the tent was very -hot and wishing the show over, but they had some time still to wait. -The appointed hour had come and gone, but still no Viceroy. Lord -Lytton walked up and down between the house and the shamiana smoking -a cigar, while everybody else held their breath waiting anxiously for -release before being quite stifled. - -At last the signal was given, the great man was approaching, there -was a general buzz and hum as in a hive of bees when the queen thinks -of moving. Lord Lytton hurried out of the house: three or four -aides-de-camp, Lord William being one, endeavoured with difficulty -to clear a space in the shamiana, which feat presented somewhat of -a conundrum, the area being about the size of an ordinary healthy -hearthrug. - -Sir Robert Egerton’s little pony carriage could be heard driving up, -and in a minute or two Sir Robert came striding down the red cloth, a -very imposing figure, tall and portly, with a good deal of presence, -dressed in his diplomatic uniform as a Lieut.-Governor with cocked -hat and sword. Lord Ripon followed, neither tall nor majestic in -appearance, his London clothes looking as though they had been used -as a pillow in the tonga on the way up, or hastily pulled out of a -much-packed Gladstone bag, which was no doubt precisely the case, -and how loyal of him! having been sent out by the bag’s namesake. - -Well! now the show began. The A.D.C.’s pressed everybody back until -they had to hold in their breath for fear of taking up too much room. -Lord Lytton, whose manner was always polished and charming, came -forward and shook hands, with some ordinary words of welcome. Lord -Ripon, who felt the awkwardness of the situation, being sent out to -replace Lord Lytton, nothing abashed at the numerous eyes fixed on -him at close quarters, plunged at once “in medias res.” - -_Lord Ripon_: “Didn’t want to come out at all really, my dear Lytton, -not in the least you know, but a man must obey orders----” - -_Lord Lytton_ (much embarrassed) interrupting: “Yes, my dear -Marquis, quite so. Let me introduce you to His Excellency the -Commander-in-Chief.” Sir Paul Haines, standing on the fringe of the -crowd, was presented, Lord Ripon hastily shook hands, keeping an -anxious eye on Lord Lytton, then returning to the charge. - -_Lord Ripon_: “Yes! As I was saying, my dear Lytton, I didn’t want -to.” - -_Lord Lytton_ (more embarrassed): “Yes, quite so, exactly. Let me -present you to Mr. ----, a member of your Council.” - -Lord William dived into the crowd, assisted by other A.D.C.’s, who -trampled on everybody until the high official was produced, and the -presentation effected. - -_Lord Ripon_ (again returned to the matter weighing heavily on his -mind): “Oh, yes! I was saying I’ve been Secretary of State, you know, -and I didn’t----” - -_Lord Lytton_ (now desperate): “Yes, my dear Marquis. Let me present -you to Mr. ----, another member of your Council.” - -Once more a dive into the crowd, Lord William returning breathless -with his high official, when a hasty presentation took place. - -The crowd now began to enter into the spirit of the thing, and, being -tired of having their toes trodden on and their waistcoat pressed -out of their proper positions in life, propelled all the big-wigs -wanted by Lord Lytton to the front, almost into Lord Ripon’s arms, -this expedited matters, and there was no longer any time for personal -explanations, so Lord Ripon kept them for another time and everything -went on famously. - -So far, all had been comedy, but it now nearly approached tragedy, -for Lord Lytton’s eyes fell on the Rajah of Jhind, one of the Sikh -chiefs already mentioned, and he was asked to come forward, arriving -in the tiny space kept open by Lord William. He bent himself from -the waist and touched the feet of the new ruler of India, direct -representative of his Sovereign Lady the great Queen, for whom he -had fought most gallantly, and for whom he would right willingly -have fought again. Only Orientals can perform so deep an obeisance -with dignity; to receive it equally becomingly is not so easy, and -poor Lord Ripon, who had been hurried out of England and hurried -up country with hardly time to think, and with little knowledge of -Oriental etiquette, was taken completely by surprise, and jumped -back as far as the crowd would let him, not knowing quite what was -happening, and then bowed violently, the two heads only missing -contact by an inch--awful moment! for had the chief’s turban been -knocked off, or even set awry, he would have felt himself deeply -disgraced, for Orientals do not look at things as we do. To deeply -wound the feelings, however unintentionally, of a chief who, when the -mutiny broke out, was the first to draw his sword on our side, would -have stirred the whole Punjab, and we might have lost in respect and -loyalty what no elective council or other political bodies could -ever have restored. So differently does the East and West judge, and -reflect on both trivial and important matters. - -Shortly after this the ceremonial came to an end, and Lord Ripon was -conducted into the house to take the Viceroy’s oath in presence of -his Council and other almighties who cared to attend. - -The rest of the crowd were then at liberty to go home, but the -morning’s entertainment was not yet over, for groups of people -were riding homewards along the main road or Mall when bang went -a gun, let off close above their heads, the first gun of the new -Viceroy’s salute. What a transformation scene took place, the crowd -of gold-laced and uniformed big-wigs with cocked hats and flowing -plumes, who a moment before had been looking tired and bored, -were now a struggling mass of men and horses, all presenting the -appearance of circus riders doing tricks. One portly General, who -danced beautifully, was struggling manfully with his long-tailed -Yarkundi pony, which seemed to consider the only safe place on earth -was over the railings off the Mall and down the precipice the other -side. Two other folk of some importance had cannoned into each other -violently, while one had bitten the dust. Various people were seen -disappearing in the distance on madly galloping steeds, heaven only -knowing where they would stop; other horses following in their wake, -prancing amongst the cocked hats and sun helmets strewing the ground. -One unfortunate individual, when his horse unshipped him during its -attempts to climb a tree, had a really nasty fall. He seemed from -all accounts to have been ricocheting a bit, and was laid up for -some time. Needless to state none of those happy people who were in -a position to choose what they would do, waited for the remaining -twenty guns, and there was a general stampede. The roads in hill -stations do not lend themselves to runaway horses or circus tricks. -Most of those concerned were glad when that day was over, and most -assuredly both Lord Lytton and his successor must have breathed sighs -of relief. - -Lord William had a keen sense of humour, and nothing escaped his -notice. During experiences of this sort, however, he always behaved -with great calm and dignity, which showed his powers of self-control, -for he was often consumed with mirth. He was all the time, thanks -to his powers of observation and wonderful memory, combined with -the interest he took in the etiquette, superstitions and mystic -rites of the Eastern people, laying the foundation for the brilliant -performance of the most difficult and many-sided office he was a -little later called upon to fill. - -The new Viceroy being installed and having appointed Lord William as -one of his A.D.C.’s, it now became part of his duties to accompany -the Lyttons a certain distance on their way home, travelling with -them and seeing to their comfort as far as Saharanpur, en route for -Bombay. - -With much regret on the part of all the Lytton household they bid -adieu to the A.D.C. To quote Lady Lytton’s own words: “We felt indeed -sorry to lose his cheery and constant pleasant companionship. His -kindness to all our children had never ceased from the first day to -the last.” - -And what were the feelings of Lord William when he said farewell to -the friends who had always shown him the greatest consideration and -kindness? - -[Illustration: LORD LYTTON, FAMILY AND STAFF, 1877 - -_Left to right._ _Standing_: Col. Colley, Mil. Sec. (later Sir George -Colley); Lord William Beresford, Capt. Rose, 10th Hussars; Col. -Villiers, Dr. Barnett, Capt. Liddell, Miss ---- (author forgets), -Lord Downe, Lady Downe, Capt. Jackson - -_Seated_: Mrs. Burne, Sir John Strachey, Lord Lytton, Lady Lytton, -Lady Strachey, Col. Owen Burne, Private Secretary; Lord Kilmaine, -brother of Mrs. Burne - -_Children, left to right_: Bina Lytton, Connie Lytton, Fanny Strachey] - -To many A.D.C.’s it would only be a case of “Le Roi est mort, vive -le Roi,” but their late “aide” was much attached to them, and being -of an affectionate and loyal nature must have felt rather as though -he had been torn up by the roots. That Lord William lived to see -the good results of some of the seeds sown by Lord Lytton’s policy -and earnest work there can be no doubt, for he surely laid the -foundations of some of our latter-day benefits in India. Amongst -the measures that must always be associated with Lord Lytton were -the Famine reports and Insurance, the equalisation and reduction of -the salt duty, the system of Indian Finance profoundly modified by -decentralisation, and reconstruction of Provincial responsibility. In -recognition of his services when returning from India an earldom -was conferred upon him. - -To an impartial observer looking back over the lives and works of the -different rulers in India, it appears to matter not what the views -and policy of each may be, they cannot get away from the fact that -they must, and do, reap the benefit to some extent of the work of -their predecessors. This must be a consoling thought to the retiring -Viceroy, who may feel on leaving India that he will be a thing of -the past, but that at any rate his work will live after him, and, -maybe, he will be spared to see it grow. Even those who know nothing -of India may therefore readily grasp what a difficult thing it is to -know the actual share each Viceroy has taken in the measures proposed -and carried out during his time. Each Viceroy is of course actually -responsible, though his part of the transactions of the Government -of India is sometimes confined to a careful perusal of the papers -and an affirmatory nod or two at the Council table. That Viceroys -work hard and conscientiously there is little doubt, but cannot take -real interest in, or have a thorough knowledge of, half the big -questions they have to deal with. In some cases the very weight of -their responsibility and possible far-reaching personal influence, -makes them shy of exerting that influence, preferring to leave many -questions to be virtually decided by those who have, or ought to -have, first-hand knowledge. - -It is only really in matters of foreign policy that a Viceroy is -almost compelled to form his own decisions. Then again there is -the constant pressure exercised by the Secretary of State. Every -mail the Viceroy writes a long letter to the Secretary of State at -home, and every mail he receives a letter containing the views and -decisions of the latter. Also long cypher telegrams are continually -passing between the two, so that the policy or decision and acts -of a Viceroy are very often not his own, but have been dictated -to him by the Secretary of State. It is well, however, to bear in -mind that if things go wrong, it is the Viceroy who is abused by -the British public, the Press, and quite possibly by the Secretary -of State as well. It does not as a rule take a Viceroy very long -to find out Secretaries of State are not infallible, and that it -is a risky business to go against the opinions of his members of -Council, each of whom have the key to the whole situation, and is on -the spot, while the Secretary of State is not, and has to judge by -documentary evidence, not always at first hand, and naturally robbed -of the atmosphere surrounding the matter requiring decision. All who -have any knowledge of diplomatic situations and work, know what an -important part this plays, and how misleading a written temperature -may be to those not present and therefore unable to keep their finger -on the pulse of the moment. - -This may sound as if it had nothing to do with the subject of these -memories, but as a matter of fact it has. It was because Lord William -so thoroughly appreciated the worries and difficulties surrounding -the life of those he was serving, and because he was always ready to -help in any way possible outside his own particular calling, that he -became so valued by them all. He could be relied upon to carry out, -and see through, any tiresome social problem, could be depended on to -remember and produce almost verbatim established precedents of the -time he had been in India and some time before, as he had closely -studied Indian history on his arrival in the country. How clearly -he had mastered detail was proved to me several times later in his -career. - -Once in London, I think in June, 1885, if I remember rightly, when -speaking to him of the different castes and their faiths, I was much -interested and surprised at the feeling way he spoke of and in a -measure appreciated their feelings, of the Parsees, whom he described -as the Jews of India, with their great wealth and expenditure, -endowing schools, building hospitals, and taking part in many great -financial undertakings, so full of soul and feeling, that they will -not allow their dead to pollute the earth, yet do not hesitate to -offer up the human bodies of those they loved as plunder and food to -the disgusting, flesh-eating vultures, who sit watching the white -road leading from the City of Bombay to the “Tower of Silence.” It is -revolting to hear the cry of those almost featherless, horrid-looking -birds, as they see another pathetic procession winding its way up the -hill. Of the Hindus, who while considering it wicked and cruel to -kill, and against their religion, still will work their cattle until -unable to stand any longer, and then leave them to die of thirst and -misery, rather than put them out of their pain. Animals in India are -supposed to possess souls, and are worshipped, that being the case -one wonders they dare so ill-treat them. - -The life of the Hindu is one perpetual ceremony from the time of -birth to the day when he is burnt by the side of the Holy Ganges. - -Lord William and I agreed that their religion must be a most -absorbing and real thing in their lives, otherwise the perpetual -observance, and ritual, from morn to eve would become most irksome, -yet some of it appeals to us as rather beautiful. The first thing -in the morning on awaking the Hindu turns to the East and prays to -his Sun-god, then to the river to cleanse himself and perform his -ablutions, asking his god to keep him from all temptation, all sin in -taste, touch, word, thought or deed. From the river to the barber to -be shaved, a most important part of the curriculum, for only a tiny -tuft of hair is allowed to any Hindu, and even that must be hidden by -his head-dress. - -The different caste marks of the natives worn on the forehead are -distinctly interesting, and once when we were boasting how much we -knew about all these things, I asked Lord William if he could tell -them straight off from memory. He bet me a sovereign he could. I felt -I might easily lose my sovereign, so beat him down to five shillings, -which I told him was as much as I could afford to lose. I could see -from the merry twinkle in his eye he thought he had me on toast, -so just as he was beginning I said: “If we are not agreed what is -going to happen, who shall be the judge?” In a moment he named a -mutual friend we were likely to meet at Hurlingham on the following -Saturday. This being settled, he asked: “Where shall I begin?” - -_Author_: “With the Hindus.” - -_Lord William_: “A triangle encircling a dot.” - -_Author_: “Right.” - -_Lord William_: “The Brahmans, one single spot on the middle of the -forehead.” - -_Author_: “Right.” - -_Lord William_: “Shiva, a triangle, crescent, a dot and two curved -lines” (he hesitated a moment, continuing) “and a U-shaped mark with -a dot in the middle.” - -_Author_: “Wrong!” (in a triumphant voice). - -_Lord William_: “No, no, I am right, by my vig and viskers I’m right!” - -We both talked at once while laughing, gesticulating and explaining, -he enquired where I considered he had gone wrong. I explained -the U-mark with a dot in the middle was part of the Vishnu caste -mark, and what he had forgotten of the Shiva was in reality three -horizontal curved lines. - -The argument became so fierce the rest of the caste marks remained -unrelated, but on the following Saturday I received my five -shillings, he having found out his mistake meanwhile, and to my -horror, having no pocket in my best bib and tucker of any useful -proportions, I was presented with five shillings in threepenny pieces -out of pure mischief, but he did not score much, as I insisted on his -carrying them for me all the afternoon. - -It will be rather sad in many ways when the much-boasted civilisation -of the West has robbed India of the value and dignity of her -traditions and heritages. - -The Indians are really descendants I believe of the great Aryan -race, whose language our Lord spoke in. There is so much of interest -attached to the lives, faiths, and rituals of the people of the -East, but this is not the place to write it, and we must go back -to Simla, where we left Lord Ripon, the new Viceroy. He was a Roman -Catholic, the first of that faith to be a ruler of India; also the -first who had been Secretary of State for India, not that either fact -troubled the natives much. - -One of the features of the Simla season, is the social gathering -on Saturdays to witness sports and gymkhanas held on the course or -ground I have already described in a previous chapter. - -Lord William was the moving spirit; he got up the races, competed in -them, and was always ready with a fresh programme every week. He won -so many races himself that it became monotonous, so he invented all -sorts of weird and sporting combinations. - -The racecourse, if so we may name it, was rather dangerous, as at one -time there was only an apology of a stone wall consisting of loosely -piled-up stones to prevent an impetuous pony from falling down the -side of the hill, or what in India we call the khud, in English a -dangerous mountain-side. - -I remember seeing Lord William get some shocking falls, and once -when he was driving nine ponies and riding one over the jumps, when -it came to turning the awkward corner already mentioned, one of the -leaders, he drove three abreast, took it into its head the stone wall -was there to be jumped, and while it was hanging suspended over the -awful drop at the other side of the wall, which would probably have -meant a broken back, Lord William and the rest of what he called his -“10 to 1” were hopelessly mixed up on the safer side, looking as -if they had all jumped on each other. His lordship was extricated -with nothing worse than a dislocated shoulder and thumb. He laughed -immoderately, though he was ashy white. He insisted on having his -shoulder put right at once. A chair was brought and placed on the -course upon which he sat while his shoulder was jumped and bumped -into its place again, also his thumb attended to and tied up. It was -with some difficulty he was prevented from trying again, only being -stopped by a brother A.D.C. swearing he had sent some of the ponies -home, as they had apparently had enough even if Lord William had not. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - AN IDEAL MILITARY SECRETARY - - Dignity and Humour--Some Tests of Both--Affection of the Natives - for Lord William--How They Tried to Please him--What Happened - on a Slippery Floor--Some Tableaux--A Supper and a Race--What - the Jockey Club Would Have Said--Lord Ripon’s Message to the - Amir of Afghanistan--The Amir’s Reply--The Work of the Military - Secretary--Swelled Heads and Outgrown Shoes--How Lord William Dealt - with Them--Pay of Military Secretary--Compensation for Diminishing - Rupee--No Fish to Fry - - -Those who knew Lord William will think I have passed over a very -marked feature in his life, namely, his smartness at repartee and -his endless jokes. I have forgotten neither, nor have I ceased to -be grateful for the way he succeeded in brightening up the dullest -parties; he carried sunshine and merriment with him wherever he went, -and it was infectious. No matter how awkward a position he might find -himself in, he always came out gracefully and smiling. - -I feel that to repeat Lord William’s jokes, is to rob them of their -atmosphere and merit. Jokes are individual things, and require -such delicate handling, they must have their own surroundings and -atmosphere; it is so easy to rob them of their bloom or kill them -altogether. - -Lord William was one of those rare people who found it possible to be -serious in a funny way, which was no doubt an asset, though at times -disconcerting for other people, as will be seen from the following -narrative: - -When on tour the Viceroy and Vice-reine held receptions answering to -drawing-rooms in England, so that all the local people could come -and make bows and curtseys to the representatives of the English -Court. On one of these occasions a fat Irish lady, having made her -obeisance, thought she would like to watch the rest of the show, so -she and her daughters either stayed in the throne room, or returned -to it, ranging up opposite the viceregal party, and began making -audible comments. - -This could not be allowed, and Lord William most politely told her to -“Move on,” though I am sure he did it in a way that made it appear -he was conferring a great favour, and with one of his most winning -smiles. The lady did not move an inch, but stood her ground. - -“Then, Ma’am,” said Lord William with another seductive smile and -with the broadest of brogues put on for the purpose, “you’ll have -to pardon me if I put my arm round your waist.” The lady, seeing -that, whether she liked it or not, from the throne room she was -going and thinking discretion the greater part of valour, “moved on” -without the pressure of Lord William’s arm. I was not present on this -occasion, so tell the tale as it was told to me. - -Lord Bill’s face when anything funny happened, and he felt it behove -him in his official capacity to be serious, was a study; and while he -often witnessed strange happenings they never ceased to amuse him; -his sense of humour never deserted him. - -I remember one occasion when he must have found self-control -difficult. - -The viceregal party were on tour and staying in a big station where -they announced they would hold one of these drawing-room sort of -receptions. - - -_Scene I. (No action.)_ - -Large bungalow of chief political officer in the neighbourhood. Two -large rooms and one small one opening into one another, the curtains -which usually hung between the rooms to make them more private and -to prevent people hearing what you are saying! being removed for the -afternoon, leaving a free passage from the verandah on one side of -the house through the three rooms and out into another verandah at -the other side of the bungalow. - -All the furniture had been removed from the middle rooms to make it -more impressive. - -A roughly constructed and somewhat uncertain platform raised a little -from the ground, covered with imposing red felt and bath rugs. Two -deck-chairs or something of that sort representing the thrones. - - -_Scene II. (Action.)_ - -Enter Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy, who have learnt to pick their way, and -walk with circumspection over hastily laid red baize and felt. Mr. -and Mrs. Viceroy making polite conversation to their host and hostess -admiring all the excellent arrangements made for their comfort. Mrs. -Viceroy sits on her throne, Mr. Viceroy stands beside her, and the -staff arrange themselves becomingly, one A.D.C. having been told -off to receive and unpack the ladies on arrival at No. 1 verandah, -another on verandah No. 2 to repack them, and say how charming they -are all looking, that it is a day he will remember all his life, and -so on. A third A.D.C. announces the names, which are handed to him on -cards, and the Military Secretary introduces them. - - -_Scene III._ - -Arrival of fluttering ladies on verandah No. 1. Many never having -attended a drawing-room at home, are very anxious about their -curtseys. First lady, who has been practising various kinds of -curtseys and bobs before her glass for days, now forgets all about -them, her one idea being to get it over. She shoots through the room -and out the other side, her example followed by those behind her, -like rabbits bolting in frosty weather from one hole to another, Mrs. -Viceroy trying to keep time with a bow and a reassuring smile for -each. The Viceroy bowing, trying to look pleased, but unmistakably -bored. - -Fresh batch of ladies, one starts with the wrong foot first, or -something of the kind, gets out of step and turns round to begin, -again hoping for better luck, but hastily stopped by Lord William, -who explains in a whisper the rules of the game forbid any return. -Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy pretend not to see or hear. - -Everything going swimmingly, Viceroyalty beginning to think of tea -and drive in the evening, A.D.C.’s beginning to think of flannels, -rackets and smokes. - -Enter elderly lady very nervous, makes a really profound curtsey, -so profound she cannot extricate herself from it, and she rocks -slowly backwards and forwards endeavouring to recover herself and get -into her stride again. Lord William’s big blue eyes watching every -movement (I felt certain he was betting on the finish), when with a -groan the lady subsided backwards on the floor, her feet entangled in -drapery and skirt. - -“Fighting Bill” to the rescue, old lady picked up, her brow mopped, -bonnet set straight and restoratives administered in verandah No. 2. - - -_Scene IV._ - -Royalty descend--mutual congratulations, Lord William and A.D.C.’s -telling each other all about it in room No. 3. Enter whiskey and -sodas. - - -But I must not be frivolous, as Lord William was a stern upholder -of the dignity of the Court, and very properly so, only the -“make-shifts” necessary for more or less impromptu ceremonies in -India and foreign countries at times lend themselves to amusing -situations; and why is it people always want to laugh more when they -know they must not do it? - -I remember at a big function at Simla, when Colonel Chesney was -being made a K.C.S.I. by Lord Ripon. Lord William had arranged -for a number of us to be allowed into the holy of holies to watch -the ceremony. We stood round the wall like well-behaved school -children. His Excellency was announced, small, rotund and dignified -in flowing robes of state, and walked up a strip of the inevitable -red baize to his seat at the far end of the room. There was a good -deal of ceremony about the proceedings. First one official walked a -few steps and bowed to the occupant on the seat at the end of the -red baize, then, after apparently counting something to himself, -advanced a few more steps and bowed again, continuing this slow -mode of progress until within a certain distance of His Excellency, -when more characters took part, and my attention was diverted to -one of the bowing individuals who was related to me, which made me -more sensitive to the fact that one of his silk stockings was on -wrong side out, and with every waft of air caused by his humble -obeisances, little fluttering ends of silk streamed out behind the -happily unconscious man, who, buttoned tightly into much gold lace, -was fancying himself not a little. Those little flags fascinated me, -and I was certain not one of them escaped Lord William’s eagle eye. I -looked across the room to where he was carrying out his duties, but -he was as grave as a judge, and so was I, indeed I flattered myself -I was behaving very nicely, until I heard one of the daughters of -the Commander-in-Chief, who was standing just behind me, whisper: -“Look, he has got his stockings on wrong side out.” I then felt, with -someone sharing my amusement, I must laugh and disgrace myself for -ever. Fortunately more important developments taking place we forgot -to watch the fluffy bits of silk. - -While being most punctilious about all things concerning his work, -and the popularity of those he served, and in spite of his hard -work, Lord William found time to amuse himself fairly well. I was at -Government House one day when preparations were being made for a -dance. Seeing the native servants deeply engrossed arranging a cosy -dark corner, amongst some palms and curtains, I enquired what they -were trying to do. They replied with many salaams that they were -arranging a “Kissi Ka waste for Lord Brasspot-Sahib,” in English I -suppose you would call it a quiet corner for two. All the natives -were fond of Lord William, hence doubtless their anxiety to minister -to his moods and emotions, arranging a little corner where a little -kissing could be done in peace and quietness. - -Speaking of dances reminds me of one at the Commander-in-Chief’s -(Sir Donald Stewart); the floor was very slippery, and Lord William, -while dancing in a set of Lancers, pointing his toes and doing pretty -steps first to the right and then to the left, fell on to his knees -in front of a huge old lady with several chins and tied in the middle -with a string or what had possibly once been a sash, but it was hard -to tell, being out of sight in folds of figure. Lord William, not the -least disconcerted, crossed his arms over his chest and bowed his -head, saying, “Madam, I am at your feet,” and was up dancing again -for all he was worth without a pause, as if it was all part of the -game, much to the amusement of everybody present, especially the lady -at whose feet he fell, for she was a jolly cheery soul. - -Among the enterprising things Lord William did in India was the -overhauling and setting on its feet the Amateur Dramatic Club, -which was on the verge of bankruptcy when he applied himself to -re-establishing it on a firmer basis; now it is one of the soundest -undertakings in India, with a stock of excellent scenery, library, -and large wardrobe. Always anxious to provide amusement for the folk -at Simla, he considered it would be a pity to allow such a useful -institution to fall on evil days, so with his usual generosity he -advanced the money to pay off the most pressing of the club’s debts, -and from that day to the present time the club has never looked -behind it and has now become the fashion. Every season theatricals -take place there, all the rank and fashion taking part or scrambling -for seats to watch the performances. Having firmly placed the club -on its feet Lord William retired from the management, only keeping a -first claim on one of the boxes. Invitations to the little suppers -he instituted in the theatre after the performances were much sought -after, their fame had spread far and wide, both for the good things -he provided and for their cheeriness. - -One year some tableaux were got up in the theatre, the money -collected for seats being given to some charity connected with sick -children. Lord William loved small bairns and they loved him. I -remember at these particular tableaux I represented Charlotte Corday -going to execution for the murder of Marat; my executioners were Lord -William Beresford and Captain Donald Stewart, a brother officer of my -husband’s in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders; we had many rehearsals both -for this tableau and others, but the despair of the stage manager -was great over the Corday scene, as the executioners always ended in -romping. Well do I remember their both rolling about the floor trying -to execute one another instead of Charlotte Corday. The manager -would become almost tearful in his entreaties to them to “behave -themselves.” They would then get up, shake themselves, saying to one -another, “Now no more nonsense, Donny, we must behave ourselves”; and -Captain Stewart would reply, “Now do shut up, Bill, and let us get to -business,” but their good resolutions did not last long, they were -soon stabbing, wrestling and tickling one another again and rolling -about on the floor. I began to wonder what would really happen when -the day arrived to appear before the public, but in spite of having -had no proper rehearsals when the fateful moment came they behaved -splendidly, but directly they were off the stage and behind the -scenes began again. - -When the whole performance was over, the staff gave a supper in the -theatre to those they wished to invite who had taken part in the -tableaux. A merry evening followed. As soon as all had refreshed -themselves, someone suggested a steeplechase over the tables and -chairs; forms were quickly turned upside-down, and chairs built up -into fences. There was some fun while the would-be riders chose -their mounts. At last all was settled, and we women packed ourselves -away in one corner of the room to act as audience. I am afraid if -the Jockey Club had witnessed that race none of the riders would -ever again have been granted licences, for they out-jockeyed each -other, crossing and trying to pull the riders off their mounts. There -were some resounding and shocking spills, but nobody cared, and the -race waxed fast and furious, being won eventually by Captain Donald -Stewart, a great big fine mount, ridden, if my memory may be relied -upon, by Captain Des Voeux of the Carabineers or Captain Roddy Owen. -The appearance of these sportsmen at the end of the race baffles -description, their hair, which in some cases had answered for reins, -was hanging in disordered wisps, collars reclining on shoulders, -clothes dusty, dirty shiny faces, and all weak with laughter. - -This was the lighter side of what was taking place during the early -part of Lord Ripon’s reign. He, meanwhile, was giving anxious thought -to the conclusion of the second Afghan campaign, having been sent out -with instructions to reverse Lord Lytton’s policy and terminate the -war as speedily as possible. Kandahar, which the latter had intended -to hold, was given up, and the whole of Afghanistan secured to the -Amir Abdul Rahman. - -The following, poem shall I call it, appeared about this time in one -of the Indian papers signed “Bala.” A cutting of it was given to me, -but I do not know from what paper, so cannot ask for permission to -reproduce it, and can only trust I may be forgiven. - - -THE VICEROY’S MESSAGE AND THE AMIR’S REPLY - - George Samuel, Marquis of Ripon, to the Afghan Chief wrote he, - “God made me Viceroy of India, and thou knowest what I made thee, - You rule by my will and pleasure, I care not to flatter or bribe, - One pledge or promise I ask of thee; I pardon if all men know - That up to this time thou hast not done much to prove thee our friend - or foe. - For the Russian is closing upon you, our faith in his promise is dead, - He is massing his troops on your border, and is eager to push on ahead. - Sharp is the word with the Muscovite, whose will is to plunder and - spoil, - His covetous eye is on India, and eke on your God-granted soil. - Now while he stands for a moment still, there is only one thing to be - done, - I must send a commission to meet him, to show where your boundaries - run, - And you must promise safe escort (we know what the Afghans are!) - And prove yourself friend to the English, and foe to the Russian Czar. - So choose thou of all my civilians, or choose thou of all my host, - One man to lead the commission, whom ever thou trustest most. - Whom thy tribes have known and trusted, to pass through in safety and - peace, - And so shall thy borders be measured, and our feud with the Russians - shall cease.” - - The Afghan Chief wrote answer: “You English are cunning and deep! - But I’d ask if you’ve ever succeeded in catching a weasel asleep? - I know what will come of commissions--just what became of your Embassy, - You harried us well four years ago, and I keep good memory. - Here stands my Cabul city, here I dwell by your favour at rest, - But the tribes of my frontier are evil, and know no respect for a - guest: - If your commission needs a safe escort on the oath of a trusted friend, - I have not the means to protect them. But whom will the Viceroy send? - Wilt thou send the poet, Sir A. F. D., the man who advised the last war? - He is safer, I ween, on the Naini Tal lake than he would be near - Kandahar. - Wilt thou send little Bobs--the Bahadur? He is trusted and honoured, I - know, - But he’s cooling his heels at Ootacamund, and doesn’t seem anxious - to go. - Shall I ask for the man with the ringlets? the virtuous lovely L--p--l, - He is living at home at his ease, writing books, and he has grown a - great swell. - Where is the chief McG----gr to pledge me the word of his clan? - He is there on the pine-clad highlands, a highly-paid, well-placed man. - He is shelved with the rest, all promoted they enjoy the reward of the - great. - Will they come now those I have chosen? I watch for their face and wait, - For the bright light shines on promotion, and dark is the downward - track, - And the Simla hills ring an echo of voices that hold them back. - Let the commission stay on the mountain and start as thy message said, - When the Amir sends a safe escort--when the Kalends of Greece are sped.” - “BALA.” - -This effusion is amusing no matter how it scans. - -Lord Ripon was also called upon to decide grave questions arising -between British and natives; he embarked at once on a very liberal -policy. In accordance therewith the Vernacular Press Act was -repealed, and among other measures, the so-called Ilbert Bill was -introduced in the Legislative Council, giving native magistrates -the same powers with respect to Europeans and Americans as British -magistrates, but this aroused such a storm of opposition the measure -had to be practically abandoned, Act III of 1884 being a compromise. - -Lord William, having acquired a useful knowledge of Indian customs -and feelings, was able to be a great help to Lord Ripon, who, finding -the value of his loyal friend, very shortly appointed him his -Military Secretary. - -Major White (later Sir George White, V.C.) of the 92nd Gordon -Highlanders, had been acting in that capacity from the time Lord -Ripon arrived in Bombay, where both he and Lord William Beresford -met His Excellency, but the work of Military Secretary did not -appeal to Major White, who loved soldiering, and was not obliged by -circumstances to do anything else, and feeling thoroughly unsettled -when his old regiment was in Afghanistan, in the thick of the -fighting, at last made up his mind to ask Lord Ripon to spare him for -a time, at any rate, so that he might go and join them. This request -being granted his work had to be carried on temporarily by someone -else. When Major White returned he still felt unsettled, and shortly -afterwards resigned. Major (afterwards Sir John) Ardagh succeeded -him, but did not remain long; then Lord Ripon offered the post to -Lord William, and the great moment in his life had come, he had now -the opportunity of showing the stuff he was made of, a scope for his -talents. - -The work of a Military Secretary is not known to everybody, so -I will try and explain it in common or garden English. When any -big machinery is in motion it all looks very easy, but machinery -requires much oiling and constant careful supervision to make it work -satisfactorily. - -To be a successful Military Secretary in a viceregal household it is -necessary to be like St. Paul, “all things to all men,” for he comes -in touch with so many different interests, acts as oil to so many -different wheels. It calls heavily on anybody’s tact to carry out the -work without friction. The duties are many and important, for he is -the head of the establishment and controls it. The private accounts -and correspondence are in the hands of the private secretary, all -the rest is in those of the Military Secretary. The A.D.C.’s are -under him, and he arranges what part each one has to play. One may -happen to be musical, he will probably be told off to look after the -band; another may be a connoisseur on omelettes and other appetising -confections, he will be asked to look after the kitchen department. -It will be the duty of one, whoever writes the most plainly, to keep -the visitors’ book, write and send out the invitations; this is no -light undertaking, for Viceroyalty have to entertain a good deal--it -is a part of their duty. Some do it better than others, but all -endeavour to fulfil their obligations. - -It is in fact a miniature court and meant to be impressive. - -The Military Secretary has four paid A.D.C.’s under him; by that I -mean a staff allowance, which is in addition to their military pay -they may be drawing in the usual way, the staff allowance being -anything between Rps.250 and 400, possibly 500 a month, and of course -they live free. I am speaking of the time that Lord William was -Military Secretary, there may be a different arrangement now. - -In addition to the four A.D.C.’s I have mentioned there were usually -two that were honorary. - -The popularity of a Viceroy rests in a great measure in the hands -of his Military Secretary, hence the importance of having a man who -understands, and is in touch, with the native princes and people, -who has the table of precedence at his finger-ends, and is pleasing -and courteous to all. Lord William excelled in all this, and one of -the reasons why he was from first to last such a phenomenal success, -was because he left nothing to chance, everything was carefully -thought out, no hurried word of mouth orders, but everything written -or printed and placed in the hands of those it concerned, some time -before the orders and work had to be carried out. - -Lord William was one of the old school who saw nothing amusing in -being rude, nothing clever in hurting people’s feelings, and he would -not tolerate anything of the kind amongst his A.D.C.’s. - -It is not altogether unknown for young A.D.C.’s attached to the staff -of Government houses to get swelled heads, treating everybody not -in immediate connection with their household as canaille, unless -of course they happened to be globe trotters with handles to their -names, but anything of this kind was quickly suppressed by Lord -William, who was kindly and courteous to all, be they princes, -princesses, subalterns, Bohemians or what nots. Perhaps a little -extra pleasant to a pretty face, and who will blame him? - -Speaking of bad manners occasionally witnessed at Government houses -in different countries, I have observed it is a way satellites have -at times; while their superiors, like our Royal Family for instance, -are unsurpassed for graciousness of manner, those in attendance on -them are at times sadly lacking in those amiable qualities. In fact -not only have swelled heads, but have grown too big for their shoes. -One might think such an uncomfortable combination would lead them to -see the error of their ways. - -But to return to the Military Secretary and his many duties, which -are enough to make the stoutest heart quake. - -The Viceroy not being a soldier, naturally depends a good deal on -him for advice as to military points of view, military law, and so -forth. A really sound man can, and often does, influence the ultimate -decisions of His Excellency, imperceptibly, of course, or his value -would be gone. The work of the Indian Office also filters more or -less through his hands, in fact everything requiring the Viceroy’s -attention, while should there be any difference of opinion between -departments, and any of them thought the Military Secretary was -taking any part, or interfering, there would be fierce indignation -and heart-burnings. So while all these delicate matters are being -brought to the Viceroy’s notice by the Military Secretary, yet he -must appear to know nothing about them, though quite possibly his -advice has been asked. - -Amongst other duties he has to map out and be responsible for the -arrangements of all the Viceregal tours in the country, involving the -railway journeys, allotting every hour of time each day and night for -weeks and months ahead. The moving of horses and carriages, servants, -and arranging for everything to be in readiness to meet the viceregal -party at all the places where they are going to stay, the officials -to be informed at each; levees, drawing-rooms, and receptions to be -arranged. The native princes who wish to meet His Excellency have to -be communicated with. Attached to these meetings there is endless -work, as each Rajah has a certain code of etiquettes, a proper number -of guns fired as salutes according to their rank. Some have to be -fetched in state to meet the Viceroy; the Military Secretary, an -aide-de-camp, and at times other officials having to drive to their -palaces and fetch them, taking them back in the same way. These -tours are looked forward to by the princes and big landowners of the -country, as many of them have grievances and schemes to lay before -the representative of the English Royalty. - -It is difficult for anyone unversed in Eastern ways to realise -how much depends on the forethought and experience of the person -responsible for all these arrangements. It requires some tact to -carry out all efficiently without a hitch, the least little error, -even a molehill of a hitch, may mean mountains of annoyance and -friction for His Excellency. - -In all viceregal movements it is essential that there should be -much dignity and show, plenty of colour and red druggeting. Ritual -and observances are the soul of the people of the East. Established -precedents have to be carefully guarded, a yard or two of less red -cloth than usual might easily be construed into an indignity. - -Then there are the presents to be thought of, which it is part of -the Viceroy’s duty to dispense, and there is a certain amount of -work attached to this, as the different political officers in each -district to be visited have to be consulted as to what will be most -suitable, and will meet with the approval of each recipient. - -In addition to all this strenuousness, the domestic details fall -to the lot of the Military Secretary; if a handle comes off a door -he must see it is replaced, if a goat instead of a sheep finds its -way on to the dinner table, if the horses fall sick or the coachman -drinks too much tea, if a bath leaks, if more visitors are coming -to stay than there is accommodation for, it is the business of the -Military Secretary to avert inconvenience or disaster, in fact -there must be no inconvenience or disaster, otherwise he is not an -efficient Military Secretary. - -In return for all this efficiency the pay of a Military Secretary is -1500 rupees a month, fifteen rupees being equal to £1, making about -twelve hundred a year. In later years something was given in the way -of compensation for the diminished value of the rupee, bringing it to -about £1300 a year, all found, as the servants say. - -Not every man possesses the necessary qualifications to enable him to -fill this onerous post, for not only has the Military Secretary to -mother the Viceroy so to speak, but he has to look after, advise and -help Mrs. Viceroy, all the little Viceroys, their maids, governesses, -butlers, coachmen and hangers on. - -Lord William filled the post so satisfactorily that he was retained -by three successive Viceroys; this speaks for itself. With the -exception of Lord William I never met a really popular Military -Secretary, there was always the qualifying “but” or “if,” but then -the majority have perhaps had “fish to fry” of their own, which would -bring them into ill favour with aspirants for the same frying-pan. It -seems sad that the days of enthusiastic workers should be embittered -by disappointment because promotion does not come soon enough, or -someone else has forged ahead--then a few short chapters of life and -we find “Finis,” and what has all the striving done for them? all the -heart-burnings? Very soon their names are only blots of ink on pieces -of paper, and probably these are put away in the lumber-room with -other “forgottens.” - -One of the refreshing things about Lord Bill was he was entirely -devoid of any fish to fry for himself, he sought no high places, -suffered from none of the discontents or scramblings after promotion -or office that seem to have pervaded the lives of many great men, -if we may judge by what we read of them, so he climbed no ladders -at other people’s expense, pushing them down when arriving at the -top, which gives such grave and not unnatural offence, leaving much -bitterness in the minds and hearts of those who are feeling injured. - -The two things in life which seem to cause the most unpleasantness -are jealousy and class-hatred. Lord William disarmed both, it was -not easy to be jealous of a man who asked nothing for himself, -climbed over nobody, and who was so generous he would give away -almost everything he possessed to anyone in need, whose pride of -race only showed itself in honourable straightforwardness and -unswerving singleness of purpose. _No_ class could hate him, he was -hail-fellow-well-met to all, thinking no ill of any man, and having -a clean mind himself was not on the look-out for unpleasantness in -other people. He had learnt that most valuable lesson of how to -handle humanity, which spells success in life. - -No doubt there are some people who will say, “Oh! but he was born -with a silver spoon in his mouth, with plenty of relations and -friends to push and help him.” Even supposing for the sake of the -argument we allow that, does anybody imagine that if Lord William -had been unsatisfactory or incapable he would have been Military -Secretary for so many years? and not to one Viceroy but to three, -all of whom probably held more or less conflicting views, likes and -dislikes, each one in turn passing through anxious times and moments -of perplexity, yet all without exception spoke of him in terms of -great appreciation and affection. - -Many have obtained good posts, not all have kept them. - -Amongst all the successful personages I can think of, there are none -who have had so few jealous enemies as Lord William Beresford. - -Unfortunately everyone who has anything to do with that noble animal, -the horse, comes in for a certain amount of criticism and occasional -abuse; it appears to be the inevitable or natural sequence of events. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - EARLY RACING EXPERIENCES - - First Racing Partnership--Some Successful Horses--The “White - Mutiny”--Military Secretaries Come and Go--Fleur-de-lys’ - Affection--Racing--Paperchasing--An Exciting Drive--Ponto’s - Admiration for the Fair Sex--Inverarm--How a Sick Soldier - Fared--Love of Children--A Children’s Party and How it Ended--The - Home for Lost Dogs--Simla Gymkhanas--A Sore Head--A Change of - Mounts--Sipi Fair and Marriage Market--What Some of Lord William’s - Friends Said--Why he was like King Solomon - - -Early in 1880 Lord William and his friend, Mr. Monty Stewart, joined -hands, forming a racing partnership, and their horse Warrego won -the St. Leger at the Umballa meeting. They had also purchased Kate -Coventry for 5000 rupees, a big sum for those days. She won the Grand -Annual the very next day for them, which was encouraging. At the same -meeting Gazelle won the Pony Handicap, Warrego the Trials, and Oliver -Twist the Selling Race. On the last day’s racing Oliver Twist rather -upset the public’s and everybody else’s calculations by defeating his -own stable companion Warrego, who was favourite. - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Rouch, Straua_ - -LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD’S HORSE DEMOCRAT] - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD LEADING KATE COVENTRY, RIDDEN -BY DEWING. CALCUTTA, 1881] - -At Lahore Kate Coventry won the Maiden Chase, Pompey the Dwarf Chase, -Lielle the Arab and Country-bred Handicap, Ronaleyn the All-horse -Handicap, and Potboy the Pony Handicap, not a bad performance. Lord -William now engaged Ryder as his trainer and jockey; he had been -successful for Baboo Mohini Mohun Doss of Dacca. - -At Dumdum Kate Coventry won the Handicap Chase as well as another -race. After this, luck seemed to desert the combined stable, though -Kate Coventry still played up nobly, winning the Ballygunge Cup, and -Lawyer the Trial Chase Cup. At Deccan, Pot Boy and Lawyer also won a -race or two. - -Then came the Umballa Autumn Meeting, where their luck was so -crushing Lord William vowed he would get rid of the lot of his -horses, and advertised the majority for sale. He may have deceived -himself through disappointment, but nobody else thought for a moment -he would be able to live without racing, in taking which view they -were correct, for in July, 1881, he purchased Camballa and Western -Princess through the dealer and importer known by the name of Teddy -Weekes. Luck seemed once more to be returning, for at the October -meeting at Dehra Fleur-de-Lys won over the hurdles, Kate Coventry the -Himalayan Chase, and Warrego the Corinthian Stakes, while Probably, -a country-bred pony, showed the way in the Gimcrack Stakes. Again at -Umballa the good Kate Coventry, Fleur-de-Lys and Probably also each -won a race. - -Lord William was now recognised as a rising racing man, and as one -come to stay. He began to do great things when the Government moved -down to Calcutta for the cold weather of 1881-2. His new purchase -Camballa, a black Waler gelding, began well by winning the Viceroy’s -Cup, steered by Ryder. I see in an old paper of that time “the -unpopular Governor-General was not present to see his cup run for.” - -It will be remembered I have already pointed out the reason of Lord -Ripon’s unpopularity with his own countrymen, though never was a -Viceroy so loved by the natives, into whose hands he played all the -time, no doubt thinking it would lead to future good, but causing -at the time dread and consternation amongst Europeans. Whether his -scheme of equalisation between the races has been a success or not I -leave to my readers to decide, though perhaps it is still early days -to say definitely one way or the other. Certainly, if we may judge by -the way India has assisted us in our present struggle, we should feel -inclined to think it had, but it is necessary to look a little beyond -our noses, and think what may be expected in return--the _quid pro -quo_. - -I do not suppose Lord Ripon troubled much as to whether he was -popular or not, he was there to do the best for the country and -its people, according to his light, after that it must be left in -the lap of the gods. The public opinion I have heard expressed of -the Viceroys during the time Lord William was on the staff ran as -follows--that Lord Lytton was charming, hard-working, and that -his work would live long after him; Lord Ripon unpopular, as it -was thought he would make life impossible for the white man in -the country owing to his enormous sympathy with the natives; Lord -Dufferin, popular but left a great deal in the hands of his private -secretary; Lord Lansdowne, universally popular, and Lady Lansdowne -especially so. These being the only Governor-Generals under whom -Lord William served I need go no further. He spoke of them all -with affection and gratitude, saying he had received “the greatest -kindness from all officially and individually.” I must confess when -he said this I felt much as I do when parents say they love all their -children alike, which cannot be in the least true; they may love them -all, but it must be in different ways and degrees, so I think Lord -William felt, if he had spoken literally, he had affection for all -his chiefs but in different ways and degrees. - -Even Viceroys have a good deal to “put up with.” First and foremost -they have to act on orders from home, after which, if the measures -do not prove successful or satisfactory, the blame of course falls -on the Viceroy’s head; then when settling down and getting into -his stride, finding help and comfort in some of his staff--say the -Military Secretary, that office bringing the individual more closely -into association with him than the rest, forming an important part of -his daily life--it has not been unknown for one Military Secretary -after another to find that their health will not stand the strain, -or that they wish to return to their regiment, another has married -a wife who will not live in India and so on, so resignation follows -on resignation, leaving the unhappy Viceroy in a constant state of -explanations and instructions to new-comers, and with nobody to lean -on, while possibly feeling anxious over work of which he has had no -previous experience and hardly knows where to turn to find someone -who does. Occasionally, perhaps, Viceroy and members of the staff -find “incompatibility” a reason for divorce. - -The cold weather of 1881-2 proved to the Beresford-Stewart partners -that they had a good thing in their new purchase Camballa, besides -winning the Viceroy’s Cup, he also won the Burdwarn Cup. Many -people speculated as to this horse’s lasting powers, as he stood -rather straight on his pasterns, and in India the ground is very -hard. However, he did all that was required of him, caused no -disappointment, and then was sold again at no loss, so was not a bad -bargain. Lord William also won a race himself on Alien; his pretty -little Australian mare Fleur-de-Lys, which he had bought from Mr. -Abbott, the Tirhoot planter, also won the Tom Thumb Stakes for him. -This little mare was charming as well as pretty, and as intelligent -as a dog. She had a great affection for her syce, who had been her -close companion from the time she arrived in India, and her owner -used to give his friends little exhibitions of her affection at -times. He would hide the syce somewhere, and then let Fleur-de-Lys -loose out of her stable, telling the man to call her, while he kept -dodging about hiding from her, but she always found him in spite of -all the dodging, whinnying with pleasure when she came up to him. -If anyone caught hold of the syce and pretended to beat him and he -howled, the mare would go straight for whoever it was she supposed -was hurting her friend and companion, would savage and trample on -the offender if she could get at him. So great was her affection for -her syce that it was unnecessary when moving about the country to -put a bit into her mouth, for she would follow him anywhere. She was -eventually sold amongst others to the Prince of Jodhpore, where she -would be well cared for. - -Warrego was now the property of the Beresford-Stewart stable, and -won the two mile Durbangah Cup for them. Camballa beat several good -horses for the Merchants’ Cup, proving himself _the_ horse of the -year. - -At the end of the cold weather 1881-2 Mr. Stewart was obliged to -leave India and go home owing to ill-health. - -Kate Coventry was still going strong and doing wonders, winning the -Ballygunge Cup, and again later in the year the Grand Annual, at -Lucknow, Ryder in the saddle. After this meeting Ryder was sent to -England to buy some horses for Lord William. - -The Autumn Meeting at Dehra Doon was very poor, the unsatisfactory -settling after their last meeting had made people a little shy, many -declaring it was not worth while running their horses under the -circumstances; another reason, I think, being the course was not in -very good order, but none of these things troubled Lord William, -though now I come to think of it he certainly rode other people’s -horses, and did not run any of his own, as far as I can remember. - -The Umballa Autumn Meeting was not a great success either, owing to -much the same reason. The rules regarding betting were a trifle lax, -but Ryder, who had returned from England, rode an Australian horse -named Blackthorn for Lord William, winning the Sirhind Derby, also -several other races; but Island King, a horse Ryder had brought back -with him, had a terrible fall when running for the Cup, and had to be -put out of his pain. - -Paperchases were much in vogue in India during the cold weather. -In Calcutta they were very popular, large fields collecting, but -eventually they became little short of steeplechases. A number of -women used to ride in them, and go right well, but so many who joined -in the chase were given to racing it became a little dangerous, as -will be readily grasped by anyone who has been closely followed -either in the hunting field or in a paper-chase by a racing man, -who may, and at times does, forget all about waiting his turn at a -fence, and just pushes and rushes wherever he sees a chance, quite -regardless of consequences. What matter whose face they trample on so -long as they get there! - -There were some great chase riders in those days, Captain David -Papillon, Colonel Oliver Probyn, with his one arm, Lord William -Beresford, and that good sort Mr. Sydney Hartwell of the Oude and -Roulicund Railway. What nerve that man had! I remember a wonderful -grey roan pony he drove, with a knee as big as an apple dumpling, -the result of one of his many accidents, arising from the fact that -he was almost impossible to hold. I doubt if many people would have -cared to drive the gee. Mr. Hartwell was a strong man, yet it took -him all his time to hold this handsome quadruped. He was like a -miniature carthorse, and exceedingly fast. An extra pair of reins -were always buckled on to the bit and rested under a clip on the -dashboard in case of the first lot giving way under the strain. The -traces generally dangled loose, the whole cart and contents, no -matter what weight, being pulled from the bit and reins. - -Several times I was asked if I would like to risk my life behind -this steed, and gladly consented, as Mr. Hartwell was a first-rate -whip and most cheery companion. It was arranged during one of these -drives that we should meet Lord William on the Lucknow Racecourse to -see a pony he thought would suit me, put over the jumps. We arrived -safely at the appointed spot, Mr. Hartwell put me down and took the -pony and cart a little distance away to wait until we were ready, the -pony raising no objection to standing. After the matter of trying the -pony Lord William thought would suit me, it was agreed that both Mr. -Hartwell and Lord Bill should come back and refresh at our bungalow, -his lordship said he would jump up behind us on the cart; he received -the same instructions as myself, namely, to nip in quick, the moment -our Jehu took hold of the reins; this was safely accomplished by both -of us, and off we shot like a rocket. The syce in his anxiety to -give the place of honour behind to Lord Bill, did not leave himself -quite enough foothold, and was shot off at the first rear and bound -given by the pony, given just to express pleasure at being on the -move again. Mr. Hartwell was the only person or thing in the cart -retaining a firm and upright position, Lord William was heard to -say “By Jove,” I was speechless shuffling back into my seat trying -to look as if I had never left it, the syce I heard later was last -seen tearing frantically in rear of the cart, after falling flat on -his face and losing his puggery, which was flying out in yards and -streams behind him as he ran trying to re-wind it round his head. I -was too busy holding on to turn my head to see what had happened to -anybody. - -After this preliminary all went well, as we proceeded to drive -round the course to have a look at the pony jumps, the grey roan -flinging himself along delightfully though keeping us in a state -of expectancy, when my lord and master, who had been on duty and -delayed, therefore not able to be present at the trial of the new -pony, came galloping up in hot haste to overtake us. This was the -signal evidently to the roan that a race was on, it was really -thrilling, and instead of going straight home as we had intended -after inspecting the jumps, we were raced round the racecourse at -top speed about three-quarters of the way, then on one wheel were -hurruished down an awkward dip and carried like birds through the -Barrack Square, then on through a mango tope, where Lord William -disappeared. Various people who saw us _en route_ were pleased to be -funny about our appearance, and one or two sketches were made, in one -of which Lord William was supposed to be holding me on to the seat, -but looked much more as if trying to sit on my head. - -I regret much that in the course of my travels a book full of such -souvenirs has unaccountably disappeared. Eventually Mr. Hartwell got -the pony in hand, and thanks to his brilliant driving I was landed -at our bungalow to find Lord William and my spouse complacently -refreshing themselves in the verandah. Lord William said he and a -bucket, which appeared from under the seat somewhere, were tipped out -under the mango trees while we were being carried over what looked -like a newly filled-in grave. - -Mr. Alfred Abbott was another great chase rider; he was seldom seen -without a cigar in his mouth, and died with one between his teeth on -the Barrackpore Racecourse; and many more old friends of Lord William -and mine, in fact it would be easy to fill many books with the doings -of old friends of that period. - -Young and old took part in these paper-chases, Sir George White with -grey hairs when Commander-in-Chief, and youths with growing down on -their upper lip. One very noticeable thing about people in India is -the way they keep young in spite of their years, taking part and -interest in all that is going on, old ladies and gentlemen dance -until the early hours with the best of the young ones, ride races, -play tennis and racquets, in fact everything that is going. - -One year Lord William offered a prize for a Ladies’ Steeplechase over -the Calcutta Racecourse. There were many competitors, some coming -from a distance to show what they could do. - -When Lord William presented the prize of a beautiful silver inkstand -to the winner, who happened to be a Mrs. Somebody he did not know, he -expressed the hope that she would find it useful and persuade her to -write long letters to her husband. This was unfortunate, as the lady -and her husband had agreed to part. It was a most unusual thing for -Lord Bill to make a _faux pas_. - -The Simla Season of 1882 passed much in the usual way, a round of -social gatherings and festivities. One character I must not fail to -introduce to you, namely, Ponto, Lord William’s poodle; he appears -in many photographs, and so he ought, being quite a personage; he -lived with his master after he became Military Secretary in quite a -palatial house called “Inverarm,” standing on the hill, not far from -the Viceregal Lodge. - -Ponto and his master were inseparable; there were times of course -when he was not wanted which he failed to realise or appreciate, and -in spite of the efforts of those who had instructions to keep him at -home, searched Simla until he located his master, sitting proudly -outside the door until he put in an appearance. Once Lord William -left the house he was visiting by a different route, and Ponto sat on -far into another day, when he was remonstrated with by the inhabitant -of the bungalow at whose door he sat. - -On another occasion Ponto broke away from custody and turned up in -church at Simla during a marriage service; the church was very full, -but Ponto managed to squeeze his way through amongst the multitude of -legs, and gave a brisk “Wuff” of delighted greeting when he located -his master. This affection at times was embarrassing, but as he meant -it all in good part his master was obliged to accept it in the same -spirit, while vowing he would find some other means of keeping Ponto -at home. Both the latter and his master had many things in common, -both admired beauty; if Lord William was sitting at luncheon and said -in the usual conversational voice, “There goes a pretty girl,” Ponto -would be up and off in a moment, on to a chair to gaze right and -left out of the window, or to the door, to look out for the pretty -girl. This was always a sure draw for Ponto, and used to amuse Lord -William, showing him off. - -Inverarm was like a museum for its many trophies of the chase and -sport generally. Tables groaned under cups and beautiful silver. -Some of Lord Bill’s silver bowls were remarkable for their delicate -workmanship; he used often to lend them to people giving parties -when they wanted to make a little splash. Indeed, so interesting and -comfortable was the house that whenever there was an overflow from -the Viceregal Lodge, which was not infrequent, Peterhoff being very -circumscribed, the extra guests were put up at Inverarm. - -One day when riding along the Mall, Lord William saw a doolie being -carried along with a sick man inside; he asked the bearers who was -inside, and being told a cavalry officer from the plains, and hearing -they were going to take the invalid to an hotel, he told them to go -straight to Inverarm, and escorted them to it, keeping the sick man -until well again, doing everything possible for his comfort and to -expedite his recovery. The individual in question was the present Sir -Robert Baden-Powell, at that time in the 13th Hussars, now father of -that most important and valuable institution the Boy Scouts. - -No season either in Simla or Calcutta was allowed to pass without the -children being catered for; the parties the Military Secretary gave -for them were amongst the most delightful and eagerly looked forward -to by the young folk, who all adored Lord Bill; he in his turn adored -them. The vocabulary of children is so small and yet so sufficing. -Bairns are very dramatic little persons, and their patois delightful. -He would at any time give up an engagement for his own pleasure to go -and amuse a sick child, telling them stories, taking them presents -and flowers, and always being robbed of the one in his button-hole. -He used to have great confidences and secrets with them, which -children always enjoy. One small boy who had broken his leg and was -much devoted to his delicate mother, wanted to give her something on -her birthday as a great surprise, and could not make up his mind what -it should be, as his saved pennies were not excessive. For days Lord -William made suggestions, none of which were favoured, some being too -costly, others she would not care for. Each visit Lord William paid -he had some fresh list of suggestions. If the boy had decided on an -elephant Lord Bill would have said he was sure he could get one for -the money and procured it; but at last the boy had decided in his own -mind, and joyfully told Lord William, saying, “I have found out what -mother would like; it is a book she often reads. It got spoilt with -the white ants eating it, and I want to give her another.” - -“That is capital,” said Lord William; “what is the name of the book -and who is it by, I mean who wrote it?” - -“Oh, I don’t know that,” replied his little friend, looking rather -dismayed, “I think it is called _Infernal Hope_, but I don’t know who -wrote it.” - -“Never mind, little man, I will soon find out, don’t worry, it is a -funny name, but I will soon get it for you. If I write to a man I -know who keeps a big book shop, he will be sure to know and send it -at once.” - -Lord William made a point of finding out from another member of the -family what the book was without giving away his little friend’s -secret. It was Archdeacon Farrer’s _Eternal Hope_, and it arrived -duly in a beautiful cover in time to give pleasure to both the little -invalid and his mother. - -Some years after this, when I was giving a children’s party at home -in England, Lord Bill asked, “May this child come, please?” Of course -I replied I should be charmed, and certainly the children were; -I never saw bairns enjoy themselves more. He pretended he was an -elephant at the Zoo, and allowed them to sit all over him while he -travelled about on all fours giving them rides, then pretending to -fall down and roll with them. When he thought they were tired of this -he crawled under the table in the dining-room and pretended he was a -bear in a cage, and had to be fed by the children through the bars -formed by the legs of the chairs arranged around him. - -After the last happy child had gone home, Lord William and my -youngest brother, who had likewise been assisting, feeling rather -limp and exhausted, suggested they would like a wash and brush up. -After this operation both were due at opposite ends of London; it -was pouring with rain, and there seemed to be a scarcity of cabs. -The servants whistled until they were nearly black in the face, as -my brother expressed it; at last they succeeded in attracting the -attention of one hansom; then each man was too polite to take the cab -from the other, and as they were going in opposite directions they -could not share it. My brother told Lord William to jump in and he -would find one for himself, or wait with me until another arrived. - -Lord William would not agree to this, and told my brother to jump in. -It ended in their struggling fiercely in the street, each trying to -put the other into the cab. The cabby at first looked on in awe and -wonderment; he was anxious to keep the cab dry, and each time one -of the strugglers was nearly deposited in the cab, up would go the -glass, then as they subsided for a fresh effort on the pavement down -went the glass again, as the cabby saw all was not decided. He was -now entering into the spirit of the game, and settled down to watch -and be ready to receive the missile when it eventually arrived. - -By this time another cab had turned up, but nobody took the least -notice of it. A small crowd of wet errand boys had collected to watch -the fun, and I was momentarily expecting a policeman to appear on the -scenes and take them both into custody. - -At last Lord William won the day, and from behind the curtains in -the dining-room window I saw my bruised and shin-barked brother -chucked into the cab while in response to the cabman’s “Where to?” -Lord William replied, “Home for lost dogs, and drive like the devil.” -Needless to say neither my brother nor Lord William looked like -paying visits after this romp; their hats had been knocked off and -clapped on again by the servants, and small boys looking on, only to -roll off once more. Ties had waltzed round, and were looking out from -unaccustomed places, collars looked shy and drooping; but I am flying -too far ahead; and the Simla Gymkhanas require and deserve a little -space before passing on. - -The subject of these memories was always full of new ideas for -the amusement of Simla. Amongst other races he organised, was the -Victoria Cross Race, which was exciting, the idea being that each -rider had to place a dummy figure of sorts lying on the ground or in -some perilous position, the riders would then have to ride as hard -as ever they could over certain jumps, pick up the figure, and bring -it back over more jumps into safety, just as if they were trying to -save life. These figures were often really well got up, one perhaps -dressed as an ayah, another as a child, a soldier, war correspondent, -and so on. It was most amusing to watch the struggles while picking -up the figures and remounting again. During one of these races Lord -William elected to rescue a war correspondent who was supposed to be -wounded. He succeeded in picking him up, and was coming over the last -fence with him in great style, when a post, which had no business -to have been left where it was, caught Lord William on the head, or -his head came in contact with the post, giving him a nasty wound, -which bled profusely and caused him to lose the race, but the rescued -correspondent came in useful, as he helped to mop up the gore. Lord -William swore he was none the worse, but must surely have had a very -sore head. - -Another invention from the same brain was the cigar race. The riders -had to start, go over some of the jumps, then change mounts. It was -arranged beforehand whom they would change with, it had to be one -that had started in the race; then light a cigar, remount quickly, -and finish the race with the cigar still alight. This was essential. -The agitation was great when the matches would not light, their -heads broke off, or the ponies objected, some of which saw no fun in -it and declined to wait and see the rest. - -Then for another change the ponies and their riders had to jump -through big paper hoops after the fashion of circus entertainments. -This race generally led to merriment, as the ponies did not care -for the game, and ran in every direction to avoid the ordeal. The -umbrella race was a good one. Riders had to be mounted on their own -ponies, which they had to saddle themselves, when a bell was rung, -then open an umbrella, which had to be carried open over the jumps. -The opening of the umbrella generally caused trouble. - -The race for people who had never ridden in one before was usually -comic; elderly sportsmen and timid youths were persuaded or goaded -into entering, and it provided all sorts of novel conditions and -situations. - -Riding up from one of these gymkhanas on a newly purchased pony, -which had seemed to me very quiet and suitable to narrow paths and -hill-climbing, it suddenly turned nasty on hearing the clatter of a -horse coming up hurriedly behind him, promptly laid his ears back and -turned his tail over the side of the khud, while I had the unpleasant -experience of hearing loose stones and earth giving way under his -feet and rattling down hundreds of feet below. I thought I had seen -my last gymkhana. I leaned as far forward as I possibly could, to -keep my weight off his quarters and give him a chance, for he was -beginning to think he had done something foolish, and was scrambling -to keep foothold with his fore feet, when Lord William, whose -horse’s clatter had caused the outbreak of displeasure on the part -of my mount, came to the rescue, and seizing me more or less by the -hair of my head landed me safely, the pony slipped down a little way, -but got entangled in some bushes, and so gave time to several kindly -helpers who rescued him. Lord William then insisted on our saddles -being changed, as he would not hear of my riding the wicked pony -any more; I therefore had a charming beast of his to take me home, -while he taught mine a lesson. When he turned up later he told me he -thought the pony must have been drugged when I bought it, as it was a -nasty, vicious brute, and had tried to crush his legs against first a -tree and then some railings after I had left him with it. - -The fair held once a year at Sipi, a few miles outside Simla, was -usually a day of extra festivities. Lord William’s picnics there were -most enjoyable, being arranged and managed as everything he undertook -was managed, with forethought for everybody’s comfort. His organising -powers were extraordinary, while his peculiarly gracious and courtly -manner added charm to all the functions he arranged. Even in the -matter of food everyone’s particular taste was catered for. - -With the exception perhaps of Sir Spencer Ponsonby Fane, I never met -anyone with such a talent for organising State functions and great -occasions as Lord William, and certainly the latter was the more -popular and caused less offence than his old friend did at times. - -The road from Simla to Sipi is just a pleasant distance for a ride, -but along the edge of precipices and through an alarming dark tunnel, -which is quite exciting if riding a quarrelsome horse, for in the -darkness you often meet a crowd of ponies being driven through with -big bundles on their backs. They are usually being driven through -by pedestrian natives. The situation at times lends itself to some -mix-ups and chatter. - -The surrounding tribal women gather themselves together, decked -out in all their best, some with a view to finding suitable mates, -others to sell their jewellery and gew-gaws. The Thibetan women often -realise big prices for their turquoise and silver ornaments. It is -a great day amongst the hill tribes for exchange and barter, indeed -sales of all sorts. - -There is also ceremony attached to this fair, as some of their gods -are brought to shower blessings on all the chosen ones. Such curious -figures some of these deities possess, they baffle description, -being quaint figures, half man, half beast, half nothing. Some do -not possess any legs, others we presume have, but are clothed in -mysterious garments, leaving much to the imagination. One year -Lord William gave his picnic in a villa built there by an Italian -confectioner, which sounds strange in the Himalayan mountains -surrounded by Thibetan females and other hill tribes. We also must -have looked a little out of place, indeed I think we always do look -out of place in the gorgeous colour-loving East. - -Lord William was the life and soul of Simla, and exceedingly popular -with everybody. One of his most charming traits, and one which I -admired much, was his gentle, polite manner to natives. Once young -Englishmen arriving from home considered it fine and grand to be -rude and rough to natives when they were stupid, and made mistakes, -which very often arose from their own ignorance of the language, and -therefore being unable to express themselves intelligibly; I have -heard a young subaltern saying he had saddled his pony, when what -he wished to say was the syce was to do so, the young man’s grammar -being defective, for which the natives had to suffer. Lord William -was most particular in giving his orders to see they were understood, -and gave them in a clear polite way which was most refreshing; -naturally the natives loved him, would do anything for “Lord Brasspot -Sahib.” - -Many of his friends said he was a great loss to the Service. Once -when a great friend of his was walking round Jakko (the only decent -road round on one side of Simla, a sort of continuation of the Mall) -with General Sir George Chesney, who wrote that clever book _The -Battle of Dorking_, Lord William rode by at a gallop, taking his -hat off to Sir George in a way quite peculiar to himself; it always -seemed to imply so much, respect, affection, compliment, pleasure at -seeing you, and everything else of the kind, leaving each individual -feeling comfortable and pleased. As he passed, Sir George, who was -walking with one of the members of the staff and as already stated -an old friend of Lord William’s, turned to his companion remarking, -“There goes a leader of men. Instead of being Military Secretary to -the Viceroy he ought to be commanding a cavalry brigade; he would be -unequalled at that work, always supposing he was not turned out of -the service for disobedience to orders.” - -Another friend, a clever lady of that time at Simla, speaking of Lord -William’s character generally, said, “It is not Bill’s cleverness or -quickness to grasp the situation, but what he has got in an eminent -degree is what Solomon had. I have always thought that Solomon’s -great wisdom was much exaggerated, and that what he really had in -pre-eminence, and Bill has too, is tact, doing the right thing at the -right time. For instance ... it was not Solomon’s great knowledge -that bamboozled the Queen of Sheba, but knowing when she wanted a -foot-stool!” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - LORD RIPON LEAVES INDIA - - Arrangements for Entertaining Visitors--Lord de Grey’s Shooting--A - Good-looking Staff--A Fancy Ball--The Baby cries--Lord William - Feeds the Infant--Singing Quadrilles--Pig-sticking--The Tent Club - and Its Members--A Case of Mistaken Identity--The Reputation - Match--Lord William Resolves to Give Up Racing--Lord Ripon’s - Farewell - - -During Lord Ripon’s time in India a number of people came out from -home to stay with him, some wishing to combine a visit to their -friends with shooting, pig-sticking and globe-trotting. This kept -Lord William busy, as he had to make all the arrangements for their -comfort, and where they were to stay, when the Viceregal Lodge was -full, which was generally the case. Occasionally he turned out of his -own house for guests, searched for suitable bungalows for others, -making everybody comfortable and yet without the least apparent -effort. Rajahs were communicated with, and shoots arranged; horses -were found to suit the various riders, chosen in accordance to their -prowess, programmes made out for each day, and printed instructions -sent on ahead, so that all was in readiness at each halting place, -carriages, horses, servants, food, sport and all the heart of man -could desire. - -The happy relations existing between Lord William and the Native -Princes made this easier for him than it might have been for many. - -The present Marquess of Ripon, then Lord de Grey, came to stay with -his father, and was anxious to have some big game shooting. He is, as -everybody knows, one of the best shots in England. His game card from -1867 to 1891 gives some idea of his skill and the sport provided. I -think the years 1880 and 1882 were the years he was shooting in India. - - -GAME KILLED FROM 1867 TO 1891. - - (Part 1 of 2) - ====================================================================== - Rhinoceros Buffalo Pig Red Deer Partridge - Date Tiger S??? Deer Grouse Pheasants - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1867 8 265 1.179 741 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1868 35 201 1.418 1.601 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1869 35 135 1.659 1.431 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1870 21 498 2.308 2.117 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1871 55 1.408 1.598 1.889 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1872 38 1.498 2.083 2.835 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1873 25 248 2.417 3.050 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1874 3 5 90 2.878 2.345 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1875 3 287 2.882 3.225 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1876 3 1.554 3.394 4.110 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1877 2 4 2.032 2.359 4.235 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1878 4 9 1.669 3.378 4.679 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1879 4 1.344 630 3.140 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1880 9 6 18 31 73 12 1.131 682 531 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1881 5 1.566 3.465 5.014 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1882 2 2 6 1 66 104 10 3.025 2.123 2.370 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1883 5 2.896 1.845 6.119 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1884 10 3.073 3.523 4.347 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1885 5 2.015 2.788 4.620 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1886 20 1.989 1.463 3.383 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1887 57 2.258 3.785 3.387 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1888 4 3.060 853 5.072 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1889 5 3.081 5.751 6.182 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1890 2.006 7.002 6.498 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - 1891 2.277 1.699 5.794 - ====================================================================== - 2 11 12 19 97 186 378 39.606 63.163 88.715 - - - (Part 2 of 2) - ================================================================== - Wood Cock Wild Duck Capercai- Rabbits Total - Date Snipe Black Game llies K??? Various - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1867 20 22 10 -- -- 719 934 115 4.013 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1868 28 67 23 -- -- 690 543 113 4.719 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1869 26 133 37 -- -- 547 443 122 4.568 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1870 36 53 30 -- -- 893 626 137 6.660 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1871 50 244 42 -- -- 1.093 341 225 6.945 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1872 27 60 31 -- -- 1.108 756 235 8.671 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1873 95 263 85 -- -- 1.027 450 591 8.231 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1874 229 462 131 5 4 1.200 302 1.200 8.854 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1875 176 461 208 -- -- 1.376 576 743 9.937 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1876 30 25 37 -- -- 1.248 890 266 11.557 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1877 35 45 33 11 11 1.496 1.044 309 11.616 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1878 43 44 55 5 6 2.152 667 503 13.214 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1879 132 92 62 9 11 1.125 287 215 7.051 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1880 9 47 54 26 5 501 141 408 3.684 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1881 26 14 43 -- -- 1.058 797 166 12.154 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1882 14 21 44 -- -- 464 1.122 117 9.491 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1883 157 84 155 -- -- 918 1.386 319 13.884 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1884 134 70 70 -- -- 713 1.896 453 14.289 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1885 104 23 31 -- -- 589 2.547 108 12.830 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1886 105 87 72 -- -- 357 786 349 8.611 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1887 104 3 12 -- -- 415 2.328 237 12.586 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1888 31 151 10 -- -- 307 1.523 85 11.096 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1889 100 109 14 38 8 1.747 1.069 135 18.239 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1890 172 105 28 -- -- 1.446 1.120 123 18.500 - ------------------------------------------------------------------ - 1891 34 13 -- -- -- 711 406 271 11.205 - ================================================================== - 1.917 2.698 1.317 94 45 23.840 22.980 7.543 252.625 - - LORD DE GREY’S GAME CARD FROM 1867-91 - - -Amongst others who came out were Lord and Lady Wenlock, Lady Charles -Beresford, and later their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess -of Connaught. - -[Illustration: GROUP AT BARRACKPORE ON THE LAWN - -_Left to right. Standing_: Lady Downe (the late); Mr Primrose -(now Right Hon. Sir Henry), Lord Alwyne Compton (the late); Dr. -Anderson (Viceroy’s Medical attendant); (next figure not known to -author); Lord Downe, Capt. Deane, 17th Lancers; possible Sir Maurice -Fitzgerald; but uncertain; Capt. Poe, I believe; Lord William -Beresford. _Seated_: Lord Ripon, H.R.H. Duchess of Connaught, H.R.H. -Duke of Connaught, Lady Ripon. _On ground_: Capt. Rochfort (now Sir -Alex., Governor of Jersey), Capt. the Hon. Charles Harbord (now Lord -Suffield)] - -Lord William found a pleasant bungalow, not far from the Viceregal -Lodge, for Lady Wenlock, while her husband was away shooting, and she -spent a good deal of time sketching. Being of an artistic temperament -she delighted in the scenery and colouring, finding endless -opportunities to practise her art--plenty of work for her brush. Yet -at times the colouring is so superb it defies all efforts of speech -or brush. - -Picture the hill-sides one blaze of rhododendrons, sheets of them -leading down to green valleys, where after the rains maidenhair ferns -and wild orchids cling lovingly to the branches of the trees, on -the ground, carpets of little white flowers resembling our lily of -the valley, but lacking its scent, in the distance blue mountains, -behind these purple mountains, behind these again snow-clad peaks, -a brilliant sun shining over all, framing pictures that remain in -memory for life, and yet there are times when the very splendour of -it seizes us with a limitless despair. In these few beautiful moments -when the sun, symbol of deity in the East, is bidding us good-night, -changing all round from rose to red, orange to turquoise, leaving -a tiny twilight, and the day is gone, hidden away behind a mist of -grey. And we think--but no, we will not think, we will go dress for -the “Poggle Khana” or fools’ dance, as the natives call a fancy dress -ball. But of these more later. - -I wish to introduce my readers to a group of people taken about this -time. All the men are members of the Viceregal Staff. Lady Wenlock -is in the centre, handsome Lord Alwyne Compton (died in 1911) is seen -sitting behind her; he was one of the A.D.C.’s. When not on duty he -had an affection for a brown velveteen coat and yellow button-hole, -which suited him exceedingly well, his hair, eyes and skin, being -almost Italian looking. Lord William, Military Secretary, is on -Lady Wenlock’s left, and beside him sits Lady Charles Beresford, -his sister-in-law. Then comes Mr. Primrose, Private Secretary to -the Viceroy (now the Right Hon. Sir Henry Primrose). On the extreme -left is Capt. St. Quinten, another good looking young man, who was a -favourite A.D.C. in the viceregal household. Sitting at Lady Charles -Beresford’s feet is Capt. Clough Taylor, who hailed from the same -county as the Ripons, he also was A.D.C. His wife, Lady Elizabeth -Clough Taylor (died in 1896) is sitting on Lady Wenlock’s right. -Behind her stands the Hon. Miss Lawley. Sitting at Lady Elizabeth’s -feet is Capt. Muir, A.D.C. (now Colonel) and Commander of the Body -Guard. In the arm-chair below Miss Lawley is the Hon. Charles -Harbord, A.D.C. (now Lord Suffield), and next to him Capt. Rochfort, -A.D.C. (now Sir Alex. Rochfort, Governor of Jersey). - -It will be observed their Excellencies liked good looking men on -their staff. - -[Illustration: STAFF AND GUESTS AT VICEREGAL LODGE, SIMLA - -_Left to right_: Capt. Rochfort (now Sir Alex. Rochfort, Governor -of Jersey); Honble. Miss Lawley, Capt. Harbord (now Lord Suffield), -Lady Elizabeth Clough-Taylor, Lord Alwyne Compton, Lady Wenlock, Lord -William Beresford, Lady Charles Beresford, Mr. Primrose, Captain St. -Quinten - -_On ground, left to right_: Capt. Muir and Capt. Clough-Taylor] - -Now I am anxious to tell you about the fancy dress balls. - -Some of the dresses worn in India on these occasions are marvellous, -people out there seem to take much greater pains to do the thing -properly, and there have been many anxious moments in case the -dresses should not arrive from Paris or England in time. One fancy -dress ball I remember as being particularly amusing, but it was not -at Simla. Lord William appeared as a Chelsea Pensioner, and was quite -excellent. A good looking woman, wife of an Artilleryman, was “A -Wasp”; she naturally had a tiny waist. The wondrous dress with its -stripy bands of yellow, black gauze wings, and the little antennae in -her head, all well carried out, but the wings made dancing difficult, -so she sat in a corner with the Chelsea Pensioner a good deal. The -poor old Pensioner did not like much light--it hurt his poor old -eyes. But the chief joke of the evening was when a big hefty hospital -nurse carried into the ballroom a very lusty looking big red-faced -baby, with a distinctly blue line along the upper lip. A white -rosette-adorned cap tied under his chin, a short white frock reaching -a little below his knees which stuck out all round from the amount of -material it contained, which, however, helped to support a big blue -sash, matching the shoulder knots; frilled kicksey-wickseys, white -socks and sandal shoes completed this child’s costume. The bottle of -milk which he was sucking, or pretending to suck, was fixed to his -sash, and had a long tube. The nurse put down her charge to toddle -along the floor, still holding his hand, but the baby if left for a -moment began to cry. - -It was not long before we discovered in the baby a hard riding man -who had brought some hounds out from home and given us some amusement -with them in the cold weather, his nurse was an officer in a smart -cavalry regiment. Before the evening was over so many practical -jokes had been played on the poor baby that he and his nurse in -self-defence retired and changed into ordinary evening garments; but -not before supper, when Lord William insisted on feeding the baby -with a tablespoon, and dived first into one dish and then another so -quickly that the already red-faced baby became apoplectic; it was -after this he escaped, having been severely patted on the back for a -choking fit. - -India has changed since those days when the natives used to be rather -shocked at ladies appearing publicly in evening dress, and at some -of the flirtations, perhaps not entirely peculiar to the East, but -to-day they have become so civilised and Westernised it takes a good -deal more to shock them. - -The country is a mixture of shabbiness and gorgeousness, pathos and -childishness. Some of us appear very giddy out there, because if we -did not, we should cry; so ride and dance, keeping up a ceaseless -round of activity, we _say_ because it keeps us in health, which in a -measure no doubt it does, it also leaves no time for thoughts of home -and regrets. - -The music of the country is quite peculiar to itself, so is the -dancing, which is poor and monotonous, but, of course, I am -speaking of some years ago, now possibly the Princes are asking -their bandmasters the names of the morsels being played to them, -and are told, as really happened I believe to Queen Victoria once, -who, on hearing a particularly bright tune being played, asked its -name. Nobody seemed able, or inclined, to inform her, but she was -determined to know, and sent specially to the band to ask, the -messenger returned looking a little uncomfortable, and said it was -called “Come where the booze is cheaper.” Probably tunes of that sort -are now the order of the day, having travelled with the motor-car and -latter-day luxuries. - -During the winter in India, singing quadrilles were the fashion, -and had to be rehearsed frequently, it was rather funny to see Lord -William being schooled into singing his part of “Ba ba black sheep, -have you any wool?”; he learnt “Where are you going to, my pretty -maid?” much quicker. - -It is astonishing the amount of talent that is represented at times -in the hill stations in summer, it is by no means uncommon to -have really good Christy Minstrels, concerts and even high-class -oratorios. (I suppose the latter ought to have been mentioned first). - -Lord William did not take part in the big game shooting unless he had -to go officially, as it bored him to tears, but he loved pig-sticking -more than any other form of sport, and used to get a good deal of it -from Calcutta. He belonged to the Calcutta Tent Club, and always said -the best days he had were when with his friend “Archie Hills, on his -own land at Packabari.” Mr. Hills, if I remember right, was an indigo -planter. He appears in the pig-sticking group. For those unacquainted -with this form of sport I will explain it briefly. The game can be -played by one alone, but usually by three or four men who go out -together mounted on horses, and armed with spears to hunt and slay -the boar. My own humble opinion is that Arabs are the pleasantest -mounts for this form of sport, they seem to understand the broken -ground better than any other class of horse and are sure-footed. - -The boars are not like our English pork, but very fierce fighting -animals; tigers have been known to fight shy of them. It is wonderful -the way these pigs cover the ground; they are really fast, and -give jumps and bounds of a surprising nature. They generally begin -by going away from the sportsmen, but after a while when they get -annoyed, and think it is time for some fun themselves, they will turn -suddenly and charge the enemy. Some horses that have been ridden -regularly after pig, are clever at dodging these charges, which is -a distinct advantage, a rip from the tusk of a boar is a nasty one, -they always rip upwards, inflicting horrid wounds, when they get the -chance. - -The Tent Club, already mentioned, was formed at Calcutta of -pig-stickers, a photo of which will be found with the names of the -most prominent members. I do not remember hearing a great deal about -Lord William’s pig-sticking, beyond the fact that he enjoyed it -above all things, and got as much of it as his duties allowed. It -was returning from pig-sticking in 1880, I think, that an excitement -occurred in which Lord William took part. - -[Illustration: SOME NOTABLE MEMBERS OF THE CALCUTTA TENT CLUB - -_Left to right, standing_: General Harry Wilkinson, Col. Jim Cooke, -Mr. Macnair, Mr. H. Millett, Mr. Anderson, Mr. W. L. Thomas, Mr. W. -O. Bell Irving, Mr. Playfair, I think; Mr. Jim Henderson, Captain -Muir. _Seated_: Mr. G. Fox, Sir George Greaves, Mr. Carlysle, Sir -Franklin Prestage, Lord William Beresford, Mr. Archie Hills; (next -not known to the author). _On the ground_: Mr. A. S. Chapman, Mr. -Laurie Johnstone, Captain A. Rochfort] - -A number of horses, about 250, had been landed from the ship -_Thessalus_, with a view to taking them to Dhurrumtollah, where -stables were ready for them; how to get them there was a matter of -speculation; it was decided a few expert Australians, with stock -whips, should drive them Colonial fashion, all grouped up together, -this answered admirably for some time, until one or two of the -leaders took it into their heads that gas lamps were dangerous -things, and galloped madly away through the streets, followed by all -the rest, simply a mad galloping and hurruishing crowd of horses, -a regular stampede, not a pleasant thing to find advancing towards -you. They rushed with alarming clatter through the streets out -into the maidan or plain, where they broke up into groups, tearing -off in every direction. It took all night and part of the next day -collecting the animals, who by that time had tasted enough freedom -and were not sorry to be caught, but the excitement was great. One -unfortunate man, who was riding home at a belated hour, meeting -this charging cavalcade turned his horse’s head very wisely and was -carried along with them. - -Lord William was a good judge of a horse and understood their -training, he was therefore often asked for his advice, and if anyone -had a good horse they wished to sell they usually let Lord William -have a look at it. One day in Calcutta, Mr. John Ralli sent him -for trial a very fine fast trotting mare to look at; his lordship -decided to buy her. The same evening he went for a “walk round” at -Belvedere and saw there a Mr. S. (we will say) and his very handsome -wife walking arm-in-arm. There was a very strong likeness between -Mr. Ralli and Mr. S., and as Lord William passed, mistaking him for -Mr. Ralli, he gave a little pinch whispering, “She’s a ripper.” Mr. -S. immediately replied, “You’re a scoundrel, sir!” Lord William was -very indignant and thought the man had gone mad, as, of course, he -was referring to Mr. John Ralli’s fast trotting mare. Mr. S. was also -angry, thinking Lord William referred to his wife. Rather a funny -story of mistaken identity. - -Lord William was with the Viceroy on the memorable occasion when -touring a certain district where the natives had come to the -conclusion that, under the new Viceroy’s rule, they were to have a -free run among the scattered European residents, where several ladies -were living, and when he arrived the said scattered Europeans were -not inclined to give his Excellency a favourable reception! This -episode was referred to as the “White Mutiny.” - -The Autumn of 1882 was not a very lucky one from the racing point of -view. Both the Dehra and Umballa meetings were poor and temporarily -somewhat out of favour. The winter of 1882-3 was not much better, at -Calcutta Lord William certainly won a race with Fariz and another -with Mooltan, and he won a match five hundred rupees a side, riding -his Premier against Captain Webb, on Mr. Godjack’s Skirmishe. - -In May came the news of his partner’s death, poor Mr. Monty Stewart, -who had gone home sick. In consequence of this, all the horses were -put up for sale, the majority being bought by the Sporting Maharajah -of Jodhpore. - -Lord William not being able to afford racing alone, on the lines he -aspired to, now looked round for another partner, and before long he -and the young and rich Maharajah of Durbangah came to an arrangement. -The Rajah had acquired a taste for racing from Major Ben Roberts, -who had just left India to take up some appointment in England. So -now began another partnership, and more money was forthcoming to -purchase valuable horses. Ryder was once more sent to England to -see what he could find, Lord William also went on short leave and -returned with a sprinter named Reputation, Father Prout and Little -Charlie. £2000 was given for Reputation, and before leaving for India -he won the Egremont Plate of £300 and the Glasgow Plate £200, but he -was a nervous horse, did not travel well, was easily thrown off his -oats and did no good in India where the ground was too hard for him, -which was disappointing, for in the Egremont Plate before leaving -England when being ridden by “Archer” he gave 16lbs. to Laceman and -27lbs. to Hornpipe, who were the same age, yet won easily. - -Reputation was a smart good-looking horse, bought from a solicitor -I believe named Tidy, whom it may be remembered Lord Marcus once -tackled in his office, ending in fisticuffs and police court -proceedings. - -On May 10th, 1883, a great match was arranged between Lord William -and Mr. Leopold de Rothschild: the former backing his Reputation -against the latter’s Brag. Archer rode for Lord William and Fordham -for Mr. Rothschild. The race was run at the Newmarket Spring meeting, -200 sovereigns a side T.Y.C. Matches were quite a fashionable feature -of the sport at this period and were generally arranged overnight and -a surprise addition to the day’s racing. - -The excitement was great over this race, many were interested in it, -amongst others the Prince of Wales, Sir J. Astley, Lord Hartington -(afterwards Duke of Devonshire) and many more. Crowds flocked to see -the race run and there was a good deal of money on it. The horses -ran close together most of the course, it was most thrilling, but -eventually Brag gained the advantage about a hundred yards from home, -winning cleverly by a neck. Perhaps for the benefit of those who -are not race-goers I ought to explain T.Y.C. means the two year old -course at Newmarket which is five furlongs and 140 yards. This course -was a long way from the stand; there were more winning-posts in those -days than there are now. It was customary for people to hack over to -the different places to see the finish. Brag had the advantage in -weight as Reputation had to give him 14lbs., which, in the opinion -of many people who were in a position to judge, was considered too -much to ask. Perhaps Lord William was not as experienced at that -time as he was later in that delicate game of matching: considerable -knowledge being necessary to bring it off successfully. - -A number of people will not forget that day easily, a good deal of -money changed hands over the race. - -It was in the Palace House at Newmarket, Lord William made this -Brag and Reputation match; where Mr. Leopold de Rothschild always -entertained both King Edward and our present King. It is an -unpretentious looking abode but very historic, and was the Newmarket -house of Charles II. - -The newly purchased horses arrived safely in India on July 30th, -1883. But now more bad luck attended poor Lord William, for while -riding at Cawnpore in the Gangees Cup he broke his collarbone, and -hardly had he recovered from this than, in a jumping Competition at -Simla, he dislocated his shoulder and was not able to enjoy the Dehra -Autumn meeting. - -When once a shoulder has been dislocated it forms a fondness for -the amusement and continues to do it with slight provocation. Lord -William says it happened once through sneezing! - -Though unable to attend the Dehra Meeting, his stable was -represented, an Australian named The Mute won the Trials, Action -won the Gimcrack Stakes and Johnnie the Hack race. Later at Meerut, -Lord William was well enough to ride, and on a horse purchased from -the circus proprietor, John Wilson, won the Maiden Chase. At Umballa -riding Johnnie he was triumphant in the Grand Military Steeplechase, -but got a toss in the Grand Annual when riding Jack the circus -horse, but he remounted and finished the race. On the last day of -the Umballa meeting he grew annoyed at the weight his horses had to -carry and refused to start any one of them, declaring he was sick of -racing, and meant to “give it up, and go in for Botany or Erotics.” - -In spite of this heroic resolve the following month he was riding at -Lahore. - -The Calcutta 1883-4 first cold weather meeting, Lord William had -a walk over for the Monsoon Welter Cup. At the second meeting -Syndicate won the Hooghly Plate, but had only one opponent. In -March, Diamond won the Corinthian Stakes, and Caspian the Sirhind -Plate. Lord William thought a good deal of an Arab they--he and his -partner--owned, named Reformer, and he sent it to England to run at -Newmarket in the Arab races, but the poor beast died in the Red Sea. - -In June, the first and second day’s racing at Simla saw Lord William -without a winning mount. - -Though Lord Ripon’s time was comparatively free from political -anxieties he had a number of guests to stay with him all to be amused -and catered for, this provided food for thought on the Military -Secretary’s part, who was ceaseless in his endeavours, but the hard -work of that and the constant strain of his racing engagements was -beginning to tell on Lord Bill, and he began to look as if a journey -home for a while would be good for him. - -Only those who understand racing know the amount of thought and -care it requires to be successful, even with luck in their favour. -To begin at the beginning, money is not made out of the stakes that -are won, expenses generally throw the balance into the wrong side, -therefore it is betting must do it, and we know Lord William did make -a good deal of money over his racing, but it was thanks to his own -cleverness. To be successful it must be studied as a business; there -are many elements to be taken into consideration and reckoned with, -it is really a vast study. Jockeys have to be chosen and retained. -Trainers found who give satisfaction and understand their work. Races -looked up to suit the horses in the stable, and horses bought to -suit the big-plum races all are keen on winning, and after all these -considerations how often things go awry. - -[Illustration: LORD RIPON, LADY RIPON AND STAFF - -_Left to right. Standing_: Lord Wm. Beresford and Ponto, Capt. -Charles Harbord (Lord Suffield), Capt. C. Burn, Dr. Anderson, Capt. -Muir, Capt. Leonard Gordon - -_Sitting_: Mr. Primrose, Lord Ripon, Lady Ripon, Capt. St. Quinten, -Capt. the Hon. H. Legge - -_On ground_: Capt. Roddy Owen, Capt. Rochfort] - -It is not reassuring to know that the moment a man takes up racing -his honour no longer remains in his own hands, for now he has to -take his trainer, his jockey, his syce, and his understudies into -consideration, not forgetting his horse. On the face of it, it seems -as if only a very philosophical person could bear the strain. - -When things go wrong it is usually put down to either the jockey’s -evil doing, or the owner’s sharp practice, while it by no means -follows that either is to blame. So many things, and so many people -have to be taken into consideration, the horse by no means the least; -for horses like human beings have their good and bad days, their -moods and tempers, but are unable to explain their feelings. Trainers -are likewise not infallible, inclined at times to think some of their -geese have grown into swans (in all good faith), forgetting other -people have a swan or two. - -Owners are obliged of necessity to rely a good deal on their -trainer’s judgment, but those who come off best are undoubtedly the -men who keep an eye on their horses, having opinions of their own and -able to carry their own tails. Against this there is the trainer who -will not express an opinion, which is vexation to owners wishing to -discuss their chances. - -Then again think of the anxiety attached to sending valuable horses -from place to place to fulfil their engagements; the serious question -of what race will be suitable to each horse, the difficulty of -deciding what and when to buy, what and when to sell, and judging -their public value. Buying race-horses is a different thing -altogether to choosing a hunter or a carriage horse. The temper of -the parents has to be thought of, and indeed traced back a good long -way, also whether any of the family are inclined to be musical. The -shape of horses’ feet is important, and so few people agree about -horses’ points, the wonder is any trainer and owner can be found to -agree. - -Lord William looked most carefully after the training of his own -horses, and this is no sinecure; they require constant watching. Some -have capricious appetites and have to be coaxed with dainties or they -will not eat enough, others do not thrive unless they eat grossly and -have to be exercised in proportion; here comes in the valuable gift -of being able to judge condition, many fail in this most critical -point. - -It was greatly owing to Lord William’s study of his horses’ -characters and temperaments that he was as successful as he was; he -knew (none better) that all cannot be treated alike, in sickness and -in health, as they say in the Marriage Service; he was also perfectly -aware of the uncertainty attached to all matters appertaining to -horse-racing. Horses as a rule do their utmost to meet the wishes of -their riders, but the training is a severe trial, and the tempers of -some give away under it. Their life seems to be one long persecution; -it is to be hoped their feeling of fitness makes up for all the fuss -and regulations. - -Logic is no doubt a good training for owners, leading them to sound -judgment, but horses are not given that way. - -One good point in Lord William’s training was he did not overtrain, -as a rule his horse had a reserve of staying power. - -It will be seen that his lordship had plenty to occupy him, in fact -considerably overworked himself habitually. Yet always cheerful and -comfortably optimistic, and it really requires the temper of an -angel to be able to manage horses, stablemen, jockeys, trainers and -racing authorities. When we bear in mind that this was Lord William’s -recreation, it enables us to form some idea of his busy life. - -The State functions which all had to be arranged by him were no -trifle, any mistakes or incompetence on the part of the Military -Secretary might lead to serious trouble and jealousies. The official -visits of the Rajahs to the Viceroy, our King’s representative -for the time being, requires a special knowledge, each having to -be received according to his rank. Some when coming to pay their -respects have to be fetched, as I have already stated, by the -Military Secretary, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Department, and -an A.D.C. A guard of honour has to await his arrival, much red cloth -spread, and a salute fired of as many guns as his rank entitles him, -and they keep a very sharp and watchful eye, carefully noting these -etiquettes, which are of staggering intricacy when receiving and -paying visits. It is also obligatory that the General commanding the -district should be in attendance with his A.D.C. Nothing must be left -to chance. All is prescribed in the official regulations. - -At the levees and drawing-rooms the Military Secretary reads the -names on the cards handed to him as each person presents himself -to bow or curtsey. Some of the foreign names are rather posers and -shocking mouthfuls. It requires some pluck to tackle them, and it is -surprising what offence is caused if any mistake is made. Supposing -Mrs. De Larpent Fitz-Jones-Ben-Maurice is presented, and the De is -left out or the Fitz-Jones perchance, many apologies and explanations -will have to be made. Besides these functions the viceregal stables -were looked after by the Military Secretary, the French cook Bonsard -and the English coachman with their native underlings to be kept up -to the mark, the ladies’ maids (who usually require so much more -waiting on than their mistresses) to be amused, and the servants -ready to carry them out in rickshaws or jampans, to eat the air, or -in some cases, riding, and I think no one was overlooked or forgotten. - -When on tour his lordship made out each day’s programme in advance, -something after this fashion: - - 8 a.m. The Rajah of ... will send his Sirdars to ask after - the health of the Viceroy. - - 9 a.m. His Excellency will eat his breakfast. - - 10 a.m. His Excellency will smoke and attend to his correspondence. - - 11 a.m. The Rajah will arrive, and the usual ceremonies take - place. - - 12.30. His Excellency will return the Rajah’s visit. - - 1.30. Their Excellencies will have luncheon. - - 2.30. Sports and tent-pegging arranged by the Rajah for - his Excellency’s amusement. - -and so on throughout the day. - -Imagine to yourself having to map out 365 days in this fashion and -please everybody! Truly a great man, and some of the big functions -I have been privileged to witness have sadly needed a Lord William -as stage manager; he would have greatly added to the dignity of the -shows and the persons taking part. - -The official society in Simla at this period was particularly bright -and happy. The Commander-in-Chief at Snowdon, Sir Donald Stewart, -with his kindly wife and family of cheery, happy young people; -the young men on the Viceroy’s staff, other dignitaries and their -belongings, all like one big family, meeting nearly every day; then -the crowd of visitors, officials from all over India on leave with -their wives, officers up on short leave with wives if they own one, -wives sent up for their health, while the husbands are kept working -on the plains (Lord William being sure to look after them), little -children with pale faces hoping to find some roses to take back to -daddy; Lord William kept an eye on them all, ready to sympathise and -help any he thought needing it. - -It was at Simla in Lord Ripon’s time I first met the Rajah of Kooch -Behar and the Maharanee. She had not long been married, was very shy -and rather fragile looking, and wore beautiful silken draperies I -remember. Her husband, the Rajah, was very popular with the English -community, and a great friend of Lord William’s. They had much in -common, as both were fond of racing, polo, and paperchasing, the -latter of course only in the plains and Calcutta. - -A few years ago I met the Maharanee again in London, and introduced -my son to her, she being no longer shy but with an assured and very -charming manner, speaking good English and dressed like the rest of -us. My son said how pleased he was to meet her, he had heard me speak -of her so often. She replied with a charming smile: - -“And now you meet me I hope you are not disappointed.” - -Latterly the Kooch Behars spent a good deal of time in England, where -everybody liked them. - -[Illustration: THE LATE MARQUESS OF RIPON, VICEROY OF INDIA] - -Lord Ripon’s reign was drawing to a close; he left India in November, -1884. More popular with the natives than any previous Viceroy, he was -also much liked by those who worked with him. He was very loyal to -them, but how glad he must have been to return to his own beautiful -home in England. The following farewell is supposed to have emanated -from his Excellency’s pen, it appeared in some local paper at the -time I believe, and was sent to me as a cutting. I therefore do not -know the name of the paper, so cannot ask its permission to quote it, -but feel sure it will have no objection. - - - LORD RIPON’S GOOD NIGHT - - Adieu! adieu! the land of palms - Fades o’er the waters blue; - The loafers yell, the planters roar, - And weeps the mild Hindu. - Apollo his own Bunder gilds, - As slow he sinks from sight: - Farewell to them and thee for aye, - Unhappy land--Good night! - - I leave thy shores to which I steered - With hopes that swelled my heart, - Their shadowy phantoms rise again - To greet me ere I part. - They came not through Sleep’s Ivory Gate, - As once they came, dream-born, - But whence the truer shades arise - From the twin Gate of Horn. - - They tell of many a purpose crossed, - Of disconcerted plan: - Of baffled aims that wisely chide - The imaginings of man: - Of fond desires, of fancied good, - As though could power constrain - All means to justest ends and bring - A golden age again. - - They tell of angry gathering crowds: - Of Faction’s hate-swayed throng: - Of wild words prompting wilder deeds, - Unstayed by heed of wrong; - The cruel taunt, the scornful jest, - The slander that belies, - The coward hiss that rose unshamed - Before a woman’s eyes. - - All save the last in other years - I braved this, this, was spared; - Though fiercer crowds had wreaked the worst - That bigot rage had dared. - I stood for what I deemed the right-- - Ye women-slayers say true! - Have cheeks that never paled for them, - Ere blanched for such as you? - - To win the fickle breath of praise, - No suppliant knee I bow, - And what once Duty pledged to grant, - No fear shall disavow. - I crave not at your hands for aught - But dues that fair lists owe, - And bear ye as ye will, ye meet - At least a gallant foe. - - Yet not alone of these the freight - Their parting message bears, - But auguries of harvest joys - For a seed-time of tears. - The reapers of the summer swathes - Know well that winter’s rain - Must spend its havoc on the soil, - Ere smiles the yellow grain. - - So time shall its own wreck repair, - And they who garner, then, - Forget not that the day’s long heats - Were borne by other men. - Yet not in vain the labour now, - Nor scant the meed unsued, - The richest guerdon toil can earn-- - A people’s gratitude. - - They bring the memories of friends - Who charm on exile shed: - Who lightened weary months of care, - And soothed the fevered bed: - Bold hearts that never failed my side, - In cloud or shine the same: - Still true in the fierce fight that raged - Round Ilbert’s fateful name. - - Come hither, come hither, my trusty Aide, - What turns thy cheek so pale? - What latest fair thou leav’st behind, - Believes thy oft-told tale? - If ’tis some fond delusion paints - Thy happiness at stake, - A heart that holds so many loves, - Fear not, will never break. - - And she for whom thou sighest now, - That fond and faithful she! - Already smiles on other Aides, - And thinks no more of thee. - A simple primrose is to her - But that and nothing more: - And thou wilt find some newer love - Before thou touchest shore. - - Another lord my palace treads, - My reign is past and o’er: - Of me thy shades have seen the last, - Rheumatic Barrackpore! - Let Simla’s typhoid-laden air - Another victim know, - And envy his ungrateful race - That wail in health below. - - Farewell to levees, pageants, routs, - To weeks of endless dinners; - To balls where I must lead the dance - With capering saints and sinners. - Farewell to Rajahs and Nabobs: - To fetid pan and attar, - To coming Russians in Herat - And Rent Bills in Calcutta. - - Farewell, Societies where meet - In concord, whites and blacks: - Associations that defend - What nobody attacks: - The long addresses that pursue - A Viceroy where he goes: - Farewell to Hunter’s bright romance - And Kimberley’s dull prose. - - Farewell to Budgets and Reports, - To critics in the press, - Who nightly weave Arabian tales - Of fiction, fact and guess: - To hourly fears lest Colvin’s glance - Of deficits should tell; - Riots, rupees, and zemindars! - To one and all farewell! - - And all the scathing paper wars - Where Secretaries fight - To prove how sharp the pens they wield, - How smartly they can write: - Official minutes, drafts and notes - And boxes that they fill, - To my successors I bequeath - With one unfinished Bill. - - With thee, my bark, I’ll swiftly speed - Athwart the ocean’s span, - Nor care what land thou bear’st me to, - So not to Hindustan. - Welcome, welcome, ye hastening waves - That homeward wing my flight! - Welcome the Franchise and the Lords. - Distracted land--Good night. - H. S. J. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - LORD DUFFERIN’S VICEROYALTY - - Lord Dufferin Succeeds Lord Ripon as Viceroy--Durbar at Rawal - Pindi to Meet the Amir of Afghanistan--A Few Annoyances--How - it All Ended--Some Presents--Outline of a Viceroy’s Tour--A - Nasty Fall--Sale of Confederacy Horses--“Father Time”--Parlour - Fireworks--A Ride to the Pyramids--Unostentatious Charity--Some - Impositions - - -The Earl of Dufferin succeeded the Marquis of Ripon in 1884. India -hoped great things of him, as he was a man thoroughly experienced in -dealing with delicate situations, having been Governor-General of the -Dominion of Canada, and Ambassador at St. Petersburg; he had also -from 1864 to 1866 been Under-Secretary of State for India. - -Lord Ripon’s zeal for the natives having created a strong and most -undesirable antagonism between the Europeans and natives, the new -Viceroy’s first endeavour was to restore confidence to the European -community without undue reaction, and he succeeded in a measure. - -Lord William remained in his old haunts, being appointed Military -Secretary to the new Viceroy; he also being experienced, all began -smoothly. In domestic politics Lord Dufferin carried out certain -reforms in the tenure of land in Bengal (Bengal Tenancy Act, -passed 1885), and Lady Dufferin started a great work with a view -to providing medical treatment and nursing for native women, of -which I will write later. In all these movements Lord William took -the keenest interest, and he was the oil which helped to keep the -machinery working smoothly. Somebody once said, “A landlord is -the father of his tenants,” then surely a good competent Military -Secretary who has been at his post some years is father, godfather -and nurse all rolled into one to the Viceroy. The private secretary, -Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, was also exceptionally capable and a -man of letters. - -Being so well supported must have been a comfort to Lord Dufferin -during the anxious time which followed his taking office, for there -was still that urgent and difficult question of the Afghan boundary -demanding attention. The hitherto sketchy and uncertain alignment -as arranged and agreed in the 1872-3 Anglo-Russian agreement left -loopholes for controversy, the River Oxus having been regarded as -the boundary or demarcation line. This river had views of its own, -altering its course to suit its own convenience, therefore could not -be relied upon as a satisfactory or definite boundary, but one likely -to lead to misunderstanding. The Russians were also a little pressing -with their influence in the direction of Herat. As we had been led to -look upon that place as “The Key of India,” we had to consider what -was best to be done to prevent its occupation by the Russians. It -may be remembered that Lord Dufferin considered almost any deviation -in the boundary better than offending the Amir and making him -antagonistic to us. - -The forts at Herat were not of much importance, but our prestige -would certainly suffer if we allowed anybody else to occupy the -place, and as India could not spare enough troops either to hold -Herat or even the line of communication between it and Candahar, -Lord Dufferin held much converse with the Government at home, the -Commander-in-Chief in India (Sir Donald Stewart) and the India Office -as to the best mode of procedure, the result of which was we prepared -to send about 25,000 men to Quetta via the Bolan Pass. The Amir -thought he would like to talk over the situation with the Viceroy, -and so it was agreed that the Afghan Chief should meet His Excellency -at Rawal Pindi. In consequence of this arrangement a huge camp was -formed, everything done and carried out on the most magnificent and -impressive scale, such as is beloved by Orientals, plenty of tinsel, -glitter and pomp. - -I have often thought the inhabitants of India, and Afghanistan too -for that matter, must think us very dowdy looking people compared -with their own codes, and indeed we do make a sorry show amongst -their gorgeous jewels, colour and trappings. Perhaps if we were to -appear at their big gatherings and on great occasions with more of -the “rings on our fingers and bells on our toes” that we used to -hear about in our nursery rhymes, we should inspire more admiration -and reverence. I am strongly under the impression that these -colour-loving people look for, and take the outward and visible sign, -as a precursor of the inward and spiritual grace. - -This Durbar at Pindi entailed most elaborate preparations and much -work on the Military Secretary. It really consisted of several -camps, one group for the native princes and chiefs, one for the -British Army, another for the native army, the viceregal camp, one -for the Lieut.-Governor, and various others, making an imposing array. - -Among the guests of the Viceroy were the Duke and Duchess of -Connaught, numerous Lieut.-Governors, Commander-in-Chief, also -members of Council. - -The comings and goings of all these good people, their comfort, the -necessary arrangement of precedence and etiquette was the work of the -Military Secretary, and required some thought and hard work to digest -and assimilate satisfactorily. The worry attached to the arranging -of a camp of this kind is enormous. Lord William did not appear the -least depressed, but quite as cheery and bright as usual, while being -extraordinarily efficient. Of course he had the A.D.C.’s under him, -whom no doubt he had chosen from his knowledge of their capabilities. -It is, however, easy to imagine the worries and anxieties attached to -the occasion. We all know how annoying it is when arranging functions -ourselves, to find at the last moment the _chef_ has been indulging -in something stronger than tea, which has made him quarrelsome, -preferring chasing the kitchen and vegetables maids rather than -attending to the dinner the expectant guests may be awaiting. - -Heaps of annoyances of all sorts and kinds were bound to happen. I -do not know what they all were, but I do know that after making the -most elaborate arrangements for everybody’s comfort, excellent food, -decorations, snowy white tablecloths, etc., the very day of the -Amir’s entry a heavy thunderstorm spoilt everything. The tenants of -the different camps had either to stay where they happened to be and -risk having no dinner, or wade through a swamp. The decorations were -ruined, the tablecloths draggled and limp, the water having poured -through the tents. Elaborate ceremonies under canvas are trying at -any time, but when in addition to natural difficulties everything is -under water, it is truly a hopeless and thankless task. - -Usually these domestic worries fall on the shoulders of women, and -are borne more or less patiently as part of their existence. For -a man to tackle such things and on such a glorified scale will, I -feel sure, take away the breath of those readers who have never seen -what an energetic, undauntable man like Lord William could master. -In a moment, so to speak, he had to reorganise everything. How was -he going to keep people dry, how prevent the rain from spoiling or -even washing away the presents all laid out ready for the Amir, the -diamond ornaments, gewgaws, and oh! horrible thought, the musical -boxes, suppose they refused to be musical in consequence of the wet? -Who could tell what crisis might arise, or whose head be cut off! As -a matter of fact and interest the Amir did bring his own executioner -with him in gorgeous garments, and carrying the emblem of his office, -a battle-axe and a few other suggestive little items, meant, no -doubt, to impress us. - -Before passing on to other matters, it may interest some of my -readers to know what in the Oriental world is considered “good form” -when receiving presents. On this occasion a sword studded with -diamonds round the hilt was presented on a cushion to the Amir, who -on taking it into his hand diplomatically exclaimed, “With this sword -I hope to smite any enemy of the British Government,” repeating his -lesson very nicely. This was quite as it should be, and the Amir had -been well advised, but when the rest of the presents, guns for his -son, musical boxes, watches and all sort of glittering things were -being spread out before him, he pretended not to see, or take the -smallest interest in this part of the show; but as soon as he was -alone with his followers, all were examined carefully, and he was -very pleased. - -When the time arrived for the giving of presents it was understood -the object of the meeting had been obtained, all points carefully -discussed between the Viceroy and the Amir, the latter having -formed clearer views of what was to his own interests (and ours -incidentally); that we were prepared to fight his enemies, assist him -with arms and money, and with him pay attention to the fortification -of Herat, and if he followed our advice we were going to help him to -keep Russia away from his doors. - -The great Durbar was over, and beyond the torrents of rain nothing -much had gone amiss, the elephants told off to take part in the state -procession did not refuse to “process,” the musical boxes did not -refuse to play, and all went well. - -[Illustration: LORD DUFFERIN, FAMILY AND STAFF - -_Left to right. Standing_: Capt. Leonard Gordon, Hon. C. Lawrence, -Capt. Onslow, Col. Harry Cooper, Capt. A. Balfour, Lord Herbrand -Russell, Mr. Goad, D. Findley - -_Sitting_: Col. G. F. Graham, Lady Helen Blackwood, Lord Wm. -Beresford, Miss Thynne, Lord Dufferin, Lady Dufferin, Sir Donald -Mackenzie Wallace - -_On ground_: Capt. C. Burn, Capt. Honble. C. Harbord] - -Then followed the arranging for the return of all the participators -in this pageant. Happily the Amir considered rain a good omen, and -as it rained when he arrived, also when he took his departure, he -must have felt he was in luck’s way. - -Lord William, Captain Harbord, Mr. Durand, and other high officials -drove from the Viceroy’s camp to the Amir’s, preparatory to the final -adieu and to inform him of the arrest of Ayab Khan, thereby easing -his mind, also the tidings that Her Majesty the Queen-Empress had -conferred on him the decoration of the Grand Cross of the Star of -India. - -The Amir left in the Viceroy’s carriage accompanied by these officers -_en route_ for the station with a cavalry escort and body-guard -of the King’s Dragoon Guards. The route was lined with troops who -presented arms every fifty yards. Then a pleasing little speech from -the Amir, and he was on his way back to Kabul. - -Lord William had time again now to breathe freely after his hard -work, and carried back to India and eventually to his home in England -various souvenirs he treasured, presented to him by some of those -attending the Durbar as a small appreciation of his untiring efforts -for their comfort and pleasure. - -Besides the brain work this gathering necessitated the writing it had -entailed was enormous. I append a programme drawn up by the Military -Secretary for Lord Dufferin’s tour from Simla to Calcutta in 1885, -which gives some faint insight into the Military Secretary’s work -every day. Also into that of the Viceroy, for at each place mentioned -in the programme there were numerous people to be interviewed, -some with grievances to be redressed, or petitions of sorts for -the consideration of his Excellency. The landowners look forward -to these visits as they give them an opportunity of personally -explaining their views to their ruler. In addition to all this there -are all the local celebrities to be met and have polite nothings said -to them, the arranging of which takes some writing, some tact and -some talking. It all passes more or less through the hands of the -Military Secretary before being placed in the hands of the Viceroy. - -Think what the Durbar entailed! - - _Memo. of Dates of His Excellency the Viceroy’s route from Simla - to Calcutta, via Nahun, Dehra, Saharunpore, Delhi, Ulwar, Ajmere, - Oodeypore, Indore, Jodhpore, Jeypore, Bhurtpore, Agra, Lucknow, - Cawnpore, and Benares._ - - 1885 DAY STATION REMARKS - - Oct. 20 Tuesday Simla Leave 8.30 a.m. by tonga. - - Dugshai Arrive 1.30 p.m. Lunch. - Leave 3 p.m. Ride on to - Nyna, 9 miles. - - Nyna Viceroy’s Camp; arrive 5.30 - p.m. - - ” 21 Wednesday Nyna to Suran Viceroy’s Camp, 13 miles. - - ” 22 Thursday Suran to Viceroy’s Camp, 13 miles. - Bonytee - - ” 23 Friday Bonytee to Viceroy’s Camp, 12 miles. - Nahun - - ” 24 Saturday Nahun Viceroy’s Camp. - - ” 25 Sunday Nahun to Viceroy’s Camp by tonga. - Majra - - ” 26 Monday Majra Viceroy’s Camp. Shoot. - - ” 27 Tuesday Majra to Viceroy’s Camp. Shoot on - Dehra Dun road. By tonga. - - ” 28 Wednesday Dehra Dun to Inspect remounts, stables, - Sharunpore and gardens in the afternoon. - - ” 29 Thursday Delhi Arrive 9 a.m. by special - train. - - ” 30 Friday Delhi Levee 9 p.m. - - ” 31 Saturday Delhi - - Nov. 1 Sunday Delhi - - ” 2 Monday Delhi Leave 11 p.m. by special - train. - - ” 3 Tuesday Ulwar Arrive 9 a.m. - - ” 4 Wednesday Ulwar Shoot. - - ” 5 Thursday Ulwar to Leave 10 a.m.; arrive 6 p.m. - Ajmere by special train. - - ” 6 Friday Ajmere Levee 9 p.m. - - ” 7 Saturday Ajmere Open College; leave 9 p.m. - by special train to Nimbehera. - - ” 8 Sunday Oodeypore Arrive 6 p.m.; 6 miles by - road. - - ” 9 Monday Oodeypore - - ” 10 Tuesday Oodeypore - - ” 11 Wednesday Oodeypore Leave 9 a.m. by road to Nimbehera. - - ” 12 Thursday Indore Arrive 9 a.m. by special train. - - ” 13 Friday Indore - - ” 14 Saturday Indore Leave 2.30 p.m. - - ” 15 Sunday Jodhpore Arrive 6 p.m. by special train. - - ” 16 Monday Jodhpore Shoot. - - ” 17 Tuesday Jodhpore Shoot. - - ” 18 Wednesday Jodhpore Leave 9 p.m. - - ” 19 Thursday Jeypore Arrive 10 a.m. - - ” 20 Friday Jeypore - - ” 21 Saturday Jeypore - - ” 22 Sunday Jeypore to Leave 10 a.m.; arrive 4.30 - Bhurtpore p.m. - - ” 23 Monday Bhurtpore Shoot; leave 3 p.m. - - ” 24 Tuesday Bhurtpore to Viceroy’s Camp. By special - Agra train; arrive 5 p.m. - - ” 25 Wednesday Agra Levee 9 p.m. - - ” 26 Thursday Agra Levee 9 p.m. - - ” 27 Friday Agra Levee. - - ” 28 Saturday Agra Levee. - - ” 29 Sunday Agra Levee. - - ” 30 Monday Agra Levee. - - Dec. 1 Tuesday Agra Levee. - - ” 2 Wednesday Agra to Leave 9 a.m. - Gwalior - - Dec. 3 Thursday Gwalior to Arrive 4.30 p.m.; leave 11 - Dholepore p.m. - - ” 4 Friday Lucknow Arrive 9 a.m. - - ” 5 Saturday Lucknow - - ” 6 Sunday Lucknow - - ” 7 Monday Lucknow to Arrive 1.30 p.m. - Cawnpore - - ” 8 Tuesday Cawnpore Leave 11 p.m. - - ” 9 Wednesday Benares Arrive 9 a.m. - - ” 10 Thursday Benares - - ” 11 Friday Benares to Leave 11 p.m. - Calcutta - - ” 12 Saturday Calcutta Arrive 9 p.m. - - MILITARY SECRETARY’S OFFICE, SIMLA. - _September 14th, 1885._ - -All this time while Lord William was attending to his duties, his -horses were running in different races, but he was not very lucky, -the 1884-5 Calcutta Meeting was disastrous, one horse after another -going wrong, and Prospero put his lordship’s shoulder out again by -falling with him, in spite of which, swathed in bandages, he rode on -the second day a very good race on the same animal, it being one of -the best races he ever rode, though he did not win. - -Calcutta now had a new grand stand, and the races were run in the -afternoon instead of the morning, which was a popular innovation. At -the Second Calcutta Meeting, Ryder, Lord William’s jockey, also had a -nasty fall when riding Euphrates, the grand one-eyed Arab belonging -to John Wheal, termed by Mr. Abbott the Father of Indian Trainers, -who describing the race says: “Just opposite the Stand, on the other -side of the course, Euphrates, being on his blind side and on the -extreme inside, perhaps shying from the rush of heels behind him, ran -bang into the rails, not only crushing and breaking Ryder’s leg but -continuing to press inwards till the woodwork gave way and Ryder from -sheer weakness fell off, and Euphrates continuing his mad career must -have dashed against a post, for, when caught, it was found he had -knocked his only remaining eye out.” - -On the 28th of January Lord William had another nasty fall, his horse -Jack not rising properly at the first fence, throwing his rider on to -his face. Friends who were near pulled him out of the way before he -got trodden on. He was unconscious and badly cut about the head and -nose, having to be carried back to Government House and put to bed, -though the moment he regained consciousness he wanted to go back to -the races. - -Shortly after this accident Lord William went home on leave, and -badly he wanted the change and rest, for he was showing signs of -overwork, his many accidents had shaken him almost more than he -was aware of; but before leaving India the Durbangah-Beresford -Confederacy horses were put up for sale on the 28th of February -at Messrs. Brown & Co.’s Mart in Calcutta. Very fair prices were -realised as will be seen from the following list: - - Reputation bought by Mr. Hard 1,800 - - Father Prout ” Dr. Hart 700 - - Little Charlie ” Mr. Hard 6,000 - - King of the Vale ” Major Deane 2,500 - - Bassanio ” Mr. Macklin 5,700 - - Zephyr ” Dr. Hart 3,000 - - Glory ” Major Deane 2,000 - - Manfred ” Major Deane 2,500 - - Lapella ” Mr. Croft 1,500 - - Bolieo ” Captain Gordon 3,700 - - Jack ” Dr. Hart 2,500 - - Diamond ” Captain Webb 750 - - Prospero ” Captain Burn 1,000 - - Torpedo ” H. H. Kooch Behar 700 - - Quack ” H. H. Kooch Behar 450 - - Pretender ” Major Deane 1,200 - - Cinder ” -- 1,800 - - Atarin ” -- 1,400 - - Khartoum ” -- 1,200 - - Fariz ” Captain Gordon 650 - - Snuff ” Dr. Hart 900 - -One or two of the best were bought by Mr. Hard for one or other -of the partners of the Confederacy, Reputation and Little Charlie -amongst them. Bassanio, the Australian, who fetched 5,700 rupees, was -bought back in March by Lord William. The Government bought several -for the Stud Department, and a little later purchased good old Jack -from Dr. Hart and sent him as a present to the Amir of Kabul for stud -purposes. Prospero was back again in the stable, and a week or two -before Lord William started for home won the Grand Annual at Meerut, -also the Hurdle Race, and Dynamite a handicap of sorts. - -In April Lord Bill started for home. India felt lonely when he had -gone, especially amongst some of his fair friends. With women absence -often makes the heart grow fonder, but with men it is proximity that -plays the mischief, and Lord William I am afraid forgot to be sad -over the partings, for he found so many more fair friends in the Old -Country anxious to greet him and be kind. - -There was no doubt about it he was beginning to age, to realise how -quickly we drop into middle age. It all comes about so imperceptibly, -perhaps a few grey hairs first awaken us to the change, it suddenly -dawns upon us, time is not standing still, that we have reached the -top of the hill that looked so long and unending, and now behold we -are slipping down the other side, and where are all the lovely views -we expected to find on reaching the top of the hill? Surely they must -have been mirage! It is a curious fact that you may look at yourself -in the glass many times a day but until something happens to force -the fact of a change on you the only image you behold in the mirror -is yourself in _youth_. Even after elasticity has left us, it still -does not dawn upon us we are--of the past. Perhaps nothing brings it -home to us more quickly than meeting some friend of our youth and -finding he has grown ponderous, lost the sparkle, hair grown grey, -eyes dim, and possibly a corporation, this makes us turn an anxious -eye on ourselves to see if similar changes have taken place. - -Lord William never lost his sparkle or his pluck and he never sported -a corporation, but the unceasing energy of his life was telling on -him. It was quite useless begging him to take things more easily -for it was not possible to him. How he did enjoy a joke! I think it -was in 1885 when he was home on this leave that he went with me to -Rose’s toyshop in Sloane Street to find some toy to amuse a small -boy of mine that was delicate. While we were wandering round the -shop a friend came and spoke to me, so Lord William continued his -prowl, looking for likely things. When at liberty once more I found -him with a neat parcel in one hand, and he exclaimed, “I have the -very thing.” “What?” I asked. “Oh, come along, and I will explain -it to you,” so we marched out. I was then told the parcel contained -“Parlour Fireworks.” I suggested they were rather dangerous things, -but the idea was pooh-poohed. They were only pretty coloured lights -that threw up harmless sprays of blue, green and red powdery flame. -One of them he lit in the drawing-room fender to show me how harmless -they were. It seemed all right, so as soon as he had gone and it was -growing dark the small boy, myself and nurses proceeded on to the -flat roof of the house we were then renting in Park Lane, in the -narrow end near Gloucester House, where we felt well protected by the -Duke of Cambridge’s policeman always stationed at his door. The first -few Roman candles we lit were a success and caused great delight, -then I found a queer little box with rules where to light it. I -faithfully followed all the instructions. At first nothing happened, -then suddenly the air was alive with rifle-like reports in rapid -succession, while live squibs, things I believe called crackers, -were flying about cracking in every direction all over the tops of -the houses. What a commotion there was! The policeman ran in every -direction at once and blew his whistle, the jaded sleeping horse in -the laundry van at our area railings suddenly awoke, curled its tail -over its back pug-dog fashion, and set off for all it was worth, -leaving the man in charge, still in the kitchen, probably enjoying -good things. Everybody in the neighbourhood shouted, while we all -scrambled helter-skelter down the narrow staircase leading from -the roof, and on which housemaids had left various pails to dry and -air. These in our haste to descend and hide our heads, we charged, -hurtling them down the stairs in front of us, making a horrible -clatter. - -Arrived at last in our rooms again, we all pretended to be dead while -the policeman came to enquire if we had heard anything, and did we -know anything about it? Our old housekeeper, who had been with us -many years and who was in the secret, faced the policeman, fearing -we might be given away by some indiscreet statements from the other -servants. She, of course, was very indignant that peaceable people -should be liable to such disturbance and hoped the policeman would -make a point of finding out about it, saying: “Really nobody is safe -from bombs and Jack-the-Rippers nowadays.” The policeman promised -to do his best. The following day the morning paper mentioned a -mysterious affair that had occurred in Park Lane, and it was supposed -an attempt had been made to blow up Gloucester House! - -Thinking the matter over after all was calm again and the laundry -man had gone in search of his horse and van I began to wonder how -much of this had been design on the part of Lord William, for it was -a Jack-in-the-Box that exploded making such a noise, harmless in -itself but productive of rather an upheaval. When I told him what had -happened I thought he would never stop laughing. - -I had lately returned from Egypt where I had been staying with -friends who one evening got up a picnic at the Pyramids to which -we were all to ride on donkeys. I was told by that dear good fellow -Gerry Portal, I think, but it is so long ago I am not sure, that -the best donkey in the place had been secured for me, it was a -great gymkhana winner, pure white, and boasted the name of Lord -Charles Beresford. So I rode Lord Charles Beresford to the Pyramids. -Everything was being called Lord Charles or Lord Charles Beresford at -that time, his name was on everybody’s lips, for he was and had been -doing great things in Egypt, and it was considered a great honour for -anyone or anything to be called Charlie. - -I seem to have been recounting many stories of Lord William’s fun -and humour, but none of his thousands of kindly deeds, which were -strewn throughout his life as thickly as blackberries in September. -It is difficult to know where to begin, but I like to think that -when the day came for him to cross the border the spirits of some -of those he had saved from despair, whom he had helped not once but -many times, were waiting to greet and welcome him. I do not think -anyone who went to him for help or sympathy was ever “rebuffed.” At -times he certainly was imposed on, though he would not believe it, -and even when it came home to roost, as it occasionally did, he was -most forgiving. One individual in particular I remember in India. He -had been in a good cavalry regiment, but got into trouble at one of -the Umballa Race Meetings I have already described when there was -heavy plunging, trying to recover himself and place his finances on -a firm footing again, he only slipped further into the mire, until -in a hopeless mess; he then, to make matters worse, outstayed his -leave, and was turned out of the service. This man was well known -throughout India, and was an extraordinary character, blessed with -good looks, a fine figure and physique, a charming tenor voice, it -seemed there was much to be thankful for. Lord William thought if -once this man was put on his legs again, given a fresh start, he -might pull himself together and be more lucky; he therefore paid -up for him, and befriended him in every way. This friend, whom we -will call Captain X., now devoted his life to racing in India, and -he became a formidable opponent, as he had good hands and judgment, -and I doubt if there was a racecourse in India that had not made his -acquaintance. It was not long before he was in trouble again; once -more Lord William and Lord Airlie came to the rescue, meeting with -gross ingratitude, for the man could not be straight, he failed and -robbed his benefactors at every turn. Lord William was only full of -pity that such a talented, fine chap should go hopelessly wrong. -Captain X. was very good company, a very fast runner and a strong -swimmer; all this appealed to Lord Bill, who tried his hardest to -save him, but it was no use. I have been told eventually he helped -the man to go away to another country and try again. - -Lord William always said his sympathies were with the sinners, but I -think they were with everybody in every station of life. - -Riding through Cantonments one day he met a soldier’s wife carrying -a heavy child who was looking ill. He asked why she carried it, and -on hearing it was ill and she could not drag it along after her, and -the air was good for it, he expressed his sorrow for its ill-health, -spoke a few cheering words, and rode on. That evening a perambulator -arrived from an anonymous donor at the door of the sick child’s -mother. - -More times than I can number have boys fresh out from home been -saved from making “asses of themselves,” as Lord William expressed -it, by his counsel and help. A youth I knew came out to join a crack -regiment. He had more money than was good for him, and fancied -himself not a little. His mother wrote asking me to be kind to -him. I endeavoured to mother him, but he was so certain he knew -everything and was a fine fellow going to show everybody the way, -it was difficult to guide or help him. He began racing and betting. -Naturally there were older hands at that game than himself, and he -got into trouble. At last, when he had come to the end of all his -resources, he came to me, but as he was then heavily involved with a -native money-lender, I felt it was beyond my powers, and asked if I -might consult a friend if I mentioned no names. This I was permitted -to do, and sought Lord William’s help. He told me not to trouble -about it at all, but send the lad to him. After some discussion -he rather ungraciously accepted Lord William’s offer, and went to -see him. Happily this turned out better than the other case I have -mentioned, for the boy came back radiant, to tell me Lord William was -going to settle with the money-lender and put him straight, and when -he came into his uncle’s property, which was bound to fall to him -before very long, he was going to put it all right with Lord William, -but as he had no power to anticipate the money he could only give his -word of honour about it. - -I wonder if there was anybody but Lord William who would have done -this. When in the evening I met my old friend and thanked him for -helping the lad with such uncertain security, he replied, “Oh, I -never expect to see it again, but he’s a nice boy and has promised -to come to me for tips before plunging again.” It rejoices me to -be able to say all _was_ paid back and Lord William had a faithful -and devoted friend as long as the poor lad lived. He died of heart -failure on a P. & O. going home on leave. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - DEAR LONDON AGAIN - - The Man Who Thought He Was King--A Dance After Dinner--How It - Ended--Corney Grain in Disgrace on the Door-mat--Racing--Trouble - in Burmah--Lord Dufferin and Lord William Go There--Collecting the - Offertory in Church--Some Schemes of Interest - - -Those few months of leave in 1885 picked Lord William up wonderfully, -and he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the time after his nine -years of India, a big slice out of the prime of a man’s life, but -he had the satisfaction of feeling he had faced the music, so to -speak, by beginning his life afresh, yet returning after nine years -comfortably off, and holding a high position of great responsibility, -thanks to nobody but himself. Viceroys came and went, but Lord -William Beresford remained, year in and year out, becoming the -cornerstone of the social fabric of India, and ruling its society -with an iron hand, though very much gloved in velvet. - -I remember comparing notes with him as to what we looked forward -to most on returning to England after a spell abroad. He said he -“yearned for Curraghmore and Piccadilly, and after that devilled sole -and brown bread and butter!” - -Most people will, I think, sympathise with Lord William in his -longing for dear feverish London. She casts a spell over us all, -and when we are exiles the remembrance of her brings on more fits of -home-sickness than almost anything else, visions of Piccadilly come -back to us as we remember her perhaps in the still early morning, -when returning from balls and parties, the streets deserted by all -save a few market carts filled with cabbages and other garden produce -on the way to Covent Garden Market, a few lonesome souls sleeping -on benches between the policeman’s “move on” visits; or perhaps the -visions that come back to us are the evenings when the hurrying mass -of people, the cabs and carriages were all shrouded in the blue-grey -misty haze peculiar to London at night. We remember how we used to -speculate on where they were all hurrying to, and fit histories to -them, all so bent on tasting and testing life, often regardless -of consequences. Each individual wearing that self-absorbed -mind-your-own-business air, that is one of the fascinations of a -great city. - -Lord William said he felt “beside” himself with joy when he again -beheld the buses and heard the newspaper boys, and then “The Eton -Boating Song,” so wrought with memories, played on a street organ -filled him with an ecstasy of joy and sadness. He heard again the -splash of the oars, saw again the pals of those old days whose names -were at one time on everybody’s lips, now only little black splashes -of ink on white paper. - -I wonder if any of my readers remember the fine old man who used to -sit in the Row during the summer of 1885 fancying himself king; the -way he used to swagger up as if all the world belonged to him, his -servant walking immediately behind him watching for the imperious -wave of his master’s hand, which, being interpreted, meant he -wished to sit down. Two chairs were then hastily arranged, on one -of which he sat down with a good deal of action, the other proudly -supported his legs. This arrangement took up a good deal of room -where people were walking up and down, but nobody interfered with -this aristocratic-looking, well dressed and groomed old man, with his -large flowing moustache and huge button-hole, consisting one day of a -sunflower, another a peony, or something equally remarkable. The old -gentleman used to talk a good deal to himself about the bad manners -and ingratitude of his subjects who passed up and down without bowing -to him. We often wondered who he was. One day Lord William found -out from a policeman on duty in the park. An accident had upset the -equilibrium of the old sportsman’s brain, but he was quite harmless -and nobody objected to him, so he was allowed to remain. As our bad -manners and ingratitude caused him so much uneasiness, Lord William -suggested we should muster strong one day and march past in couples, -bowing deeply. We felt a little nervous as to what might happen, but -acquiesced, and we all marched past bowing and smiling, being amply -repaid for our courage by the evident pleasure of the king, who -took off his hat with a graceful flourish to us and presented the -sunflower out of his button-hole to one of the girls of our party. - -Memories of those days come tumbling over one another with such -rapidity it is hard to know where to stop, the pleasure is so great -in recalling them. - -One evening I remember well, during that same leave (I think) of -Lord William’s, he was dining with us, and after dinner somebody -said would I play some dance music as they wanted to dance, so we -adjourned to the dining-room and had it cleared at one end. After -dancing awhile, the men began American cock-fighting. There were some -fierce encounters and amusing scenes. I was still sitting by the -old cottage piano which stood in a corner of the room, when one of -the combatants, breathless from a contest with Lord Bill, came and -leaned against the piano whilst drinking a whisky and soda. Somehow -accidentally the greater part of the whisky and soda got upset down -into the vitals of the piano, the top being open at the time. - -Poor old piano, it is going still, but the shock to its nervous -system was so great it every now and then has the sulks for a time, -until coaxed by a tuner into fresh efforts. - -At the party to which I am referring, I remember the men with us were -Corney Grain, Gerry Portal, Jim Lowther, Lord Hay of Kinfauns, and -my young brother, as well as Lord William. Those who knew the men -will guess what the evening was like. I was afraid we should disturb -the neighbourhood with our laughter over an impromptu that Corney -Grain gave us at the partially intoxicated piano of his experiences -at the houses of some of his patrons where he had been engaged to -amuse the guests. No names were mentioned, but so excellent was his -mimicry that we at once recognised a number of people. Having been -cheered and heavily patted on the back he proceeded to give us a -musical sketch of a certain V.C. hero on board ship making love to -a shy young lady. Lord Bill was much tickled and so were we. It was -screamingly funny, and with our eyes shut we could have imagined it -was Lord William speaking, or perhaps I should say cooing. - -This was followed by another sketch, this time Gerry Portal supposed -to be bamboozling some foreign potentate into believing we, the -British, were doing everything for his good, from pure unadulterated -philanthropy, while really benefiting ourselves. This was considered -too much, and brought the house down. They all set upon Mr. Grain, -who, I had better explain for those who never saw him, was a huge -man both in height and figure. He clung desperately on to the -music-stool with his legs and the piano with his hands, until the -piano, music-stool, and Mr. Grain began to move together first in one -direction and then another. Lord William tried to get his arms round -Mr. Grain’s rather voluminous waistcoat, and Mr. Gerry Portal tried -to untwiddle his legs from the music-stool. Jim Lowther seized the -tea-cosy from the sideboard and clapped it over the musician’s head. -This led to one hand relinquishing its grip on the side of the piano -to remove the head-dress, a weak moment on Mr. Grain’s part, for he -got separated from the instrument and dragged half across the room -when crack went the long-suffering music-stool, and he was on the -floor. My brother held the door open while the rest tried to eject -the man who dared to be ribald about Mr. Portal’s foreign policy, -but each time when it was nearly accomplished out flew a huge and -long leg slamming the door to again. At last, when all were hot and -exhausted, Mr. Grain was laid unresisting on the front-door mat. - -We received many apologies next day from our guests for being -so uproarious, and Lord Bill wished to provide a new piano and -music-stool, but of course we would not hear of it. I never mean to -part with that piano, even when it gives up the ghost, for it has -witnessed many cheery parties, and has been with me long voyages -north, south, east and west. - -In addition to all this froth and frolic Lord Bill had been doing -some useful business in the way of buying race-horses for himself -and his friends. He had also engaged the lightweight jockey named -Dunn, who arrived in India about the same time as his lordship -returned, ready for the October meeting at Umballa. While at home he -had purchased and sent out two or three horses and a pony for Indian -racing, amongst them, Metal, in hopes of carrying off some prizes at -Calcutta. The horse came from the Duke of Westminster’s stable, but -had disappointed his owner in the Goodwood Cup, Baron Hirsch’s horse -just beating him. What a cheery meeting it was, the 9th Lancers being -there under orders for home. They marched out of the station on the -last day of the races, the whole of the white population turning out -to give them a hearty send-off. - -A great number of racing men collected there, combining their wish to -see the 9th Lancers off for home and see some racing. All were in -great form, and the fun was tremendous. - -Lord William’s valuable Prospero won three races for his owner. -Dynamite and Oliver Twist also won a race each. - -A rising Armenian barrister in Calcutta was also present, having -conceived a passion for racing and started a stable for the purpose. - -In the club at Umballa on settling day a sporting match was arranged -between this barrister named Mr. Gasper and Lord Bill, the suggestion -coming from the former. The match was for 2000 rupees a side, P.P., -each horse to carry not less than 8 stone 4 lbs., distance ¾ mile. -Horses to be named by 1 o’clock the day before the race, which was -to be run the last day of the first Calcutta meeting, horse to be -nominated by Lord William Beresford must be his property or the -property of H.H. the Maharajah of Durbangah. - -Lord William hoped to win this on one of his new purchases named -Metal, but when the day arrived the horse was ill with colic so Mr. -Gasper’s Regulater walked over. - -Great things were expected of Metal, and as the Maharajah of -Durbangah was very anxious to win the Viceroy’s Cup Lord William -sold the horse to him just before the race, and His Highness had the -pleasure of seeing his colours carried first past the post. - -Tim Whiffler, who had been bought at the same time as Metal, had so -far not done anything worthy of record or the pay for his keep, and -at Tollygunge, running for the Ballygunge Cup, he went head over -heels at the first hurdle, rolling on his rider. This was an unlucky -race for most of the riders, as every horse fell except the winner, -Mr. Charles Moore’s Prospect. The second day Tim Whiffler won a race -after another fall. - -At the second Calcutta meeting in January, Metal won the Kooch Behar -Cup after a good race with Sir Greville, belonging, I believe, to -Major Prior. - -Trouble had been brewing in Burmah for some time, and Lord Dufferin -decided he would go and see for himself if things were working -satisfactorily. The British resident had been withdrawn owing to -King Thebaw (chiefly at the instigation of his unprincipled wife) -having massacred all the men-kind of the Royal Family with a view -to ensuring the stability of his throne. Commercial relations were -however maintained, and whispers reached Lord Dufferin of some sort -of treaty having been signed between the Burmese and the French, -by which the valuable ruby mines with other perquisites which in -parliamentary language would be termed accessories, had been leased -to a French trading company. - -All this pointed to trouble in the future, especially as King Thebaw -was known to have expressed himself of the amiable intention of -driving “the white devils into the sea,” also it would not be wise to -allow British trades to be excluded. This was politely but forcibly -pointed out to the King, who was evasive and unsatisfactory. The -Secretary of State then gave instructions for an immediate advance -on Mandalay. King Thebaw begged for time, but was told nothing but -instant submission would be considered, under which circumstances -he would be spared and treated properly. He was only allowed a few -minutes in which to make up his mind, and it was thanks to this -promptness and decided policy of ours that the campaign came to a -satisfactory conclusion so quickly and with so little loss of life. -But we were not quite out of the wood as China was asking pertinent -questions about our future policy; but all was explained and approved -in a short time, and a convention signed giving England a free hand -in Burmah. In consequence of all this Lord Dufferin started on -February 3rd, 1886, to see for himself what was happening. Burmah -lying directly on the east of Bengal with a population of four -millions, it was regarded as a frontier over which we should keep a -jealous eye and some control. Besides, he was anxious that commercial -relations should be established with Thibet. Lord William as Military -Secretary was in attendance on His Excellency, receiving the medal -and clasp, being mentioned in despatches, and promoted to Brevet -Lieut.-Colonel. Speaking of the Burmese ladies he said they were most -enlightened and independent people, choosing their own husbands and -divorcing them also if they wished to do so. - -The Viceroy was anxious to have our army considerably increased -in India. In Lord Ripon’s time the native army had been reduced, -but Lord Dufferin thought owing to changed circumstances a fresh -arrangement should be made, and that we should be in a position to -launch a strong force of both British and native troops on short -notice against any neighbour whose conduct was suspicious and -unsatisfactory. He also felt it would be better for the country -itself, but all he could get from the Government was an extra 11,000 -men. Both Lord Dufferin and the Commander-in-Chief were against the -short service system for India, thinking both from the point of -utility and economy longer service would be better. - -The work of the India Office filtered more or less through the hands -of the Military Secretary; he therefore was well posted in all these -questions under consideration and discussion. - -Especially was he interested in Lord Roberts’ scheme for doing -away with the old army canteen, for it was he who inaugurated “The -Institute,” where not only could the men get their beer, but food as -well; they could sit down comfortably and write letters, play games -and read the papers. Places of this sort had been a long-felt want, -and they have been great successes and certainly conducive to less -drunkenness. - -During Lord Dufferin’s time several important steps were taken in -the way of military reform, as he expressed himself plainly on the -difficulties of military administration under dual control, for -while the organisation and commissariat were worked by the superior -Government at home, the discipline, training, equipment, and matters -of that sort were ruled by the Commander-in-Chief. - -Neither were the native troops forgotten, for now in commemoration -of the Queen’s Jubilee they received medals for good conduct and any -special services, also gratuities in much the same way as the English -soldiers. - -Lord William, and indeed most of the thinking community in India at -this time were anxious as to the result of the higher education of -the natives, who, though finding their feet, were not yet able to use -them. He felt the education ought to benefit both them and us, but -would it? - -I have often doubted whether some, even of Lord William’s more -intimate friends, fully recognised the more serious side of his -character. The world is ever prone to think that brilliancy excludes -wisdom, and gaiety is the enemy of common sense. As a matter of -fact there was a world of deep feeling and strength of character -underlying Lord William’s light-hearted manner. - -At a big dinner party at Government House, Bombay, I remember -hearing a number of people discussing Lord William, his career, -racing successes, deeds of daring, etc., when someone asked the -rather unexpected question, “What is his religion?” The then -Commander-in-Chief replied, “I don’t believe he’s got one.” This was -surprising coming from a man who was both officially and socially -in almost daily association with him, proving what I have so often -thought that the faces of those around us, even those of our nearest -and dearest, may be photographed on our brains, while yet we know -little of their minds and hearts; they are sealed books to us. - -Lord William’s religious feeling was profound, though his views -were not altogether orthodox, but there are some dogmatic doubts -while leading us away from the altar bring us nearer to the Throne. -Aristippus tells us “Good cheer is no hindrance to a good life.” His -lordship agreed with this founder of Hedonistic philosophy, but I -doubt if he had been asked to put down in black and white what his -religious convictions were, whether he could have clearly defined -them, any more than a great number of people could. It would be good -for us all if we had to put our faiths and beliefs into writing, but -what confused and contradictory statements they would make, and how -annoyed we should be if anybody dared to say so to us. Faith and -reason unfortunately will not walk kindly hand in hand, and Lord -William felt that amid the latter-day clash of theories, new fields -of thought were being opened to us, thoroughly recognising how some -of the old moth-eaten shibboleths, we have so often repeated, have -prevented us forming unbiased judgments. He maintained that ancient -religions had no creeds but were fed and brought up, so to speak, on -institutions and facts. Faith is not peculiar to Christianity, it -is the ordinary characteristic of the highly developed religions. -Lord Bill always said he felt it was possible to be a good Christian -without being a theologian. I think “good Christian” exactly -describes Lord Bill, yet how hard it is to define a good Christian -when ideals among Christians differ so greatly in different countries -and ages. St. Ethelreda was canonised for never washing; this was -not Lord Bill’s Christianity, though I have known some people who -certainly qualified, but as far as I know, have as yet, had no -justice displayed towards them. Then again St. Onofries was called a -saint because he disappeared into the desert seeing nobody and doing -nothing (so he said), but this saint does not matter at the present -moment; what does matter is the extreme difficulty we all find in -locating the middle distance between two points, when the points do -not stand still. - -Lord William had his faults in common with the rest of us, but not -many can comfort themselves with the belief that they have done as -many kindly acts. He may not always have been aware of the amount -of good he did, for kindly acts towards ourselves make us kindly -to others, thereby forming a common good. That the happiness of -everybody depends to a certain extent on the forbearance and help -of others was part of Lord Bill’s religion. His charities, which -were many, were not of the order that creates multitudes of sins, -but covered them up, often, and helped those who had made grievous -mistakes, to begin afresh. - -The nice little church at Simla used to echo with the sound of Lord -William’s clinking spurs as he walked up the aisle. One Sunday when -he was carrying round the collection plate, he halted in front of -a canny old colonel whose careful habits had made him decline to -subscribe towards the Annandale Races, which had annoyed Lord Bill, -so he held the plate, whispering audibly, “It’s Zenana this time, not -Gymkhana!” - -The scene outside this church on Sundays and high days was curious, -as in the hills everybody rode to church, or came in hand-carried -or drawn equipages. When all the rank and fashion had entered the -building the syces with the many ponies congregated for a smoke and -chatter. The men who ran with the rickshaws and jampans after their -kind, followed suit, arranging their carriages in neat rows. The -owners usually dressed their carriers and runners in some distinctive -livery. One would have, say, claret-coloured coat, cut fairly long, -hanging square over the draped loin cloths which are worn instead of -trousers; only the head man indulged in this form of civilisation. -This combination of coat and loin cloth finished off with possibly a -yellow cumberbund twisted round their waists, and yellow puggeries -round their heads. Others would have brown and blue, and so on, -only the Viceregal party using scarlet, the many colours of the -liveries and the grouping of the natives and their charges forming a -picturesque foreground to the church, though very unusual to the mind -of the everyday English church-going community. - -There were several matters occupying Lord William’s mind at this -time. The enlargement of the Annandale racecourse for one; this was -a great undertaking and a considerable expense which will be readily -understood, as big ravines had to be filled in and levelled as well -as portions of hills removed. His lordship subscribed handsomely -towards it himself, and some of the native princes, who were always -ready to help him in his endeavours for the good or pleasure of -the community, came to the fore also, subscribing liberally. While -the alterations were being carried out the usual races and sports -were taking place, tent-pegging, tilting at the ring, riding one -pony while leading another over the jumps, rickshaw races, which -proved highly exciting for the occupants, and mirth-provoking to the -on-lookers. - -The building of the new Viceregal Lodge or Government House -also occupied a good deal of time, Lord Dufferin supervising and -directing. I have often wondered what the natives must have thought -when they had to build white-tiled kitchens and bath-rooms, and still -more what they felt when called upon to use a correct up-to-date -kitchen equipment. - -I well remember when first I arrived in India being full of -high-flown ideas of revolutionising the cooking and cook-house -system. I was warned not to interfere, but to eat what was placed -before me and leave well alone; however, I was full of ardour and -proceeded to the cook-house to inspect the cooking-pots and arrange -everything to my liking. My splendid theories were doomed to instant -death. My experiences were such that for days I was without appetite -and never again had the pluck to face the cook-house. That was -long ago, no doubt now the natives have learnt to live up to and -appreciate modern luxuries. - -Last, but by no means least, came Lady Dufferin’s scheme for the -benefit of Indian women. The Queen had asked Her Excellency just -before leaving for India to see what could be done to provide proper -medical aid and nursing for native women, who from their traditional -faiths and customs were unable to avail themselves of the knowledge -and help of men doctors. Lord William was very enthusiastic about -the work which was interesting Lady Dufferin, who, with her usual -thoroughness, soon placed it on firm feet. There was so much to -be considered; first of all the question of finance, still more -difficult the inherited traditional prejudices to be overcome in -conjunction with the superstitions and ignorance of the people of -India. For generations the appalling loss of life through ignorance -in the East had been regarded with the hebetude of fatalism. -Nevertheless in 1885 the work was begun under the mouth-filling title -of “The Countess of Dufferin’s National Association for supplying -female medical aid for the women of India.” It is well to take a good -long breath before starting on this impressive title. - -Considering that the undertaking entailed the collecting of the -necessary funds, suitable places being found for the hospitals and -dispensaries, women to be trained as doctors, midwives, and hospital -assistants, and that each and all had to be under the superintendence -of or in the working hands of women for the treatment of their own -sex and children, it is really remarkable that it was so soon in more -or less working order, and speaks volumes for Lady Dufferin’s energy -and for the help of her co-workers. - -I remember Lord William saying it would have a more far-reaching -civilising influence in the country than any other measure hitherto -contemplated. That these women doctors and nurses have been zealous -and capable is proved by the work that has been done. In 1901, that -is in six years, 1,755,734 patients passed through their hands, the -increase between the years 1895 and 1900 being 88,000, the whole of -this treatment having been carried out by forty fully qualified lady -doctors called 1st grade, 322 surgeons, 2nd grade, meaning they had -been taught in India and held that country’s qualifications, and 175 -hospital assistants and helpers called 3rd grade. - -The medical profession for man or woman is one that demands great -sacrifice, and it is a calling that perhaps comes the least before -the lime-light, for it does not advertise, seeks no rewards, no -medals, clapping, or bands to cheer and encourage, yet many are daily -performing heroic deeds, burning the candle at both ends in the cause -of suffering humanity, and for what? Not applause, they get none, not -reward, they get none from the world, but for love of their work, -because they feel there is no higher calling. I do not think many -people know how much this great work is indebted to Lord William’s -collecting and his own personal assistance. Anything in the way of -sickness and suffering appealed strongly to him. The Clewer Sisters -in Calcutta also have little idea where some of the anonymous gifts -came from that were I know from Lord William. Many treats enjoyed by -children were the result of Lord William’s thought and financing, but -he did not like people to know; he only wanted to make them happy and -reaped a real happiness himself in witnessing their pleasure. - -He was keenly interested in the leaps and bounds made in later years -in the science and art of medicine. He could remember when it was the -proper thing to bleed people for fainting fits and apoplexy, when -it was quite usual to use the same family pocket knife to prune the -roses and perform minor operations, before what they a little later -called the faddists’ silly craze for sterilising instruments, came -into vogue. “Such silly fuss and nonsense!” Though, if I remember -right, it was only in George the II’s reign that a law was passed -forbidding the company of barbers from practising the art and science -of surgery, which sounds rather like Punch but is nevertheless a -fact, and can be found by an anxious enquirer in Statute 18, Cap. XV. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - SOME SPORTING MEMORIES - - Lord William’s Driving--One of Two Experiences--A Sermon in the - Smoking-room--Useful Shirt Cuffs--Convenient Handwriting--New - Year’s Parade--A Waiting Race--A Spoilt Meeting--Purchase of Myall - King--Dufferins Leave India--Rules Issued by Lord William for Their - Departure - - -The Autumn Race Meeting at Meerut saw Prospero win the Merchants’ -Purse, value 1,000 rupees, for Lord William, Ryder up; also the -St. Leger, value 1,500 rupees, with Tim Whiffler. The same month -(October) FitzWilliam won the Steward’s Purse at Lucknow, 2,110 -rupees, the Pony Derby, 2,410 rupees, with Little Nell, all ridden by -Dunn. I have heard the winner of the Pony Derby called “Little Hell,” -partly from affection and partly because she gave others so little -chance, I presume! - -I have always been under the impression that there is more money -to be made out of ponies and pony racing than in Viceroy’s cups. -In India a man who is a good judge of horse-flesh and knows their -points can often pick up ponies fairly cheaply in the serais, sort -of village cattle-market, where dealers are to be found with horses -and ponies for sale. Then if the purchaser has good hands and good -temper, he may be able to train some into good polo ponies, and -possibly win a race or two in a small way, after which good prices -may be realised, though some of the ponies bought in the rough, have -a tiresome way of growing after having reached the required height, -skilful shoeing is then the best chance to make them register the -proper standard. If after this they still persist in being too big -they can be sold as ladies’ hacks, if a woman has ridden them once. - -Many poor men have been able to enjoy their lives and have all they -wanted in reason, thanks to their training and selling ponies they -have bought with an eye to business. I am speaking of some years ago, -possibly ponies and prices are different now. - -The Simla season ends in October, and the gaiety and festivities are -carried on at Calcutta on a more pronounced scale though with less -of the family party feeling, owing to the larger community. The poor -big-wigs do not have much peace in either place, it is so difficult -to escape from people, who, though doubtless are many of them -charming in themselves, the amount of bowing and scraping they entail -is fatiguing. - -One Commander-in-Chief I knew simplified matters by riding along -looking straight ahead and seeing nobody, taking no more notice of -the crowd of amiable people waiting to bow and smile than if they -were so many little dogs wagging their tails. At first this gave -offence, which did not greatly upset the good man’s calm, but before -long it was recognised as a mercy and something to be thankful for. - -Lord William’s coach was quite a feature in Calcutta Society, the -turn-out was smart, the driver cheery, and a good whip, small wonder -that most people liked to receive an invitation to accompany his -lordship on some of his jaunts. I have sat beside some pretty whips -one time and another in my life, far and away the most accomplished -being Lord William Beresford; next to him a good second was the late -Mr. Ben Cotton, for some time Master of the Isle of Wight Foxhounds. - -One year after the races at Calcutta, where Lord William had been -riding in several and had a bad fall, dislocating his shoulder, -notwithstanding which he drove his coach laden with friends off the -course, through the thronged streets, the horses very fresh and -pulling hard; but beyond the fact that he was looking very white -nobody would have known anything was the matter with him, and all -reached their homes in safety. - -Another day when returning from a picnic at the Botanical Gardens on -the opposite side of the river to Calcutta his coach-load had a near -shave of a nasty accident. Sir John Hext, who was on the staff of -two Viceroys with Lord Bill, was one of the party at the time, and -tells me they started away from the trysting-place rather late, when -it was quite dark, and somehow managed to miss the road; the horses -were longing to get away, and were scarcely under control. Having -got off the road the next thing to do was to get on again as soon as -possible, not an easy matter, but nobody spoke, and Lord William kept -his head; by a piece of dexterous driving he tooled them safely under -large low hanging branches of trees, round trunks of trees, and over -all sorts of uncomfortable places before reaching their destination. -All on board were holding their breath awaiting disaster at any -moment, happily none occurred, thanks to good driving. - -I really think Lord William thoroughly enjoyed hairbreadth escapes; -he always seemed especially pleased after one that would have left -most people limp, to say the least of it. His driving powers were -certainly put to the test sometimes, and during exciting and critical -moments his eyes seemed to become bigger, bluer, and fiercer. - -Coming over the Howrah Bridge one day, the hook of the pole-piece -came off and dropped the bars on to the leaders’ hocks. This not -being part of the usual programme they objected to it, not quite -knowing what was the proper thing to do under the circumstances, -whether to kick the thing to pieces, jump over the bridge, or run -away. Owing to their not being concerted in their action Lord William -decided it for them, allowing them a little of each, but none for -long; owing no doubt to these little concessions there was no -accident, but when all reached home safely a few pointed remarks were -made to the man who had been entrusted with the revarnishing of the -coach, in return for his forgetfulness in not bolting the pole-piece -on again properly. - -Sir John Hext, now Rear-Admiral, was a great friend of Lord Bill’s -(they were on Lord Dufferin’s and Lord Lansdowne’s staff together), -he tells me an interesting story of his old friend; it happened at -the end of one of the Calcutta race weeks. As usual Lord William had -been hard at work all day. There was an extra large party staying -in Government House, it had overflowed to such an extent that Lord -William was obliged to put up tents in the grounds for some of the -young soldiers and men who were of the party. After dinner the -aides-de-camp’s room was full of men guests staying in the house. Lord -William came in late about 11.30 and, not seeing Sir John and Capt. -Harbord, fellow-staffites, curled up in arm-chairs at the far end of -the room, he proceeded to preach what was virtually a most excellent -sermon on the evils of gambling and racing, holding himself up as the -frightful example. Sir John says, “If that sermon could have been -taken down by a shorthand writer, and a few slight expurgations made, -it was one that any Bishop might have been proud to preach. Being -without exceptions the most practical sermon he ever heard in his -life.” - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD IN 1886] - -One of the most remarkable things about Lord William was his memory; -he never forgot anything and was the soul of punctuality, which -considering his multitudinous duties was praiseworthy. He was little -short of a genius, for even when Government House was crammed full -of guests to overflowing, all to be servanted and fed, each to be -treated with the consideration demanded by their rank, endless -dinners, parties, and receptions to be arranged with carefully -considered etiquette and precedence, people to be met, taken away, -amused; Rajahs’ and Nabobs’ interviews with His Excellency to be -arranged, the stables to be attended to, with at least sixty horses -for the use of the Government House party. This alone is no trifle. -It was part of Lord William’s work to have horses suitable to all -occasions. There must be tame and docile carriage-horses for Her -Excellency, who may be nervous, but they must step up to their noses -and look full of mischief, otherwise they would not be impressive and -therefore valueless for their purpose; as it is important that all -state ceremonials should be highly spectacular. Then the chargers for -His Excellency must understand birthday parades and _feux de joie_ -for it would never do to have the Viceroy standing on his head in -the middle of the Maidan, while his charger either joined the crowd -of onlookers or returned to the stables. Lord William took endless -pains to train the horses to their special duties, like the Balaclava -heroes, guns were fired to the right of them, guns to the left of -them, just by way of practice and to teach them to behave nicely -and pretend they heard nothing, and if they did--well what matter. -There must also be plenty of carriages and horses at the disposal -of the guests. The mounts must be chosen to suit the prowess of the -individuals. One may want to cut a dash in a paper-chase, another -simply a gentle amble to eat the air, and so on. Once a Bath-chair -was requisitioned, but Lord William never turned a hair. A Bath-chair -was forthcoming at the time it was desired, where it came from was -a mystery. Then there were the viceregal tours already mentioned to -be arranged some time in advance. Picture what it means to write out -programmes for 365 days in advance--not for one person--but for many. - -After all his duties had been attended to most punctiliously there -were his own horses and affairs requiring attention. Yet never was -there as much as a cushion forgotten for Her Excellency. Beyond a -tiny notebook and his shirt sleeves everything was carried in his -head. I have seen some wonderful notes on the cuffs of his shirt. An -English laundry-maid of an enquiring turn of mind might have compiled -an amusing diary from them, though a little cryptic. Seeing some -hieroglyphics on one of his cuffs one day at luncheon, I asked if I -might be permitted to know what they meant; he shot out the cuff and -showed it to me; it was not altogether easy to decipher, but with a -little assistance I read: - -“Viceroy’s bath.” “Sack Syce.” “19 Guns.” “Pacify Mrs. B.” - -He explained he had made a note of these little items requiring -attention. I asked if it was part of his duty to give the Viceroy a -bath, but he said, “No, but the bath leaked and his note reminded -him to replace it with a sound one.” “Sack Syce” meant there had -been slackness in the stables and a certain syce would have to go. -Nineteen guns sounded a big order and rather mysterious, but it had -to do with a Native Prince who considered he had not received enough -salutes or too many, I forget which, and his lordship wished to -adjust the matter. Then came “Pacify Mrs. B.” I gathered a certain -lady had been deeply pained at the way her name had been spelt on -one of the invitation cards, a very important “e” had been left out, -which made her name look quite commonplace, and she felt it had been -done on purpose. Lord William was going to put the matter straight -and the “e” in its right place. - -It can easily be imagined the amount of correspondence Lord William -had to attend to, it was enormous, happily he had a clerk who wrote -so like him it was almost impossible to tell one from the other. The -Military Secretary was much praised for being such a good sort, fancy -so busy a man answering all the letters himself! That clerk was most -convenient. - -Lord William used to tell some amusing stories of the way people -approached him with a view to using his influence with the Viceroy -in their favour. Various methods were adopted by those who wanted -his help, they mostly began by expressing great affection for his -lordship, and profound admiration. - -Being a kind-hearted man, Lord Bill did his best to further -everybody’s wishes, and if they were in any way possible presented -the matter to His Excellency for consideration. - -Occasionally some Native Chief thought he ought to have some -concessions, decorations or invitations, and asked Lord William to -help him in the matter, once when this had occurred and the answer -was longer coming than the Chief liked, he thought he would expedite -matters by making a handsome present to his lordship and at the -same time asking when his request was going to be granted. This, of -course, settled the matter, as it was undoubtedly meant as a bribe -and was reported at once to the Viceroy--needless to say the favour -was not granted. - -It seems rather hard that while we, the British people, give presents -to the Chiefs, we are not allowed to receive any in return, that is -to say none of any value; but no doubt it is wise. - -New Year’s Day is a great holiday in India, the birthday, so to -speak, of the Queen-Empress, January 1st being the anniversary of -the Delhi Durbar when she was declared Empress of India. There are -endless big parades all over India in honour of this occasion. At -Calcutta there is always a most imposing military parade which -everybody turns out to witness, putting on their best bibs and -tuckers, as their share in its impressiveness. - -It is a busy and anxious day for the Military Secretary, for in -addition to all his other work he is wondering whether after all his -training, the Viceroy’s charger will behave properly when the dreaded -moment arrives for the firing of the _feu-de-joie_. The horses under -his care may have been properly broken--the horses belonging to other -people may not, and when the show begins if one horse begins playing -the fool in all probability others will follow suit. There is a vast -amount of ceremony attached to these parades. The Viceroy puts on -all his war paint, throws out his chest, and rides down the lines of -troops drawn up for his inspection, followed by his glittering staff, -everybody feels it behoves them to polish buttons and do an extra -brush up, even the Vice-reine’s coachman indulges in an extra shave -and endures the middle button of his coat buttoned up, just until the -ceremony is over. - -Nobody takes the least notice of all these efforts to be extra smart; -but perhaps it would be noticed if they did not, and nobody would -perceive it more quickly than the Military Secretary. - -After examining all the lines of troops drawn up for his inspection -the Viceroy returns to the saluting point, and the Artillery let -themselves go with ten rounds in the Imperial Salute followed with -the much dreaded _feu-de-joie_, when so much dignity is often _nolens -volens_ cast to the wind. On one of these birthday parades I remember -seeing the horse of a big official unship its rider and then after -various gallopings caused much confusion by playing tunes with its -heels on a big drum against which it seemed to bear some grudge, -when he had finished with it, it drummed no more, at any rate for -the time being; but to continue with the orthodox proceedings. After -this fusillade follows the National Anthem with all the massed bands -playing together, then the Artillery have another innings, until -thirty-one guns have done their best. - -In all probability the Viceroy knows little about troops, what they -should look like, what they should do, or how many buttons make five -on the men’s uniforms, but his Military Secretary will have primed -him. - -Everybody says it is a horrid bore, but they enjoy it all the same. -I must not forget one of the most important features in the day’s -show, namely, the final cheers for the Empress of India and the march -past. The cheering proves as trying to the horses generally as the -_feu-de-joie_. - -We were trying to guess the number of people looking on, and asked -Lord William what he considered would be somewhere near the figure, -and he told us there were quite 100,000 on the Maidan, and it was not -an unusual number on these occasions. - -The year 1886 brought several annoyances and disappointments to the -Military Secretary in connection with his racing. In the first place -Metal failed to win him the Viceroy’s Cup, which he had counted on; -Mr. Gasper, who has been already introduced to the reader, beating -him with Mercury. Coveting this horse his lordship made an offer -for him to Mr. Gasper, resulting in the grey Australian changing -his stable and his owner for the sum of 10,000 rupees, which was -considered cheap. - -There was rather a tragic little episode at this meeting though -it had nothing to do with Lord William. A smart little chestnut -belonging to Mr. Abbott won The Trials in the shortest time on record -and dropped dead immediately after passing the winning-post from -rupture of the heart, poor little beast. - -The first race Mercury ran for Lord William was for the Durbangah -Cup, and he won; following it up with the Kooch Behar Cup, but -in this race there was only one other horse against him, namely, -Mr. Mullick’s Sir Greville. This was really a very funny race as -evidently both jockeys had received orders to ride a waiting race, -this they did with a vengeance, for when the flag fell neither of -them hurried at all, but moved quietly along keeping boot to boot, -both being determined to wait, this manœuvre continued, much to -the amusement of the spectators until within half a mile from the -winning-post, when both sat down to ride for all they were worth. -Mercury won, but Mr. Mullick’s jockey pressed Dunn so closely into -the rails that poor Mercury got rather badly cut. - -Another Beresford-Durbangah horse won the Alipore Plate and Bolero -the Jubilee Purse. At Tollygunge, though that good horse Prospero -won the Handicap Chase, poor Tim Whiffler, who had such a habit -of falling, this time turned head-over-heels when running for the -Ballygunge Cup, breaking his thigh and having to be shot. - -Bad luck seemed to be dogging Lord William’s footsteps at this time, -for Mercury, who had been doing so well, and from whom great things -were hoped, caught a chill, followed by fever, from which he died. -Then again, after the annual move to Simla, and he was running -Little Nell in the Bazaar Stakes, on the Annandale Course, though he -won with her, there was a good deal of unpleasantness attached to -the race, owing to Captain Wood, of the 8th Hussars, who was also -riding a pony for a brother officer, and who came in second, lodging -a complaint directly after the race, saying Dunn, Lord William’s -jockey, had jostled him. This rather spoilt the pleasure of the -meeting for everyone. The race had been witnessed by a number of -people, friends of both parties in question; several thought they -could explain it all, and proceeded to air their views, hoping by -so doing to ease matters and straighten it out, instead of which, -further complications ensued. This was followed a little later at -Calcutta with fresh annoyance over the Arab named Euclid, belonging -to the Confederacy. Lord William heard some people had been making -remarks about the performances of this horse, which they seemed to -consider unsatisfactory; he therefore at once asked the stewards of -the Calcutta Turf Club to inquire into the matter and give their -opinion; this they did, saying they found nothing leading to any -such conclusion as had been suggested. So Lord William came out on -top. - -For years Lord William declared no Australian horse could touch the -English, but Mercury caused him to change his mind, this horse’s -performances having been almost phenomenal. In consequence of being -bitten with the grey Australian, and not content with having between -twenty and thirty horses already in training, he gave the well-known -Australian dealer, Mr. Weekes, a commission to bring him one or two -of the “real things” from Melbourne. - -When the dealer returned from Australia, he brought with him two -horses for Lord William, Myall King and Golden Gate. I do not -remember hearing of the latter doing anything encouraging, and Myall -King made a poor show to begin with, and his new master said a few -things not altogether complimentary to the dealer in connection with -his selection, but before long changed his mind, Myall King becoming -his greatest favourite, winning three Viceroy’s Cups for him, the -first on December 24th, 1887, value 7000 rupees. When Lord William -was leading his horse in after the race, thoroughly pleased and -happy, the excited and delighted Mr. Weekes, who had purchased the -horse for his lordship and who had been brooding over the names he -had been called when first he brought Myall King over, rushed up to -Lord William holding out his hand for joy, saying, “Now do you still -say I am a something something thief?” - -“No,” replied Lord Bill, taking the proffered hand; “indeed you are -all something something right.” - -“Then you will come and stay with me in Melbourne, won’t you?” - -“Of course I will,” said his lordship, only too anxious to move on. - -Myall King also won the Durbangah Cup, £150, on the 30th of the same -month. - -In the summer of 1887 Lord William bought up the lease of the Dehra -Doon course, over which he spent some time and trouble, getting it -into good order; he kept it up entirely at his own expense until -he left India. He removed all his horses there, also the Viceregal -horses, being a good climate for them. - -People in India were beginning to be rather frightened of Lord -William’s string of horses, saying it was no use entering theirs -against him, that they had no chance. I remember hearing a good deal -of this at Lucknow, but it was not quite a fact, as his lordship -found out to his cost occasionally. He certainly had a formidable -string of horses, and he wanted to be on top, where to a certain -extent he was, but in racing there is always the element of chance to -be reckoned with, horses going wrong, jockeys making mistakes, and -no end of other things to be taken into consideration. He sent his -horses to all parts of India for race meetings, even to Poona. - -The Spring Meeting at Lucknow of 1888 inaugurated one of his -lordship’s most successful racing years in India. I always feel sorry -he was not able to carry out all his racing single-handed, but he did -it on such a big scale it became more than one pocket could stand, -hence the partnership. The Lucknow races in February brought in 7625 -rupees in stakes alone-- - - Empress winning the All Ponies Handicap Dunn riding - Myall King ” Stewards’ Purse Dunn ” - Lavercost ” Derby Tingey ” - Little Nell ” Mahamet Bagh Plate Elliott ” - -In March at Meerut followed more wins, Little Nell, Solheil, Bob, -Treasure, and Lavercost roping in 3015 rupees in stakes between them. - -The Dufferins’ term of office was up in 1888. They had the pleasure -of seeing the new Viceregal Lodge finished before their departure, -and enjoyed its roomy comfort after the very circumscribed Peterhoff. -Against that they had the discomfort of the move from one house to -the other, with one half of their possessions in one house and the -other half in the other, when, as usually happens on such occasions, -whatever is wanted is sure to be where they are not. - -Lord Dufferin had done a good deal of useful work in India, -undertaking various reforms and costly measures that his predecessors -had seen the advisability of, but postponed, fearing the expense; he -consequently left the country (I am told) with a decided financial -deficit, to be dealt with by someone else. - -On his retirement he was created Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, the -latter taken from the city of that name a few miles from Mandalay. -Of course there was the usual speculation as to whether Lord William -would stay on as Military Secretary. India without Lord William -seemed at that time an impossible thing to contemplate. - -It might be imagined after so many years of India, combined with the -exceptionally strenuous life he led, that his spirits and ceaseless -stream of humour and fun might have begun to fail him, yet this was -far from the case, he still led the van in fun and frolic. - -As the time drew near for the departure of the Dufferins, he issued -the proper and usual orders for all concerned, leaving nothing -unthought of for everyone’s comfort. Then, wag as he was, he issued -the following order, and had it delivered in print to the A.D.C. in -attendance on the departing Viceregal party. - - -_Rules to be observed by the A.D.C. in attendance on their -Excellencies the Viceroy and the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava -after their departure from Calcutta and until their arrival at Aden._ - - 1. The A.D.C. in waiting will have the kindness to report himself - every morning in the undress uniform of His Excellency’s staff, and - will appear in the same at every station at which any officials - meet His Excellency. - - 2. At early Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner he will wear a sword. - - 3. During their Excellencies’ stay at Bombay the A.D.C. in waiting - will always appear in uniform. - - 4. On board the _Kaiser-i-Hind_ the A.D.C. in waiting will visit - the decks at 4 a.m. and will see that the cleaning operations are - performed quietly. - - 5. He will be so good as not to wear boots before 7 a.m. - - 6. He will be so obliging as to appear in uniform at breakfast and - to wear it until sunset. - - 7. The A.D.C. in waiting will take His Excellency’s orders after - breakfast, and in the event of his services not being required - by the outgoing Viceroy, he will be so kind as to see if Her - Excellency wishes to be supported on deck, or if the young ladies - need assistance. - - 8. The A.D.C. in waiting will be so good as personally to submit - to the Captain any wishes the ladies’ maids may express, and to - endeavour to have them carried out. - - 9. The A.D.C. in waiting will please see that the chairs, cushions, - rugs, and books of His Excellency and of the ladies are arranged on - the deck by 10 a.m. - - 10. At 12 o’clock he will kindly see that they all have Beef Tea. - - 11. He will be expected to render assistance to the Captain in - every emergency, and to be the master of all the ceremonies during - fine weather. - - 12. As His Excellency’s policeman does not accompany him to Aden, - the A.D.C. in waiting must endeavour to learn a few Persian stories - for the occasion, which he will repeat to His Excellency for one - hour daily while pacing up and down the deck. - - 13. He will also, while listening to the Persian stories which His - Excellency will relate to him, say “Hau” at intervals of one second - during the whole time the narrative continues. He will also be kind - enough to wear an expression of profound attention. - - 14. In rough weather the A.D.C. in waiting will be permitted to put - on a waterproof coat over his uniform and to use his chin strap. - - 15. His services can on no occasion be dispensed with during the - first five days of the voyage; he will therefore be expected to - keep in good health, and can on no pretext be allowed to call for - the services of the steward. - - 16. At Aden the A.D.C. in waiting will be relieved from duty. - - (Signed) WILLIAM BERESFORD, Lieut.-Col., - Military Secretary to the Viceroy. - - SIMLA, _November 6th, 1888_. - -The A.D.C. in question, of course, knew Lord Bill’s little ways, how -much was earnest and how much fun, and appreciated the thoughtful -concession of allowing a chin strap and waterproof to be used during -rough weather, for more reasons than one. - -It was shortly before the Dufferins left India that Lord William -and five other members of the Viceroy’s staff in one of their -lighter moments when dressed in their racing kit, jumped into a -merry-go-round for a ride and were snapshotted. Lord William is on -the extreme right sitting sideways; next to him in front is Capt. -Roddy Owen; standing up in the striped jacket is Capt. Burn, -generally known as “Handsome Charlie”; then comes Capt. Harbord (now -Lord Suffield) riding a finish; behind him Capt. Leonard Gordon and -Capt. H. Legge. A light-hearted little party, overflowing with good -humour and health, much of which was the result of the amount of -exercise they were in the habit of taking. Sportsmen and those of -an energetic tendency keep their health much longer when in India -than their brethren who resign themselves to the climate with books, -eating, drinking, and sleep, the latter being the natural consequence -of the former. - -[Illustration: THE VICEROY’S STAFF IN LIGHTER MOMENTS] - -Feeling a little holiday would be beneficial Lord William went home -in April on three months’ leave, his string of forty odd horses -remaining at Dehra Doon in the pleasant cool shade of its many fine -trees, but before leaving he attended the March Umballa Meeting, when -his Treasure won two races, the Service Stakes 900 rupees, Capt. -Macdougall riding, and the open Pony Race 850 rupees, Dunn riding; -Eunice the Paget Park Plate 300 rupees, Melbourne Plate with Myall -King 200 rupees, Dunn riding. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - A WINNING YEAR - - On Leave--At the Derby Once More--Lord Lansdowne Takes - Office--Conjurer’s Discomfort--A Gentle Reproach--Irishmen - in India--Another Racing Partnership--A Turf Club - Inquiry--Paperchasers--A Telegram from Lucknow--Lord William’s - Health--Jockey in Trouble Again - - -Three months is not a long leave to spend at home, it seems to be all -coming and going; it really was not long enough to pick Lord William -up properly--he was badly in need of English air and fare. - -A good part of this brief holiday was spent racing and attending to -racing matters. He bought a horse called Pennant, winning a race -with him at Croydon value £200. Oberon was another he purchased, but -turned out rather unreliable. Clarion was also added to his string. - -Being at home in time to see the Derby run, he was enthusiastically -greeted by all his old friends, and had a great time. I rather think -it was at this Derby or Ascot that Sir Claude De Crespigny coming up -behind what he recognised as a Beresford back, said “Good morning, -Marcus,” and then, seeing he had made a mistake and it was Lord -William, asked whom he should apologise to? Without an instant’s -hesitation came the reply, “Marcus, of course, you’ve taken the elder -brother for the younger.” - -All the Beresford brothers were smart at repartee; indeed I think -they would be hard to beat. Someone asked Lord Charles which of his -brothers he considered the quickest at repartee. To which he replied: -“Marcus. It was only this morning when walking down Regent Street, -ahead of us was a doddering old Irish peer, one of the Backwoodsmen -who came over once a year to vote against Home Rule, I said, ‘Marcus, -if you were a despotic monarch would you keep that Irish nobleman in -your House of Lords?’ ‘Yes,’ said Marcus, ‘I think I should, but I -should fire him first on the _Coronet_.’” - -The smartness of this may be lost upon people who are not horsy and -therefore do not know that the part of a horse’s anatomy between the -fetlock and the hoof is termed the coronet. - -The Marquess of Lansdowne succeeded Lord Dufferin as Governor-General -of India, holding the office from 1888 to 1893. No events of great -importance occurred during his administration; there were some small -frontier expeditions, but we did not hear much about them. - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Elliott & Fry_ - -THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE] - -In 1893, at the end of Lord Lansdowne’s reign, Sir Mortimer Durand, -then Foreign Secretary to the Indian Government, was sent on a -mission to Kabul with a view to defining the limits of influence of -the British Government and the Amir, with respect to the independent -tribes in the wide belt of country between Afghanistan and British -India. However, we are not yet dealing with 1893 but 1888, when Lord -Lansdowne had only just taken office. He was fond of horses and -racing, therefore watched his Military Secretary’s horses work -with sympathetic interest. - -From 1888 to 1894 were Lord William’s best racing years in the East, -and all his spare time was devoted to it. - -At the November Lucknow meeting his racing partner, His Highness of -Durbangah, won the Stewards’ Purse with FitzWilliam, Dunn up, Daphne -the Dilkoosha Stakes, Soheil, an Arab, the Pony Handicap. On the -third day, a pony named Brandy the Paddock Stakes for maiden ponies, -besides various others which I forget. - -At the Calcutta chief meeting FitzWilliam won the Trials by way of a -good beginning. Eunice, who had at one time and another won a good -many races for Lord William, now won the Karnaul Stakes. Metal was -backed for a small fortune for the Viceroy’s Cup, when one of those -unexpected things happened which must always be reckoned with in -racing; he was beaten by his stable companion making the pace too hot -for him, and Myall King again romped in a winner. They also won races -with Pekoe and Shamhad, while a grey English mare named Venus, whom -nobody expected to do anything, won the Eclipse Stakes for them. Lord -Clyde and Clarion won a couple of races at the Extra Meeting, making -a tremendous winning year, but not a profitable one taking it all -round. - -It was at this juncture that beautiful Arab pony Blitz came upon the -scenes; the charming picture of him was given to me by Admiral Sir -John Hext, who agreed with Lord Bill “he was one of the best that -ever looked through a bridle.” Lord William sold Metal about this -time for £500 to someone in Australia. - -During the Simla season he rode a good many races himself on -Hardware, Nancy and Shamshad. He also won a match on Hakim against -Mr. Laureston’s Prince Charlie, 2000 rupees a side. - -In July news reached Lord Bill of the death from heart disease of Mr. -Fitch, who for some years had looked after and conducted the Calcutta -lotteries, also acted as secretary to the Dehra Races. The poor man -died in England while home for a holiday. Lord William felt much -regret, for he had been closely associated with him, naturally, over -racing matters. - -Mr. Fitch was another of the many men his lordship had befriended; in -fact had been set on his feet and owed all his success in life to him. - -The season was jogging along much in the usual fashion, plunging -from the sublime to the ridiculous and the ridiculous to the sublime -all the time. In India we all become dual natured, whether it is the -climate, the atmosphere we live in, or the desire to leave no time -_to think_ I do not know; but we may in the morning be told, someone -with whom we have been in daily touch is dead--we say how sad, open -our letters, and make all our arrangements for the day’s amusements, -which we fulfil, leaving just time to pay a last tribute to one -whose hand we have so often held, whose voice and laughter is still -sounding in our ears; we then hurry home from the cemetery and go -out to dinner, or to the theatre, and home to bed late, hoping to be -so tired that sleep will claim us immediately. It is not that we are -callous really, far from it; the sad news in the morning has left -a lonesome feeling in our hearts, an aching for the poor body who -such a short time ago was full of all he or she were going to do when -they went “home,” it makes home seem very far away and the present so -full of prickling possibilities, and we feel we must laugh or cry, -and our English objection to wearing our hearts on our sleeves makes -us appear gay, and thus we are pitch-forked from the sublime to the -ridiculous and vice versa, still if we never reached the sublime we -should miss the picturesqueness. - -I once asked Lord Bill when we were speaking of this very matter, -that is to say, the amount of feeling we contrived to hide in our -everyday life, when he told me of several strange things that had -happened in his life of which he had had strong pre-sentiments; one -was in connection with racing, and the others purely private matters; -this led me to ask him if he was superstitious; he replied, “I like -to think I am not, but I am always very careful not to wound people’s -susceptibilities on that point, having some of that feeling which is -supposed to make us wondrous kind.” - -Superstition is a thing I suppose that can hardly be described or -accounted for, as some of the happenings in our lives refuse to be -explained by any hitherto understood methods or any rules or lines of -our acquaintance; and also there are times when we are not ourselves, -oh strange and bitter paradox! - -Lord William’s way of keeping people in order was very much to the -point generally, and yet he did it very charmingly. An A.D.C. once -had been hauled over the coals by him, and at the end of it said, -“What a good fellow Lord Bill is, how thoroughly he rubbed me down, -and yet how like a gentleman.” - -Another rather amusing instance was when the Rajah of Nabha was -giving a party or entertainment to Lord Lansdowne. A conjurer had -been engaged to amuse those present; he was a rather persistent -personage, at that time wandering round India seeking a living, and -performing at native courts. - -Lord William, who of course had the arranging of all this sort of -functions, told this professor his entertainment must not last more -than twenty minutes; this he strongly objected to, declaring it -would entirely spoil his show, did not give him a chance, and so -on, he would require at least an hour. While expressing his sorrow -at causing so much annoyance and disappointment, Lord Bill stuck to -his point and said not more than twenty minutes could possibly be -allowed; he evidently saw defiance in the man’s attitude, and made -his arrangements accordingly. - -The performance began, Lord William looking on, watch in hand. At -the end of a quarter of an hour the British magician was warned he -had only five minutes more. He took no notice, and continued his -lofty way. At the end of twenty minutes he was told to stop. Still -he took no notice, continuing his tricks and patter, when at a sign -from Lord William a native conjurer, who had been watching huddled -up in a corner, bounded into the middle of the floor with a tom-tom -and commenced a most deafening and unearthly noise. A tom-tom, it -should be explained, is a rattling sort of thing rather like a drum -gone wrong. The native had been waiting for the sign of command, -watching the conjurer much as a terrier watches a rat, waiting to be -told to “Go.” This indignity was too much for the white performer, he -collapsed, and the native then proceeded to make mango trees grow in -a few seconds out of stones and from under flower-pots, etc. Those -present were much tickled at the whole proceeding. - -One more of Lord William’s gentle reproaches. This time it was -addressed to a youth fresh out from home, where he had been much -spoilt; he was complaining about the disrespectful way the regiment -he had just joined treated him, he was not accustomed to be treated -in such a manner. The poor lad was learning that painful but -wholesome lesson, his value in public opinion, and he did not like -it. Thinking he had a sympathetic listener in Lord William, and not -knowing him as well as some of us did, the twinkle in his eye did not -act as a warning, and at last the lad worked himself up to such a -pitch of feeling over his wrongs that he said he should write to his -mother and tell her he should return home at once. No words had come -from Lord Bill, who appeared to be full of interest and sympathy, -but when he was told that the unhappy youth meant to return to his -mother, he said sweetly and quietly, “But, my dear chap! think what -a disappointment it would be to her!” Even then the young lad did -not at first grasp what was meant, but when Lord Bill added, “After -fixing you up with new shirts and pocket handkerchiefs, to have you -back on her hands so soon.” - -Lord William, seeing the boy was nearly tearful, walked off with -him, arm-in-arm, talked it all over quietly, gave some good advice, -and, I understand, left the poor boy happier and probably much wiser. - -What a number of Irishmen have ruled in India and been famous there. -Lord Mayo, born in Dublin, who in 1868 succeeded Lord Lawrence. I -should think he was the only Governor-General who had farmed for his -livelihood, and be it noted made enough to live upon. When he came -of age he was Mr. Bourke. His father, whose eldest brother was then -living, could not afford him any sort of allowance, but rented one of -his farms to him to try and make what he could out of it, and I have -been given to understand he did make it pay, which is more than many -gentlemen farmers do, methinks! - -Lord Mayo is reported to have said, “And many a long day have I stood -in the market selling my beasts.” - -Then there was Lord Connemara, Governor of Madras, responsible for -the well-being and happiness of thirty million souls; Lord Lansdowne, -a Kerry nobleman; Lord Roberts, a Waterford hero of Kandahar fame; -Lord William Beresford, V.C., the unequalled Military Secretary and -patron of the turf; Sir George White, V.C., who brought Burmah into -order; Sir David Barbour, a perfect juggler in figures, who brought -the much feared and dreaded financial deficit of the country to a -considerable surplus, and many more if there were time and space to -recount them. - -The Annandale Racecourse was now enlarged and levelled. It had cost -large sums of money, but was satisfactory, and the races now began -to draw horses from Umballa and Meerut. The lotteries on the first -day’s racing after the new course was “declared open,” as they say at -bazaars, amounted to 20,000 rupees, so Lord William hoped it would -not be long before the debt on the ground was paid off. A little -lady, who was one of Lord William’s most devoted admirers (aged six), -was crying one day at Simla when he happened to look in on the way -down to one of the gymkhanas, and when he asked her what was the -matter and took her on his knee, she threw her arms round his neck -weeping salt tears down his collar, saying, “Mover won’t let me go -and see you run in your pyjamas.” This required a little explanation. -He gathered she had heard her mother and friends talking about some -race they hoped he would win at the coming gymkhana. Not having been -very long in the country she had got a little mixed between gymkhana -and pyjamas. Lord Bill pleaded so hard for his little friend to be -allowed to go to the meeting, consent was at last given, and he said -he could see in the child’s eyes how disappointed she was that he did -not appear in pyjamas after all. - -In October the usual exodus took place, and Lord Bill found time -to see some of his horses win races at the November 1889 Lucknow -meeting. Blitz, beautiful Blitz, won the Dilkoosha Stakes; Nellie the -Little Go Chase, FitzWilliam the Bar Cup, Betsy the Standard Plate. -At Dehra, Meerut and Umballa he won four races. He rode in the Meerut -Charger Race himself, winning on Jim. At Pindi he rode one of the -races, winning on Landshart II; the other two were won by Daphne and -Ensign. Four races in one day to the credit of his stable. - -A little later, at the Calcutta 1889-90 races his Euclid seemed to be -losing form, but Pennant was going strong and won the Trials; Chester -also won the Pony Cup. - -Lord William’s racing partner, His Highness the Maharajah of -Durbangah, was most anxious to be a winner of the Viceroy’s Cup, and -Pennant being in Lord William’s opinion the likely winner, with his -characteristic kindliness sold the horse to His Highness just before -the race, so that the Durbangah colours might be carried. The horse -won easily, greatly to his new owner’s pleasure. - -That wonderful pony, Lord Clyde, won the International Pony Race. - -Speaking at the Turf Club dinner Lord William confessed he thought a -_big_ stable a mistake. In spite of having gained this experience, -which led people to imagine he intended to reduce his stable, he -added to it, and for the first time sent some of his horses to Madras -to see what he could do there. At the Autumn Meerut Meeting he had -no luck this year with his horses, chiefly owing, no doubt, to their -usual jockey, Dunn, who knew their temperaments and little ways, -being away at the time ill, which was hard on the horses and hard on -their owner. - -[Illustration: BEAUTIFUL BLITZ] - -[Illustration: PILOTEER WINNING A TROTTING PRIZE] - -The big Calcutta meeting on December 26th, 1889, saw the beginning -of the Presto row, which most racing people will remember. The horse -was entered for the Walter Locke Cup, and was expected to win, Dunn -riding, but was not even placed! It was suggested that it was the -result of getting off badly at the start, the horse swerving -round, losing several lengths. This caused some comment and much -disappointment, which reached boiling point two days later, when on -the 28th Presto again ran with Dunn up for the Kooch Behar Cup, 1¼ -miles, winning easily, there never being a moment’s doubt from start -to finish that the race was his, even leaving Moorhouse, a very fast -horse, and several others hopelessly behind. - -The public were now thoroughly upset, though on the face of the thing -it seemed natural that if the horse lost so many lengths at the -start in the race on the 26th, it would quite account for relative -positions at the end of the two races. There were, however, those -who considered Dunn’s riding was at fault, therefore the Stewards of -the Turf Club held an enquiry into it. Mr. Gasper, the clever lawyer -who has already been introduced, and from whom Lord William bought -Mercury, appeared to uphold the complaint. Whether Dunn was in any -way to blame for this different running of Presto I am not able to -state, but be that as it may, he stood very little chance in any case -with Mr. Gasper up against him, he being the most brilliant criminal -lawyer Calcutta had ever seen, and he at any rate believed Dunn to -blame, and waxed eloquent in consequence. - -After a long and tedious investigation, over which there had been -some feeling, the Stewards fully exonerated Lord William, and while -not stating Dunn pulled, they were of the opinion he deserved censure -for bad riding, which had certainly justified the enquiry. - -The whole affair was much to be regretted, and makes one wonder how -a man can be found who cares to have his honour resting in the hands -of paid servants like jockeys, trainers, and so forth, when any day -what a man prizes more than anything else in the world may be thrown -to the winds, through absolutely no fault of his own. - -The course at Calcutta had been expanded, and the buildings improved, -greatly owing to the efforts of the sporting and popular merchant Mr. -Charles Moore, who took great interest in racing and the bettering of -all its conditions. - -Following the Calcutta meeting came Tollygunge, where the stable -finished the season well, Blitz winning the Belvedere Stakes in -January 18th, 1893, Gold Leaf the Sensation Handicap, Traveller the -Long Distance Handicap, FitzWilliam the Spring Purse, and Nellie the -Pony Chase. - -I had almost forgotten the cold weather paper-chases, having so much -of interest to recount in the way of racing. Lord Bill was very fond -of riding after paper, and the Calcutta Paperchases were no child’s -play. He ran second in the Cup in the cold weather of 1880-81, riding -Oliver Twist, third on Mariner 1881-82, first on Premier in 1882-83, -first on Diamond in 1887-88. - -Captain Muir, commanding the Body Guard, who has already been -mentioned as having been left in charge of Lord Bill’s affairs when -he started for Zululand, won the Calcutta Paperchase Cup three years -running on his Warwickshire Lad, I believe, in the cold weather of -1877-78--1878-79--1879-80. The only person that I know of with such a -record. - -I ought perhaps to explain that the Viceroy and each Governor has a -Body Guard for escorts, guards, sentries, etc., much the same as the -Household Cavalry in England with the King. - -The Viceroy’s Body Guard was very impressive with its scarlet uniform -and lances. - -What a gift it is to be able to speak well. Lord Bill was a happy -speaker, always to the point, and always amusing, and how people -do like to be amused. We have only to look at the money made by -humorists like Mr. George Robey, who earns £200 a week to make people -laugh, and is worth it, or he would not receive that handsome money; -Little Tich with his £250 a week, or Cissy Loftus, the mimic, who -received £250 a week for her services. - -Compare with this the pay of some of our Indian officials, toiling in -the heat, often separated from all that makes life lovely. Truly it -is better to be funny than great, but then after all it is great to -be funny. Lord William thought every boy ought to be taught to speak, -and considered debating societies excellent practice for them, which -no doubt they are, teaching them not only to think, but to express -themselves intelligibly and to frame their sentences. - -As Lord William expressed it, “Everybody has not got the gift of the -gab,” but most can acquire it, and no doubt this is true to a great -extent; some great speakers have been miserable failures to begin -with, though overflowing with things they wanted to say. Disraeli was -an example. His first speech in the House of Commons was an utter -failure, possibly partially from nervousness, also want of practice; -eventually his phraseology was both forceful and picturesque. - -While Huxley, giving his first lecture at the Royal Institute, I -am told, was quite painful, so much so, that he received a letter -imploring him never to speak again, which was not encouraging. - -Some can speak and cannot write, others can write and cannot speak. -This has been brought home to me lately while turning over old -letters and documents searching for those relating to the subject of -these memories. - -I have come across forgotten letters that I have received at -different times from India, Afghanistan, Zululand, Burmah, South -Africa, East Africa, Russia, France, Egypt, in fact from most of the -places where there have been stirring times during my life. - -Many of the letters written by the chief actors, others from those -who at the time of writing were taught “not to think, but to do as -they were told--thinking was for their superiors!” - -It has interested me placing them side by side and studying the -different views held by the writers of the various situations they -were dealing with, not all the facts being by any means in accordance -with the accounts that have been handed down for our digestion. -Some of these writers could have thrown very vivid light on various -situations, but they have carried their griefs and in some cases -their injustices with them to their lonely, uncared-for graves. - -Amongst these letters are a few written in bald John Bull, -plum-puddingy jerky sentences, like roughly sketched in pictures to -be filled in later; possibly they found speaking easier than writing. -Then there are the letters dealing with the same situations, so -eloquent, so full of human sympathy and yet so dramatic that it is -almost like living through the experiences oneself. - -I suppose mistakes are not sins when people have honestly done their -best, but then the best is sometimes painfully foolish, and it is -poor consolation to those who have suffered in consequence of it, -that it was all a mistake! - -We must now hark back to Lord William’s racing. He was hoping to win -the Civil Service Cup at Lucknow, the best pony race in India. He and -all the staff who could possibly get away from Calcutta went to see -it run. Two of Lord William’s ponies were entered for it, namely, the -famous Arab Blitz and an English pony named Bustle. The former was a -strong favourite, and Lord William thought it a certain win. - -Before leaving Calcutta he promised Lady Lansdowne to telegraph to -her the result of the race. At dinner that night Sir John Hext asked -Lady Lansdowne if she had heard from Lord William as was arranged. -She replied “No; I am rather disappointed.” Dinner had not proceeded -very far when the expected telegram arrived. After reading it Her -Excellency burst out laughing, and handed it to Sir John, who read, -“Bustle _in front_ this time.” So the English pony had won the Cup. - -Myall King won the Horse Handicap, there being nothing there that -could touch him. - -Lord William’s health was again troubling him. He had in fact had -enough of India and its climate, though he would not allow it. He was -advised to go home on leave for a while, which he agreed to do, but -did not take long enough to benefit him materially, that curse of -India, dysentery, claiming him at intervals. - -Before leaving for home he sold Euclid (whom he considered no longer -of much racing value) to Count Poloki for £700. - -While Lord Bill was at home Weekes, who it will be remembered -bought Myall King for him, bought another horse in July for the -Durbangah-Beresford stable for 800 guineas. Various items of news -reached Lord Bill while at home which were worrying. One being that -anthrax had broken out at Dehra in the stables. Those who have had -any experience of that disease will be able to picture his feelings -on receiving this news, it being quite on the cards that every horse -might be dead in a few hours. Poor Shamshad was the first of the -victims. Fortunately stringent measures were taken by Willson, Lord -William’s trainer, before many had succumbed. - -Then followed the unpleasant news that Dunn was in trouble again, -for the confederacy stable was active, though Lord Bill was away. -This time it appears Dunn’s riding was so peculiar from the moment he -left the paddock that the Stewards felt it imperative to institute -another enquiry, regarding the running of Cumberland, and they came -to the conclusion he had not ridden the horse to win, in consequence -of which he was suspended for twelve months, rather taking his breath -away, riding being his means of livelihood. This punishment was later -added to by disqualification for life, for which no one could feel -sorry, if he was unable to serve faithfully such a good master he did -not deserve any mercy. - -I believe in 1892, thinking Dunn had suffered enough, his sentence -was remitted. - -Lord William now engaged the services of that first-rate jockey -Vinall, and he was out in India by October, when his lordship -returned, looking much better for his visit to the German Spas, where -he had amongst other things been drinking the waters. - -In December racing people’s breath was taken away by finding -Lord Bill had bought and landed in the country a couple of South -American horses, which under the then existing rules were rated -as country-breds and carried weight with that class. Vixen and -Westminster were the names of these surprise packets. - -At the Calcutta second meeting Escapade, Labby and Goldleaf won -races. Pamela also won her first prize, the Walter Locke Cup, while -good old Myall King romped away with the Viceroy’s Cup for the third -time, value 5850 rupees. - -The brilliant lawyer, Mr. Gasper, died in December of this year on -the way to England for a holiday; if I remember rightly he died of -heart failure. Lord William at once wrote a kindly, sympathetic -letter to his wife, which, considering he cannot have felt very -warmly towards her husband after the bitter tone he took up against -his jockey and horses, was good of him, and I hope the lady -appreciated the spirit that prompted him to do this gentle act. -Gentle courtly manners are the fruit of noble natures and loyal minds. - -January 1st, 1891, saw Lord William gazetted a full-blown colonel and -K.C.I.E. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - THE FAMOUS FAREWELL DINNER - - Why the Maharajah of Durbangah Gave up Racing--The Maharajah of - Patiala Joins the Stable--The Indian Lotteries--Some Successful - Racing--Lord Bill Pays Up--Simla Feeling Sad--Death of Myall - King--Some of His Chief Races--Farewell Dinner--List of - Guests--Speeches - - -Early in 1891 the Maharajah of Durbangah told his partner he meant to -give up racing. Mr. Abbott, who was in the know of all things racing, -attributes this decision to worry and anxiety caused by certain -Government schemes afloat which he feared would entirely disturb -the peace of his territory. Perhaps I cannot do better than quote -Mr. Abbott’s own words referring to the reason for His Highness’s -retirement. - -“This popular prince was worried out of his life by the spectre which -haunted his nightly dreams of the utterly uncalled for, ill-judged -and stupid scheme of the Cadastral Survey, hatched by two Irish -civilians, true to their breeding in that they were rabid haters of -landlords. If ever the heart of that generous, loyal and rattling -good all-round prince be post-mortemed, Cadastral Survey will be -found indelibly printed thereon. How could a man go on racing when he -knew that his whole principality, at that moment resting in perfect -peace and contentment, was to have its Arcadian simplicity disturbed -by numerically untold bands of harpies in Government uniform, -sweeping through its length and breadth, looting alike Zemindar and -Ryot, taking bribes with a magnificent impartiality from both--and -to do what? Draw dauby maps, incomplete and incorrect to start with, -absolutely useless in less than five years. A precious lot of use -this thrice-cursed and most scandalous survey will prove. Small -wonder Durbangah stopped racing, and that the once contented prince -is in a state of unrest and discontent.” Mr. Abbott maintains, “This -and this alone was the secret of Durbangah’s retiring from the turf.” - -Whether this survey proved disastrous or a benefit I am not able -to say, but I think we may take it that the description of Mr. -Abbott’s which I have quoted faithfully represents the state of the -Maharajah’s mind and feelings at the time. Great was the excitement -in India when the news became public property, and many both wise -and foolish were the speculations indulged in as to the reason. -Lord William was naturally very sorry, having had nothing but the -pleasantest relations with his partner from first to last. There had -always been entire agreement between them. In addition to his regret -at losing his racing partner Lord William was very grieved that -“such a good fellow and such a loyal prince” should be unhappy and -unsettled. - -There happened to be another native nobleman at the time anxious and -longing to make a name for himself on the turf, namely, the young and -enormously rich young Maharajah of Patiala, straight from the leading -strings of a strict Scotch tutor. Being at the Calcutta meeting -for the first time in the early part of ’91, and knowing that the -Beresford-Durbangah arrangement was at an end, he approached Lord -William with a view to being taught the ropes and joining company. He -was already a good horseman and loved the sport. His lordship agreed, -and so for the future it was to be that very powerful stable the -Patiala-Beresford, the strongest in India. - -So there was no halting in any of the programmes, everything went -on just as usual. At the Second Extra Calcutta Meeting in ’91 Lord -William won two races with Lord Clyde and one with Wild Oats, as wild -as his name. At the Lucknow Meeting Myall King won the Stewards’ -Purse, value 1500 rupees. Here again there was an unpleasantness, one -of those heated arguments that spoil the pleasure of a meeting for -everybody. This time the row began when Mr. Apcar’s Sylvia won the -Civil Service Cup, and Lord William, on behalf of the owner of the -second pony named Frisky, made objection to her not having paid the -full penalties. After certain explanations Lord William withdrew his -objection, but Frisky’s owner carried on the war, and the unfortunate -Stewards of the Turf Club (Calcutta) had to sift the matter and -adjudicate. Counsel exhausted themselves with their eloquence over -the case, but again it came to naught. - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Vandyk_ - -H. H. THE MAHARAJAH OF PATIALA] - -It was, I believe, in December, 1891, Myall King was beaten for the -Viceroy’s Cup by that speedy horse Moorhouse, but Sunshine won the -Karnaul Stakes, Edith the Zeerut Stakes, Teviot the Eastern Stakes, -plucky little Blitz the Eclipse Stakes, with ears down, thinking -hard, and doing his best; Ivo the Christmas Cup, so amongst these -many wins it is hoped consolation was found to make up for poor Myall -King’s defeat. - -On the fourth day of the big Calcutta Meeting there was some grand -racing. The Patiala-Beresford’s country-bred pony Negus, supposed -to be the best country-bred ever seen in India, won the Eastern -Handicap, and Ringmaster made a splendid finish for the Durbangah -Cup, Vinall only just managing to squeeze him in front of Savant -by a short head. The stable at this time had a small English boy -named Peake doing the lightweight riding for them, he was rather a -success. At the Third Extra Calcutta Meeting the black cap and light -blue jacket won four races on Christmas Day as follows: Escapade the -Kerry Stakes, Tabby the Welter, Negus the Bengal, Ivo the Fitzmaurice -Stakes. - -From now on, until Lord William left India early in 1894, there is -little if any particular interest to relate except his successful -racing, to which he devoted all his spare time. Chasing appealed -strongly to him, the excitement of it being after his own heart, and -nothing pleased him better than to be up himself. Being a good judge -of a horse, he knew what to look for when keeping his eyes and ears -open for possible winners. On paper we all know the thing to look -for, good shoulders to help them when landing, plenty of power behind -to propel with, and so on, but in practice this does not always do -the trick, for most of us at times have seen little weedy, tucked-up -animals win big prizes. Never mind, we are told the exception proves -the rule, and, as I have already remarked, Logic is, no doubt, a -good training for us all as leading to sound and considered judgment, -but horses are unacquainted with it. It is very seldom, however, that -a horse will not do his best, strain every nerve, in response to the -demands of his master. Lord William was a bold, plucky rider, with -good hands, but in racing was, I think, inclined to be too impetuous. -I have seen him spoil his own chances by being too eager. My readers -will say he managed to win a good many when riding himself. Quite -true, so he did, and he could do almost anything with horses, but his -tendency in racing was to go “all out.” - -A good deal of business was done in India over the Calcutta -Sweepstakes on the English Derby. Lord William was always keenly -interested, and did a good deal of buying and selling over the -horses’ chances, which, of course, is just as legitimate as certain -leading lights in the English racing world making a £10,000 yearling -book on the Derby. As a purchaser of tickets Lord Bill was in a good -position to judge a horse’s chances, being well posted from home, his -brother Lord Marcus keeping him well informed of all that was going -on, the breakdowns, scratchings, and other contingencies connected -with good and bad luck of the racehorse in training. The Calcutta -Sweep on our Derby is the most valuable in the world. Lord William -did a large business with the Indian lotteries, and made a heap -of money over them. The sweepstakes being drawn some weeks before -the race is run, gives everybody who likes to avail themselves of -it opportunities of making money by buying and selling the chances -subsequent to the draw, taking the form of jobbery on the Stock -Exchange. Many of my readers know all about this, but there are some -who may be glad of the explanation. It is not now possible to do -what has been done in the past with Calcutta Sweeps, what is called -“future event wagering,” is more or less a thing of the past. It must -be remembered there was not much for Lord William to learn about -racing, and he knew how to hedge so as to make his book fairly safe -before the flag fell. There is an old adage, “No bet is a good one -until it is well hedged.” I think latterly Lord William hedged a -good deal. I have heard it remarked that he lost his nerve a little, -and after making a big book would hedge it off again, thereby not -making the sums he might have done over his own horses, but I think -we may take it his lordship knew what he was doing, and did it fairly -satisfactorily. - -In February, 1892, that wonderful pony Lord Clyde, whose legs must -have been made of cement, won the Merchants’ Purse at Lucknow with -ease, Arabi Pasha the Derby, and Negus the Civil Service Cup. -Racing people in India were growing restive at the formidable -Patiala-Beresford stable winning so many of the best races, but if -the stewards and officials who arrange the different meetings invite -outsiders to compete they must not cry if they come and at times -carry off their prizes. Both the Maharajah and Lord Bill were so -extraordinarily generous they cared much less for the cash and prizes -than for the glory of winning, and would willingly have given them -the value of the stakes if that was all that mattered. - -The Patiala Prince started some races of his own in April, 1892, on -his own estate. They became very popular, and his hospitality was -remarkable, everything well done, and Lord William able to help him -in laying out and arranging the course, which was 1½ miles long, and -well kept. It boasted of two grand stands, stables, dressing-rooms, -weighing-room, and all the heart of man or beast could desire. - -On the opening day both the Maharajah and his A.D.C., Sirdar Preetum -Singh, rode in races, each being a winner. The bookmakers did good -business too. - -At Agra the stable did fairly well, winning the Bhurtpore Plate -with Doris, Bar Stakes with Teviot, three races with Edith, and the -Auction Stakes with Joker. Small wonder folk felt nervous when the -Patiala-Beresford horses appeared on the scenes. - -At Simla, on the new altered course, the races could hardly be called -gymkhanas any longer, many good horses coming from far and near to -compete. Lord William won the Jakko Stakes with his Coffee, but I do -not remember any other wins of this time at Annandale, though there -may have been several. - -[Illustration: NEW PAVILION AT ANNANDALE] - -The majority of his horses, as well as the viceregal horses, were -summering at Dehra as usual. This year a few were sent to Nami Tal, -another hill station, by way of a change and to represent the stable -in some races and gymkhanas. Two horses that had lately been imported -to India were causing anxiety, they were not doing very well at -Dehra, but as they had come out in that trying month of August it -was hardly surprising. It was my fate once to be in the Red Sea in -August, and I almost made up my mind to die, but thought better of -it, while a real live judge on board made no bones about it, and did -lie down and die, though everybody did their best for the poor old -man with ice, fans, and punkahs. - -At Meerut Doris won the Haupur Stakes, Cuba the Handicap Hurdles, -Tabby the Aligarh Stakes, Edith the Railway Stakes. - -At Umballa a match was arranged between Lord William and Mr. Woolmer, -to come off at the Autumn Lucknow Meeting, the friends of each of -these sportsmen betting on the event. It was looked forward to with -considerable interest. - -Saltford won the Grand Annual at Umballa, and the stable won a couple -of other races. - -At Pindi, Marvel won the Pindi Plate; at Lucknow, Doris the Dilkoosha -Stakes easily, Escapade the Trials, Teviot the Club Stakes. - -Some horses were sent off at the same time to Hyderabad with Ryder in -charge and did well, bringing in something satisfactory in stakes. - -Myall King, if I remember rightly, won a big race. The race meetings -followed on each other’s heels fairly quickly, and we must now follow -the stable to the Calcutta First Extra Meeting, where Pavo won the -Pony Plate easily. Arab Brat, a wonderful pony, a mass of muscle, -well made and lovely to behold, won the small Pony Trials, Ivo the -Frost Stakes, and in the December Stakes, Lord William led in Lady -Grace the winner. - -At the big meeting, December 24th, Sunshine won the Kurnaul Stakes, -Tostig, a most untrustworthy but very fast horse, the Trials, Ivo the -Walter Locke Cup. - -For the Viceroy’s Cup this year the stable had nothing they felt that -could compete with the Maharajah of Kooch Behar’s grand black gelding -Highborn. Their Caterina ran, but was beaten by him. - -The smart country-bred Sunshine won the Gunny Meah Cup, the fast -Eider the Sandown Park Stake in a canter, and Caterina retrieved her -character by winning the rich Kooch Behar prize, though she had a -good field against her; Little Brat also won the Eclipse Stakes. - -It seemed quite correct that after being beaten by the Rajah of Kooch -Behar’s horse for the Viceroy’s Cup that Caterina should retaliate by -winning His Highness’s Cup. - -A glance at the winning of the Confederacy at this meeting is -instructive, 21,000 rupees being won between the Patiala and -Beresford horses. - -At Tollygunge, the obliging and always ready Edith won the Handicap -Chase. So ended the 1892 racing. - -On January 14th, 1903, at Calcutta, that compact and beautifully -made pony Parvo won the Belvedere Pony Stakes, also another a little -later. Vixen, the South American, roped in the rupees in the Selling -Welter, and again next day the Alipore Stakes. - -The first day at Lucknow opened with the two matches between Lord -William and Captain Woolmer. In the first Lord William was to -ride his English horse Tostig against Capt. Woolmer’s Australian -Flashlight, catch weight over 12 stone, distance three furlongs. -Flashlight was a curious, rather ungainly looking horse, with -an uncomfortable saddle back, being round or roach-backed. -Nevertheless, the horse won. In the other match Lord William rode an -English horse again, named Simon de Montfort. I am sure his opponent -must have felt impressed by this high-sounding title. Capt. Woolmer -was on an English mare rejoicing in the common or garden name of -Stourbay. Here again Capt. Woolmer won, and Lord Bill had to pay up, -the terms having been 5000 rupees a side. The only comfort out of the -day’s racing was that Exile won the Martiniere Stakes. - -The second day’s racing was better for them. Doris won the Pony -Race, Mocassin the Pony Chase, Kirkstall the Goomtee Stakes, Prince -Imperial the All-horse Handicap, as well as two other races I am -not sure about; so the owners began to preen themselves again. The -Civil Service Cup was a disappointment. They had hoped to win it with -Negus, but were beaten by a pony named Pekin. - -At Meerut Plebein won the Grand National Chase, Prince Imperial the -Turf Club Cup, and in March, 1893, at the Patiala meeting little -Blitz added the Pony Race to his laurels; Sirus the Asiatic Stakes, -and Salford with nothing near him the Grand Annual. - -Lord William had added Flashlight to his string. It had worried him -very much there being anything that could beat his Tostig, which was -considered a really fast horse; he determined if possible to buy -Flashlight, and, as we see, he did accomplish the deal. - -Riding in the Calcutta Military Paperchase for the cup in 1893, Lord -Bill had a nasty fall with Ratafia. No bones were broken this time -fortunately, but he had to keep to his bed for several weeks. Though -now forty-six years of age, he still rode as hard as ever, still did -gymkhana tricks, and skylarked with the best of them, though he had -already eight times broken his collarbone, had various concussions -of the brain, and hundreds of minor griefs in the way of bumps and -bruises, yet his nerve had never failed him. - -At the 1893 Pindi meeting, Patiala-Beresford horses won nothing, -which was rather amusing, as it was from there the chief cry came -about its being no use racing against millionaire princes, of course -they could afford to buy up all the best horses, etc., giving no one -else a chance. On this occasion they must have felt small, to say the -least of it. - -At the end of the season the horses went to their summer quarters, -and the usual anxiety and curiosity began of wondering what the -Confederacy would produce for the next year’s racing. Wild rumours -floated about of the horses Lord William was supposed to have bought; -the racing and betting people studied all the English, Australian, -and American papers in hopes of finding out, or at any rate gleaning -some information. The would-be wise gossipers added various horses to -his stable with wonderful records, all of which were inventions or -at any rate proved incorrect. What was true, and eventually became -known, was that he had bought Sprig o’ Myrtle, a well-known and good -horse, with a view to taking Highborn down a peg or two. - -In June I think, at any rate in the hot weather, Lord William sent -Westminster, Vixen, Lady Grace, Escapade, Goldleaf and Chester to -Bangalore to train. This was chiefly owing to the Calcutta Turf Club -having decided not to allow South American horses any longer to be -entered in the country-bred class as regards weight. The Western -Indian Turf Club not having arrived at any such conclusion, both -Vixen and Westminster had a good chance there, making it worth while -sending them. Lord William’s prediction was verified, they both won -races and many rupees there. - -Simla was feeling rather miserable trying to face the inevitable, -for Lord William’s years of office were drawing to a close. People -quarrelled with one another to entertain him and do him honour, and -in spite of Lord Bill’s cheery efforts there was a something in the -air that spelt depression, for who would, or ever could, take his -place? And what were Lord Bill’s feelings in leaving all his kind -friends and the haunts of so many happy and successful years? I know -he felt lumps in his throat at times, and it seemed to bring home -to him that his youth was gone; that suddenly somehow he had become -middle-aged, and he had not hitherto realised it. He had been obliged -to give up polo, and his health at times was far from satisfactory, -although his spirit had never failed, was still unquenched, and after -all he had earned a little home life, but against that no one likes -leaving a place where they have been a little god. - -Amongst the most touching of his farewells was from the children -at Simla; he gave them a last farewell party at Inverarm, and they -presented him with a little remembrance, which was amongst the most -valued of his many parting gifts. - -While at Simla, Lady Lansdowne, who was very much liked, told some -lady she should like to visit her friends and have tea with them as -she did amongst her friends at home, she did not care for the formal -“stand-off” viceregal attitude. The lady this remark was addressed -to promptly said, “Oh, will you come to tea with me?” receiving an -answer in the affirmative. When the Military Secretary heard of this -he at once begged Her Excellency to do nothing of the kind; it would -be establishing a precedent in the first place which might not be -desirable, added to which it would most certainly lead to jealousy -and trouble, so the kind and sociable-hearted Vice-reine had to give -up the idea. - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Bourne & Shepherd_ - -MYALL KING’S GRAVE] - -Lord William now entered upon his last year’s racing. He wanted to -have an Irish finish, a good gallop for the last, and he was not -disappointed, for he certainly won a prodigious number of races. -People opened their eyes and blinked when Willson, Lord William’s -trainer, reached Calcutta with a truly formidable string, consisting -of good old Myall King, Flashlight, Tostig, Sprig o’ Myrtle, -Kirstall, Ivo, Westminster, Lady Grace, Caterina, Eider, Tabby, -Killatoe, Firstshot, Nectar, Mite, Negus, Labby, Parvo, Lady Ethleen, -Seabreeze, Puffball, Annie Rooney, Release, FitzGeorge, Coochick -and ever so many more, surely he must have reached the height of -his ambitions in India; but alas! his pleasure in his last year’s -racing was damped by an accident to his favourite Myall King while -he was being schooled over hurdles. It was noticed he was fencing -rather carelessly, whether he felt he had done his bit, and ceased -to be interested in the game, or whether he did not feel well, it is -hard to tell, but it ended in his coming to grief and breaking his -leg. Lord William was much upset, for Myall King had played the game -so handsomely for him. He ordered a monument to be erected to the -horse’s memory at Barrackpore, of which I give a photograph. Lord -William is standing on the right side with his little fox terrier, -Willson the trainer stands on the left, and Vinall near him. The -picture of Lord William is not the least like him. I think it has -suffered in the touching up process through which I understand they -have to go, but the photo is of interest. - -Many people who had admired the poor old horse felt sad when they -heard he had met his death on the racecourse where he had won so many -races. The poor beast had of course to be put out of his pain. - -The _Indian Planters Gazette_ felt it so strongly it broke into song, -as follows:-- - - Myall King has been shot, ran the pitiful story, - We heard in Calcutta on last Tuesday eve; - But that such a sad ending had come to his glory, - We listeners indeed found it hard to believe. - - Fling open the gates of the equine Valhalla - While the notes of his requiem mournfully ring, - Staunchest of thoroughbreds, best of Australians, - Champion of India, brave Myall King. - - Yet, if there’s a future for men and for horses, - Perhaps our old hero we once more may see, - Grazing free on sweet clover in meadows celestial, - Happy as sportsmen all wish him to be. - -The following shows at a glance the horse’s performances:-- - - _Myall King, by King Cob--Queen of the Forest_ - - Weights. Distance. Time. - 1887, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 8.8 1¾ m. 3 m. 9½ s. - Durbangah Cup 9.0 1 m. 6 f. 3 m. 20½ s. - 132 yds. - 1888, Feb. Lucknow Stewards’ Purse 10.3 2 m. 3 m. 41 s. - 1888, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 9.0 1¾ m. 3 m. 7½ s. - 1890, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup 9.0 1¾ m. 3 m. 8 s. - 1891, Feb. Lucknow Stewards’ Purse 9.7 1½ m. 2 m. 41 s. - 1891, Dec. Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup -- -- Ran third - 1892, -- Hyderabad Gold Cup 9.7 2 m. -- - -Misfortunes seldom come singly. Another catastrophe occurred almost -directly after Myall King’s, that useful pony Edith fell at the same -place, putting her shoulder out, so of course she could race no more. - -On December 2nd, at the first Extra Calcutta Meeting, Release ran -a dead-heat with Mr. Apcar’s Sapper in the Pony Plate, which was -unsatisfactory to both. At the second Extra Meeting Ivo won the -Fort Stakes, First Shot, looking splendid, won the Pony Trials, and -Westminster the Maiden Horse Stakes. Prince Imperial the Hastings -Plate Hurdles. - -Then came the eventful Cup Day. Excitement had been great for some -time and now grew intense. Many people thought the Maharajah of Kooch -Behar’s Highborn was certain to win, though in the opinion of some -he was a trifle overtrained. Lord William also had plenty of backers. - -As the horses cantered past to the post, Highborn certainly did look -tired and a little stale, while Tostig, Lord William’s horse, or I -should say the Confederacy horse, was looking very fit. They both got -away well, and Vinall kept his charge going from the first, hoping -to reduce his field a bit; he kept the lead until the last turn for -home, when it was observed Highborn was creeping up, though pale blue -and black cap was still leading. Presently Trahan, who was riding -Highborn, threw up his arm and began riding for a finish. This made -the crowd shout out, “Highborn’s beaten, Highborn’s done,” and the -field thought all was over but the shouting, and Lord William would -be victorious. Both jockeys now meant business; both were riding -every inch resolutely, but in spite of Vinall’s best endeavours, the -black landed his head well in front as he passed the winning post, -conqueror by a length. - -The sporting Maharajah of Kooch Behar, who was very popular, received -endless congratulations, and none more hearty than from his old -friend Lord William. Most people had hoped that being his lordship’s -last year’s racing he would again win the cup and retire victorious, -but the stable had to console itself with Negus winning the Eastern -Pony Stakes, and Eider the Walter Locke Cup. - -The big plum of the third day Parvo secured, on the fourth day -Lady Ethleen ran a dead-heat for the Lilliputians, and Negus the -Pony Handicap, and so ended Lord William’s last season’s racing in -Calcutta. - -On Saturday evening, the 30th of December, 1893, a farewell dinner -was given to Lord William by a large number of his friends in the -Calcutta Town Hall, prior to his departure from India, where he had -spent, as he himself said, “The best years of his life.” - -The hall was decorated with flags and draperies in Lord William’s -racing colours, the lances of the Viceroy’s Body Guard arranged round -the massive pillars of the hall, the general effect being distinctly -pretty. - -Mr. Charles H. Moore, one of Lord William’s oldest friends, occupied -the chair, and it is thanks to his courtesy I am able to produce the -facsimile of the signatures of the guests at that memorable feast, -also his speech in proposing the guest of the evening my readers will -see is both eloquent and earnest, and my friends tell me the delivery -was most impressive, calling forth an enthusiasm rarely witnessed on -such occasions. - -Lord William was, I know, greatly touched, and his reply was spoken -with much feeling and heartfelt appreciation for his kindly reception. - -Lord William sat on Mr. Moore’s right, the two next chairs being -occupied by Mr. Justice Macpherson and the Hon. General Brackenbury, -while on the chairman’s left were Admiral Kennedy and Lord Brassey. -The band of the Rifle Brigade played during the evening. - - -The following is a list of those present:-- - - Abbott, Mr. H. E.; Agnew, Capt. Q.; Agnew, Mr. H. de C.; Alexander, - Mr. R.; Allason, Major; Allan, Mr. J. J.; Anderson, Mr. A. S.; - Anderson, Mr. G. G.; Apcar, Mr. J. G.; Apostolides, Mr. E. C.; - Althorp, Capt. K.; Arbuthnot, Mr. J.; Ardagh, Col. J. C., C.I.E.; - Arthur, Mr. A.; Barclay, Mr. P. D.; Barlow, Mr. R.; Barnes, Mr. - F. C.; Bates, Mr. R. G.; Beaver, Col. P. K. L.; Beresford, Mr. - W. M.; Beverley, the Hon. Mr. Justice, C.S.; Bignell, Mr. R.; - Boteler, Mr. R.; Bourdillon, the Hon. J. A., C.S.; Brackenbury, - the Hon. Lieut.-General H., C.B.; Bradshaw, Surgeon-Major-General; - Brassey, the Right Hon. the Lord; Brasier-Creagh, Capt., A.D.C.; - Brock, Mr. C.; Brooke, Mr. W. R., C.I.E.; Buck, Sir E., C.I.E.; - Buckland, Mr. C. E., C.S.; Butler, Mr. A. L.; Bythell, Capt.; - Campbell, Capt. I. M., D.S.O.; Campbell, Mr. Alec; Campbell, Mr. - H. P.; Chatterton, Col. F. W.; Chisholme, Major J. J. Scott; - Christopher, Major; Collen, Major-General Sir E. H. H., K.C., - I.E.; Cotton, the Hon. H. J. S., C.S.I.; Creagh, Mr. B. P.; Croft, - the Hon. Sir A., K.C.I.E; Cubitt, Mr. J. E.; Cumberledge, Mr. F, - H.; Cuningham, Mr. W. J., C.S.I.; Cunningham, Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. - D. D.; Currie, Capt. J.; Curzon, the Hon. Major M.; Dangerfield, - Mr. E.; Daniel, Mr. Linsay; Dickson, Mr. Geo.; Dickson, Mr. J. - G.; Dods, Mr. W.; Doran, Major B. J. C.; Eddis, Mr. W. K.; Ellis, - Col. S. R.; Enter, Mr. K.; Evans, the Hon. Sir Griffith, K.C.I.E.; - Ezra, Mr. J. E. D.; Fenn, Surgeon-Col. E. H., C.I.E.; Galbraith, - Major-General W., C.B.; Gambrie, Col. G. R.; Gamble, Mr. R. A.; - Garraway, Capt. C. W.; Garth, Mr. G. L.; Garth, Mr. W.; Gladstone, - Mr. A. S.; Gladstone, Mr. J. S.; Gough, Capt. C. H. H.; Gough, Mr. - G.; Gregory, Mr. E. H.; Gregson, Mr. C. B.; Grimston, Capt. R. E., - A.D.C.; Hadden, Mr. F. G.; Hamilton, Mr. F. S., C.S.; Hamilton, - Mr. L. B.; Harbord, Capt. the Hon. C.; Hart, Mr. G. H. R.; Harvey, - Surgeon-Col. R.; Henderson, Mr. G. S.; Hensman, Mr. H.; Herbert, - Capt. L.; Hewett, Mr. J. P., C.S., C.I.E.; Hext, Capt. J., R.N., - C.I.E.; Hills, Mr. A.; Hills, Mr. C. R.; Hodgson, Mr. G. C.; - Holmes, Mr. W., C.S.; Hope, Mr. G. W.; Hunt, Col. J. L.; Irving, - Mr. W. O. Bell; James, Mr. S. Harvey, C.S.; Jardine, Sir William, - Bart.; Jarrett, Col. H. S.; Jenkins, Capt. A. E.; Johnstone, Mr. C. - Lawrie; Jourdain, Mr. C. B.; Kennedy, H. E., Rear-Admiral George; - King, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. G., C.I.E.; King, Mr. D. W.; - Kirk, Mr. H. A.; Kooch Behar, H. H. the Maharajah of, G.C.I.E.; - Lambert, the Hon. Sir John, K.C.I.E.; Lance, Brigadier-General F., - C.B.; Latimer, Mr. F. W.; Lethbridge, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col.; - Lister, Capt. G. C., A.D.C.; Ludlow, Col.; Lumsden, Mr. D. M.; - Luson, Mr. H.; Lyall, Mr. A. A.; Lyall the Hon. Mr. D. R., C.S.I., - C.S.; Lyall, Mr. R. A.; Mackensie, Mr. D. F.; Mackellor, Mr. G. - B.; Macleod, Mr. J. J.; Macnair, Mr. G. B.; Macpherson, the Hon. - Justice W., C.S.; Maitland, Col.; McInnes, Mr. H. H.; McLeod, - Mr. C. C.; Mehta, Mr. R. D.; Miley, Col. J. A.; Mills, Mr. G.; - Milton, Lord, A.D.C.; Moore, Mr. C. H.; Muir, Mr. A. K.; Muir, Sir - John, Bart.; Myers, Mr. Dudley B.; Norman, Mr. A. F.; Norris, the - Hon. Justice, Q.C.; Overend, Mr. T. B. G.; Paget, Mr. H. E. C.; - Paris, Mr. G. B.; Pattison, Mr. F. E.; Paul, Col. St.; Peacock, - Mr. F. B.; Perinan, Mr. F. W.; Peterson, Mr. C. D.; Patrie, Mr. - J. M.; Playfair, the Hon. Mr. P.; Pollen, Capt. S. H., A.D.C.; - Prickett, Mr. L. G.; Prinsep, the Hon. Mr. Justice H. T., C.S.; - Pritchard, the Hon. Sir C., K.C.I.E., C.S.I.; Ralli, Mr. John A.; - Ralli, Mr. T. D.; Rawlinson, Mr. A. T.; Raye, Brigade-Surgeon - D.; Rodocanachi, Mr. J.; Ross, Mr. R. M.; Rustornjee, Mr. H. M.; - Sanders, Surgeon-Major R. C.; Saunders, Mr. J. O’B.; Schiller, - Mr. F. C.; Shakespeare, Mr. F.; Simson, Mr. A.; Simson, Mr. A. - F.; Stedman, General E., C.B.; Steel, Mr. Robert; Stewart, Mr. F. - G.; Stewart, Mr. C. D.; Stewart, Mr. J. L.; Stewart, Mr. J. R.; - Stuart, Mr. Harry; Targett, Mr. W. H.; Temple, Mr. G.; Thomas, Mr. - J. P.; Thomas, Mr. L. R.; Thomas, Mr. R. E. S.; Thomas, Mr. W. L.; - Thuillier, Col. H. R.; Toomay, Mr. J. A.; Trail, Mr. T.; Tremearne, - Mr. Shirley; Turnbull, Mr. R., C.I.E.; Turner, Capt. J. G.; Upton, - Mr. R. L.; Vincent, Mr. Claude; Walker, Major-General A.; Waller, - Mr. R. R.; Ward, Mr. G.; West, Mr. J. D.; Wilkins, Mr. C. A., C.S.; - Williams, Capt. G. A. - -In rising to propose the health of the Viceroy and Lady Lansdowne, -Mr. Moore was very warmly received. He said:-- - - “Gentlemen,--We have a rigid rule here to-night to confine our - speeches to two, but I must break it so far as to ask you to drink - to the health of the Viceroy and Lady Lansdowne--(cheers). I am - sure I am interpreting your sentiments right in thinking you will - do it with enthusiasm. They have won the hearts of us all, and - their approaching departure carries with it a feeling of actual - personal loss arising from the affection and esteem they have so - universally inspired; he, because he is straight, loyal and true, - and she, because in every respect she is perfectly charming.” - - “The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, the whole - company standing,” to quote the words from the account given to me. - -After a brief interval the Chairman again rose, his rising being the -signal for prolonged cheering. He said:-- - - “Gentlemen,--I first knew Bill Beresford over thirty years ago in - the playing fields of Eton, where they say battles are won, to the - inspiration of which thought we may both trust to fight against - the extreme nervousness our respective positions entail on us - to-night. His nervousness needs no apology, as he has to respond - to a whole evening in his honour, which nobody could face with - perfect equanimity. Mine perhaps requires this explanation, that in - assuming my duty, which is to now call a toast to his name, and bid - him farewell on behalf of this large company, I find it difficult - to do so in appropriate terms, lest I be charged with personal bias - from my well-known feelings for him of affectionate friendship and - regard--(cheers). I have been selected for this task which, for - this reason, I would rather have deputed to some other, because - amongst Calcutta residents proper (and this dinner is meant to - bear a Calcutta complexion) I have known him longer than most, if - not than all of you. This qualification I claim with pride. I beg - you however to believe I mean to be impartial in the few remarks - regarding his career which I now make--(cheers). - - “I must not date back too far, so I leave Eton days and get - straight to India, where his main career has been spent, and with - distinction--(cheers)--for it is with that portion of his life that - this company is chiefly concerned. What fortunate accident brought - him here I do not quite know, unless it was the natural termination - of the short life and a merry one dear to youthful soldiers in the - old country, but having arrived here eighteen years ago, here he - has remained, and I would briefly recall to you the various phases - in which he has appeared before us. I think I can best cut him - into four--(laughter and cheers)--the soldier, the official, the - sportsman, and the social companion--(cheers). - - “As soldier I cannot speak of him from personal knowledge. - I have the satisfaction of being a member of society who, - when war is abroad, is entitled to seclude himself from its - ranks--(laughter)--but it is a consolation to feel that a good - plucked one, like our friend Bill, is to the fore to protect - me--(hear, hear, and laughter). I recollect I first saw him as - a soldier, gay and dapper, in 9th Lancers uniform, brown hair, - sufficient of it, and a straight nose--(laughter)--escorting the - Prince of Wales from Prinseps Ghât to Government House, but this is - only the show side of a soldier’s life. For its realistic side one - must go further afield, and there are those amongst us from whom no - doubt I could glean facts to set forth his worth, but there is no - need. He bears on his breast the sign manual of merit in the proud - insignia of the Victoria Cross, and I am justified in accepting - that as sufficient evidence--(loud and prolonged cheers). - - “As official, we have all known him best as Military Secretary to - the Viceroy of India. He has (after six years’ service as A.D.C. to - Lords Northbrook and Lytton) held the post for twelve years under - three successive Viceroys; has raised the office to a science, and - himself from an official into an institution--(cheers)--acquired - a reputation absolutely unique, and so identified himself with - the position that when a new Viceroy is appointed it seems - more natural to ask who is to be his ‘Bill Beresford’ than his - ‘Military Secretary’--(cheers and laughter)--and when it is - Bill himself the Viceroy elect has secured, what is of great - value, the same capacity and undeviating loyalty enjoyed by his - predecessor--(cheers). In all this I need not rely upon my own - judgment, for it is proved a hundred-fold in the fact that he - has been the choice and acquired the confidence and esteem of - successive men of high intellect and such different characters as - Lords Ripon, Dufferin and Lansdowne--(cheers). More than that I - understand his worth has been recognised by a power higher even - than a Viceroy’s, and testified to by his elevation to a Knighthood - in the Order of the Indian Empire, of which he is already a - member--(loud and continued cheering). I knew that would elicit the - hearty congratulations of you all, and I am glad we are the first - to offer them. - - “In the social part of his duties, his capacity extends to, and is - felt by all of us, for the influence of the Chief of the Staff is - visible in every detail of the social functions and hospitality - of Government House. I can assure him we not only know it, but - appreciate very warmly the advantages we have derived from it. He - has won all this by sheer force of character, and we find it hard - to realise he is really giving up. - - “As sportsman, I can best sum him up in the current colloquialism - that he is absolutely undefeated--(loud and continued cheers). - His stable of racehorses has been for years the chief mainstay of - Calcutta racing; in all weathers and all vicissitudes of fortune - he is to the fore, full of pluck, always has horses to run or to - back, buys freely, and is generally a dispensation of Providence - to stewards, being a staunch supporter of ruling powers and - frequent offers of useful advice born of long experience. His most - remarkable virtue to my mind is his exuberant cheerfulness even - when luck is against him--(cheers). I never met a better loser, and - it means possession of a combination of enviable qualities rarely - met with. I have known his career on the turf for over twenty - years, and to speak of him as I know him he has throughout raced - like an honest English gentleman. As you all know, he is a splendid - whip, and was a first-class performer over jumps, especially on - difficult horses, until he ended his career to that game, and it - was then that he spoilt the shape of the nose I before alluded - to--(much laughter and cheers). - - “As social companion, I suppose nobody amongst us has ever had - such a large circle of appreciative acquaintance in circles - from the highest to the lowest, male and female--(laughter and - cheers)--and if I may venture to say it without exhibition of - bias, his popularity is due to his inexhaustible fund of high - spirits, ready sympathy, love for hosts of friends, open-handed - generosity--(cheers)--admiration of beauty, his merry Irish wit, - and infinite capacity of loyal attachment to his pals--(continued - cheers). - - “That concludes my dissection of his personality, which the patient - has borne heroically, and I now put him together again as one - piece--(laughter). - - “I do not think any man in this room is intuitively more modest in - the estimate of his own merits than my dear friend Bill--(hear, - hear, and cheers). I know his impulse will be to attribute my - praise to my kindly feelings towards him. I anticipate him by - replying that 180 people have met here to do him honour--(loud - and prolonged cheers)--that residents in India are not given to - spasmodic ebullitions of enthusiasm, nor to be influenced by a - passing breath of popular favour. Their whole trend of mind is - in the opposite direction; they are more prone to indifference - generally, and as regards individuals to apathy, and when such a - goodly company as this assembles to bid good-bye to one member of - the community, it bears the practical significance that he has - made a noticeable mark and justifies the general tenour of my - remarks--(cheers). - - “I ask him therefore to take that unction to his soul in reflecting - over this entertainment, and assure him that when on behalf of all - of us I now wish him a very warm farewell, health and happiness in - the future, and add a hearty ‘God bless you, old chap,’ we mean - we admire him, that we are his friends, intend to remain so, and - bitterly regret his departure from amongst us--(loud and prolonged - cheers). - - “I have now to call a toast to him, Gentlemen, as a typical - soldier, a capable official, an undefeated sportsman, a prince of - good fellows, and a man of mark amongst us.” - -The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheers, the band playing “For -he’s a jolly good fellow” and “Auld Lang Syne,” in both of which the -whole company joined in singing the chorus. - -Lord William Beresford stood up to reply, and after the hearty round -of cheering with which his rising was greeted had subsided, spoke as -follows:-- - - “Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,--Before I attempt to reply to the - speech in which your Chairman has praised me much more than I - deserve--(No, no)--I must ask you to notice that even the old - schoolfellow and friend he is, he is unable to bring it to - my charge that I am orator, and I must own I feel at a great - disadvantage in this respect compared with him, and if the few - words which I have risen to say seem to any of you to fall short - of what they should, believe me that it is not because they are - not spoken from the heart--(hear, hear, and cheers)--but because - of my inability to give expression to what I feel, and surely it - would be no reproach to anyone if at a time like this he found it - very difficult, if not almost impossible, to thank you in adequate - terms, not only for the manner in which you have accepted and - endorsed the altogether flattering description that Mr. Moore has - given of me and of my career in India, but also for the feelings of - good fellowship which prompted you to ask me to be your guest here - to-night--(cheers). - - “I can imagine no greater honour than to find myself at the close - of one’s sojourn in India invited by 180 of one’s fellow-countrymen - in Calcutta to a social meeting like that of to-night--(cheers). - The invitation came to me as a most complete, unexpected and - most gratifying surprise, and will, I assure you all, add to - the brightest and happiest recollections of my last weeks in - India--(hear, hear, and cheers)--which must, alas! of necessity - contain far more of pain than pleasure in them, for no one can cut - himself off finally from a country in which he has been employed - for eighteen years, and those the best of his life, in which he - has made most of his best friends, and mixed as I have tried to do - in all its sport and pastimes, without feeling a shock in doing - so--(cheers). - - “Gentlemen, Mr. Moore says he does not quite know what brought me - out to India, and as I, to use his own expression, have appeared - before you in four various phases, first of which he puts as - soldier, I think this is a good opportunity of telling you that it - was in the capacity of a subaltern in the 9th Lancers that I came - out to this country, and he is quite right in saying that it was in - that uniform I first appeared in Calcutta, as extra A.D.C. on Lord - Northbrook’s staff, leading the cortège of His Royal Highness the - Prince of Wales from Prinseps Ghât to Government House. - - “I regret that the abundance of brown locks to which he refers no - longer remain, but is replaced by a scanty silver fringe--(laughter - and cheers). - - “With regard to the allusion he made to the straightness of the - nose--(laughter)--that he recollects on that occasion, he is not - quite correct, and there is a gentleman (Mr. J. J. Allan) among my - hosts here to-night that can testify to the fact that, owing to - a slight disagreement he and I had many years ago, not actually - in the playing fields of Eton, but close by, he made a little - arrangement that prevented the particular nose referred to being - worn straight by its wearer for the rest of his life--(laughter - and cheers)--this particular battle was not won by either, as it - was acknowledged to be a draw, and I am glad to tell you the two - combatants have been the very best of friends ever since--(hear, - hear, and cheers). - - “When I came out with the 9th, the greatest aim and object of my - life was, some day in the future, to get command of that regiment, - but force of circumstances prevented these wishes being gratified, - and I elected, whether for better or worse I cannot say, to remain - as Military Secretary with the Viceroy of India, in preference - to going back as second in command of my old regiment, and thus - closing promotion which I was bound to get by remaining on in my - post out here. I am sorry to say, therefore, that it is years since - I have done any soldiering, and it is a great regret to me on - leaving this country that I cannot return to the dear old regiment - in which I began my service. - - “The next section into which Mr. Moore has placed me is the - official one, and with regard to it I may say how fortunate I have - been in having served under five such masters. It is not for me - to make comparisons, or to refer to their respective policies, - but I may be permitted to say, which I do from the bottom of my - heart, that from one and all I invariably received the greatest - kindness, and if I have succeeded in pleasing them, I am fully - recompensed for any trouble I may have taken in the performance of - my various duties; but, Gentlemen, I am afraid that at times the - Military Secretary’s duty necessitates his doing things which may - be displeasing to those who are affected. In such cases I can only - say that I have endeavoured to do my duty to the best of my lights, - and if I have at any time hurt anyone’s feelings in such matters, I - have done so most unwillingly and to my great regret, and I should - like to take this opportunity of stating how much indebted I am to - all the different departments that I have had to deal with for the - help, advice, and support that I have always received on all sides, - and thanks to which my official work has been made comparatively - easy--(cheers)--and when in a few weeks now I hand over the reins - of my office to my successor, the best and kindest wish I can - desire for his welfare is that he may be as ably supported and - leniently dealt with as I have been--(hear, hear, and cheers). I - think he starts his career under very favourable circumstances, - having formerly served his apprenticeship on the Viceroy’s staff, - and has thus become thoroughly conversant with all the details - of that staff. He (Colonel Durand) is a real good soldier; most - popular with everybody who knows him--(cheers)--and I only hope - when the time comes for him to have finished his turn of office as - Military Secretary he will be able to look back to as many happy - days and warm friendships made as I can--(cheers). - - “The third section to which the Chairman referred was the sportsman - section, and believe me, I am very proud indeed to have such - a title attached to my name, but I am afraid I can no longer - claim to be the sportsman I used to be owing to a variety of - accidents between the flags, on the polo ground, and in pursuit - of pig and paper, but still I cling to sports of all sorts as - much as circumstances will permit me to do. I have tried all that - are offered to us in India, and I think that many of my hosts - to-night will support me in saying that pig-sticking takes first - place--(hear, hear, and cheers). I certainly must own I have - derived more pleasure from this than either tiger shooting, racing, - or anything else I tried. Certainly I was extremely fortunate when - I first came to India and tried my hand at the spear to have the - advice and guidance of that acknowledged prince of pig-stickers, - who I am proud to see has honoured me to-night with his presence, - Archie Hills, of Patkahari--(loud and continued cheers). It was he - who led the dance of our party the first time I ever rode after - pig; he told me how to hold my spear and use it, and the best day’s - pig-sticking I ever saw in my life was afforded by him at his own - place, when we accounted before tiffin for seventeen boars, three - cut horses, and a collar-bone broken--(cheers and laughter). - - “With regard to racing, I have indeed had my full share of the - plums, and it is a pleasant thing to look back on the record of - my stable, which amongst other things can count six Viceroy’s - Cups--(cheers)--three of which are credited to old Myall - King--(cheers)--who, alas! died on the course little over a month - ago--besides two Kooch Behar Cups, two Durbangah Cups, three Civil - Service Cups, and five Grand Military Steeplechases, of which I was - fortunate enough to pilot the winner myself--(loud cheers)--and at - one time or another most of the biggest races in India. - - “In this my last year I was indeed pleased to be connected with - the severe tussle for the Viceroy’s Cup, inasmuch as Tostig, - who made such a good fight for it, was imported by me, and was - till quite recently my property--(cheers)--and as His Highness - the Maharajah of Patiala was not fortunate enough to win on this - occasion, he and I--believe me I am quoting his feelings as well - as my own--were compensated to a great extent by the fact that the - much-coveted prize was won by one of my greatest supporters of the - Indian turf--(loud and continued cheers)--who struggled for many - years with crushing bad luck, but stayed the course, and eventually - has been rewarded for his pluck by having won the Viceroy’s - Cups two years in succession, and all the other big races this - season--(continued cheers). I may add that I hope he may live for - many years and carry off in the future several more prizes of the - Indian turf, and though His Highness the Maharajah of Patiala has - not yet won this most coveted prize, which, by the way, is no fault - of his own, he has spared no expense in trying to get together the - best horses money can buy--(hear, hear)--and has done all that a - sportsman could do to become a recipient of the Viceroy’s Cup, - but though Dame Fortune seems up to the present to frown upon his - endeavours in this particular direction, I prophesy that his time - will come when his wishes will be gratified, and nobody wishes - him this success more than myself--(cheers). He, at any rate, can - congratulate himself at this moment on possessing the best horse in - India, of which there can be no doubt, as our best authority out - here has declared officially that Sprig o’ Myrtle is at weight for - age and class, 8 lbs. in front of the invincible Highborn at a mile - and three quarters, and I only hope that authority is correct in - his estimation of this son of Trenton--(much laughter and cheers). - - “I am sorry to say I have been obliged to give up the game of - polo, but I still have a sneaking regard for the pursuit of - paper--(cheers)--and I hope, with the kind assistance of our - Honorary Secretary, we shall have some very pleasant paper-chases - this my last cold weather among you--(hear, hear). - - “Now, Gentlemen, I have come to the last phase or section referred - to, namely, that of social companion, and on this head I can say - nothing. It is needless for me to do so as your presence here - to-night fully justifies the many nice things the Chairman has said - about me. He is, as you doubtless know, one of my oldest friends; - he has known me longer almost than anybody present, and has always, - whether in weal or woe, extended the hand of true friendship - and hospitality to me ever since I first came to Calcutta in - 1875--(loud cheers). - - “Before I sit down, I must again thank you one and all for the - splendid reception you have given me this evening, and for the very - kind manner in which my friends have rallied round me to-night - and drunk my health, and I heartily wish to all of you the warm - farewell you have wished to me.” - -Lord William resumed his seat amid loud cheers, which were continued -for some time. - -Signatures recorded at the farewell dinner to Lord William Beresford -are reproduced here. - - SIGNATURES OF THE - GUESTS PRESENT AT THE - CALCUTTA BANQUET. - -[Illustration: (several signatures; page 1 of 10)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - -[Illustration: (several signatures)] - - -Having bid farewell to Calcutta, on his way down country, Lord Bill -managed to stay at Lucknow to see his horses run for the last time -in India. Good old Lucknow, where he had run many races and had some -glorious times. - -To send him away feeling happy his Mite won the Civil Service Cup and -pots of money; also another race the same day, namely, the Chutter -Munzil Purse; Vixen won the Horse Handicap on the third day; Negus -won the Derby on the fourth day. After this Lord William made his -final bow to India. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - HIS MARRIAGE - - First Visit to the Deepdene--Finds a Relation in His - Bedroom--Engagement to be Married Announced--School Treats--One New - Year’s Morning--King Edward VII Visits the Deepdene When Prince of - Wales--A Narrow Escape--“Tommy, Where Are You?”--Why Lord William - wore a Turban--Fast Trotters and Their Doings--Mishap on the Way - to the Derby--Racing in England--Racing Geography--Another Racing - Partnership--Accident While Hunting--Mr. Palmer to the Rescue--Lord - William Tells a Story Against Himself--A Son Born. - - -We now enter on the short third volume of Lord William’s life. He -landed in England during the spring of 1894, bringing with him -various faithful retainers, also some favourite horses and ponies. In -June of that year he paid his first visit to the Deepdene, Dorking, -as a guest of Lily Duchess of Marlborough, having been invited at -Lady Sarah Wilson’s suggestion to make up a party for Ascot races. - -It will be remembered that Lady Sarah was a sister of the 8th Duke of -Marlborough, whose widow was renting the Deepdene. - -Lord William was amused to find in his bachelor bedroom a print -of one of his relations, namely, Lord Marcus Gervais Beresford, -Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Primate of Ireland, whose eldest son -married Mary Annabella, sister of Sir William Vernon Harcourt, who -was first cousin to the author’s mother; Sir William’s mother -and author’s grandfather being brother and sister (_vide_ Burke, -Gooch-Vernon Harcourt); the author’s mother having been Miss Mary -Teresa Gooch, daughter of the Rev. William Gooch, Canon of York; she -having married Robert Calverly Bewicke-Bewicke, B.A., J.P., D.L., of -Coulby Manor, Yorkshire. - -It is interesting to note Lord William’s father married his beautiful -wife while on a visit to this self-same gentleman looking down from -the walls of the Deepdene. - -In September Lord William returned to India for a few months to -attend to some business and racing matters, after which he announced -his engagement to Lily Duchess of Marlborough, which came as a -surprise to most people. In India he was gradually becoming regarded -as a confirmed bachelor, though it seemed incredible that anyone who -was such an admirer of the fair sex and who was equally admired by -them in return should be able to escape; indeed, his having escaped -is only one more proof of his cool head and ability. - -It was not a long engagement, April 30th, 1895, was chosen for the -wedding; when Lilian Warren, daughter of Cicero Price, Commodore -of the U.S. Navy, married Lord William Beresford as her third -husband, the first having been Mr. Louis Hammersley of New York, an -exceedingly wealthy man who left his wife a large fortune. Secondly, -she married the 8th Duke of Marlborough, who died in 1892, but not -before the Duchess’s fortune had done much for Blenheim Palace. - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Russell, Baker Street_ - -LILY, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH] - -Lord William and his bride made their vows at the Church of -St. George’s, Hanover Square, witnessed by crowds of friends. The -bridegroom was supported by his younger brother, Lord Marcus, as -best man. Her Grace was given away by her stepson the 9th Duke of -Marlborough. - -The Church was charmingly decorated with lilies of all sorts, a -pretty compliment to the bride’s name. - -The Duke of Cambridge sat beside Lord William and the United States -Ambassador and Mrs. Bayard beside the bride. When the service was -over Lord and Lady William Beresford drove to the bride’s house -in Carlton House Terrace, where they received the congratulations -of their many friends, all of whom did justice to the good things -provided for them. - -Later in the day the bride and bridegroom left the town for the -Deepdene, that lovely place being rented from Lord Francis Hope. It -stands on the eastern side of the old coaching road near Dorking. On -the north the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway winds. The -grounds around the house are amongst the most beautiful in England, -when the rhododendrons are in flower the gardens and grounds are a -blaze of colour and a delight. It is charmingly secluded and yet near -enough to the world to easily see as much of it as might be desired. -It was here, I believe, that Beaconsfield wrote his _Coningsby_. - -The original house was built in Charles I’s reign by the Hon. -Charles Howard, son of the Duke of Norfolk, but it was pulled down -and rebuilt by a descendant and eventually sold to a Mr. Hope, a -very rich art collector, whose daughter married the late Duke of -Newcastle, and at her death the Deepdene became the property of Lord -Francis Pelham-Clinton, a grandson of the Duke’s, who took the name -of Hope on succeeding to the estate; he leased the place to Lily -Duchess of Marlborough for twenty-one years, and it was there the -last few years of Lord William’s life were mostly spent. - -It seems a strange coincidence that Lord William’s wife should have -lived five years with her first husband, five years with the second -and five years with the third! - -It was a great pleasure to Lord William fixing up all his trophies -and treasures in their permanent home. The dining-room, the -billiard-room, the front hall and indeed every nook and corner were -filled with them, all having interesting histories of their own. - -An arcade runs round three sides of the lofty hall, above this there -is a gallery where guns, spears, assegais, antlers, racing cups, and -beautiful inlaid vases are arranged in profusion. Also regimental -trophies, of which he was fond and proud, for he loved his old -regiment. - -In the billiard-room there are many masterpieces of great value, -also in one corner stands a small easel in which reposes a picture -entitled “Bill wins,” below is an inscription, explaining the scene -at Curraghmore Steeplechases on April 30th, 1874, his wedding having -taken place exactly twenty-one years after on April 30th, 1895. - -[Illustration: THE DEEPDENE, DORKING] - -[Illustration: FRONT HALL AT THE DEEPDENE] - -One of the ambitions of Lord William’s life was to win the Derby, -and he began looking about him for likely winners; it did not take -him long to collect some useful horses, though I doubt very much -if his racing in England ever gave him as much pleasure as it did in -India. His wife was most interested in his horses and was as anxious -as he was that he should own the best. She was a kind-hearted woman -who did a great deal for the comfort and happiness of all around her, -the poor of Dorking are not likely to forget her or her husband, for -they closely associated themselves with all the local charities and -philanthropic undertakings. - -Nothing pleased Lord William better than to have a house full of -people; he loved to have some of the old 9th with him. It had been -hoped when he settled down to home-life he would take things more -easily, but he still continued to cram two or three days’ work into -one, just as he did in India, he had not yet found a day quite long -enough for all he wanted to do. - -On his birthday he always gave all the Dorking school children -a treat in the park at Deepdene, entertaining about 1800 of all -denominations, and surely no children were ever so entertained -before, no expense was spared that would add to their pleasure, and -he always took part in the proceedings himself, which added much to -the children’s pleasure, while, I believe, he enjoyed it himself -thoroughly; he loved to see children happy and hear them laugh. He -arranged their races, threw bags full of pennies to be scrambled -for, taking particular notice of any child, girl or boy, who after -striving was not strong enough to capture any pence amongst the -hustling crowd of eager bairns, these he used to reward with pennies -privately; he said he could not bear the look of disappointment on -their faces when time after time they failed. - -Lord William never imagined he could be imposed upon, with the -exception perhaps of a certain section of the racing fraternity, but -children managed to do it fairly successfully sometimes. - -One New Year’s morning, for instance, he had asked Mr. Palmer, -who attended to all his wife’s business when she was Duchess of -Marlborough (and afterwards to the time of her death) to breakfast -with him at nine o’clock. Arriving at the Deepdene and finding his -lordship had not finished dressing he went to his room to talk to him -until his toilet was completed. On entering he found Lord William -with the French windows open and a small crowd of children standing -outside uttering the time hallowed, “Wish you a happy New Year, sir,” -while the recipient of those kindly wishes was throwing occasional -shillings and sixpences to the expectant little crowd. Mr. Palmer -watched for a short time and then said, “Well, these kiddies are -getting the best of you.” “How?” asked Lord William. “Why,” said -Mr. Palmer, “in the first place, they go away and bring others, and -in the second, some of them have been up, gone, and come back again -without your noticing it, possibly may have been two or three times.” -“Oh, no!” replied Lord William, but he turned to one group who were -very fervent in their wishes for his happiness and asked, “How many -times have you been here this morning?” The reply came, “Only twice, -sir,” without a moment’s hesitation. He then turned to a group of -three boys, one somewhat older than the other two, and said to the -biggest, “If I give you a shilling, how will you divide it among the -three of you?” The boy considered for a moment and then replied, “I -would keep sixpence myself and give the other sixpence to the other -two.” - -Lord William foretold a great career for this specimen. While walking -into the dining-room Lord William said to Mr. Palmer, “I suppose some -of those kids have been too bright for me, but after all what does it -mean; I suppose I have given away a fiver and with that fiver I have -carried joy and satisfaction to many a child’s heart, better so than -losing fifty to some bookie. In the one case I do get something for -my money, in the latter case nothing.” - -In October, 1895, King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, stayed -with the Beresfords at Deepdene, others staying in the house at the -time were the Sassoons, Colonel Brabazon 10th Hussars, otherwise -known as “Beautiful Bwab” (he had some difficulty with his r’s), -Captain Holford, Lady Sarah Wilson and Mr. Winston Churchill, also, I -believe, Mr. Charles Moore. - -His Majesty enjoyed his visit. He was taken to see the Home Farm -where Lord William attended to his business and where he kept all his -horses except his racing stud; they were at Epsom, under the care of -Mr. Willson, who came from India with Lord William. The farm was a -delightful sunny spot and was occupied by Lord Bill’s head man and -his wife; occasionally his lordship had some cheery bachelor parties -there. The view was charming, looking over Boxhill and the North -Downs, sweeping the valley towards Reigate and Bletchingley. It was -on these downs that Bishop Wilberforce met his death in 1873; the -church there is a memorial to him. - -Soon after his marriage, Lord William had one of his many accidents -while driving a fast trotter named Hugh from Leatherhead. The only -other occupants being Lord Marcus and the groom Tommy Ryan, who came -from Curraghmore. The night was very dark and wet, but they were -thundering along at a very fast pace when Hugh shied violently, -upsetting the whole caboodle. When they began collecting themselves -Tommy was missing, so his master shouted out, “Tommy, where are you?” -From the other side of a wall came the answer, “I’m here, my lord, -on my head in a ditch.” The brothers were much amused. Amongst other -things Lord Bill’s head was cut, obliging him to appear at breakfast -next morning with it bandaged up; his mother who was staying there -at the time asked anxiously what was the matter, he wished to avoid -frightening her so told one of those useful white lies which oil the -wheels of life, saying quite coolly that he always wore a turban on a -certain anniversary of some event in India! which quite satisfied his -mother. - -A fast trotter or two for his buggy was considered a necessity, and -he brought his chestnut mare, Ilee, from India with him, he said -he could not part with her, she had so often saved his life by her -sagacity. She apparently did not leave her wisdom behind her in the -East, for one night when for a wonder Lord Bill was alone and driving -her home in the dark, as he turned into the lower drive at the -Deepdene and she was doing a little bit of her best, she suddenly -stopped dead, causing a bit of a splutter but probably saving Lord -William’s life, for, thinking he had returned, the lodge keeper had -put up the bar for the night across the drive blocking ingress or -egress without his permission and knowledge. - -Some of Lord William’s trotters did remarkable things; Harry, another -prodigy, he raced against a train between two stations on the -Brighton line, I believe it was between Burford and Dorking, for a -bet, of course, and ended in a dead-heat! It used to be quite a joke -amongst the people of Dorking when they heard one of the trotters -thundering down the road to shout out, “Clear the way for his -lordship,” all using their best endeavours to clear everything out of -his way. The Dorking people had taken him to their hearts, and they -were so proud of all his feats and doings. It must be recognised more -indulgence and latitude was allowed to his lordship than would be -extended to everybody, but that is just one of the remarkable things -about him, everybody succumbed to him, allowing licence that would -certainly not have been permitted to anybody else. - -Piloteer, a handsome grey trotter, won many prizes at Richmond, -Dublin and other places. I am able to give a good photo of him taken -just after winning one of his prizes. He was an Irish horse. - -During 1896 there were various hairbreadth escapes, without which -I am sure Lord Bill would have felt dull. While driving his coach -from Ascot to Bishopsgate when trying to pass some other coaches the -leaders stepped into a furze-bush and then bolted; if history tells -true the coach was upset, but of that I cannot speak with certainty, -but I do know for certain that all in the coach were full of praise -for the wonderful driving which had enabled them to escape unhurt. On -the coach at the time were Lord and Lady Marcus Beresford, that fine -old sportsman, Colonel Chaine, and his wife, Major Braithwaite and -Mrs. Featherstonhaugh. - -Another mishap occurred once going to the Derby, I think, if I -remember rightly, when some of the occupants were landed over a hedge -into a field. They were all men this time and one who was there told -me about it. I believe it happened when his lordship was racing -against young Mr. Fownes; at least that is how the tale was told to -me, but it was long ago and I hope I am not taking anybody’s name in -vain. - -Lord William’s coach was always one of the best turned out and horsed -at the Coaching and Four-in-hand Club meets. - -His first successful racing season after his return to this country -was 1896. He knew the business thoroughly from A to Z, to which -much of his success was due, for it is no use anybody saying in a -light-hearted way “I am going to race,” expecting to do wonderful -things because they know the points of a horse and have judged -the jumping at local agricultural shows; it not only spells -disappointment, but often financial disaster. No one unless they have -been behind the scenes or learnt by bitter experience can form any -idea of how much there is to know before there is even a possibility -of success. To begin with, and it is a big beginning, there are the -numerous authorities which it is wise and advantageous to keep in a -pleasant frame of mind, and under no circumstances bandy words with, -or argue; fancy arguing or bandying words with the Jockey Club for -instance, the National Hunt Committee, or the Turf Club of Ireland; -yet all have to be considered. Many are the rules, regulations, -and niceties in the way of etiquettes requiring digestion, all an -education in themselves. - -I had not grasped until Lord William explained it to me that -according to the rules of racing geography, Ireland, the Isle of Man, -and the Channel Islands are _not_ included in the expression Great -Britain, they are _only_ the United Kingdom. - -Another perplexing thing when you see “owner” in connection with a -horse’s name you rather naturally conclude the horse belongs to him, -but as a matter of fact it may mean almost anything, the horse may -only have been leased for his racing years, or he may be shared by -partners when presumably only half the horse belongs to “Owner.” -All of this was of course A B C to Lord William, and he knew every -race, its dates and distances, stakes and conditions by heart. He -considered Newmarket the best course in the world. - -Liverpool is a terror; if any of my readers are interested in -steeplechasing and have not been over the Aintree Course there, I -advise them to walk round and look at the jumps in cold blood, they -will wonder any horses or men can be found with pluck enough to face -them. No Beresford, as far as I know, has ever yet seen his colours -carried successfully in that much coveted prize, the Grand National -at Liverpool, though Lord Marcus got fairly near once with Chimney -Sweep, when he ran second to Captain Machell’s Reugny, ridden by -that splendid amateur Mr. J. Maunsell Richardson, in 1874, and again -in 1879, when Jackal carried the light blue and black cap, being -beaten by Mr. Garry Moore on the Liberator. A Liverpool which will -possibly for ever bear the unprecedented mark of four brothers, -namely the Beasleys, having mounts in the chase, and they all made -the course, “Tommy” Beasley coming home behind Lord Marcus’s horse. - -Some of the Irish courses are also formidable. At the modern -Leopardstown, for instance, where in the past there has been plenty -of grief. Punchestown is not quite so bad; Irish horses do well -there, they understand the kind of jumps. - -At the end of 1895, Lord William entered into partnership with Mr. -Pierre Lorillard, sharing a number of race-horses with him, amongst -the most successful being Paris III, which was bought in 1896 from -Mrs. White, who was I believe the widow of the Hon. James White so -successful in Australian racing. The horse had raced in England in -her name before being purchased by Lord William, but had done no -good, directly he appeared in Lord William’s colours he won the -popular Northamptonshire Stakes, value £925; now many years defunct. -Five horses ran, but Paris III won by six lengths; it was a popular -victory as he was favourite at 2 to 1. Cannon was up and the horse -carried 3 lbs. overweight, nevertheless he won easily; he also won -the Prince’s Handicap at Gatwick as well as the Lewes Handicap. -Amongst other horses owned at this time were Diakka, Myakka, Caiman, -and Nonsuch, sold later to the Prince of Wales, also Berzak, which -latter was a bitter disappointment, as he failed to stand his -preparation for the Derby. - -The partnership did not last long, as the doctors advised Mr. -Lorillard to give up racing for a time, but they had won twenty-seven -races before the partnership was dissolved. Lord William bought Mr. -Lorillard’s interest in the stable. - -In December, 1896, while out with the Warnham Stag Hounds, Lord -William met with a terrible accident, Mr. Palmer, who has already -been mentioned, happening to be out the same day on a horse he -had lately bought from his lordship; they were both crossing the -Gatwick racecourse after a check, there were some stiff railings -in front of them, which there was no occasion to jump as there was -an opening further down, but a lady riding in front cleared the -rails satisfactorily, that was quite enough, for Lord William must -of course follow; unfortunately either his horse slipped or took -off too late, turning a somersault over the railings, poor Lord -William beneath him dangerously near his heels, but he called out -to Mr. Palmer to sit on his horse’s head, when a most curious thing -happened. Mr. Palmer in his anxiety to get quickly to help his -lordship did not notice some wire netting under the broken fence, -over this he fell right on to the horse’s head, this so startled -him he got up without any kicking or plunging, releasing his rider. -Help was called, as evidently Lord William was badly hurt; on a -stretcher they carried the poor sufferer to a neighbouring house, -where he was examined, but in the stress and hurry a wrong diagnosis -was arrived at. Mr. Palmer telegraphed to London for a specialist, -and to his local doctor at Dorking, then a medical man who happened -to be present and Mr. Palmer took him home, where the local doctor -was awaiting them and shortly afterwards the specialist from town -arrived. It was then discovered that his pelvis had been broken, -so his suffering can be well imagined; they had been considerably -augmented I hear at the house he was first carried into with the -kindly but terribly mistaken endeavour to pull off his boots -instead of cutting them off. Mr. Palmer says he shall never forget -the agonies that were suffered and yet not a murmur or word of -impatience, not even a groan from the martyr. He was most anxious his -wife should not be shocked with the news, as an interesting event -was looked forward to in the early spring, and she was at the time -resting. The news was carefully kept from her until the doctors had -done their work. He was bound up and put to bed, where of course he -remained for some time hovering between life and death. One day when -his doctors hoped he had turned the corner and was going to recover, -they told him he was with luck going to recover, but that 99 out of a -100 with broken pelvis bones did not. As they were leaving the room -they heard Lord Bill laughing, seeing nothing to laugh at they asked -what amused him, he replied, “Oh nothing, I was only thinking of the -other 99 poor devils!” - -Certainly Lord William got about again after a time, but he was never -the same man, his pluck and spirit were still unquenchable, but his -powers of physical resistance were shattered. He tired more easily -and did not feel up to much exertion; he got up too soon, being -anxious to attend the funeral of his sister-in-law, Blanche Lady -Waterford, to whom he was greatly attached. This was February 22nd, -1897. Everybody tried to dissuade him, fearing it might throw him -back, but he would go. - -Lord William was at his best when telling stories against himself; -here is one of them. He had a party in the house for covert shooting, -he did not care very much for the sport himself, and had not done -much of it, though he enjoyed a day at the time. He used to leave -the arranging and managing of the shoots chiefly to Mr. Palmer. One -of these shooting parties was being arranged and he told Mr. Palmer -to bring his young son whom he was sure would enjoy a day with the -pheasants. The little lad was about twelve, and his name was Spencer, -he stood mostly by Lord William during the day. When he went home at -night having had a very happy day, he asked his father if he ought -not to write and thank Lord William for letting him see the shooting, -to which his father replied, “Certainly.” - -“What shall I say, father?” asked the boy. - -“Oh, you must write your own letter, you are quite old enough for -that,” so off he went, wrote the letter and posted it. - -Next morning when everybody was assembled at breakfast at the -Deepdene before another day’s shoot, Lord Bill entered holding a -letter in his hand, and after making some jokes about his own prowess -with the gun and he feared his merits were not fully appreciated by -his friends, said, “Listen to this, the opinion of one of my young -friends,” and he read: - - “DEAR LORD WILLIAM, - - I have enjoyed to-day very much, I think you shot very well. I - noticed you generally killed the birds with the second barrel. - - Your friend, - SPENCER PALMER.” - -The most successful of Lord William’s horses in 1896 were Diakka, -Peveril of the Peak Plate being his greatest triumph; Berzak the -Newmarket First Spring Two Year Old Stakes, and in the Clearwell -Stakes he ran a dead heat with Goletta, on whom odds were laid. -Nonsuch won two small races. - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM--IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY] - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM AND HIS SON BILLY] - -On February 4th, 1897, a son was born to the William Beresfords; -at first he was very delicate, no doubt owing to the anxiety his -mother suffered when Lord William had his accident in December, -1896, so small and delicate was he that he was put into an incubator -for a short time, fearing a breath might blow him away; now he is a -six-footer, so his nursing and care answered. He was named William -Warren de la Poer. Both parents were devoted to their child, who was -very like his father. When Lord William was driving his wife on the -coach and was going rather faster than she liked (she being very -nervous) and remonstrating he used to say, “Oh, I thought you would -be in a hurry to get back to the boy!” As the baby grew older Lord -Marcus used to tease its father by saying, “The child does not know -the difference between you and me,” but baby did and always chose to -go to Lord William. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - BRINGS TOD SLOAN TO ENGLAND - - - Engagement of Tod Sloan as Jockey--Beresford Family - Affection--Caiman Wins Classic Race--Democrat and His Races--A - Tip for the “Blues”--Accident to Sloan--His Downfall--Five Years’ - Racing and Winnings in Stakes Alone--Volodyovski Bought--At - Liverpool When Ambush II Won the Grand National - -We are now dealing with 1897, when Tod Sloan was introduced to the -British public by Lord William, who had been keeping an eye on the -lad’s performances in America, observing that in 1895 he had 442 -mounts, and won 132 races, in California four races being won in a -day. In consequence of this and what he was told of the lad, his -lordship sent a cable asking the jockey to come over here as he had -some useful horses to be ridden. The years 1897-1898-1899 and 1900 -were great for the Beresford stable. - -Sloan was for several years much in evidence, so it may be worth -while to pause a moment and introduce him to those of my readers -who have either forgotten or never known anything about him. His -real name was James Forman Sloan, when a very small boy he had been -adopted by people named Blauser, who thinking they were being witty, -called him “Toad,” because he was so tiny, this by degrees condensed -itself into Tod, and Tod Sloan it remained to the end of the chapter. - -In America Sloan had been riding for Mr. W. C. Whitney, who released -him to ride for Lord William, saying he should very likely be in -England himself before long. As a matter of fact he arrived at much -the same time as the jockey, and met Lord William for the first time -at Newmarket, where Sloan introduced him to his lordship, the outcome -of this introduction being they became partners. At this time Jakes -Pincus was training Lord William’s horses, later Huggins, who came -over with Mr. Lorillard, reigned in his stead. Pincus was another -American; he had not been long in this country, yet he was the man -who trained the only American horse that ever won the Derby, if my -memory is to be trusted. Iroquois was the horse. The man was a bit of -a jockey himself, I have been told. - -Mr. Cuthbert was secretary to Lord William’s stable at that time, -later I believe he went to Newmarket in the employ of Mr. George -Lambton. - -Sloan was one of those fortunate jockeys who can eat what they like -without putting on weight, very different from some other jockeys -of that date. Fred Archer, for instance, who had to breakfast off -hot castor oil and a slice of thin toast with a view to keeping his -weight down, he dared not dine with friends, as owing to dieting so -rigidly he felt he was a wet blanket at a feast. Poor fellow, in -his endeavours to ride 8 st. 7 lbs., he became a wreck very early -in life, the wonder was he lived as long as he did. It will be -remembered at the age of thirty he felt he had had enough and took -his own life. Though much liked and perhaps the most popular of -jockeys he was severe with his mounts. - -Sloan was fond of animals and gentle with them, Mornington Cannon -also, and they seem to have achieved equal success. Archer’s seat was -the opposite of Sloan’s, for he sat well back, while Sloan it was -introduced that peculiar monkey up a stick seat which became more -or less the fashion amongst the American jockeys. Archer was very, -very canny with his money, which at times used to annoy people, Sloan -on the other hand was too generous and let other people help him to -spend his earnings almost too freely. Cannon liked riding waiting -races, while Sloan liked to get away and come right through. There -was one occasion certainly when Cannon waited a little too long with -Flying Fox, not giving himself time to get home, but he was a good -judge of pace. - -Sloan’s seat used to be much commented on when first he came over to -this country, people thought he rode with very short stirrups, but -he did not really, it was the crouching along the neck of the horse -when going fast which gave him that appearance. He attributed much of -his success to this attitude as it gave less resistance to the wind, -therefore helpful to the horses. - -Sloan entirely agreed with me on one point, which I have already -expressed in my book _Women in the Hunting Field_, namely that horses -will not tread on you when down if they can possibly help it. _He_ -went so far as to say they “would not unless pulled into it.” - -Lord William used to say Sloan had no luck unless he was there, and -really it seemed like it. When Lord Bill lost a race he had been -hoping and expecting to win his face was a study, he had marvellous -self-control, and beyond growing very white showed no sign of feeling -and was always most generous to the unhappy and often equally -disappointed jockey. - -Lord William thought he had a great horse in St. Cloud II. I fear he -did not fulfil his owner’s expectations, though certainly he was a -great horse, but it was in size, he stood seventeen hands. - -The largest stakes Lord William ever went for was probably over -Sandia in the Cambridgeshire. Either St. Cloud or Sandia ought to -have won easily. Lord William and Sloan were under the impression -they had won with Sandia, but Mr. Robinson, the judge, was under the -impression they had not, but that is an old story now. At the time -there was a good deal of feeling about it. - -Sandia won the old Cambridgeshire in the Autumn of 1897, and Diakka -won the Duke of York Stakes at Kempton Park, for which he started -favourite. - -Lord William found time to go to York and help his brother, Lord -Charles, now Lord Beresford, who was standing in the Conservative -interest against Mr. Furniss. Lord Marcus also went to give a helping -hand. In Lord Beresford’s own book he gives some amusing accounts of -his brother’s smart and witty repartees to questions asked by the -electors. There was a good deal of excitement in the town at the -time. Lord Beresford won by eleven votes, rather a near thing. It -was too much for the poor Lord Mayor, he died the same night from -excitement and strain. - -The three brothers were very happy working together over this -election, the affection they had felt for one another in youth had -not been estranged, they were still devoted to one another, it was -always charming to hear them speak of their relatives. What does this -family affection spring from I wonder? It is not often met with; take -two well-known families the Scotch Gordons and the Irish Waterfords. -The Gordons according to their own account could as brothers never -agree, if one told a story of what he had done at cricket, racing, -or some such thing, and one of his brothers happened to be present -he would flatly contradict him, telling him he did not believe it, -and he was telling tarra-diddles; followed of course by a free fight, -very often even when staying in friends’ houses. Once speaking of -their quarrelsomeness Lord Granville Gordon, commonly called Granny, -said, “You know our family is not like the Beresfords one bit, they -are always full of praise of one another and inseparable. If you were -to say to Lord Marcus or Markey as we call him, ‘That was a great -thing you brought off the other day,’ the reply would certainly be -something of this sort, ‘Oh yes, but you should see my brother Bill, -he can do ten times better,’ or ‘You should see Charlie, no one can -touch him’; the same with Lord Charles, it is always how much better -his brothers could do things than himself.” - -An uncle of mine, the Rev. Francis Gooch, used to fish at Ford Abbey -in Northumberland by the kind permission of Lady Waterford. One day -when Lord Charles was up there and he was speaking to my uncle he -said, “Do you know my brother Bill?” The reply being in the negative -Lord Charles said, “Then bedad you don’t know the finest man in the -world.” It is really a beautiful and uncommon thing to have lived -through the great part of their allotted years, knowing each other -intimately, loving each other tenderly, without one spark of jealous -fault-finding, superiority, or littleness. The pity there are not -more families equally attached, they do not know what they miss; -looking back through the sketch book of their lives, that family -affection has added warmth and beautiful colouring to many of its -pictures, to be recalled and lived through again when the day is far -spent and night is near. - -In 1898 Lord William owned many winners entered in the name of one -or other of the two partners. Caiman as a two year old won the -Middle Park Plate, value £2775, Sloan riding; beating the Duke of -Westminster’s Flying Fox ridden by Mornington Cannon. I am able to -give a beautiful photograph of Caiman at the starting-post the day he -won this race. It will be noticed Sloan did not ride very short, as I -have already pointed out. It will also be noticed his hand is up to -his mouth, this was a habit or trick of his, he always put his hand -to his mouth when a horse was walking or in a very slow pace. Whether -he had any theories about it or not I do not know. - -[Illustration: TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS] - -[Illustration: - -_Photo. Rouch_ - -CAIMAN AT THE POST FOR THE MIDDLE PARK PLATE THE DAY HE BEAT FLYING -FOX. TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS] - -Flying Fox was a horse that stood out prominently in racing records, -not only as a triple crown winner, but as the horse that fetched the -highest price ever paid at a sale by auction for a racehorse, namely -£39,375, Kingsclere and Prince Palatine being bought by private -contract by Mr. J. B. Joel at £40,000, a price that would perhaps not -have been reached under the hammer. - -In the Two Thousand Guineas value £4250 Caiman only ran second, Sloan -up, Flying Fox winning this time, Cannon riding. For the St. Leger -at Doncaster value £4050 Flying Fox again won, Caiman second, both -ridden by the same jockey as in the previous races. - -In 1900 Caiman only won the Lingfield Park Stakes value £2420, his -wins, however, as a two year old in 1898 were £3557, as a three year -old £3884 and as a four year old £2420, making the pleasing total of -£9861. - -The chief races won in 1898 were the Clearwell Stakes and Middle -Park Plate by Caiman, Esher Stakes by Diakka, Thirty-fifth Biennial -at Ascot by Sandia, Exeter Stakes by Dominie. Mykka the Lancaster -Nursery First October Two Year Old Stakes, Prendergast Stakes, and -Sandown Great Sapling Plate. On September 30th, Sloan won the Bretby -Welter on Draco for Lord William by six lengths, the next race the -Scurry Nursery on Manatee, the next race again the Rous Memorial -Stakes on Landrail by three lengths, another on Libra, by two -lengths, the Newmarket St. Leger on Galashiels by a head, making five -wins and a second out of seven mounts, not a bad day for one stable. - -Huggins, who was training the horses, lived at Heath House, the -former home of the great Dawson trainers, “Mat,” and after him -his nephew George. Heath House will always remain most famous in -connection with the name of the uncle, as most of “Mat” Dawson’s -greatest classic efforts came from that home; for the late Lord -Falmouth, Duke of Portland, Lord Hastings of Melton fame, and lastly -crowned with the success of Lord Rosebery’s Ladas. - -The historic Democrat now came on the scenes in 1899. An American -bred horse, his sire being Sensation, his dam Equality. This handsome -and gentle chestnut with four white legs won no less than seven out -of eleven races as a two year old, worth £12,939, including the -Coventry Stakes at Ascot, the National Breeders’ Foal Stakes at -Sandown, and the Middle Park Plate and Dewhurst Plate. The light blue -and black cap was doing good business. - -A record of all Democrat’s races may be interesting: - - - TWO YEAR OLD RECORD, 1899 - - May 1st. Great Surrey Breeders’ Foal Plate, Epsom; 4th - (Sloan). - - May 5th. Royal Two Year Old Plate, Kempton Park; 2nd - (Sloan), £200. - - May 11th. Bedford Plate, Newmarket; 2nd (Sloan), £50. - - June 13th. Coventry Stakes, Ascot; 1st (Sloan), £1,826, beating - H.R.H. Prince of Wales’s horse, Diamond - Jubilee, ridden by Watts. - - July 1st. Hurst Park Foal Plate, Hurst Park; 1st (Sloan), - £1,135. - - July 15th. National Breeders’ Produce Stakes, Sandown Park; - 1st (Sloan), £4,357. - - Sept. 5th. Champagne Stakes, Doncaster; 1st (Sloan), £1,310. - - Sept. 29th. Rous Memorial Stakes, Newmarket; 1st (Sloan), - £568. - - Oct. 6th. The Imperial Stakes, Kempton Park; 2nd (Sloan), - £300. - - Oct 14th. Middle Park Plate, Newmarket; 1st (Sloan), - £2,305, beating Prince of Wales’s Diamond - Jubilee. - - Oct. 26th. The Dewhurst Plate, Newmarket, Houghton; - 1st (Sloan), £1,432; Prince of Wales’s Diamond - Jubilee 2nd. - - - THREE YEAR OLD RUNNING, 1900 - - May 30th. Epsom Derby. - Democrat ran but was not placed, the race being - won by Diamond Jubilee, but this time Sloan - was not riding Democrat, but one called Disguise - for another owner, and was severely reprimanded - for this breach of Rule 140, forbidding - crossing. - June 14th. The New Biennial, Ascot. Democrat not placed; - ridden by Weldon. Sloan rode the winner, - Courlan. - Oct. 9th. The Royal Stakes, Newmarket; 1st (L. Reiff), - £586. This was Democrat’s last win; he ran - later at Liverpool for the Autumn Cup, but was - not placed. - -I am under the impression that the last time Lord William’s colours -were seen on a racecourse was at Manchester, when his Billow II, bred -in Australia, won the Autumn Plate, ridden by Reiff. Jolly Tar won -six races in 1900. - -The year Democrat won the Coventry Stakes at Ascot (1899) Lord -William was standing outside the “Blues’” tent after luncheon talking -to some of his friends, amongst others Sir Claude de Crespigny, -discussing the merits of the different horses, when he was heard to -say apparently as much to himself as his friends, “It’s all very well -their making the Prince’s horse (Diamond Jubilee) favourite; mine -has just as good a chance of winning.” This was repeated to some of -the “Blues,” who had not been having a very good time over the Trial -Stakes, adding, the Royal horse is at evens and Bill’s at three’s, -they selected the latter and landed the long odds. After this they -told Sir Claude if he had another good tip like that for the next -day they hoped he would come and have luncheon again. - -Sloan was never a great admirer of Democrat, why I do not know, as -the horse proved himself one of the best of his years. - -Riding at Kempton in 1898 a horse reared over with Sloan, hurting -his pelvis bone. Seeing what pain the man was in and knowing from -experience something about it, Lord William said, “Your racing is -done for to-day, my little man.” “But,” said Sloan, “who then is -going to ride your Democrat?” Lord William replied, “I shall put -Cannon up.” This was anguish to Sloan, who was somewhat jealous of -Cannon, but he may have found consolation in the result, as the horse -did not win. His owner thought it was due to the change of jockey, -horses are very susceptible to any change of hands. - -Sloan always considered the greatest achievement of his life was -beating Flying Fox on Caiman in the Middle Park Plate, when Cannon, -as referred to earlier, waited just a little too long before letting -Flying Fox out, not leaving time to pick up and win. - -In 1899 Lord William won his first and only classic race with his -Sibola at Newmarket in the One Thousand, Sloan riding. There were -great rejoicings in the Beresford camp. Sibola ought to have won the -Oaks that year, but got a bad start. Some people thought it was due -to a fit of temper on Sloan’s part, others attributed the defeat to -Sloan, but giving other reasons; be that as it may, it was a great -disappointment to the horse’s owner. - -Sloan was altogether getting out of favour about now. At Ascot he -got himself mixed up with a waiter and a champagne bottle, resulting -in Lord William very kindly trying to pacify the piqued waiter. This -took some doing, but was eventually managed to the tune of several -hundreds, to save scandal and trouble. The Stewards enquired into the -matter and exonerated Sloan. In honesty to the jockey, I am pleased -to be able to state, when he found out what Lord William had done for -him, he insisted on the amount being deducted from his retaining fees. - -Lord William was undoubtedly Sloan’s best friend, being exceedingly -generous and kind to him, but latterly he gave his mounts to Weldon, -the two Reiffs, and others, being disappointed with Sloan and fearing -he had got into the hands of those not likely to improve him, and -certainly about that time a number of desperate American gamblers -graced this country with their presence and heavy ready money -investments which put temptation into a jockey’s way. If a jockey -only bets on his own mount all may be well, but unfortunately they -get tempted sometimes to bet on others, while such a thing has been -heard of as a jockey squaring or thinking he has squared the rest of -his confrères in the race; and then failed. - -The final blow came to Sloan over the Cambridgeshire of 1900, over -which there were many unpleasant stories afloat in connection with -his betting. It was a thousand pities, for he did so well when first -he came over to this country. Lord William was very pleased with his -riding, and many people had been most kind to him. - -At one time, I think it must have been at Doncaster in 1899, the -Prince of Wales told Lord William he should like Sloan to ride for -him during the coming season, however, circumstances forbade this. -Codoman was the horse Sloan was riding in the Cambridgeshire when he -got into trouble over betting. Lord William again did all he could -for Sloan, but the Jockey Club were firm and advised Sloan not to -apply for a licence to ride during 1901. Of course he was acting -against the rules in betting and he knew it, but I do not think -Sloan was alone by any manner of means in this misdemeanour; again, -I say the pity of it, for he was a great master of his method in the -saddle; he always maintained his crouching seat over the horse’s neck -that had much to do with his success. Unfortunately he was a perfect -idiot where his own real interests were concerned. Here again he was -not alone, many of us are quite brilliant in looking after other -people’s affairs and yet make shocking hashes of our own. - -It will, I think, have been clear to the readers all through these -chapters how very generous Lord William was to all who worked with or -for him; also indeed to many with absolutely no claim on his large -and kindly heart. Huggins, his trainer, was another recipient of his -open-handed generosity. At Newmarket he was a favourite amongst the -residents and Lord William had a great liking for him, but I doubt if -it is generally known that over and above other fees and charges Lord -William allowed him 10 per cent on _all stakes_ won. This would mean -a comfortable income if the stable was lucky. A glance at the value -of the stakes won between 1896 and 1900 will prove this. - - _Year._ _No. of wins._ _Value._ - 1896 12 £5,186 - 1897 13 7,867 - 1898 16 8,029 - 1899 69 42,736½ - 1900 48 24,522 - --- -------- - TOTAL 158 £88,340½ - -In giving the above I am leaning heavily on the safe side, as there -were some wins of which I do not know the value, so cannot count them -in the total. - -Lord William was still hoping to win the Derby, and believed at -last he was “going to do the trick” in 1901, for in 1900 he leased -from Lady Meux, a two year old horse named Volodyovski for his -racing career. For the comfort of my readers I may here state that -owing to the horse’s name being such a mouthful, and the difficulty -experienced by many in pronouncing it at all, he soon became known -as Voly, which will answer my purpose very well. This horse won five -races out of the last six he ran for Lord William, namely the Windsor -Castle Stakes, Rous Memorial at Goodwood, Newmarket Stud Produce -Stakes, Rous Memorial at Newmarket, other winners besides Caiman -being Jolly Tar and Jiffy II. - -It will be remembered it was Diamond Jubilee that prevented Lord -William heading the list of winners in 1900, and Flying Fox in 1899. -But as the following shows it was a near thing. - -1899, Duke of Westminster, 1st £43,965--Lord William 2nd £42,736½. -1900, Prince of Wales 1st £29,585--Lord William 2nd £24,585. - -Race meetings of all sorts and kinds attracted Lord William, whether -running horses of his own or not; he was present at Liverpool when -the Prince of Wales won with Ambush II, and his own horse Easter Ogue -ran seventh. The scene outside the weighing-room door as His Royal -Highness awaited the return of his winning horse baffles description; -it was difficult to keep a clear space for Anthony to dismount; all -were so anxious to congratulate the Prince. One of the earliest to -express his pleasure and to congratulate him was the subject of these -memories, and it so happened that the camera man managed to squeeze -into the small space and photograph the King as he met the horse, -just as he left Lord William. - -Always when flat racing was over Lord William turned his attention -to chasing, which he had liked from his earliest days. I remember -standing with him once in a crowd at a big “jump” meeting, and saying -to him, “I suppose you have always been too occupied to make a study -of the faces round you at one of these meetings?” He replied, “No -indeed, I have not been too occupied, but I do not like to look, -sometimes a race means so much to a man.” I remarked I thought a -certain friend standing near us, and owner of the favourite, was -looking rather pale and anxious, but he said, “Oh he’s all right, an -old hand at the game,” nevertheless when the favourite was over the -last fence I heard a big sigh and when the cheering began after the -horse had won by nearly a length the owner collapsed. I wonder what -would have happened if he had lost? Lord William told me afterwards -that if he had not won that race he would have been absolutely -ruined. The faces of a crowd on a racecourse, especially at a “jump” -meeting, is an interesting study and instructive. - -It is painful to watch the restless hands and nervous twitchings of -those to whom it means “up” or “down.” Some of course go who delight -in a fair race when the horses are not ridden to death, that is to -say never again able to meet such a supreme moment; people who have -nothing of any consequence in any of the races, or who, like the late -James Lowther, seldom or never bet at all. Then again there are the -curiously constituted folk who flock round the most dangerous jumps, -presumably, to witness any accident that may occur; some people revel -in seeing accidents. One man I have known now for many years, has -never to my knowledge, been moved to mirth unless someone has hurt -themselves, then he indulges in a waistcoat contortion which answers -for laughter, his mouth spreads slowly across his face, but his eyes -take no part in his merriment. - -Some of the accounts that appeared in the papers from time to -time relating to Lord William’s achievements were very funny. The -_Sporting Times_ some years ago referred to this in one of their -issues I am told, as follows: “Does Lord William Beresford read the -_Hornet_? Probably not, but if he does he must be surprised to find -that he is the third son of John, fourth Marquis of Waterloo. Why not -also first cousin of Viscount Vauxhall, and distantly related to the -Countess of Charing Cross?” - -Lord William’s health about now was causing some anxiety, and he was -persuaded to try Homburg where he had been benefited several times -before, but on this occasion he came back looking worse than when he -went. - -[Illustration: LORD WILLIAM AND LORD MARCUS BERESFORD] - -The last time I saw his lordship at Homburg, the Prince of Wales, Sir -George Wombwell and Colonel Stanley Clarke were being greatly amused -at some of his jokes, and the stories he was telling against himself. - -Shall we ever see his like again? - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - LAST YEARS - - “1900 ... and Feels It”--Affection for the 9th Lancers--Help for - a Brother Mason--Those Who Loved Him--Friends, not Sight-Seers--A - Treasured Gift--Sale of Horses at Newmarket--Purchasers and - Prices--Fate of Democrat--Volodyovski Wins the Derby--Too - Late--Fierce Ownership Dispute--The Law Settles It--Broken Head of - a small Beresford - - -During most of 1900 Lord William suffered at intervals from his old -complaint contracted in India, namely dysentery, and it was taking -all his strength away; that he was feeling very sadly I know, and on -a photograph he was signing for a friend he wrote “W. B., 1900, ... -and feels it.” - -At times he was observed sitting resting before dinner, a most -unusual thing for him to do. Unfortunately in December he ate some -game that was too high for his delicate state of health, this set -up peritonitis, and, in spite of the best advice and most tender -nursing, he passed away on the 28th December with a smile for those -around him, to the inexpressible grief of all who knew him well, and -the sincere regret of all who were lucky enough to have met him. - -The specialist, Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton, came down from town -several times to see the invalid, and at one time there seemed to be -a ray of hope, only to be dashed to the ground again, for the poor, -gallant, brave heart for the first time in his life failed him and -refused to work any longer. His last race was run, and surely the -prize must be his for his many acts of charity not only in kind, but -goodness and mercy. - -We all knew in his lifetime how generous he was, no begging letter -was ever left unanswered; none who begged, whether deserving or not, -received a harsh word from him; he was generous to a fault. He never -could resist anyone who said they had been in his old regiment the -9th Lancers, though I have grave doubts as to whether some of the -suppliants had ever been in the regiment at all. I know that some who -begged from him had a good deal of method in laying out their plan -of campaign, and waited until Mr. Palmer, who attended to business -matters, had gone home, before going to ask for Lord William, knowing -that if Mr. Palmer was there the case would be thoroughly enquired -into, while if they saw his lordship they knew they could work upon -his tender and kind heart. I have been told the following story is -true. - -Lord William was a Mason, and a brother Mason wanted to see him, and -as he had a favour to ask waited until Mr. Palmer had gone home, and -in the evening begged to see Lord William who at once interviewed his -brother Mason, a tradesman, who told a long tale with a plentiful use -of pocket-handkerchief to his eyes; he came away with a cheque for -£1000. - -Truly life is a book of many pages, not by any means easily read, and -it seems all wrong that such generosity should be imposed on, but -Lord William always said his sympathies were with all sinners, and he -liked to give everyone the benefit of a doubt. - -It does not fall to the lot of everyone to be so sincerely mourned, -for his wife adored him, his child loved him, his brothers and -relations loved him, his servants worshipped him, the old people -round Waterford and Curraghmore, to whom it was a red-letter day when -Lord William paid them a visit, which he enjoyed as much as they did; -the old pensioners at the Royal Hospital, Dublin, who had many times -been made happy by a visit from him. - -When the sad news became known, messages of sympathy and condolence -poured in from the highest in the land to some of the lowliest. - -It was not until after his death, when his papers were being attended -to, that the extent of his goodness and charity was fully known. - -I will not dwell on this sad time, for there is no language great -enough for the expression of our mental emotions, and no language -that can express the dignity of great grief. - -Lord William was laid to rest in the family vault at Clonagam Church, -and the whole route from the boat to the Clonagam was wonderful; -every little child wanted to pay a last tribute to their friend, the -road was packed and lined with those who _cared_, not sightseers. - -Among the four waggon loads of wreathes, crosses, and other -flower tokens of respect and affection, was one from his brother -Lord Charles, “In memory of lovable, chivalrous Bill, from his -broken-hearted brother, Charles.” - -Everyone mourned for Lord William, even the cabmen in London, Dublin -and elsewhere. The newspapers were full of “Our Bill” and amongst the -many touching references to his death, I think the following is one -of the nicest. - - - LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD - - _Born July 20th, 1847, died December 30th, 1900_ - - The old grey year is stricken down--and lying - (The days are dark, the trees stand gaunt and bare) - Stretches its hand and takes from us--while dying-- - One whom we ill could spare. - - Soldier and sportman, no fond hand could save you - From the old robber bearing you away, - England who once the cross for valour gave you, - Honours you with tears to-day. - - What is the epitaph which shall be found him? - Let this story of his lost life tell, - All hearts that knew him to-day around him - Whisp’ring, “Kind friend, farewell.” - - Erin, a vigil o’er her dead son keeping, - Now takes him softly, sadly to her breast, - Under her grassy mantle hides him sleeping, - And gives him his long rest. - BALLYHOOLEY. - - _Sporting Times_, January 5th, 1901. - - -Ballyhooley was really the _nom-de-plume_ of Mr. Bob Martin, who -wrote the Irish humorous songs for the Gaiety and was a great man -on the staff of the _Sporting Times_. In one of the weekly papers -appeared the following: - -“The regret of all for Lord William Beresford. A Bill that everyone -honoured, but alas none can meet.” - -In another paper someone signing themselves “Roy” wrote: - - A fearless soldier and a sportman bold, - Beloved by all; gallant to foe and friend, - Brave, true-hearted, as our knights of old, - A V.C. hero! noble to the end. - - _December_, 1900. - - -I always thought it was illuminating the way, though Lord William -never met his wife’s mother, he felt it would be a pleasure to her, -and his duty to write regularly giving account of his wife and son’s -doings, and so forth; ending in a sincere attachment on both sides, -and his mother-in-law heaped beautiful and costly presents on him, -sent from America. - -Speaking, or rather writing of presents reminds me that in a cabinet -where I keep my many treasures and presents collected during my -travels, there rests in one corner a much used and much mended -hunting crop bearing the inscription, “From Bill, Xmas 1889.” It -likewise has seen its last day’s hunting, for it is tender with age -and use, and too much valued to run any risks. I feel as if I could -write for weeks of all his kindness and loyal friendship, and then -not exhaust my memories of them. There is one more charming trait I -should like to mention, namely his great consideration and kindness -to his servants; when there had been a house full with many ladies’ -maids and valets he always asked if they had had a good time, and his -orders were that all the servants should have everything they wanted, -nothing was too good for them. One who had served him said to me -once, “It is a pleasure to do anything for him; he is the kindest -master and friend any servant ever had.” - -On January 23rd, 1901, Lord William’s horses were sold at Newmarket, -and it makes me sad to write of the break up of his stable; his -horses had been such a pleasure to him all his life and now they -were all to be scattered far and wide. Had he lived, many of them -would have changed hands at times, no doubt, in the ordinary course -of events, but he would have voiced the orders. Now even at the sale -there was a gloom, a sadness for the cheery voice that was gone. It -seems rather hard that we should be brought into this world without -our wishes being consulted, and hurried out of it without our wishes -being consulted, and as Emerson says, “We seem to be whipped through -the world hacks of invisible riders.” - -My readers may be interested to know who bought the horses and the -prices they fetched, so I give the list. See pages 322-3. - -Fifth on the list is good old Democrat, who still has quite a history -attached to him. Mr. Joel bought him for 910 guineas, and while his -property he ran his last race, at Kempton Park on May 11th, 1901, -ridden by Wood, but was not placed, after this he was kept in peace -and plenty until the autumn, when he again renewed his acquaintance -with Mr. Tattersall’s hammer on October 13th, then Mr. Marsh, the -trainer of the King’s horses, gave 290 guineas for him; chiefly I -fancy for old association’s sake; so the horse went to Egerton House -at Newmarket. One day the late Lord Kitchener was going round the -stable, and I think I am right in saying King Edward VII was there at -the time; when they came to Democrat Lord Kitchener remarked on his -good looks, and that he was the size and make for a man like himself -with long legs. “Yes, my lord,” said Mr. Marsh, “he would suit you to -take out to India as a charger if you will accept him as a gift.” - -Lord Kitchener was not a great horseman at any time, and liked -something very quiet so that he need pay no attention to his mount -and devote it all to the business in hand; this he explained to Mr. -Marsh, asking if he thought the horse was quiet enough, and was -reassured by being told Mr. Marsh’s daughter used often to ride him -when exercising on the heath. A few days later when Lord Kitchener -was speaking to the Duke of Portland about Mr. Marsh’s generous gift, -and expressing doubts about a race-horse being a suitable charger, -his Grace suggested Democrat being sent to Welbeck to be tried there -in the riding school with a view to his usefulness as a charger. The -horse’s manners were found to require very little polishing, so to -India he went, becoming a great favourite with his master. An unusual -end to a race-horse’s career, but a very happy and a most useful -one. When Mr. Marsh bought him he was no longer considered any use -for racing, no use for the stud to which so many race-horses go, -and I am not quite sure he was not just a wee bit gone in the wind. -However, this great winner of races after landing £12,939 in stakes -became Lord Kitchener’s favourite charger, and was ridden by him at -the Delhi Durbar and Coronation Procession of King Edward. Democrat -bore himself very proudly in India, winning several prizes at the -Indian Horse Shows. Lord Kitchener’s and Democrat’s name will go -down to history together, for in Calcutta there now stands a statue -of them sent out from England in 1913. A good and honourable man on -a good and honourable horse. I have been told that Democrat died in -India shortly before Lord Kitchener left the country. - - - HORSES IN TRAINING - - _Name._ _Sire._ _Dam._ _Purchaser._ _Guineas._ - Berzack, U.S.A. Sensation Belphœbe Lord Kesteven 320 - Billow II, Atlantic Tickle Mr. D. Cooper 380 - Australian - Caiman, U.S.A. Locochatchee Happy Day Mr. Marsh for 2,500 - Lord Wolverton - Jolly Tar, U.S.A. Sailor Prince Joy Mr. W. M. G. 2,200 - Singer - Democrat, U.S.A. Sensation Equality Mr. J. B. Joel 910 - Old Buck II, U.S.A. Sensation Magnetic Mr. R. Croker 300 - - - THREE YEAR OLDS - - Brelogue, U.S.A. Favordale Bibelot Mr. R. Croker 320 - Zip, U.S.A. Owas Telic Doe Mr. R. Gore 310 - Nahlband Wolf’s Crag Under the Mr. E. Dresden 1,500 - Rose - Bronzewing, U.S.A. Goldfinch Reclare Mr. J. Hare 320 - Alien, U.S.A. Henry of Kate Allen Mr. J. B. Joel 1,300 - Navarre - Teuton, U.S.A. Hanover Bessy Mr. R. Gore 210 - Hinckley - Yellow Bird, U.S.A. Goldfinch Miss Modred Lord Carnarvon 210 - Yap, U.S.A. Dandy Dinmont Lizzie Mr. S. B. Joel 410 - Choctaw, U.S.A. Onondaga Henrietta Mr. J. Widger 210 - Moorspate, U.S.A. Candlemas Belle B. Mr. E. Dresden 860 - Sweet Dixie, U.S.A. Sir Dixie Brenda Mr. R. Croker 200 - Fore Top, U.S.A. Top Gallant Flavia Mr. W. Lewison 45 - - - TWO YEAR OLDS - - The Buck Buckingham Compromise Lord Carnarvon 300 - Loveite St. Fruoquin Orle Mr. G. Faber 1,050 - Charles Lever, The Bard Equiporse Mr. R. Croker 100 - U.S.A. - Vendale, U.S.A. The Bard Water Lily Mr. R. Croker 160 - Albanian, U.S.A. The Bard Loot Mr. R. Croker 90 - Bay Filly, U.S.A. The Bard Roulette Mr. W. Smith 175 - Ouilla, U.S.A. The Bard Foxtail Mr. G. Farrar 115 - Drooping Martagon Penserose Capt. 55 - Featherstonhaugh - - BROOD MARES, ETC. - - Manister Diakka Tacitus Mr. J. A. McNeal 20 - Brown Yearling Worcester Manister H. Von Grundherr 7 - Famish Wolf Crag Cearalin Mr. G. Pritchard 20 - King Cophetua, Florizel II Cerealia J. D. Wordell 310 - Yearling Colt - Ch. Yearling Filly Amphion Philatelist Mr. H. King 12 - - - STEEPLECHASE HORSES IN TRAINING - - Lord Arrovale Tacitus Lady Arrovale Mr. Russel Monroe 380 - Servias St. Serf Ayesha Ayagile H. Escott 80 - Uncle Jack Ascetic Mayo Mr. Joel 3,000 - Harvesting Barkizan Harvest Moon H. Escott 175 - Brandon Carlton Miss Prim Mr. J. R. Eastwood 300 - Orange River Hackler Capri Mr. G. Parrott 150 - Patrick’s Ball Workington Duty Dance Lord Rothschild 310 - Waltager Saraband Alice Mr. G. Parrott 25 - Brown Study Tacitus Brown Beauty Major E. Loder 100 - - Grand Total £19,439 - -At King George’s coronation, Lord Kitchener rode another great -race-horse Moifaa, the Liverpool winner in 1904, while the property -of Mr. Spencer Gollan. The horse was afterwards sold to King Edward. - -When Derby time came round again in 1901, Volodyovski fulfilled Lord -William’s hopes and predictions, though, alas, not in his name, for -the rules of racing are that death cancels the lease of a horse, -therefore the luck of that Derby fell to Mr. W. C. Whitney, and I do -not think there was a soul on that racecourse, including Mr. Whitney -himself, who did not wish Lord William had been there, and the win -his. - -Some few weeks after Lord William’s death there was a good deal of -discussion and some heated arguments between Lady William and Lady -Meux as to the ownership of the horse, Lady William maintaining -it was her late husband’s horse and therefore now hers; Lady Meux -declared it was hers, and the Jockey Club were at last asked to -decide; they adopted the usual course of leaving the disputants -to have it settled by the law of the land. It came for hearing, -fortunately, before that fine old sporting Judge Grantham, I say -fortunately because he was perhaps in a position to give confidence -to both parties in his judgment, owing to his racing knowledge and -experience. He gave it as his opinion Lord William’s death cancelled -the lease of the horse. - -Lady Meux had bred Voly, being the only woman who has ever bred a -Derby winner, and she was so excited at his winning that the moment -he passed the winning-post she was out of her grand-stand box and -claimed the right not usual to ladies of entering the weighing-in -enclosure, and she then followed “Zee pet,” as she called him, -down the course, through the crowd to the saddling paddock a good -quarter of a mile away and then untied the little bit of blue and -brown ribbon mixed up in the horse’s headgear, which he had carried -throughout the race. While patting and caressing the horse she -excitedly exclaimed, “It is my horse and I want the ribbons for my -museum,” which I have not seen, but have been told it is a very -entertaining place full of a variety of interesting things, now in -the possession of Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, well known as Ladysmith -Lambton. - -Mr. Whitney’s colours were similar to Lord William’s, being the same -light blue jacket, but with a brown cap, which when at some distance -looked very like Lord William’s black. - -It may be wondered why in the course of these memories I have made -no mention of Lord Delaval, the youngest Beresford brother; it is -because he decided to seek fortune abroad and settled down in Mexico; -the reason for this exodus being to win the object of his affection -for his bride, which rested on whether he fulfilled his promise -to make a fortune first. It is tragic that when nearing the point -that he could return with his promise fulfilled, he was killed in a -railway accident in the United States on December 26th, 1906. - -With the usual Beresford spirit he had thrown his whole attention -and energy into his work, and when he died owned 196,000 acres with -nine miles of irrigation canals and several large reservoirs, having -quickly grasped that what caused failure so often on ranches was want -of water, without plenty of which cattle cannot thrive. - -Lord William’s eldest brother died in 1895 at the early age of -fifty-one; he had been ill a long time, the result of a hunting -accident. Lord Bill felt his death very much. Out of these devoted -brothers only two are left now, Lord Beresford and Lord Marcus. - -Reluctantly I lay down my pen, it has been a pleasure writing of our -dear friend, and living through some of the old times again. - -I like to remember my earliest experience in First Aid was in -patching up the head of a Beresford, a kinsman of Lord William’s and -mine, though at the time he was a very small boy aged about eight -years. A dear chubby-faced lad whose people lived at Bedale, not -far from my old home in Yorkshire. Little Walter Beresford and his -brother Henry, grandchildren of Admiral Sir John Beresford on their -father’s side and Lord Denman on their mother’s, came to play with my -young brother, and Walter took the opportunity to fall from top to -bottom of the cellar stone stairs while playing hide and seek, though -they were on forbidden ground. I was very proud of my work when I had -done patching up the poor little head, and remember how plucky the -lad was, but then he was a Beresford and what is born in the bread -comes out in the butter. I fear this is not a correct quotation, but -will do quite nicely. - -Lady William only survived her husband a few years. - - _Requiescat in pace._ - - - - -INDEX - - - Abbott, Mr., 94, 186, 266; - his unlucky horse, 224 - - Afghan Chief, The, 179 - - Agnew, Capt. Q., 266 - - Agnew, Mr. H. de C., 266 - - Agra Stable, The, 256 - - Alexander, Mr. R., 266 - - Ali Musjid Citadel, Storming of, 73 - - Allahabad, The thrice run race, 94 - - Allason, Major, 266 - - Allan, Mr. J. J., 266, 277 - - Althorp, Capt. K., 267 - - Amir of Afghanistan, 178, 179 - - Annandale, 54 - - Anderson, Mr. A. S., 266 - - Anderson, Mr. G. G., 266 - - Apcar, Mr. J. G., 252, 264, 267 - - Appleyard, General, 73 - - Apostolides, Mr. E. C., 267 - - Arbuthnot, Mr. J., 267 - - Archer, Fred, 163, 300 - - Ardagh, Col. J. C., C.I.E., 267 - - Arthur, Mr. A., 267 - - _Asian, The_, 57 - - Astley, Sir J., 163 - - Australian horses stampede, 160 - - - Baden-Powell, Lieut.-Gen. Sir R., 143 - - Badger, The pet, 26 - - Baker, Colonel Valentine (afterwards Baker Pasha), 29 - - Barclay, Mr. P. D., 267 - - Barrington, The Hon. (afterwards Sir) Eric, 8; - his story of the Tyrol accident, 9 - - Barlow, Mr. R., 267 - - Barnes, Mr. F. C., 267 - - Bates, Mr. R. G., 267 - - Beaconsfield, Lord, 96 - - Beasley, Capt. (“Tommy”), 14 - - Beaver, Col. P. K. L., 267 - - Bengal Tenancy Act, 177 - - Beresford, Lady Charles, 154, 156 - - Beresford, Lord Charles, 303; - meets Lord William at Curraghmore, 18, 19; - the “Brothers’ Race,” 42, 48 - - Beresford, Sir John, 326 - - Beresford, Lord Marcus, 234, 254, 285, 293, 302, 303; - meets Lord William at Curraghmore, 18; - Lord Marcus and the “Brothers’ Race,” 42; - Lord William, and the hall porter, 29 - - Beresford, Lord and Lady Marcus, 292 - - Beresford, Lady William (formerly Duchess of Marlborough), - marriage, 285; - disputes with Lady Meux, 324; - death of Lady William, 327 - - Beresford, Lord William-- - accidents to, 20, 81, 110, 147, 164, 187, 259, 290, 295; - an accomplished whip, 216; - active service, 70, 72, 80; - Annandale racecourse bought, 209; - anthrax at his stables, 248; - A.D.C. to Lord Northbrook, 51; - bad luck, 165; - farewell banquet at Calcutta, 266; - bull, 4; - at Bombay meets Lord Charles Beresford, 48; - at Bonn, 8; - a bribe, 221; - the “Brothers’ Race,” 42; - meets his brother again at Curraghmore, 18; - on Sir Redvers Buller’s Staff, 79; - bungalow nearer Viceregal Lodge, 143; - buys Myall King, 226; - a cab incident, 145; - Calcutta paper-chase, 259; - the Cambridgeshire, 302; - on castes of India, 107; - child and the gymkhana, the, 241; - calling with Mr. Charles Lascelles, 49; - and children, 144, 145; - children’s farewell party, 261; - and the children of Dorking, 287; - Cigar Race, The, 147; - a coaching adventure, 291; - commands irregular volunteer cavalry, 82; - a complaint, 225; - congratulated by the Prince of Wales, 90; - conjurer, discomfiture of, 238; - convalescence, 296; - “the courteous,” 126; - at Dr. Renau’s school, 4; - death, 317; - at the Amateur Dramatic Club, 119; - Dramatic Club, the Amateur, re-established, 118; - dines with his mother and the Prince of Wales, 92; - despatch carrying, 73; - disappears “en route,” 140; - and the dissatisfied subaltern, 239; - at Dorking, 283; - drives coach down barrack steps, 24; - Lady Dufferin’s scheme, 211; - at Durban, 80; - battles at Durban, 80; - at the Durbar, 61, 181; - faints at the Durbar, 61; - Durbar souvenirs, 183; - and the economical colonel, 208; - engaged to be married, 284; - at Eton, 4; - and Fleur-de-Lys, 136; - gazetted Colonel and K.C.I.E., 249; - Gloucester House mystery, 191; - guests at Calcutta banquet, 266; - the hall porter and the refrigerator, 29; - and the Hill and Frontier tribes, 69; - homesick, 198; - horse-training for the Durbar, 219 - inherits his money, 21; - invents the umbrella race, 148; - invents the Victoria Cross race, 147; - joins the 9th Lancers, 12; - last race in India, 282; - leaves England, 46; - loses a bet, and how he paid, 109; - Lord Rossmore and the intruder, 39; - and the Maitland-Beresford case, 93; - the man who thought he was King, 197; - marriage, 284; - as a Mason, 316; - match with Rothschild, 164; - methods, 220; - his memory, 218; - Military Secretary to three successive Viceroys, 123, 127, 129; - mistaken identity, 161, 233; - Mr. Moore’s speech at Calcutta banquet, 269; - and his mother-in-law, 319; - and the natives, 150; - paperchasing, 244; - parlour fireworks, 190; - a polo accident, 63; - and Ponto, 141; - and Ponto at the wedding, 142; - and the pony, 139; - a quiet corner, 118; - races with Captain McCalmont, 20; - the racing man, 168; - racing receipts, 311; - his racing reputation, 227; - racing rumours, 260; - racing troubles and worries, 166; - racing, 68, 201, 257, 293, 304, 308; - racing partners-- - Mr. Lorillard, his new partner, 294; - Durbangah, Maharajah of, 235; - Maharajah of Patiala, 251; - Mr. Monty Stewart, 132; - Mr. Whitney, a new partner, 300; - receives the V.C. from Queen Victoria, 90; - recommended for the V.C., 87; - regimental trophies, 286; - religion, 206; - relies on Mr. Palmer, 297; - rescues Mrs. Stuart Menzies, 148; - returns to India, 71, 88, 92; - returns to Ireland, 91; - “rules for the A.D.C.,” 229; - and the runaway carriage, 35; - and the runaway coach, 216; - saves the life of Dr. Perry, 10; - sells his stables, 187; - a serious accident, 295; - shares a bungalow with Captain Clayton, 48; - and soldier’s wife, 193; - some fast trotters, 291; - a son born, 298; - speech at Calcutta banquet, reply to, 275; - spelling, 6; - State functions, 169; - his tact, 113; - the Tattersall’s sale, 320; - the £1000 card, 21; - his three-year-old record, 306; - and Tod Sloan, 299; - on tour, 170; - his two-year-old records, 305; - a useful clerk, 221; - and viceregal tour programme, 184; - a war trophy, 85; - a well-liked man, 130; - what the _Hornet_ said, 313; - wins the name “Fighting Bill,” 79; - wins the V.C., 86; - with Sir Sam Browne, V.C., 72; - wrestles with Joseph Leeman, 40; - at York, 39; - - Beresford, Mr. W. M., 267 - - Beverley, the Hon. Mr. Justice, C.S., 267 - - Bignell, Mr. R., 267 - - Bombay, Government House dinner party, 206 - - Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, 216 - - Boteler, Mr. R., 267 - - Bourdillon, the Hon. J. A., C.S., 267 - - Bourke, Mr., 240 - - Brabazon, Capt., 289 - - Brackenbury, the Hon. Lieut.-General H., C.B., 267 - - Bradshaw, Surgeon-Major-General, 267 - - Brasier-Creagh, Capt., A.D.C., 267 - - Brassey, the Right Hon. the Lord, 267 - - Brock, Mr. C., 267 - - Brooke, Mr. W. R., C.I.E., 267 - - “Brothers’ Race,” The, 42 - - Browne, Lord Ulick, 57 - - Browne, Sir Sam, V.C., 72 - - Brunton, Sir Thomas Lauder, 315 - - Buck, Sir E., C.I.E., 267 - - Buckland, Mr. C. E., C.S., 267 - - Bulkeley, Capt. Rivers, rides the Prince of Wales’ horse, 34 - - Butler, Mr. A. L., 267 - - Burn, Capt., 232 - - Burmah Crisis, The, 203 - - Bythell, Capt., 267 - - - Cahir, 14 - - Calcutta race meeting, 165, 242, 253 - - Calcutta Sweepstake, 254 - - Calcutta Tent Club, 159 - - Cambridge, Duke of, 285 - - Campbell, Capt. the Rt. Hon. Ronald, The death of, 81 - - Campbell, Capt. I. M., D.S.O., 267 - - Campbell, General D. M. G., 36 - - Campbell, Mr. Alec, 267 - - Campbell, Mr. H. P., 267 - - Candy, Captain (“Sugar Candy”), 11; - horse jumps down a quarry, 25 - - Canning, Lady, 76 - - Canning, Viscount, 76 - - Cannon, Mornington, 301 - - Carrington, Lord, 35 - - Cavagnari, Sir Louis, 71 - - Cawnpore, The statue, 77; - the well, 76 - - Cetewayo, 78; - advances, 85; - retreats, 84; - taken prisoner, 79 - - Chaine, Col., 292 - - Chatterton, Col. F. W., 267 - - Chelmsford, Lord, 78, 81; - takes Cetewayo prisoner, 79 - - Chesney, Colonel, afterwards General Sir George, 116, 151 - - Cheylesmore, Lord, 5 - - Children’s parties at Simla, The, 143 - - Chisholme, Major J. J. Scott, 267 - - Christopher, Major, 267 - - China interposes, 204 - - Cigar Race, 147 - - Clarke, Colonel Stanley, 314 - - Clayton, Captain, 11; - the death of, 60; - Harrow and Capt. Clayton’s death, 64; - “In memoriam,” 63 - - Cleland, Colonel, wounded, 71 - - Clewer Sisters, The, 212 - - Clonagam Church, 317 - - Clonmell, Lord, 35 - - Collen, Major-General Sir E. H. H., K.C., I.E., 267 - - Colley, Colonel, afterwards Sir George, 52 - - Commander-in-Chief and the salutations, 215 - - Compton, Lord Alwyne, 156 - - Connaught, Duchess of, 155 - - Connaught, Duke of, 154 - - Connemara, Lord, 240 - - Cooking reform, 210 - - Cork, Earl of, 35 - - Cotton, the Hon. H. J. S., C.S.I., 267 - - Cotton, Mr. Ben, 216 - - Creagh, Mr. B. P., 267 - - Crespigny, Sir Claude de, 307 - - Croft, the Hon. Sir A., K.C.I.E., 267 - - Cubitt, Mr. J. E., 267 - - Cumberledge, Mr. F. H., 267 - - Cuningham, Mr. W. J., C.S.I., 267 - - Cunningham, Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. D. D., 267 - - Currie, Capt. J., 267 - - Curzon, the Hon. Major M., 267 - - Curraghmore, 2 - - Cuthbert, Mr., 300 - - - Dacca steamer incident, The, 77 - - Dalhousie, Lord, 76 - - Dangerfield, Mr. E., 267 - - Daniel, Mr. Linsay, 267 - - Davidson, Captain, 51 - - Dehra Races, The, 92 - - Delavel, Lord, 325 - - Devonshire, Duke of (then Lord Hartington), 163 - - Dickson, Mr. Geo., 267 - - Dickson, Mr. J. G., 267 - - Drawing-room reception, 144 - - Denman, Lord, 326 - - Dogcart mishap, The, 20 - - Dods, Mr. W., 267 - - Donkey, The, and the cock, 41 - - Doran, Major B. J. C., 267 - - Dufferin, Lady, 177; - her scheme to help Indian women, 210 - - Dufferin, Earl of, 177, 203, 272 - - Dunn, the jockey, 243; - in trouble again, 248 - - Durand, Mr., afterwards Sir Mortimer, 183, 234 - - Durand, Colonel, 278 - - Durbangah, Maharajah of, 162, 230; - becomes Lord W. Beresford’s racing partner, 235 - - Durbar, The, a huge crowd, 223 - - - Eddis, Mr. W. K., 267 - - Egerton, Sir Robert, 99 - - Ellis, Col. S. R., 267 - - Enter, Mr. K., 267 - - Evans, the Hon. Sir Griffith, K.C.I.E., 267 - - Evening, A festive, 200 - - Ezra, Mr. J. E. D., 267 - - - Famine, The Irish, 17 - - Fancy dress ball, 157 - - Fane, Sir Spencer Ponsonby, 149 - - Farewell Banquet, Calcutta, The, 266; - names of those present at, 266-9; - Mr. Moore’s speech at, 269; - Lord Bill replies, 275 - - Fenian, Lord W. B.’s horse, 30 - - Fenians’ threat to Lady Waterford, 17 - - Fenn, Surgeon-Col. E. H., C.I.E., 267 - - Fife, Captain, 19 - - Fitch, Mr., 236 - - Fitzgerald, Lord, 35 - - Fitzmaurice, 85 - - FitzWilliam, Hon. P. W., 34 - - Forbes, Mr. Archibald, 87 - - Ford Abbey, 76 - - Fordham, jockey, 163 - - Fownes, Mr., 292 - - Frere, Sir Bartle, 78 - - Fripps, Mr., 81 - - Furniss, Mr., 302 - - - Galbraith, Major-General W., C.B., 267 - - Gambrie, Col. G. R., 267 - - Gamble, Mr. R. A., 267 - - Game card of Lord de Grey, 154 - - Garraway, Capt. C. W., 267 - - Garth, Mr. G. L., 267 - - Garth, Mr. W., 267 - - Gasper, Mr., 202, 224; - death of, 249 - - Gladstone, Mr. A. S., 267 - - Gladstone, Mr. J. S., 267 - - Gladstone, Mr., 95 - - Godjack, Mr., 162 - - Gollan, Mr. Spencer, 324 - - Gooch, Rev. Francis, 303 - - Gordon, Capt., appointed Lord Ripon’s Private Secretary, 67 - - Gordons, The Scotch, 303 - - Gough, Capt. C. H. H., 267 - - Gough, Mr. G., 267 - - Grain, Corney, 199 - - Grantham, Mr. Justice, 324 - - Granville, Lord, 95 - - Gregory, Mr. E. H., 267 - - Gregson, Mr. C. B., 267 - - Grimston, Capt. R. E., A.D.C., 267 - - - Hadden, Mr. F. G., 268 - - Hamilton, Mr. F. S., C.S., 268 - - Hamilton, Mr. L. B., 268 - - Hammersley, Mr. Louis, 284 - - Hammersley, Mrs. See Lady William Beresford - - Harbord, the Hon. Charles, afterwards Lord Suffield, 156, 183, 232, 268 - - Harrington, Lord, 95 - - Harrow School and the death of Captain Clayton, 64 - - Hart, Mr. G. H. R., 188, 268 - - Hartington, Lord. See Duke of Devonshire - - Hartopp, Captain (Chicken), and the bath, 91 - - Harvey, Surgeon-Col. R., 268 - - Hastings, Lord, 29 - - Hay of Kinfauns, Lord, 199 - - Hayes, Mr. Horace, 92 - - Henderson, Mr. G. S., 268 - - Hensman, Mr. H., 268 - - Herat, 178 - - Herbert, Capt. L., 268 - - Herbert, Mr., 31 - - Hewett, Mr. J. P., C.S., C.I.E., 268 - - Hext, Capt. J., R.N., C.I.E., 268 - - Hext, Sir John (now Rear-Admiral), 216, 235, 247 - - Hills, Mr. A., 159, 268, 279 - - Hills, Mr. C. R., 268 - - Hodgson, Mr. G. C., 268 - - Holmes, Mr. W., C.S., 92, 268 - - _Hornet, The_, 313 - - Hope, Mr. G. W., 268 - - Horse Sale, The, 187 - - Howrah Bridge, 217 - - Huggins, Mr. (Lord William’s trainer), 300, 305, 310 - - Hunt, Col. J. L., 268 - - Huxley, Mr., 246 - - - Ilbert Bill, 123 - - Indian descent, 109 - - _Indian Planters’ Gazette_, 263 - - Indian Viceroy’s duties, An, 66 - - Irving, Mr. W. O. Bell, 268 - - Isandhlwana, Battle of, 78 - - - James, Mr. S. Harvey, C.S., 268 - - Jardine, Sir William, Bart., 268 - - Jarrett, Col. H. S., 268 - - Jenkins, Capt. A. E., 268 - - Jersey, Lord, 7 - - Jhind, The Rajah of, 101 - - Jockey Club, 293, 324 - - Jodhpore, Maharajah of, 162 - - Johnstone, Mr. C. Lawrie, 268 - - Jourdain, Mr. C. B., 268 - - Jowaki Expedition, The, 69 - - - Kabul, 71 - - Kempton, 308 - - Kennedy, H. E., Rear-Admiral George, 268 - - Keyes, General, sent with reinforcements against hill tribes, 69 - - Khyber Pass Retreat, The, 71 - - King, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. G., C.I.E., 268 - - King, Mr. D. W., 268 - - King-Harman, Col., 27 - - Kirk, Mr. H. A., 268 - - Kitchener, Earl, 320 - - Kooch Behar, H.H. the Maharajah of, G.C.I.E., 171, 258, 265, 268 - - - Ladies’ Steeplechase, 141 - - Lady’s curtsey, A, 116 - - Lambert, the Hon. Sir John, K.C.I.E., 268 - - Lambton, Mr. George, 300 - - Lance, Brigadier-General F., C.B., 268 - - Langford, Lord, 5 - - Lansdowne, Marchioness, 262 - - Lansdowne, Marquess of, 234, 238, 247, 272 - - Lascelles, The Hon. Charles, 11 - - Latimer, Mr. F. W., 268 - - Lawley, Hon. Miss, 156 - - Lawrence, Lord, 53, 97, 240 - - Leeman, M.P., Mr. Joseph, the wrestling match, 40 - - Legislative Council pass the Ilbert Bill, 123 - - Leigh, Sir Gerrard, 13 - - Lendal Bridge, 39, 40 - - Leslie, Mr. C. P., 1 - - Lethbridge, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col., 268 - - Life in India, 158 - - Lister, Capt. G. C., A.D.C., 268 - - Lockhart, Sir Simon, 5 - - Lorillard, Mr. Pierre, becomes Lord William’s racing partner, 294 - - Louisa, daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothsey, 15 - - Lowther, Mr. James, 199, 313 - - Lucknow, 255 - - Ludlow, Col., 268 - - Lumsden, Mr. D. M., 268 - - Luson, Mr. H., 268 - - Lyall, Mr. A. A., 268 - - Lyall, the Hon. Mr. D. R., C.S.I., C.S., 268 - - Lyall, Mr. R. A., 268 - - Lytton, Lady, 52 - - Lytton, Earl, 272; - appointed Viceroy, 52; - appoints a Famine Commission, 68; - dissatisfies Government with his Afghan policy, 96; - his departure, 104; - investigates the Indian Famine, 67; - reviews the troops, 62; - sends troops against Hill tribes, 69 - - - McCalmont, General Sir Hugh (“The Smiler”), 7, 11 - - McDonnell, the Hon. W. F., 57 - - Macdougall, Captain, 232 - - Machell, Captain, 33 - - McInnes, Mr. H. H., 268 - - Mackellor, Mr. G. B., 268 - - Mackensie, Mr. D. F., 268 - - Mackenzie, Colonel Stewart, 11; - takes command, 71 - - McLeod, Mr. C. C., 268 - - Macleod, Mr. J. J., 268 - - Macnair, Mr. G. B., 268 - - Macpherson, the Hon. Justice W., C.S., 268 - - Maitland, Col., 268 - - Maitland, Mr. Kelly, 92 - - Maitland _v._ Beresford case, 93 - - Man who thought he was King, The, 197 - - Marlborough, 8th Duke of, 284 - - Marlborough, Lily, Duchess of, meets Lord W. B., 283; - is married to Lord Bill, 284 - - Marsh, Mr., 320 - - May-Boy’s serious accident, 17 - - Mayo, Lord, 240 - - Meerut Race Meeting, 214 - - Mehta, Mr. R. D., 268 - - Methuen, Lord, 4 - - Meux, Admiral Sir Hedworth, 325 - - Meux, Lady, 311, 324 - - Meyrick, Mr., 58 - - Middleton, Capt. Bay, 13 - - Miley, Col. J. A., 268 - - Military Secretary’s duties, 124; - pay, 129 - - Military Secretaries and their excuses for resignation, 135 - - Miller, Mr., 95 - - Mills, Mr. G., 268 - - Milton, Lord, A.D.C., 268 - - Minto, The present Lord, 7 - - Mistaken identity, 161 - - Moore, Mr. C. H., 7, 244, 268 - - Moore, Mr. Garret, 12 - - Muir, Capt. Charles, 80, 244 - - Muir, Mr. A. K., 268 - - Muir, Sir John, Bart., 268 - - Myall King, Death of, 262; - Record of, 264 - - Myers, Mr. Dudley B., 268 - - - Nabha, Rajah of, 238 - - National Hunt Committee, 293 - - New Year’s Day Festivals, 222 - - Newcastle, Duke of, 286 - - Nicknames, 11 - - Ninth Lancers on active service, 71 - - Northbrook, Lord, 51, 272 - - Norman, Mr. A. F., 268 - - Norris, the Hon. Justice, Q.C., 268 - - - Observation Hill, 97 - - _Oriental Sporting Magazine_, 57 - - O’Toole, Sergeant, rescues in time, 86; - is awarded V.C., 91 - - Overend, Mr. T. B. G., 268 - - Owen, Capt. “Roddy,” 12, 121, 231 - - - Paget, Lord Alfred, and the Bonnets, 28 - - Paget, Mr. H. E. C., 268 - - Palmer, Mr., 288, 295, 297 - - Paperchases, 137 - - Papillon, Capt. David, 138 - - Paris, Mr. G. B., 268 - - Parliament dissolved, 95 - - Parlour fireworks, 191 - - Patiala, Maharajah of, 280; - forms racing partnership with Lord William, 251 - - Pattison, Mr. F. E., 268 - - Patrie, Mr. J. M., 268 - - Paul, Col. St., 268 - - Paying calls in India, 50 - - Peacock, Mr. F. B., 268 - - Perinan, Mr. F. W., 268 - - Perry, Dr., gives supper night before holidays, 9; - his letters to Lord W. B.’s mother, Lady Waterford, 9 - - Peterhoff, the Viceregal house at Simla, 54 - - Peterson, Mr. C. D., 268 - - Pincus, Mr. Jakes (trainer), 300 - - Playfair, the Hon. Mr. P., 268 - - Poer, Charles William de la, 1 - - Poer, Delaval James de la, 1 - - Poer, John Henry de la, 1 - - Poer, Marcus Talbot de la, 1 - - Poer, William Leslie de la, 1 - - Poer, William Warren de la, son of Lord W. B., 298 - - Pollen, Capt. S. H., A.D.C., 268 - - Polo, The Christmas Day Match and its tragic sequel, 60; - at Hurlingham, 44 - - Ponies, The sale of the, 38 - - Portal, Mr. Gerry, 192, 199 - - Portland, Duke of, 321 - - Potato Incident, The, 14 - - Prickett, Mr. L. G., 269 - - Primrose, Mr. (now Right Hon. Sir Henry Primrose), 156 - - Prinsep, the Hon. Mr. Justice H. T., C.S., 269 - - Pritchard, the Hon. Sir C., K.C.I.E., C.S.I., 269 - - Probyn, Colonel Oliver, 138 - - - Race after the Amateur Dramatic Club Play, The, 120 - - Rajah’s bow to Lord Ripon, The, 102 - - Raleigh Club, 27; - the new Raleigh, 1916, 30 - - Ralli, Mr. John A., 161, 269 - - Ralli, Mr. T. D., 269 - - Rawal Pindi, 179; - the Durbar at, 179 - - Rawlinson, Mr. A. T., 269 - - Raye, Brigade-Surgeon D., 269 - - Religions of India, 56 - - Ripon, The Marquess of (then Lord de Grey), 96, 134, 154, 272; - arrives at Peterhoff, 99; - converses with Lord Lytton, 100; - has a trying time, 123; - leaves India, 172; - receives friends, 153; - a Roman Catholic, 110 - - “Ripon’s Good Night,” Lord, 172 - - Roberts, Major Ben, 57, 162 - - Roberts, Earl, 71, 205, 240 - - Rochfort, Capt. (now Sir Alex. Rochfort), 156 - - Rodocanachi, Mr. J., 269 - - Rosebery, Earl of, 35 - - Rossmore, Lord, 7 - - Ross, Mr., and why he called last, 51 - - Ross, Mr. R. M., 269 - - Rothschild, Mr. Leopold de, 163 - - Rustornjee, Mr. H. M., 269 - - Ryder, trainer and jockey, 133, 186; - his accident, 187 - - - Sanders, Surgeon-Major R. C., 269 - - Saunders, Mr. J. O’B., 269 - - Schiller, Mr. F. C., 269 - - Shakespeare, Mr. F., 269 - - St. Quinten, Major, 34, 156 - - Shaw, Colonel, of the London Fire Brigade, 29 - - Shepstone, Sir Theophilus, 78 - - Silk stockings, The, 117 - - Simson, Mr. A., 269 - - Simson, Mr. A. F., 269 - - Singh, Sirdar Preetum, 250 - - Sipi, The Fair, 149 - - Sloan, Tod (James Forman), is engaged by Lord W. B., 299; - in trouble, 301, 304, 308, 310 - - Smith-Dorrien, Mr., 34 - - _Sporting Times, The_, 318 - - Stampede at the Viceregal Procession, 103 - - Stedman, General E., C.B., 269 - - Steel, Mr. Robert, 269 - - Stewart, General Sir Donald, 118, 179 - - Stewart, Mr. F. G., 269 - - Stewart, Mr. C. D., 269 - - Stewart, Mr. J. L., 269 - - Stewart, Mr. J. R., 269 - - Stewart, Mr. Monty, forms racing partnership with Lord W. B., 132; - death of, 162 - - Stuart-Menzies, Mrs., a riding adventure, 149; - a souvenir, 319 - - Stuart, Mr. Harry, 269 - - Suffield, Lord. See Capt. Harbord - - Superstition, 237 - - - Table of W. B.’s horses sold, 322 - - Targett, Mr. W. H., 57, 269 - - Tattersall’s sale, 44, 320 - - Taylor, Capt. Clough, 137, 156 - - Taylor, Lady Elizabeth Clough, 156 - - Temple, Mr. G., 269 - - Thebaw, King, 203 - - Thomas, Mr. J. P., 269 - - Thomas, Mr. L. R., 269 - - Thomas, Mr. R. E. S., 269 - - Thomas, Mr. W. L., 269 - - Thompson, Colonel Meysey, 13 - - Thuillier, Colonel H. R., 269 - - Thunderstorm at Pindi, 181 - - Tingey, T., 68 - - Tollygunge meeting, 244 - - Toomay, Mr. J. A., 269 - - “Tower of Silence,” Bombay, 107 - - Trail, Mr. T., 269 - - Tremearne, Mr. Shirley, 269 - - Turf Club, Calcutta, The, 242 - - Turf Club of Ireland, 293 - - Turnbull, Mr. R., C.I.E., 269 - - Turner, Capt. J. G., 269 - - - Ulundi, King’s kraal, 83; - Battle of, 79 - - Umballa racing accident, 137 - - Umbrella race, 148 - - Umvaloosi, Valley of, 83 - - Upton, Mr. R. L., 269 - - - Valentia, Lord, 34 - - Viceregal House, The new, 209 - - Viceregal tour programme, 184 - - Viceroy’s Cup, The, 59 - - Viceroy’s duties, A, 105 - - Victoria, Queen, confers V.C. on Lord William, 90 - - Victoria Club Banquet, 58 - - Victoria Cross Race, 147 - - Vinall (jockey), 249, 265 - - Vincent, Mr. Claude, 269 - - Voeux, Captain Des, 121 - - - Wales, Prince of, The (afterwards King Edward VII), 33, 34, 51, 91, - 163, 271, 289, 314, 321 - - Walker, Major-General A., 269 - - Wallace, Sir Donald Mackenzie, 178 - - Waller, Mr. R. R., 269 - - Ward, Mr. G., 269 - - Warre, Dr., 5 - - Warre-Cornish, Dr., Vice-Provost of Eton, 5 - - Waterford, Lady Blanche, 297 - - Waterford, John Henry, Fourth Marquis, 1 - - Waterford’s, Lady Louisa, accident, 16 - - Waterford, The third Marquis and the flogging block, 7; - “The Mad Marquis,” 15 - - Waterfords, The, 303 - - Watts, Mr., 76 - - Webb, Captain, 162 - - Weekes (a jockey), 248 - - Weeks, Teddy, 133 - - Well at Cawnpore, 76 - - Wenlock, Lady, 154, 156 - - Wenlock, Lord, 154 - - West, Mr. J. D., 269 - - Western Indian Turf Club, The, 261 - - Westmorland, Lord, 35 - - Westmorland, Lady, 35 - - Wheal, Mr. John, 186 - - Wheler Club, The, 93 - - White, Major (afterwards Sir George White, V.C.), 124, 240 - - Whitney, Mr. W. C., becomes Lord William’s racing partner, 300 - - Wilkins, Mr. C. A., C.S., 269 - - Williams, Colonel and Mrs. Owen, 35 - - Williams, Capt. G. A., 269 - - Willson, Mr. (trainer), 248, 289 - - Wilson, Lady Sarah, 283 - - Wombwell, Sir George, 35, 314 - - Women of India, The, 150 - - Wood, Captain, 34, 225 - - Wood, Sir Evelyn, his fighting force, 82 - - Woods, Mr., 34 - - Woolmer, Captain, 258 - - - Yorke, The Hon. Alec, 8 - - Yorke, Hon. Elliot, 8 - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained; for example, - collar-bone, collarbone; body-guard, bodyguard; race-horse, - racehorse; affirmatory; undauntable; hebetude; horsy; tiffin. - - Pg ix: ‘Sporting Contempories’ replaced by ‘Sporting Contemporaries’. - Pg 10: ‘near Beresford’ replaced by ‘nearby, Beresford’. - Pg 60: ‘up unconcious’ replaced by ‘up unconscious’. - Pg 99: ‘aide-de-camps’ replaced by ‘aides-de-camp’. - Pg 103: ‘been ricochetting’ replaced by ‘been ricocheting’. - Pg 154: The handwritten column headings in this chart are names of - game animals. Two names are unclear, and are shown as ‘S???’ - and ‘K???’. Some numbers were also unclear; reasonable guesses - have been made. - Pg 200: ‘philanthrophy, while’ replaced by ‘philanthropy, while’. - Pg 218: “aide-de-camps’” replaced by “aides-de-camp’s”. - Pg 321: ‘to Indi as’ replaced by ‘to India as’. - - Index: ‘Fripp’ replaced by ‘Fripps’. - Index: ‘Goodijack’ replaced by ‘Godjack’. - Index: ‘Umvalovsi’ replaced by ‘Umvaloosi’. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lord William Beresford, V. C., Some -Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Sol, by Mrs. Stuart Menzies - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V. *** - -***** This file should be named 63218-0.txt or 63218-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/2/1/63218/ - -Produced by Sonya Schermann, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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C., Some -Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Sol, by Mrs. Stuart Menzies - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Lord William Beresford, V. C., Some Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Soldier and Wit - -Author: Mrs. Stuart Menzies - -Release Date: September 17, 2020 [EBook #63218] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V. *** - - - - -Produced by Sonya Schermann, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>Some minor changes to the text are noted at the <a href="#TN">end of the book.</a></p> -</div> - - -<div class="figcenter illowp44" id="origcover" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Original Cover" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap pg-brk p6" /> -<h1 class="p6">LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD, V.C.</h1> - -<p class="pfs90">SOME MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS<br /> -SPORTSMAN, SOLDIER<br /> -AND WIT</p> - -<hr class="p6 chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter illowp44" id="frontisb" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/frontisb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“FIGHTING BILL”</p> - -<p><em>Reproduced by permission from “Vanity Fair”</em></p></div> -</div> - - -<hr class="p2 chap pg-brk" /> - -<div class="center"> -<span class="fs240">LORD WILLIAM<br /> -BERESFORD, V.C.</span><br /> -<span class="fs100 lht">SOME MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS<br /> -SPORTSMAN, SOLDIER AND WIT</span></div> - -<p class="p2 pfs70">BY</p> -<p class="pfs100">MRS. STUART MENZIES</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">WITH APPRECIATIONS BY<br /> -<span class="fs150">THE EARL OF CROMER &<br /> -ADMIRAL LORD BERESFORD</span><br /> -38 ILLUSTRATIONS, ALSO REPRODUCTIONS<br /> -OF THE SIGNATURES OF THOSE<br /> -PRESENT AT THE FAMOUS FAREWELL<br /> -DINNER AT CALCUTTA</p> - -<p class="p6 pfs100 lsp2">HERBERT JENKINS LIMITED<br /> -ARUNDEL PLACE HAYMARKET<br /> -LONDON S.W. <img class="illowe5" src="images/i005-40.jpg" alt="" /> MCMXVII</p> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p10 pfs60">PRINTED BY WM. BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND</p> - - -<hr class="p2 chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_v"></a>[Pg v]</span></p> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">There are days when we are under the -spell of the past, when lovely times, lovely -things, and delightful people that have -lapsed into “have beens” are again with us, in a -mist of memories and dreams, but memories and -dreams that have been true and real—to be treasured -always.</p> - -<p>In my memory there are silhouetted against the -horizon of the past a few figures (amongst the many -kind friends who have journeyed with me) who stand -alone, whose greatness of character singled them -from their fellows, others whose splendid works for -state or humanity have marked them, but I pause -before a figure that would have told us he was -nothing in particular, yet few men have been so -loved, so universally popular as the late Lord -William Beresford, V.C., one of the most charming -characters and greatest personalities of the age, a -brave and gallant soldier, a loyal and faithful friend, -possessing an extraordinarily generous nature. A -man has not lived for nothing, and must be something -in particular, when his friends can truly say -that of him.</p> - -<p>I have waited a long time before undertaking this -work, hoping some more able pen than mine would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi"></a>[vi]</span> -give to his old friends and future generations some -record of Lord William’s eventful life, a few memories -of his many kindnesses and unostentatious -charities, his pluck, deeds of daring and unfailing -cheeriness.</p> - -<p>No such scribe appearing, I have taken my courage -in both hands and endeavoured to pay a small -tribute to the memory of an old and valued friend, -being encouraged by the letter I received (January -16th, 1916) from Lord Beresford, better known and -loved by the great British public as Lord Charles -Beresford, in which he wrote:</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">1, Great Cumberland Place,</span><br /> -<span class="smcap padr4">London, W.,</span><br /> -<em>19th January, 1916</em>.</p> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Stuart Menzies</span>,</p> - -<p class="in2">“Thank you for your letter. I am so delighted -to hear that you are going to write the life -of my dear brother Bill; he had the most lovable -nature, the most charming character, the pluckiest -spirit and most generous mind that I have ever met. -He was always thinking of others and never of himself. -I shall be delighted to help you in any way -that I can.</p> - -<p>“May all good luck attend you. The whole family -will be most interested in your life of perhaps one of -the most gallant officers, noble gentlemen, and -charming comrades that ever existed.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">“Yours very sincerely,</span><br /> -“<span class="smcap">Charles Beresford</span>.”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii"></a>[vii]</span></p> - -<p>Lord Cromer also, who was for some years associated -with Lord William in India, wrote to me -saying:</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> -<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Stuart Menzies</span>,</p> - -<p class="in2">“As I understand that you are engaged in -writing the life of my old and very dear friend, -Bill Beresford, I hope you will allow me to bear -testimony to his great charm of character, his -characteristically national sense of humour, and his -staunch loyalty to both his country and his friends. -I knew Bill Beresford very well and had a great -liking for him. He was a fine gallant fellow with all -the pluck and dash of his race and family, and moreover -had a keen sense of humour. I was for some -years associated with him when he was on the staffs -of Lord Northbrook and Lord Ripon when Viceroys -of India. He was the cheeriest of companions and -the most gallant of soldiers—in a word, one of the -best fellows I have ever come across during a long -life.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="padr4">“Very sincerely yours,</span><br /> -“(Signed) <span class="smcap pad2">Cromer.”</span></p> -</div> - -<p>I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the -many friends of his and mine who have been so good -as to assist me, without whose help I could not have -hoped to do justice, even in this small measure, to a -life so full of incident, and kindness for all who were -associated with him. More especially are my thanks -due to his brother, Lord Beresford, Lady Waterford, -Edith Lady Lytton, Lord Ripon, Lord Rossmore, -Sir Claude de Crespigny, his brother officers in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a>[viii]</span> -past, and his contemporaries on the various staffs, -to Mr. Arthur Meyrick, also to his old and faithful -friend, Mr. Charles Moore.</p> - -<p>I have used one or two cuttings from old newspapers, -but having no idea what they appeared in, I -have been unable to ask permission to reproduce -them, therefore ask forgiveness from all on whose -grounds I may have trespassed.</p> - -<p>I must also ask the indulgence of my readers in the -matter of dates, having had to rely on memory to a -great extent, aided by a few letters, papers, race -cards, photos, etc., being handicapped by there -being no mother or wife living into whose store-house -of precious letters, and documents, it might -be possible to dip, also by so many of Lord William’s -intimate friends having left us and passed into the -great Silence.</p> - -<p class="right fs90"> -A. C. STUART MENZIES.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ix"></a>[ix]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable fs75" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER I</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">EARLY DAYS</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdrb fs80">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Early Childhood—Eton Days—Mischief and Whackings—Companions at Work and Play—<ins class="corr" id="tn-ix" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'Sporting Contempories'">Sporting Contemporaries</ins> of Note—The So-styled “Mad Marquis”—His -Bride—Carriage Accident—Ride in Grand National—House of Commons Acknowledgment of Lady Waterford’s Goodness to the Irish during the Famine—Joins the 9th Lancers in -Dublin—A Few Sporting Mishaps—Why he Spent his Life in India</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER II</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">GOOD-BYE TO ENGLAND</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Coach-driving Exploit—The Badger Bet and How It was Won—The Raleigh Club and the Garçon Glacé Episode—Some Merry Frequenters of the Club—Regimental -Racing—The Tenth Hussars’ Steeplechases, Exciting Race Between H.R.H.’s Horse and Lord Valentia’s—Aldershot Coaching Accident—Polo at Woolwich—Sale of 10th Hussars’ -ponies—Friendly Altercations at York—The Three Brothers’ Race—Au Revoir to Merry England</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER III</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">JOINS VICEROY’S STAFF</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">What he Might Have Been—A Happy Exile—Lumtiddy Hall—Unsuccessful Journey to Pay Calls—Appointed to Staff of Retiring Viceroy—First Summer at -Simla—Appointed A.D.C. to Lord Lytton—Annandale Racecourse—Birth of <cite>The Asian</cite>—Dinner to Its Sporting Owner—Winner of Viceroy’s Cup—Delhi -Durbar, 1887—Mighty Preparations—A Terrible Accident</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER IV</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">HE WINS THE V.C.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Hero of Khartoum’s Fame and Tragedy, as Private Secretary—Indian Famine—Lord William and the Jowakis—A Month’s Holiday in Afghanistan—Back in -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_x"></a>[x]</span> -Calcutta—Barrackpore Monument to Lady Canning—Lady Waterford as Artist—Cawnpore Memorial—Racing—Trouble in South Africa—A Favour Granted—Off -to the War—A Friend Left in Charge of Affairs—Some Fights for Queen and Country—Some Fights for Private Reasons—Exciting Moments—Irish Bravery of Man and -Beast—Two V.C.’s at Dinner—Receives Reward at Hands of the Queen-Empress—A Shower Bath in Dublin—Some Racing and a Row—A Thrice-run Race—Miller Addresses Lord William</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER V</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">THE VICEROY RETIRES</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Change of Government and What it Meant—Why it Took Place at Simla—The Ceremony—An Anxious Moment—A General Stampede—Retirement of Lord Lytton—Work of Which -Viceroy?—Lord William’s Services Valued—A Bet Between Him and the Author—Lord William’s 10 to 1</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER VI</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">AN IDEAL MILITARY SECRETARY</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Dignity and Humour—Some Tests of Both—Affection of the Natives for Lord William—How They Tried to Please him—What Happened on a Slippery Floor—Some Tableaux—A -Supper and a Race—What the Jockey Club Would Have Said—Lord Ripon’s Message to the Amir of Afghanistan—The Amir’s Reply—The Work of the Military Secretary—Swelled Heads and Outgrown -Shoes—How Lord William Dealt with Them—Pay of Military Secretary—Compensation for Diminishing Rupee—No Fish to Fry</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER VII</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">SOME RACING EXPERIENCES</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">First Racing Partnership—Some Successful Horses—The “White Mutiny”—Military Secretaries Come and Go—Fleur-de-Lys’ Affection—Racing—Paperchasing—An Exciting -Drive—Ponto’s Admiration for the Fair Sex—Inverarm—How a Sick Soldier Fared—Love of Children—A Children’s Party and How it Ended—The Home for Lost Dogs—Simla Gymkhanas—A -Sore Head—A Change of Mounts—Sipi Fair and Marriage Market—What Some of Lord William’s Friends Said—Why he was like King Solomon</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xi"></a>[xi]</span></td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER VIII</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">LORD RIPON LEAVES INDIA</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Arrangements for Entertaining Visitors—Lord de Grey’s Shooting—A Good-looking Staff—A Fancy Ball—The Baby cries—Lord William Feeds the Infant—Singing -Quadrilles—Pig-sticking—The Tent Club and Its Members—A Case of Mistaken Identity—The Reputation Match—Lord William Resolves to Give Up Racing—Lord Ripon’s Farewell</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER IX</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">LORD DUFFERIN’S VICEROYALTY</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Dufferin succeeds Lord Ripon as Viceroy—Durbar at Rawal Pindi to Meet the Amir of Afghanistan—A Few Annoyances—How it All Ended—Some Presents—Outline of a -Viceroy’s Tour—A Nasty Fall—Sale of Confederacy Horses—“Father Time”—Parlour Fireworks—A Ride to the Pyramids—Unostentatious Charity—Some Impositions</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER X</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">DEAR LONDON AGAIN</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Man Who Thought He Was King—A Dance After Dinner—How It Ended—Corney Grain in Disgrace on the Door-mat—Racing—Trouble in Burmah—Lord Dufferin and -Lord William Go There—Collecting the Offertory in Church—Some Schemes of Interest</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XI</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">SOME SPORTING MEMORIES</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William’s Driving—One or Two Experiences—A Sermon in the Smoking-room—Useful Shirt Cuffs—Convenient Handwriting—New Year’s Parade—A Waiting Race—A -Spoilt Meeting—Purchase of Myall King—Dufferins Leave India—Rules Issued by Lord William for Their Departure</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XII</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">A WINNING YEAR</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">On Leave—At the Derby Once More—Lord Lansdowne Takes Office—Conjurer’s Discomfort—A Gentle Reproach—Irishmen in India—Another Racing Partnership—A Turf -Club Inquiry—Paperchasers—A Telegram from Lucknow—Lord William’s Health—Jockey in Trouble Again</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_233">233</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XIII<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xii"></a>[xii]</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">THE FAMOUS FAREWELL DINNER</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Why the Maharajah of Durbangah Gave up Racing—The Maharajah of Patiala Joins the Stable—The Indian Lotteries—Some Successful Racing—Lord Bill Pays Up—Simla Feeling -Sad—Death of Myall King—Some of His Chief Races—Farewell Dinner—List of Guests—Speeches</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XIV</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">HIS MARRIAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">First Visit to the Deepdene—Finds a Relation in His Bedroom—Engagement to be Married Announced—School Treats—One New Year’s Morning—King Edward VII Visits the Deepdene -When Prince of Wales—A Narrow Escape—“Tommy, Where Are You?”—Why Lord William wore a Turban—Fast Trotters and Their Doings—Mishap on the Way to the Derby—Racing in -England—Racing Geography—Another Racing Partnership—Accident While Hunting—Mr. Palmer to the Rescue—Lord William Tells a Story Against Himself—A Son Born</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XV</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">BRINGS TOD SLOAN TO ENGLAND</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Engagement of Tod Sloan as Jockey—Beresford Family Affection—Caiman Wins Classic Race—Democrat and His Races—A Tip for the “Blues”—Accident to Sloan—His -Downfall—Five Years’ Racing and Winnings in Stakes Alone—Volodyovski Bought—At Liverpool When Ambush II Won the Grand National</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc">CHAPTER XVI</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdcx">LAST YEARS</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">“1900 ... and Feels It”—Affection for the 9th Lancers—Help for a Brother Mason—Those Who Loved Him—Friends, not Sight-Seers—A Treasured Gift—Sale of Horses at -Newmarket—Purchasers and Prices—Fate of Democrat—Volodyovski Wins the Derby—Too Late—Fierce Ownership Dispute—The Law Settles It—Broken Head of a small Beresford</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiii"></a>[xiii]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="ILLUSTRATIONS">ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - - -<table class="autotable fs75 smcap" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William Beresford (<span class="fvnormal">from <cite>Vanity Fair</cite></span>)</td> -<td class="tdr fvnormal"><a href="#frontisb"><em>Frontispiece</em></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr fs75" colspan="2">TO FACE PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William at Eton. Aged 11</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp4b">4</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Curraghmore</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp16b">16</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">9th Lancers in Dublin, 1867</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp18b">18</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">9th Lancers’ Polo Group at Woolwich</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp38b">38</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Famous Beresford Brothers’ Race</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp42b">42</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William Beresford and Captain Clayton</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp48b">48</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">“Lumtiddy Hall”</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp50b">50</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">9th Lancers’ Mess, Sialkôte, 1876</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp52b">52</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Delhi Durbar, 1877</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp60b">60</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Xmas Card to the Author</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp72b">72</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Captain Charles Muir (now Colonel), A.D.C. to Viceroy and Commanding His Excellency’s Body Guard</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp80xb">80</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William and Ponto</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp80yb">80</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Lytton, Family, and Staff, 1877</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp104b">104</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William Beresford’s Horse Democrat</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp132xb">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William Beresford leading Kate Coventry, ridden by Dewing. Calcutta, 1881</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp132yb">132</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Group at Barrackpore on the Lawn</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp154b">154</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Staff and Guests at Viceregal Lodge, Simla</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp156b">156</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Some Notable Members of the Calcutta Tent Club</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp160b">160</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Ripon, Lady Ripon, and Staff</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp166b">166</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Late Marquess of Ripon, Viceroy of India</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp172b">172</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Dufferin, Family, and Staff</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp182b">182</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William Beresford in 1886</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp218b">218</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Viceroy’s Staff in Lighter Moments</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp232b">232</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Marquess of Lansdowne</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp234b">234</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Beautiful Blitz</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp242xb">242</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Piloteer Winning a Trotting Prize</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp242yb">242</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">H.H. the Maharajah of Patiala<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiv"></a>[xiv]</span></td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp252b">252</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">New Pavilion at Annandale</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp256b">256</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Myall King’s Grave</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp262b">262</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Reproduction of Signatures of those present at the Calcutta Banquet, December 30, 1893</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp272a">272</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lily, Duchess of Marlborough</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp284b">284</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">The Deepdene, Dorking</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp286xb">286</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Front Hall at the Deepdene</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp286yb">286</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William, in Official Capacity</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp298xb">298</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William and his son Billy</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp298yb">298</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Tod Sloan in Lord William’s Colours</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp304xb">304</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Caiman at the Post for the Middle Park Plate the day he beat Flying Fox. Tod Sloan in Lord William’s Colours</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp304yb">304</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord William and Lord Marcus Beresford</td> -<td class="tdrb"><a href="#fp314b">314</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<p class="p6 pfs120"> -<span class="lsp">COLONEL LORD WILLIAM LESLIE</span><br /> -DE LA POER BERESFORD, V.C., K.C.I.E.<br /> -<span class="fs80">1846-1900</span></p> - - -<hr class="p6 chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="pfs240">LORD WILLIAM<br /> -BERESFORD, V.C.</p> - -<h2 class="p2 nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I<br /> -<span class="fs70">EARLY DAYS</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Early Childhood—Eton Days—Mischief and Whackings—Companions -at Work and Play—Sporting Contemporaries of Note—The -So-styled “Mad Marquis”—His Bride—Carriage Accident—Ride -in Grand National—House of Commons Acknowledgment -of Lady Waterford’s Goodness to the Irish during the Famine—Joins -the 9th Lancers in Dublin—A Few Sporting Mishaps—Why -he Spent his Life in India</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">The subject of these memories was the third -son of the fourth Marquis of Waterford, -who married the third daughter of Mr. -Charles Powell Leslie of Glaslaugh, M.P. for Monaghan.</p> - -<p>The children of this union were five sons:—</p> - -<p class="noindent pad4"> -1. John Henry de la Poer.<br /> -2. Charles William de la Poer.<br /> -3. William Leslie de la Poer.<br /> -4. Marcus Talbot de la Poer.<br /> -5. Delaval James de la Poer.<br /> -</p> - -<p>In 1866 the fourth Marquis died, and was succeeded -by John Henry, the first of the five sons -mentioned already, and elder brother of the Lord<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span> -William of whom I write. One of the most delightful -characteristics of this family has always been -its unity; the brothers were devoted to one another, -their home and their parents. To the end of his -days Lord William spoke of Curraghmore as “Home,” -and of his devotion to his beautiful mother. She -must have been a proud woman, having brought -into the world five such splendid specimens of -humanity, all handsome, having inherited the Beresford -good looks, high spirits, and pluck, whilst happily -imbued with the pride of race which is the making -of great men.</p> - -<p>There is nothing snobbish or vulgar in being proud -of our ancestry, though it may seem so to those who -are unacquainted with their own. Even savages -have pride of race, and it has been so since the days -of Virgil, and before that. Let us hope it will -always be so. It is our birthright, which is well, for -it helps men and women to keep straight, sorry to be -the first to lower the standard or bring it into disrepute.</p> - -<p>Look at the pride of race among the different -tribes in the East how strong it is, their castes are -profound and deep religions to them, their inherited -pride of race, for which they willingly die, rather -than suffer any real or imaginary indignity.</p> - -<p>This instinct is still strongly marked in our -present-day Gypsies, who are exceedingly exclusive -and proud of their race, and they will tell with pride, -if you know them well enough, that the reason they -are, and will be ever more, accursed and hunted -from place to place, is because a Gypsy forged the -nails used in the Crucifixion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<p>The Lithuanian Gypsies say stealing has been -permitted in their families by the crucified Jesus, -because they, being present at the Crucifixion, stole -one of the nails from the Cross, after which stealing -was no longer a sin. This sounds irreverent, but -they do not treat it lightly. The belief has been -handed down to them, grown with them, and they -seem sadly proud of their history, legend, or whatever -it may be.</p> - -<p>From an early age Lord William seems to have -realised what was due to his family and his race, -for with all his high spirits, even in the effervescence -of youth, never once has anybody been able to say -he brought discredit on his family.</p> - -<p>The Beresfords have for generations been keen -sportsmen, high-spirited, unspoilt, straightforward -gentlemen; using the word in its old-fashioned full -significance. Lord William was no exception to this -rule, and it has not been given to many to be so -universally popular. His worst enemy was himself, -inasmuch as he habitually put more work into -twenty-four hours than most people would consider -a fair week’s allowance. From an early age -he loved excitement, courting danger and adventure, -resulting in most of the bones in his body having at -one time or another some experiences, and I shall -always think that but for the juggling tricks he -played with his life he might still be with us, and the -world the better for his cheeriness, generosity, and -loyal friendship.</p> - -<p>This is not a proper biography in the everyday -acceptance of the term, it aspires to nothing so great. -I have neither the competency to entitle me, nor<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -the ambition to urge me to write a formal and -stereotyped account of Lord William’s life, but -only some memories, full of the little things that -matter, small details that bring us closer to the -character and introduce us to the personality of the -man.</p> - -<p>It is not as a soldier, it is not as a statesman that -I claim applause for Lord William, though both -may be owed, but for his thoroughness in whatever -he undertook, his unfailing cheerfulness, his loyalty, -energy, and marvellous pluck.</p> - -<p>In his early days the principle of—“Whatsoever -thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might,” -must have been driven home, for whatever he undertook, -that he certainly did with all his might; but his -generosity and his kindliness of nature and his tact -must have been born with him on July 20th, 1847, -in the quaint little village of Mullaghbrach, in the -north of Ireland, where his father was rector until -he succeeded his brother, the third Marquess, in -1859. The early days of Lord William’s childhood -were spent in this peaceful home with the usual -accompaniment of nurses, followed by a German -governess until he was considered old enough for -further instruction, when the Rev. Dr. Renau’s -Preparatory School at Bayford was chosen, the -present Lord Methuen being there at the same time. -After which, when eleven years old, that is in the -year 1858, he was sent to Eton, first to the house of -Mr. Hawtry, and then into Dr. Warre’s.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp44" id="fp4b" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp4b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM AT ETON, AGED 11</p></div> -</div> - -<p>It is interesting to note that the present-day -actor is a relation of Mr. Hawtry of Eton fame. It -was through the Eton Hawtry’s persuasions that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -the Prince Consort founded a prize for modern -languages at the College.</p> - -<p>Lord Cheylesmore, Sir Simon Lockhart, and Lord -Langford were at Dr. Warre’s house with Lord -William, the two latter being among the Doctor’s -earliest pupils. Lord Langford says, “Bill was -never out of rows of different sorts.” While Lord -Methuen tells me he remembers seconding a boy -named Allen at his tutor’s in a fight with Lord William, -adding, “And it was a very hard fight,” but being -senior to Lord Bill he saw very little of him while -there. Dr. Warre-Cornish, Vice-Provost of Eton, -said, “I always liked him. His Eton record is -chiefly connected with schoolboy sports and skirmishes -with masters at Windsor Fairs, and other -places. He kept many bulldogs and was of a turbulent -disposition.”</p> - -<p>The gas works were close to Dr. Warre’s house, -and behind them was the rendezvous of those who -had any differences to settle. Lord Langford says, -“I think Lord Bill often paid a visit there!” and -adds, “On one occasion he captured a polecat and -tied it to the leg of a chair in Dr. Warre’s house.” -We can well imagine the breathless moments in -store for the household. Various surreptitious -journeys were taken to feed it and make sure of -its safety. Then there was the exciting time of -changing the animal’s quarters and attaching it, -in spite of protestations, to a certain chair!</p> - -<p>History does not relate what happened, but something -entertaining, no doubt. After being a year at -Eton, Lord Bill heard of the death of his uncle, and -that henceforth his home would be at Curraghmore.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span></p> - -<p>While at Eton he seems to have been chiefly -conspicuous for his love of sport and fighting, his -high spirits, ready wit, and popularity with all. He -worked as much as was necessary and no more, for -he loved the river, running after beagles, paper, or -any other form of sport, more especially a fight. -Happily in his time the battles were not so serious -as they were in 1825 when Lord Shaftesbury’s -brother, Francis Ashley, was carried home to die -after fighting for two hours with a boy named -Wood.</p> - -<p>Like a few other men one could name who have -been educated at public schools, and later held important -and responsible posts, he could not always -depend on his pen carrying out his wishes and spelling -properly. Long after having arrived at years of -discretion, shall I say? he constantly wrote to an -old friend as “My dear Jhon,” meaning John. One -day we were talking about certain clever people -being unable to spell properly and chaffing him -about it; nobody enjoyed a joke against himself -better than he did. Somebody asked him, “Bill, -why don’t you write the word you are uncertain of -down on a piece of paper with all the variations as -they occur to you? The look of the word would tell -you which was right?” He replied, “I always do -write it down on a piece of paper and never doubt -its being right.” After which there was nothing -more to be said, and we decided it would all be the -same a hundred years hence, therefore it did not -matter; and at any rate he had my sympathy. -He agreed with Yeats, the Dublin poet, who -sang:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“Accursed he who brings to light of day</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The writings I have cast away;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But blessed he who stirs them not,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But lets the kind worms eat the lot.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Certainly Lord William’s letters were short and -sweet; he did not commit more to writing than he -could help, thereby proving that he was a wise man.</p> - -<p>Five years were spent at Eton, and they were -spoken of as happy ones. Even at that early age -his passion for racing betrayed itself and led to -trouble, for on one occasion the attractions of Ascot -became too much for him. Knowing that if he asked -for leave to go it would be denied him, he took -French leave, and received a whacking on his return, -which reminds me that before Lord William’s time -a certain flogging block belonging to the College -disappeared one day, having been kidnapped by -one of the Beresfords, the third Marquess, I think, -when he was at Eton, and is now in evidence at -Curraghmore, or was a few years ago. As far as I -can gather there was no hue and cry after that -interesting piece of furniture, and the next time -there was any whacking to be done another block -was found to be reigning in its stead; so presumably -there was a supply kept in the store-room among the -pickles and the jam.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s contemporaries, besides those -already mentioned, were the present Sir Hugh -McCalmont, afterwards a brother officer and life-long -friend, the late Lord Jersey, and the present -Lord Minto. Lord William was fag to both the -latter in succession, Mr. Charles Moore, another life-long -friend, and, I believe, Lord Rossmore.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span></p> - -<p>At the age of sixteen, Lord William left Eton and -went to Bonn to study French and German under a -tutor named Dr. Perry, others studying there at the -same time being the Hon. Elliot and Alec Yorke, and -the Hon. Eric Barrington, who tells me he was also -with him at Eton, where “his principal reputation -was that he and a friend of his had been subjected -to more floggings within a certain time than had -previously been recorded by anyone else.” Sir Eric -says when he found Lord William at Bonn: “I was -both surprised and delighted to find Bill Beresford -there, not having hitherto associated him with -foreign languages.” Some amusing accounts are -given to me also of the Bonn days, where he says: -“Our tutor had a peculiar way of accustoming us -to the use of the German tongue, as, though we had -a resident German tutor in the house, we were -strictly forbidden to make any German acquaintances -in the town, and were enjoined on our word -of honour to talk German to each other during -certain hours every day. A worse practice could -hardly be imagined. Nevertheless, Bill undoubtedly -acquired a certain facility in chattering, which he -afterwards told me was most useful to him with the -Dutch during the South African campaign.” Again -speaking of Lord William he says: “His nature was -exceedingly lovable, and he was very popular with -his fellow pupils and tutors, whom, however, he took -no pains to conciliate. During one altercation with -his German tutor, the latter was heard to say, -‘Beresford, I loved you once, but I despise you -now!’ which diverted us greatly at the time.”</p> - -<p>From accounts of those times it appears that it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -was the habit of Dr. Perry to give a gala supper the -night before breaking up for the holidays, at which -all the instructors were present. On one of these -occasions a certain student at the University who -had been giving Lord William lessons in Latin, and -who was much attached to him, made the following -speech in English with a very strong German accent: -“I have heard of Merry old England, but I have -never heard of the Merry old Ireland. I wish to -propose the toast of the Merry old Ireland and the -Merry old Beresford.”</p> - -<p>To amuse himself at Bonn, Lord William used to -boat with his companions on the Rhine, and took -special delight in the company of an English livery-stable -keeper, who kept a certain number of riding -horses of inferior calibre, with which he was intimately -acquainted, riding being his favourite recreation.</p> - -<p>I am afraid Lord William constantly broke Dr. -Perry’s rules, and was frequently being sent away -in consequence; but his mother, Lady Waterford, -said she took no notice of the letters telling her of -her son’s dismissal, as they were invariably followed -by others recalling the sentence. Dr. Perry was -really much attached to his unruly pupil, and his -pupil had a very loyal feeling towards him, and was -the means once of saving his life. Sir Eric Barrington -tells me the story, and I feel I cannot do better -than repeat it in his own words.</p> - -<p>“Our Easter holidays were short and spent in -expeditions to Switzerland or the Tyrol. In the -spring of 1866 Dr. Perry took six of us to the latter. -We were to walk across a pass with two guides, carry<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span>ing -our knapsacks. We walked for ten hours with -very little food; the guides became exhausted and -refused to go any further, but Dr. Perry was determined -to reach the village we were making for. He -misunderstood the directions of the guides and lost -his way. We boys were exhausted also by this time, -so stopped at a small hay-hut, where we resolved to -stay the night. Dr. Perry went on in the dark, and -attempted to descend the mountain-side alone. -Beresford became uneasy about his safety, and went -off to look for him. The rest of us settled down and -went to sleep, when we heard Beresford shouting he -had found Dr. Perry, but could not persuade him to -return, as he had sighted the lights of the village in -the distance. Still uneasy, Beresford started off -again with a friend in the early hours of the morning -to look for Dr. Perry and see if all was well. After -some time he thought he heard a faint cry, and looking -over the side of the mountain descried the object -of his search some way down sitting astride an old -tree stump, which had mercifully broken his fall, -but still in a most perilous position, and trying to -keep himself awake by digging his fingers into the -decayed wood. From a cottage <ins class="corr" id="tn-10" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'near Beresford'">nearby, Beresford</ins> -managed to get a rope, but it proved too short, so -he set off for the village, where he found his companions -and the guides had arrived. Though feeling -thoroughly tired out and done up, he insisted on -returning with the guides to show them where to find -Dr. Perry, and to help in the rescue. He was released -with difficulty and after some hard work.</p> - -<p>“Dr. Perry always felt he owed his life to Beresford’s -perseverance, and on that account was dis<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span>posed -to show leniency when his high spirits led -him into mischief on future occasions.”</p> - -<p>Bill’s main characteristics were courage and -loyalty; it was impossible not to be warmly attached -to him.</p> - -<p>It having been decided that the Army was to be -the profession of Lord Waterford’s third son, after -leaving Dr. Perry, several other tutors were requisitioned -to put the necessary finishing touches -to his military education, after which he passed very -creditably into the Army at the age of twenty, joining -that popular regiment, the 9th Lancers, as a -cornet in 1867.</p> - -<p>They were a merry crowd in those days. Among -Lord William’s boon companions in the regiment -were the present Lord Rossmore, otherwise known -as “Derry,” Captain Candy, “Sugar Candy,” -Captain Clayton, “Dick,” the present Colonel -Stewart Mackenzie, “The Smiler,” General Sir -Hugh McCalmont, and the Hon. Charley Lascelles, -who could do such wonderful things with horses -owing to his good hands and sweet temper; and -many more too numerous to mention, not a few of -whom, like Captain Candy, Captain Clayton, and Mr. -Lascelles, have moved on into another room, where -their friends can no longer see them.</p> - -<p>It is an interesting fact that all good sorts and -popular men get nicknames attached to them, it -being a sign of their value and the affection borne -them by their comrades. Not often are selfish -prigs called by nicknames, possibly they may be -known behind their backs as “The Swine” or “The -Prig,” or some other uncomplimentary epithet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -which can only be used sub-rosa, for who could so -address them to their faces?</p> - -<p>Among his friends, who were legion, Lord William -was known as “Bill.” His brother, Lord Charles -Beresford, is always called “Charlie” in the most -affectionate way by even the crowd in the streets, -who all love him and look upon him as their -own.</p> - -<p>Those were grand happy days when Lord William -first joined the 9th. He and his young friends had -the whole world before them, life and health then -being a matter of no consequence, no consideration, -for in the arrogance of youth who takes thought of the -morrow? If only when people are young they could -be persuaded to take a practical view of life and -map out their days, not spending strength too -freely, or trying nerves too highly, but keeping a -little in reserve, something to draw upon. Uncontrolled -spirits often lead to disaster early in life. -The Irish are especially buoyant and their mad -spirits infectious and lovable.</p> - -<p>In later years Lord William often spoke of those -early days, referring in affection or admiration to -many of his sporting contemporaries, among whom -were Mr. Garret Moore, who between ’67 and ’69 -rode many winners in Ireland and elsewhere. (He -died in 1908.) Roddy Owen, a great winner of -races, especially in India and Canada up to 1885, -after which he surprised people at home a little by -winning the Grand National on Father O’Flynn in -1892, Sandown Grand Prize two years running and, -if I remember rightly, the Grand Military on St. -Cross. Poor “Roddy,” as everybody called him,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> -died in Egypt on active service in 1896, mourned -and regretted by everyone who knew him.</p> - -<p>Colonel Meysey Thompson, who had known -Captain Owen all his life, wrote some charming -lines “In Memoriam” when he died. I do not -remember them all, at any rate not correctly, but -one verse I know ran:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“May the date palm’s stately branches</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Above thee gently wave;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">May the mimosa’s scented wattles</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Bedeck with gold thy grave.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">But as I am not writing Roddy Owen’s life I must -hurry on, especially as poking into the pigeon-holes -of the past is apt to bring on fits of the blues.</p> - -<p>Captain Bay Middleton, another great friend, -however, must not be forgotten. He was fond of -cricket as well as hunting and horses. A member of -the Zingari, Captained by Sir Gerard Leigh, and -while in Ireland they played the 9th Lancers. I do -not remember who won, but when the game was -over Lord William, to amuse his friends, suggested -a run with the drag hounds, managing to find mounts -for all; they rode just as they were, in flannels. -Needless to say the fun and enjoyment were great.</p> - -<p>It was delightful to hear these boon companions -living over again some of these times amidst happy -laughter and friendly recriminations, though perhaps -sometimes tinged with regrets for the days -that were gone. Captain Middleton died in 1892, -so another old friend passed out of Lord William’s -life. It was in April, I think, when Captain Middleton -was riding at quite a small fence (as is so often -the case), that his horse pecked, throwing its rider<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -forward, and, as almost invariably occurs when a -horse is in trouble, threw up its head, trying to recover -itself, and in so doing broke Captain Middleton’s -neck. He was no doubt a great man on a horse, -and as a rule they went kindly with him, but I have -seen him at times by no means gentle with them, -I am sorry to say, and not always when the horse -was to blame.</p> - -<p>Another great friend I must not pass over was -Captain Beasley, called “Tommy” by Lord William, -who rode in twelve Grand Nationals. I have only -mentioned a few of the names that recur to me; it -would take many volumes if I were to enumerate -all his great friends, for few men had so many.</p> - -<p>At any rate the fun in those days was certainly -fast and furious, some of the practical jokes being -distinctly drastic though considered very amusing -at the time. I doubt if in these days they would be -considered jokes at all. It does not follow that what -was considered funny and witty by one generation -will be considered the least amusing by the next, -any more than what was true yesterday need be -true to-day, and often is not.</p> - -<p>On one occasion when his friend, Captain McCalmont, -was driving him from Cahir Barracks to -Clonmel, while passing through the town of Cahir, -Lord William asked if he would mind pulling up for -him to do some shopping. When he returned with -his purchases they consisted of a sack of potatoes; -this was planted at his feet, and as they continued -their drive he amused himself by throwing potatoes -at everyone they met. Some smiled and seemed -pleased with the delicate attention and gift of pota<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span>toes, -others, however, were not, therefore a crowd -soon gathered and embarked on reprisals. The -potatoes were coming to an end, but his blood being -up, he purchased more and continued the battle. -As they proceeded along the ten miles to Clonmel, -news of the battle had evidently travelled ahead of -them, for in places they found people waiting for -them armed with missiles, including brickbats. It -now became a question how they were to get away -themselves. However, the Irish understand one -another, and all the country was fond of the Beresfords, -from whom they had received many considerations -and benefits. At that time, in the eyes of -the people, the Beresfords could do no wrong, so it -ended, I am told, quite happily. In the autumn of -our days it seems a very long time since we were so -full of beans that we could do such mad things, the -result of animal spirits.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s uncle, the third Marquis, has been -called the “Mad Marquis” owing to the extraordinary -things he did, probably from the same overflow -of spirits from which Lord William suffered -when throwing potatoes at peaceful pedestrians on -the road.</p> - -<p>The so-called “Mad” Marquis certainly did some -very astonishing things, but purely, in my opinion, -from devil-me-care fun and spirits, for when married -to the beautiful Louisa, daughter of Lord Stuart de -Rothsey, whom he passionately loved, he settled -down after sowing his wild oats, and became a model -husband and landlord, beloved by the whole countryside.</p> - -<p>It appears to be rather fashionable to think every<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span>one -is mad whom we do not understand, or even -perhaps when they are superior to ourselves in -courage or intellect.</p> - -<p>I leave it to my readers to decide if he earned the -sobriquet, if they think a man who was so exceedingly -devoted and tender to his wife, and so full of -consideration for his countrymen, could be rightly -termed the “Mad Marquis.”</p> - -<p>When he brought home his bride to Curraghmore, -seeing a crowd of country folk and tenants collected -to greet them, he leaned over his wife and lifted her -veil so that all might admire, so great was his pride -in her.</p> - -<p>Soon after their marriage, when driving his wife, -one of the horses became restive while descending a -steep hill. The only thing to be done to avoid a bad -accident was to turn the horses into a hedge at the -side of the road. Lady Waterford tried to get out, -and in so doing fell, hurting her head, causing concussion -of the brain. Her devoted and alarmed -husband carried his unconscious wife in his arms -down the hill, through the River Clode, back to the -house, that being the shortest way, so that she could -be properly attended to more quickly. For several -days and nights he scarcely left her; it was hardly -possible to persuade him to come away even for food; -and when the doctor said all her beautiful hair, that -he admired so much, must be cut off, he would allow -no hands to do it but his own.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp16b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp16b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>CURRAGHMORE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Like all the Beresfords, the third Marquis was -handsome and loved sport in every form, especially -fox-hunting; he hunted the Curraghmore entirely -at his own expense. It was a sad day when his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -mount, May-boy, made a mistake over a rotten wall, -which put an end to all his hunting.</p> - -<p>It must have been from this uncle that Lord -William inherited his love for steeplechasing, for we -hear of the Marquis in 1840, when it was first becoming -the fashion for gentlemen to ride in chases, -riding in the Grand National. He died in 1859 without -any children, and was succeeded by his brother, -Lord William’s father, as fourth Marquis.</p> - -<p>In 1847 (the year Lord William was born) Lord -and Lady Waterford devoted most of their time and -much money in endeavouring to relieve the distress -in Ireland caused by the famine. The Marquis imported -shiploads of wheat for the people, and Lady -Waterford’s goodness was so great that the House -of Commons felt constrained to acknowledge it.</p> - -<p>In return for this, these excitable people in the -following year, under the influence of agitators, became -so rebellious to law, and order and to their best -friends, that Curraghmore had to be fortified against -them. The Fenians declared they would capture -Lady Waterford and carry her away to the hills.</p> - -<p>This alarmed her husband so greatly that he took -her to her mother, in England, for safety, returning -himself to Ireland to protect the home he loved so -dearly, and if possible save the people from themselves.</p> - -<p>To return to Lord William. The 9th Lancers were -stationed at Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin, when -first he joined, which for an Irishman was all that -could be desired. Then on from Dublin to Cahir, -which is not very far from Waterford and Curraghmore; -a troop of the 9th were quartered at Water<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span>ford -and half a troop at Carrick-on-Suir, close to -Curraghmore. For a time Lord William was with -the Waterford troop, and it was a curious turn of -fortune’s wheel that brought H.M.S. <i>Research</i> to -Waterford harbour at this time with Lord Charles -as a middy, or at any rate a very junior officer. -Lord Marcus, in the 7th Hussars, was also at home -on leave, so the brothers were together and there -was a very happy gathering.</p> - -<p>All the officers of the 9th and the <i>Research</i> were -constantly at Curraghmore, where they were always -sure of a welcome, many carrying away with them -into foreign lands an affectionate gratitude for Lady -Waterford, who had made a home for them all when -in the neighbourhood.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp18b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp18b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>9TH LANCERS IN DUBLIN, 1867</p> - -<p><em>Back row, from left to right</em>: Lieut.-Surg. Longman, Riding Master Crowdy, Capt. F. Gregory (A.D.C. to Lord Lieut. of Ireland), Capt. Cave, -Capt. Hardy, Lieut. Gaskell, Cornet Stewart-Mackenzie.</p> - -<p><em>Second row</em>: Cornet Willoughby, Cornet Lord Wm. Beresford, Paymaster Mahon, Lieut.-Col. Johnson, Capt. Erskine, Lieut. Palairet, -Lieut. Green, Cornet Percy, Adj.; Quarter-Master Seggie, Major Rich in plain clothes.</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The 9th Lancers had a pack of harriers when at -Cahir, Lord William acting as one of the whips. He -had begun riding as a very small boy, on a pony -called The Mouse, which was shared by the three -brothers, each taking it in turn to ride. From this -humble little mount he was promoted to other -ponies, on which he soon began to execute little -jumps, and ride about the country during the holidays. -Before many years had passed over his head -he became a follower of the Curraghmore hounds -and other surrounding packs, often seeing more of -the fun on his pony than some of the field on famous -horses, partly owing to the plucky way he “shoved -along” and to knowing the country well, also partly -to the happy way ponies have of turning up unexpectedly -and accomplishing wonderful feats by -scrambling and crawling along places where bigger -horses cannot find foothold. The old Curraghmore,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -now the Waterford, hunted a country of about -thirty miles from east to west, and twenty miles -from north to south, its boundaries being Tipperary, -Kilkenny, and Wexford, and the sea on the south. -Having thus graduated in horsemanship, by the -time he joined the 9th he was known as a good man -on a horse.</p> - -<p>He naturally loved horses and dogs, and had -many, being a good judge of both. In consequence -of the number of the latter he usually had -about him, Captain Fife, of the same regiment, when -compiling an alphabetical list of rhymes in connection -with his brother officers, on coming to the -letter B, wrote:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“‘B’ stands for Bill,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Many cur dogs are his,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Good-tempered but hasty,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And easily ris’”;</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">which, must be admitted, is a magnificent effort, even -if it does not scan very well.</p> - -<p>Witnesses of the fun in those days say they can -never forget the delightful time when all the brothers -were at home together. Each a sportsman, each a -wit, full of merriment and pranks, and all especially -delighted when Lord Charles danced a hornpipe -for their amusement. How Curraghmore must have -ached for their voices when they had, as the old song -says, “all dispersed and wandered far away.”</p> - -<p>It was when stationed at Cahir that Lord William -began crumpling up his bones owing to various -tosses of sorts. At this time he owned a very fast -trotter, which could do sixteen miles an hour -when requested. He started one night with this<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -fast trotter in a dogcart to cover the three miles -from the barracks to the station, taking an English -guest with him to catch the 10.30 train for Dublin. -The road was very dark and overshadowed by the -trees of Cahir Abbey Park. Sir Hugh McCalmont -(then Captain McCalmont), a brother officer already -mentioned, was likewise performing the same journey -bound for Dublin; both started at the same time. -Lord William set the pace, and was soon out of sight -and hearing. Added to the darkness, it was pouring -with rain. After journeying some little way -Captain McCalmont was held up by cries issuing -from the gloom. Someone was shouting. He pulled -up in time to find his friend with his guest, his fast -trotter and some dogcart about the road. Lord -William in his haste, combined with the darkness, -had driven at top speed into a cart, somewhat to the -surprise of the driver. The cart also looked as if -taken by surprise, in places. Having satisfied himself -that no one was killed, though all were more or -less damaged, Captain McCalmont continued with -his “crawler,” as he called it, to the station and -caught his train, which is more than the fast trotting -party did.</p> - -<p>Trifles of this kind, however, never worried Lord -William, for his spirits were unquenchable.</p> - -<p>One of the fastest runs with hounds he could remember, -in those days of scanty judgment, was -when out with the Curraghmore hounds in the -northern part of the country. The fences were not -very big, but the pace was great. Lord William -and Captain McCalmont were riding a bit jealous, I -think; after racing for about twenty minutes, they<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -both tried to fly a bank, with the natural result -when jumping blown horses. Captain McCalmont’s -gallant little mare did not get up for some time; she -wisely lay still to recover her wind, but Lord William -had been so struck by her performance that he -shouted, “I will buy her”—and he did. But horses -when asked to do too much, sometimes break their -hearts, and the mare was never quite the same -again.</p> - -<p>Whenever sport was to be knocked out of anyone -or anything Lord William was sure to be there. -Nothing came amiss to him, fisticuffs, American -cock-fighting, hunting, racing, polo, the latter only -just becoming popular in England.</p> - -<p>It was about this time that he came into his share -of the family fortune. He considered it so inadequate -to his needs, that he decided to spend the capital as -interest. This is how he described it to me one evening, -years later, in the grounds of the Taj at Agra.</p> - -<p>“So inadequate to my needs was the interest on -my share, that I decided to use my capital as income -so long as it would last, and rearrange my life -again when it came to an end. I started a coach, a -stud of hunters, some racehorses, and laid myself -out for a real good time. I managed to hold on until -just before the regiment was ordered to India. -Then, as the fateful day drew near, I thought I would -have one final flutter at the Raleigh Club. A turn -up of three cards at £1000 a card! I won the lot, -was able to pay up all I owed and clear out to India, -cleaned out, but a free man as to debt.”</p> - -<p>I do not feel I am betraying any confidence, as he -told the story to several people, and really it is an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -amazing example of what pluck and daring, combined -with determination, can do. A lesson in resource -and audacity that a young subaltern should -arrive in India a penniless soldier, and yet reach the -height of social and official fame combined with -pecuniary comfort, as he did, in a few years. To -sit down with premeditation and map out such a -wild scheme, and then be able to bring it off and -win the odd trick, was rather wonderful.</p> - -<p>Possibly what he suffered during those years when -he was riding for a fall made him reckless, risking -his life more frequently than he otherwise would -have done, thinking it was bound to be a short and -merry one, so what matter? Or, like others I have -known when riding for a fall, would not give himself -time to think.</p> - -<p>Some of the extraordinarily kind things I have -known him do for young men when in financial -difficulties, though not overburdened with cash himself -at the time, leads me to the belief that he remembered -his feelings when the crash of his own -arranging was drawing near, assisted perhaps by a -little luck, which saved him.</p> - -<p>Considering that he was not a rich man, it was -wonderful how lavish was his unselfish and large-hearted -generosity. I verily believe no living soul -ever went to him in trouble and was sent “empty -away.” Yet he could never bear his left hand to -know what his right hand was doing. It really -ruffled him if he ever heard of it again. Nevertheless, -some of those near his left hand did know what -his right was doing, more often perhaps than he -guessed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span></p> - -<p>Having explained the rather important financial -position at this time, we can return to the daily -happenings, able to see some reason in much that -would otherwise seem of little consequence, but -which meant a good deal to Lord William, we can -also admire more sincerely the brain that evolved -the scheme and carried it out.</p> - -<p>Some will no doubt think, and possibly say, that -the affection we all had for Lord William has made -me picture a faultless man; this is, of course, not -so, and it is not difficult to recognise his failings, -which he shared in common with the rest of mankind, -but I do claim for him that they were none -of them mean, little, or contemptible, and we do not -always like people less on account of their faults. -Generosity may be called foolishness: pluck, foolhardiness: -morals, not such as would be considered -a proper rudimentary system for teaching in elementary -schools: but if, after all that has been said, a -man can count hundreds of deeply attached friends, -and not one can say he ever did a dishonourable -action, or willingly hurt another’s feelings, I claim -that man is great.</p> - -<p>Lord William was an admirer of beauty and good -taste; add to this, as the cookery books say, his -particularly charming manner, that would woo the -birds off the trees, and his good looks, it is small -wonder he was much loved by the fair sex.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II<br /> -<span class="fs70">GOOD-BYE TO ENGLAND</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Coach driving Exploit—The Badger Bet and How It was Won—The -Raleigh Club and the Garçon Glacé Episode—Some Merry -Frequenters of the Club—Regimental Racing—The Tenth -Hussars’ Steeplechases, Exciting Race Between H.R.H.’s Horse -and Lord Valentia’s—Aldershot Coaching Accident—Polo at -Woolwich—Sale of 10th Hussars’ ponies—Friendly Altercations -at York—The Three Brothers’ Race—Au Revoir to Merry -England</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">In addition to being a consummate horseman, -Lord William was an accomplished whip. -When in Cork some foolish person made him -a bet that he could not, at any rate, drive his coach -down the steep and precipitous steps leading from -the barracks, thinking they had at last found something -he could not possibly do. He, however, closed -with the bet at once, saying that he would bet them -even money he would. What sum was offered and -taken I do not remember hearing, but have been -given to understand it was fairly heavy, as the feat -was considered impossible and really offered mostly -in jest. Imagine everybody’s feelings when next day -the coach, with the wheels inside, Lord William -strapped to the box, and the four horses well in -hand, were seen tobogganing down the steps, and -what is more, accomplished it in safety, winning -the bet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<p>Making bets was always a weakness of Lord -William’s. He acknowledged it was a fool’s argument, -but loved the excitement, moreover generally -won, which was an assistance to the exchequer—a -matter of some consideration.</p> - -<p>It would fill volumes to give accounts of all the -mad exploits of those times. Captain Candy was a -constant companion of Lord William’s, and many -of the thrilling adventures of those early years -were shared between them. They appealed to one -another, being equally generous and open-handed. -Many still living can remember the lavish hospitality -dispensed by Captain Candy, though it is the -fashion with some to forget the hand that helped -them. No one wanting a mount went without, so -long as Lord William or Captain Candy had one -standing in their stables. Both were riding for a -fall, but wished all within reach to share their joys -while they lasted.</p> - -<p>Hunting from Cork one day these two were riding -close together when Captain Candy, in taking a -fence, found to his dismay that he was jumping down -a quarry, where he landed through the roof of an -old woman’s cabin, causing some splutter and consternation -among the inhabitants, who thought it -must be the Fenians! One side of the cabin had to -be pulled down by Lord William before horse and -rider could be extricated. Strange to relate, no one -was much the worse. I think it would be a toss up -which broke most bones during their sporting -careers. I myself saw Lord William break his -collar-bone twice and dislocate his shoulder three -times on separate occasions. Indeed, such small<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> -affairs became scarcely matters worthy of comment -with him.</p> - -<p>From Ireland the 9th Lancers went, in 1868, to -Newbridge, then on in ’69—Hounslow; ’70—Aldershot; -’72—Woolwich; ’72—York; ’74—Colchester; -’75—out to India, and stationed at Sialkôte, after -which a new leaf was turned over in Lord William’s -life, and the writing on the page took another form.</p> - -<p>He had a very uneventful time while the regiment -was at Newbridge, but while at Hounslow he was a -good deal in Town, where his clubs saw him fairly -often. At Pratt’s one night he was talking to some -friends about a pet badger he had that could hold -its own against any dog. Someone, I think it was -Captain “Chicken” Hartopp of the 10th Hussars, -said they would like to see the animal, to which the -owner replied, “So you shall. What do you bet I -will not walk down to Hounslow and bring it back -here by ——?” naming some incredibly short time in -which to accomplish the mission. Considering it -almost out of the question that this could be done -in the time, a very respectable sum was bet, and -off started the badger owner to fetch him, the -bargain being that he must walk both ways. It -was therefore necessary to do some smart heel and -toe work, which he carried out faithfully, keeping -a watch on the time as he went along. The badger, -as far as history relates, does not seem to have shown -the least surprise at his master turning up in the -middle of the night in once immaculate, but now very -dusty, evening dress, and hurrying off with him in -his arms through the lamp-lit West End, to the -amazement of policemen and a few belated way<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span>farers. -They both arrived within the stated time, -the bet being won, though the badger lost a beauty -sleep.</p> - -<p>The old Raleigh Club was a great institution in -those days, much frequented by the frisky men of -the time, and all young officers quartered within -possible reach. It was quite <em>the</em> thing in night clubs. -Its doors opened at dusk; when they closed, I do -not know, probably shortly before business people -in the suburbs were eating their early breakfasts. -At any rate, nobody was anybody, who did not belong -to this club, which was approached by a tunnel, adding -mystery and charm. Within these portals huge -sums of money changed hands, highly flavoured -stories circulated, and cards figured largely; so did -swearing, if I may believe what I am told. In fact -it was considered a sign of military efficiency.</p> - -<p>One of the great surprises of my life was finding -out, after I married, that some of the most sedate-looking -and highly proper people I had been brought -up amongst, who looked as if they would faint if -anyone said “Damn!” in their presence, were, in -reality, constant visitors at this club, and other -popular rendezvous of fame at that time, while -their wives imagined they were seeing the boys off -to school, or some other highly domestic duty. As -it was put to me, some of these elderly friends of -my early youth were among those who “kicked up -the most row.”</p> - -<p>There was that great fine Irishman, the late -Colonel King-Harman, most majestic of men and -model parent, who came to children’s parties and -danced with poor awestricken me, my feet seldom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -touching the ground, but my heart full of admiration -for so king-like a being. The Raleigh knew him -as one of the merriest, always ready for a rag.</p> - -<p>Lord Alfred Paget, equerry to Queen Victoria, -whom I used to admire so much when I was a child, -sat in front of us in church one winter in the Isle -of Wight. His commanding carriage, handsome -dark eyes, and beetroot complexion fascinated me; -and he was so decorous and good in church, with a -pew full of daughters all apparently reverencing -him as I did, for he spent such a long time bending -over the pew and gazing into his hat when he came -into church. And the gallant way in which, without -a smile, smallest hesitation, or fluster, he disentangled -the bonnets of two ladies who got mixed up in -front of him one Sunday. It came about through -the lady in the front pew getting up from her knees -before the lady in the seat behind her had completed -her devotions. Consequently, when she did get up -the spangled aigrette in her bonnet mixed itself up -hopelessly in the veil and sweeping plume of the head-dress -in front of her. Both tugged and pulled, -growing redder in the face and angrier each moment. -My eyes were riveted on the couple, appalled, -wondering whose headgear would be pulled off first, -when the gallant equerry, without moving a muscle -of his face, reached over with his long arm and gave -one healthy tweak which separated the two bonnets, -while a shower of tinkling bugles fell from the aigrette -to the floor, but still no sign of mirth on the deliverer’s -face. While walking home after the service -my father congratulated him on the speedy way he -had freed the ladies, but Lord Alfred was not unduly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -mirthful even then, when out of church and all was -over. Yet he too was no stranger at the Raleigh.</p> - -<p>Oh, yes, and there were many more who took -part in those festive evenings of long ago. Lord -Hastings, a friend of Lord William’s, and like him -most generous, in his case too generous to last, unfortunately; -Colonel Valentine Baker, afterwards -Baker Pasha, with his gentle voice and tragic history; -Colonel Shaw of the London Fire Brigade -and patron of the Gaiety Theatre: all of whom I had -regarded with youthful awe and reverence.</p> - -<p>It was in the Raleigh that Lord William and one -of his brothers, Lord Marcus, I believe, or both of -them, for some reason, or perhaps for no reason, -put the hall porter into the refrigerator. The heat -of the man’s body, or his language, caused the ice -to melt, so one of them drew from the tap some -water into a tumbler and sent it with his compliments -to a friend in the smoking-room, describing -it as “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Garçon Glacé.</span>” The porter was left in a little -too long, and there was some trouble afterwards. -This became known as the “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Garçon Glacé</span>” incident. -Everyone thought it funny except the waiter, and -he had to be pacified. Derby week was the time -when the Raleigh excelled itself.</p> - -<p>Cards never really fascinated Lord William as -racing did, and in later years he seldom touched -them, but in the ’sixties and early ’seventies there -was an epidemic of high play which nothing seemed -able to restrain. If cards were forbidden for high -stakes at clubs the members used to hire houses and -play, or go to hotels, even play in their bedrooms if -nowhere else was available. Sharp practice, however,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -was not in vogue at that time; it followed later, many -stately homes being broken up in consequence.</p> - -<p>Poor old Raleigh! I wonder if to-day any of the -ghosts of the past re-visit it and look on in wonderment -at the changed conditions. Now, it is a club -for overseas soldiers, who seem to have caught a -little of the infection, for during the heavy snow-storms -of the early part of this winter (1916) the -present club men gathered on the roof and hurled -snowballs at the passing taxi and ’bus men, while a -crowd gathered to watch the fun. The cabmen and -other recipients of the missiles seemed to enjoy the -joke, glad to see the soldiers amusing themselves -after their strenuous time at the front. Truly change -is the order of the universe, one of its most unalterable -laws, and we must march with the times, in -step to its music. Much as we may look back on the -golden “have been” days, we must not allow ourselves -to become old derelicts, towed along in the -wake of progress, but adapt ourselves to the many -changes, though never ceasing to regret the loss of -friends and playfellows of the olden days.</p> - -<p>Early in ’69 Lord William began taking an active -part in regimental races, also in any others where he -saw a chance for any of his stud. On April 1st that -year he ran a horse in the Queen’s County Steeplechases, -the Scurry Stakes, 1 sovereign each with -20 added. Distance 2½ miles.</p> - -<p>Four horses ran:—</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Wm. Beresford’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Fenian</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Candy.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Crosby’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Joe Miller</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Onion.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Mole’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Bashful</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Morgan.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Corcoranthe’s</td> -<td class="tdl">The Isle</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Burnett.</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> - -<p>The Fenian won in a canter, Joe Miller second, -and The Isle fell.</p> - -<p>I have an idea that the Captain Morgan riding -Bashful was none other than the well-known -Captain Freddy Morgan, brother of the Lord -Tredegar of Balaclava fame, who, in the great -charge, rode a horse called Mr. Briggs, on which -he won a steeplechase before going out and -another on his return, both being among the -lucky ones.</p> - -<p>I think this was the first year Lord William appeared -as a winning owner. This success was -followed very quickly by another on April 27th in -the Subalterns’ Cup, presented by Mr. Palairet of -the 9th Lancers, added to a sweepstake of two -sovereigns each. Distance two miles.</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Wm. Beresford’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Fenian</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Candy.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Herbert’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Mephistopheles</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Mackenzie’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Black Bess</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain McCalmont.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Green’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Tommy Nodd</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Clayton.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Wheeler’s</td> -<td class="tdl">The Nigger</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>The Fenian won by a length, Mr. Herbert’s -Mephistopheles second. An Irish account of this -race was very Irish. I give it verbatim: “Betting -6 to 4 on Mephistopheles, 5 to 4 against Fenian, -was a most curious affair throughout. Mr. Herbert -on Mephistopheles was winning in a canter, but on -the end of the enclosure (paddock presumably) -showed a great disposition to bolt, and a great -desire to follow the Nigger, who had been pulled up -and was returning home by a short cut to the enclosure -gate. Mephistopheles suddenly stood still<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span> -next the palings to follow the Nigger in, and the -Fenian came up in time before Mr. Herbert could get -his horse going again, and gained the verdict, amid -much excitement, by a length.”</p> - -<p>Judging by the rather curious account Mephistopheles -ought to have won, but refused to play -the game, giving the Fenian an opportunity his -rider was not slow to take advantage of. But then -it is just those off-chances that constitute the excitement -and uncertainty of racing.</p> - -<p>Lord William did not have a mount at this meeting, -and only won the above race, although several -of his horses were entered.</p> - -<p>Maid of the Mist carried his colours ridden by -Captain Clayton, but was nowhere in it. Captain -Candy won riding his own mare Rosebud. In -another race Captain Clayton rode Lord William’s -Cyclops, which fell. This again was won by -Captain Candy on his Park Mount. Maid of -the Mist had another try in the Four-Mile Handicap -Steeplechase, ridden this time by Captain -Grissell, but the race was won by Captain McCalmont -on Bicycle. In the Flying Plate, Mr. Herbert -rode Mumbo for Lord William, but Captain -Candy won on Strasburg. To put the finishing -touch to a most successful day’s racing for Captain -Candy, he secured under the circumstances the -inappropriately named Consolation Plate with -Cracker. That was a “Sugar Candy” day with -a vengeance. Riding in six races he won five, and -was second in the sixth. A record for professional -or amateur.</p> - -<p>No one was more pleased with his friend’s suc<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span>cesses -than Lord William, for they were fast friends, -and when Captain Candy married the sister of his -likewise friend and brother officer, Lord Rossmore, -he acted as best man.</p> - -<p>It was generally known about this time that the -then Prince of Wales was interested in racing, and -had been for some time, but owing to Queen Victoria’s -objection to the Royal colours appearing on -a racecourse, His Royal Highness had been running -his horses under other people’s names. In fact, in -1876 Royal won him the Grand National in -Captain Machell’s name, long before Ambush II -was thought of. His Royal Highness also had a -share in Lord “Joe” Aylesford’s horses. Therefore, -when the Prince’s racing colours appeared at the -10th Hussars’ Steeplechases, while they were -stationed at Hounslow in 1871, I think, it was a day -of great excitement, the Prince being in the regiment -at the time.</p> - -<p>There was no public announcement of the meeting, -it being a semi-secret affair held at Down Barn near -Southall, within easy reach of their quarters at -Hounslow. Consequently there was no big crowd. -Nevertheless, it was quite an historic meeting; the -rows of drags that lined the course reminded those -present of Ascot. The judges were Prince Edward -of Saxe-Weimar, Lord William Beresford, and Lord -Rosebery. The card of the day’s racing contained -only five events.</p> - -<p>Everyone was anxious to see the Royal colours -win the Challenge Cup for bona-fide hunters; distance -about three miles.</p> - -<p>The entries for this race were:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span></p> - - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">H.R.H. the Prince of Wales’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Champion, b.g.</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Rivers Bulkeley.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Valentia’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Wellington, ch.g.</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Wood.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Hon. P. W. FitzWilliam’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Punkah, b.g.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Valentia’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Vent Piece, bn.m.</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Woods.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Smith-Dorrien’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Marquis, ro.g.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Major St. Quinten’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Crusader, b.g.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>The Prince drove down from town with Colonel -Kingscote in attendance. Captain Rivers Bulkeley -and that popular old sportsman, Major Chaine, were -the stewards, while Mr. Smith-Dorrien, whose name -as a general is so intimately connected with the War, -was the most courteous of secretaries. The idol of -the hour after the Prince was Captain Rivers Bulkeley, -as being the first to wear the famous Royal -purple and gold braided jacket with gold and black -cap. He must have felt a very proud man, but -unfortunately like Humpty Dumpty he had a great -fall. At the brook Champion, the Prince’s horse, -came to grief, he and the favourite Vent Piece -fell together, the riders remounting, and in at the -finish. Champion managed to regain so much -ground that hopes were raised once more of a Royal -victory, but in the last half-mile he showed distinct -signs of having taken too much out of himself at the -brook, so was overtaken by Wellington, who won -for Lord Valentia by ten lengths. Champion -second, Punkah third.</p> - -<p>It was a great day. I wonder how many good -men and true who were there would be able to -answer the roll-call to-day?</p> - -<p>There were a number of well-known people there<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> -besides the Prince of Wales: Lord Westmorland -(the handsome Frank) and Lady Westmorland, the -Earl of Cork, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Fitzgerald, -Lord Carrington, Lord Clonmell, Lord Charles -Ker, Sir George Wombwell, Colonel and Mrs. Owen -Williams, and many others.</p> - -<p>When the 9th Lancers were at Aldershot, a good -deal of mild racing was the order of the day. On one -occasion, when Lord William was tooling his coach -on to the course, in his endeavours to avoid a runaway -carriage and pair, behind which sat a screaming -and frightened lady, he managed to upset the coach -without seriously damaging any of the occupants. -The late Lord Kinnoull, who was on the coach, -described it to me. He said he never saw anything -so splendid as the way Lord William handled the -ribbons. The road was narrow, on the left was a -bank with roughly put up rails on top, while speeding -towards them on the right-hand side of the road -was the runaway carriage. The coachman had lost -all control, yet my informant declared if the clatter of -the galloping hoofs and the screaming lady had not -frightened the horses in the coach, all might have -been well. As it was, there was an alarming cracking -noise from the wooden railings on the left, a great -lurch, and the coach turned over. After this it was -difficult to say exactly what did happen, except that -there was a general mix up, and the poor lady in her -runaway carriage continued her career down the -road. It was characteristic of Lord William that he -was more concerned about the fate of the screaming -lady than with his own predicament.</p> - -<p>So far Lord William had only been a winning<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -owner. His first appearance as a winning rider was -across the Long Valley at Aldershot. I give the race -card.</p> - - -<p class="pfs80 smcap">9th Lancers’ Steeplechase</p> - -<p class="pfs80"><span class="smcap">Aldershot</span>, <em>April 27th, 1872</em></p> - -<p class="fs80 pad10pc">The Subalterns’ Cup, added to a sweepstake of 2 sovereigns -each with 10 added. <em>Three miles.</em></p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lord Wm. Beresford’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Star-gazer, b.g., 10st.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Wheeler’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Frolic, ch.m., 11st.</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Williams.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Moore (St. Leger)</td> -<td class="tdl">Portfire, 11st.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Butson’s</td> -<td class="tdl">The Finnigan, 11st.</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Grissell.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Hon. E. P. Willoughby’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Lowthorpe, br.g., 12st.</td> -<td class="tdl">Owner.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Hon. E. P. Willoughby’s</td> -<td class="tdl">Irish Kate, 11st. 7lb.</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Palairet.</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>Star-gazer won, which was a creditable performance, -being his second race that day, and -taking into consideration that he fell in the first. -The earlier race he had taken part in was the -Regimental Cup, which was won by Captain Willoughby -on his good horse Langar. He won many -races for his owner, who always rode him, including -a great point-to-point at York, when the -Duke of Clarence was present. Captain Willoughby -was of great repute in the 9th on account of his performances -in the pig-skin as a steeplechase rider and -polo player; also Major McCalmont, a great judge -of a horse. He once bought what he thought a likely -looking animal out of a thrashing-machine for £45, -which turned out a brilliant and valuable steeplechaser. -The present-day General, D. M. G. Campbell, -was also in the regiment at that time; he has -been wounded twice in the present war, and is still -out there at the time of writing, with what remains -of those who were present at Mons.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span></p> - -<p>It may interest present-day race-goers to know -that in ’72 the “chases” were run at Aldershot the -reverse way of the course, though on the same land -as at the present time, finishing at the bottom, instead -of the top of the hill. There was then no -Terraced Mount for the officers and their wives.</p> - -<p>Lord William worked hard at this meeting, -having seven mounts, winning one race, and being -second in another. Star-gazer does not sound -like a very comfortable mount for “chasing.”</p> - -<p>From Aldershot the regiment went to Woolwich, -but I know very little of that time. Polo was in -vogue, and some good games were played, it being -then in its youth as far as England was concerned, -though it had been played for centuries in Persia. -The Manipuries first introduced it to the British in -1862, on the Calcutta racecourse. After this it was -taken up by the 11th Bengal Lancers, but it was not -played seriously in England until 1874, when the -5th Lancers became enthusiastic, after which it -became fashionable.</p> - -<p>The Manipuries, who love the game, play it in -the streets of Upper Bengal, on scraps of ponies -about twelve hands high, playing just as they feel -inclined, with both hands and short mallets. At -first when the game was played by the English, the -rules were somewhat slack; everybody played on -what size pony they pleased, crossed and recrossed -each other, besides other curious things.</p> - -<p>Now the rules bid for greater safety and greater -enjoyment, though I remember as late as 1883, or -thereabouts, at Lucknow, where the 10th Hussars -were then playing, they habitually sent down to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -ground a doolie or two for the removal of the sick -and wounded after a game. A doolie is a sort of -hand ambulance, carried by natives. In India the -ground is so hard that if anyone gets a fall it is like -coming down on pavement. It is a mystery to me -how the ponies’ legs stand it, and the 10th played -a fast game.</p> - -<p>They made a great name for themselves at polo, -and when they left the country their ponies were all -put up for sale. People came to the sale from far -and wide, for the ponies naturally carried a reflected -glory from the prowess of their riders. I well remember -the sale. Of course there were some valuable -ponies sold which had made names for themselves, -but there were not a few that had done -nothing very great, and their owners were staggered -at the big prices they fetched, simply because they -belonged to the 10th, and people therefore thought -they must be good polo ponies.</p> - -<p>When one of the officers came to say good-bye to -us, he gave a most amusing account of the bidding -and some of the bidders. Speaking of one of his -ponies that I knew very well and used to ride sometimes -in paper-chases, he said: “You know the -poor old pony cannot gallop faster than I can kick -my hat.” This was embroidering a little. It was -a handy little beast and had played in many a game -of polo, helping out the stable on occasions though -by no means one of the owner’s best; nevertheless -it realized a price that trebled what had originally -been paid for him, and after a couple of years’ work.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp38b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp38b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>9TH LANCERS’ POLO GROUPS AT WOOLWICH</p> - -<p><em>Left to right. Standing</em>: Capt. Clayton, Mr. Palairet, Capt. de la Garde Grissell, Capt. Fife</p> - -<p><em>On ground</em>: Lord William Beresford, Mr. Moore</p></div> -</div> - -<p>During the early days of polo there used to be -sad accidents, and sad rows too sometimes; the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> -amenities were not so refined as they are to-day, -though even at polo I have observed occasionally -a soft answer may turn away wrath.</p> - -<p>From Woolwich, Lord William went with his regiment -to York, and to this day the period the 9th -Lancers were quartered there is remembered as a -red-letter time, for they were a great social -success. At that time the neighbouring country -houses were more often in the occupation of their -owners than they are now, and Yorkshire could -boast of its old-fashioned hospitality and love of -sport. I have heard the north country accused of -being boorish and stiff, but this is a matter of -opinion with which I, personally, do not altogether -agree.</p> - -<p>An amusing incident happened outside the solemn -old club which stands close to the Lendal Bridge at -York. Lord Rossmore went into the club one -evening just in time to see one of the servant girls -from the kitchen regions make her escape from a -young man who was evidently annoying her. She -fled down the area steps; Lord Rossmore collared -the youth, and began giving him a lecture of an -improving nature. At this moment, who should -come out of the club but Lord William. He at once -scented battle; without having the slightest idea -what it was about, but longing to be in it, he cried, -“Let me have him, Derry. Oh, do let me have him.” -“No,” replied the other, jealous of his capture. “<em>I -found him</em>; he is my man.” They became so absorbed -in the argument as to who should make the -prisoner’s teeth chatter that the man took the -opportunity to make his escape. Looking round<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> -and discovering his loss, Lord Rossmore indignantly -reproached his friend. “Now look what you have -done!” he cried; “this is what comes of trying -to steal my man.” Then as the absurdity of the -whole thing struck them, they laughed until their -sides ached. After which Lord William apologised -profusely for having spoilt “Derry’s” sport, and -losing his man.</p> - -<p>It was on that same Lendal Bridge, on another -occasion, that Lord William and the late Mr. -Joseph Leeman, <span class="allsmcap">M.P.</span>, as a matter of detached -interest spent an hour one night, or rather early -one morning, struggling desperately to see which -could put the other over the high balustrade of the -bridge into the river below. Each in turn would get -the other up to within an inch or two of the top -preparatory to a bath in the Ouse, which always -looks particularly uninviting just there. Lord -William made one splendid effort regardless of -popping buttons and bursting braces to get Mr. -Leeman up, and thought at last he had accomplished -it, but down he came with a rush. A wrestle then -ensued all across the road, each trying to get hold -of the other in just the right position; the game -then began again, this time Lord William being -perilously near the top. At last, quite exhausted, -they adjourned to Mr. Leeman’s rooms at the -Station Hotel, and finished the night (?) there—of -course, the best of friends the whole time.</p> - -<p>There is another York story, though I cannot -vouch for its accuracy; I only tell it as it was told -to me. A certain youth joined the regiment who, -it was considered, wanted teaching a thing or two,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> -and who at that time they did not like. His clothes -did not please them, his face did not please them, -in fact nothing about him pleased them. So, while -he was out of his room one evening, they, with much -difficulty and the help of many people, persuaded -a lover of thistles to walk upstairs into his bedroom, -where it was put to bed. A large cock with a strong -voice was also thrust, protesting, into the dirty-clothes-basket, -where it presently fell into a brooding -silence of despair. When the unfortunate owner -of the room returned he had many exhausting -moments with the donkey before he successfully -turned it out of the room and could go to bed. -At dawn he was awakened from a refreshing sleep -by the clarion notes of the cock issuing from the -clothes-basket, and he began to wonder if the claret -of the night before had disagreed with him, or if it -was all a horrid nightmare. This story may, or may -not be true, but I knew the youth in question, and -that he was not popular then. It is pleasant to be -able to remember that, some years later, when he -died of consumption, his sterling good qualities -and unfeigned good nature had made him so much -liked that his loss aroused universal sorrow in the -regiment.</p> - -<p>In ’74 the regiment moved from York to Colchester, -where Lord William seemed to get a great deal of -leave, part of which he spent helping his brother, -Lord Charles, who was standing for Waterford in -the Conservative interest at the request of his -eldest brother. They had great fun together, but -this has been described in Lord Charles Beresford’s -own book.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span></p> - -<p>It was in this same year that the memorable -brothers’ race was run at Curraghmore on the -Williamstown course. The race is a matter of -history now, but I have seen quite lately a controversy -about it in the sporting Press, some declaring -that Lord Waterford took part in it, others that he -did not. Only three took part in the race: Lord -Charles, Lord William, and Lord Marcus. Again, -there are folk who think it was all arranged beforehand -who was to win. Wrong again. Nothing was -further from the minds of any of the trio; each -meant to win, and each thought he would. The -race was run at the Curraghmore Hunt meeting. -Three miles. The brothers had a private sweep of -100 sovereigns each.</p> - -<p>Anyone not knowing the sport-loving proclivities -of the Irish cannot picture the excitement there -was in the country over this event. Even the peasant -women who knew nothing about racing but something -about men, bet on their fancy, some for the -one with the curly hair, others for the brave blue -eyes, and so on.</p> - -<p>Each of the brothers had to ride 12 stone and be -on his own horse. The Beresford Blue was worn by -them all. Lord Charles, being the eldest, donned -the black cap, which sounds rather as if he were -condemning someone to death; the others wore white -and blue caps respectively to distinguish between -them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp42b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp42b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>THE FAMOUS BERESFORD BROTHERS’ RACE</p> - -<p>(1) LORD WILLIAM; (2) LORD MARCUS; (3) LORD CHARLES</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lord Charles thought he had a winner in the black -thoroughbred he brought over from England for the -race, named Night Walker, which had been bred -by a man named Power, the sporting tenant of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> -course. Lord William rode his grey mare Woodlark, -and Lord Marcus a bay gelding, The Weasel. -I like to picture these affectionate, sporting brothers -jogging off to the starting-post, all eager and happy.</p> - -<p>They got away well without delay, and at a cracking -pace. Riding boot to boot, charging each fence -side by side until near the winning-post, all riding -straight and square like the sportsmen they were. -Soon the buzz of voices ceased, and a tense silence -made itself felt, for the last fence was being neared, -and still all were abreast, but now it became -apparent that Night Walker had done enough. -The struggle then remained between the Weasel -and the Woodlark, the latter winning by a short -head, so the crowd had some excitement in return -for their long journeys and, in many cases, the night -spent on the course to secure a good place.</p> - -<p>Lord Charles thought his horse got a chill coming -over on the boat, and was therefore not up to his -best form. Lord Marcus remarked that while each -fancied himself enormously he enthusiastically -eulogised the other. The photograph of the race -here reproduced is taken from the picture hanging -at Curraghmore, Lady Waterford kindly having had -it taken for me to use in this book. Other races were -ridden in that day by the brothers, but not as -winners. The tall hat and pink coat worn by Lord -William in one of these races inaugurated, I believe, -the now common custom of riding in pink at hunt -meetings.</p> - -<p>The Beresfords all seem to have the whisper understood -by horses and dogs, for they have been able to -make them do some wonderful things. Lord Wil<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span>liam’s -uncle once jumped a hunter over a dining-room -table at Melton one night for a bet. Lord -Charles, in his book, tells the characteristic story of -his having led a queer-tempered thoroughbred from -the road in Eaton Square into the house, along a -passage, round the dining-room table, and out again, -without disaster. The only sign of rebellion or -annoyance on the part of the horse was to kick at -the fire in passing just by way of salutation, and to -show there was no ill feeling. This enterprise, of -course, Beresford like, was for a bet.</p> - -<p>At many gymkhanas I have seen Lord William -do extraordinary tricks and feats of horsemanship, -but of that later.</p> - -<p>To return to Colchester, “the brothers’” race -being over. On July 25th of that year, the 9th sent -a polo team to Hurlingham, where they played -against the Blues. In the second contest, Lord -William made the first goal for the regiment, and -again in the third. The Lancers won. The Prince -and Princess of Wales were present, and were much -interested in the game.</p> - -<p>On September 10th a “Horse Fête and Polo -Match” took place between the 9th Lancers and -7th Hussars. The 9th won, eight goals in succession, -the handsome cup presented by the Borough consequently -falling to them. One of the goals was won -by Lord William.</p> - -<p>Monday, October 10th, saw the ponies at Tattersall’s, -the regiment being under orders for India. -Among those of Lord William’s, Madge fetched -62 guineas, Toothpick 36 guineas, The Wren -42 guineas, The Gem 60 guineas, Little Wonder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> -50 guineas, Madame Angot 20 guineas. Very -different to the prices such ponies would command -to-day. Before leaving the old country a dinner -was given to the regiment by its former officers to -wish them luck and au revoir.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III<br /> -<span class="fs70">JOINS VICEROY’S STAFF</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>What he Might Have Been—A Happy Exile—Lumtiddy Hall—Unsuccessful -Journey to Pay Calls—Appointed to Staff of -Retiring Viceroy—First Summer at Simla—Appointed A.D.C. -to Lord Lytton—Annandale Racecourse—Birth of <cite>The Asian</cite>—Dinner -to Its Sporting Owner—Winner of Viceroy’s Cup—Delhi -Durbar, 1887—Mighty Preparations—A Terrible Accident</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">It is easy to imagine with what mingled feelings -Lord William left England: relief at being -freed from the money difficulties that oppress -a young man in a swagger regiment in this expensive -old country; affectionate regret for the splendid -days that were done; the happy family gatherings, -before all were scattered; still cherishing some of -the ideals of youth to which there is always a sacredness -attached. Children usually build mental universes -round themselves, and at the age of twenty-eight -hope has not died in the heart; that child of -happiness still keeps it warm. Lord William, not -being one of those who wear their heart on their -sleeve, was of the merriest on board ship, full of -courage and good resolutions, determined to map -out his future on safer grounds than hitherto.</p> - -<p>I have often heard it remarked that Lord William -might have gained and filled almost any great position -in life that he chose, owing to his talents, perseverance, -and charm of manner, if it had not been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -that he was obsessed by his passion for racing and -horse-flesh. It is said “he might have been a great -soldier”; my reply is, <em>he was</em>. Again: “He might -have been a great statesman.” I reply, that in a -measure he was. To be the right-hand man of and -Military Secretary to three successive Viceroys, and -a capable A.D.C. to three, speaks for itself. What -more could he desire, unless it was to be Viceroy? -which would not have appealed to him in the least. -Some of his friends have said they regretted his not -having entered the Diplomatic Service, which shows -how little they understood him, for nothing could -have been less attractive to him, or more foreign to -his nature, than a life of trying to make black look -white; though an adept at bamboozling people for -their own advantage, and smoothing rough corners -for their happiness, to bamboozle them to their -detriment, and smile with the face of a truthful -prophet while so doing, would have been impossible -to him; also he was much too loyal for that profession, -who proverbially, as a class, are not given -to standing by one another. Any question that he -had to decide he would gladly have done with his -fists, or sword, but not by parliamentary inexactitudes. -Besides, who among those who knew him -would have liked to see him any different from what -he was?</p> - -<p>India appealed to Lord William, he liked it from -the first. Perhaps he, more than some, felt the loneliness -inseparable from landing in a strange country -for the first time, with a career to make out of -nothing; far from the help and glamour of home -associations, feeling rather like goods on a market<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> -stall, from which the ticket describing their merit -and value has fallen, leaving the said goods to -prove their own merit, and so create their own price.</p> - -<p>Starting a life in any new country, individuals are -only a number to begin with. Yet India is one of -the kindest to strangers, there is something in the -atmosphere that melts the Northern “stand-off” -attitude. All are exiles, which forms a bond of -sympathy, uniting them into one big family, so to -speak. It is good for all to find their own level; -travelling assists them, gives them a new education. -There is much to be learned in a large mixed -cosmopolitan concentration, where princes, rajahs, -judges, generals, police, subalterns who know -everything, old men who believe nothing, middle-aged -men who suspect everything, all rub shoulders, -look well groomed and comfortable, yet all with the -same longing for home in their hearts.</p> - -<p>At Bombay, Lord William met his brother, Lord -Charles, then in attendance on the Prince of Wales; -this meeting was a great pleasure and took the chill -off the landing.</p> - -<p>Sialkôte is a pleasant station, more shady than -many, boasting fine trees and a certain amount of -vegetation. A charming bungalow was secured and -shared by Captain Clayton and Lord William. These -stable companions were greatly attached to one -another; the former had a good influence over his -wild-spirited friend, who quite recognised and appreciated -the fact.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="fp48b" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp48b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD AND CAPTAIN CLAYTON</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The bungalow was christened “Lumtiddy Hall.” -In the photograph the tenants are seen sitting in the -verandah, the servants standing outside. I do not<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> -know why people always collect their servants and -stand them round the front door in India when -having photographs taken. It is not the habit at -home. I think it must be with a view to introducing -the drapery and surroundings of our new lives to our -relations elsewhere to whom we send the pictures, -more than anything else. At any rate everyone does -it, and the native servants like it; indeed now I -come to think of it, I am not sure that it is not an -arrangement of their own.</p> - -<p>Some of the things I shall have to touch on will -not be new, I dare say, to readers familiar with -India, but there are other friends of Lord William’s -to whom the customs and etiquettes are unknown; -they may like to have some idea of his life, duties, -pleasures and general surroundings, also the way he -fulfilled his obligations. Among the latter I must -not forget to mention the dutiful way he and his -brother officer, Mr. Charles Lascelles, started paying -calls after the fashion of the country. Armed with -an alarmingly long list, they rode out determinedly -from the mess on their ponies. The first bungalow -they came to, where they intended to pay their -respects, had straw laid down along the road and -up to the door. Lord William pulled up, frowning -wisely: “We had better call here another day,” he -announced, after deep thought. “Why?” asked -Mr. Lascelles innocently. “My dear fellow! don’t -you see all this straw down? Someone must be ill; -having a baby or something most likely,” replied -the sage.</p> - -<p>Horrified at the thought, and impressed by his -friend’s knowledge and insight, Mr. Lascelles agreed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -fervently, and they rode on to the next bungalow. -Here again they found straw laid down.</p> - -<p>“Surely they can’t all be doing the same thing at -once, can they?” said the astonished Mr. Lascelles.</p> - -<p>“You can never be sure what they do out here,” -replied the other. “In any case you can’t be too -careful.” So they rode on.</p> - -<p>To their amazement they found straw at each -bungalow, so they returned to the mess to announce -the discreet reasons for their failure. The mess was -delighted, and it was not till some time after that -the two were informed that the straw was there -to prevent the prevailing dust from entering the -bungalows.</p> - -<p>New-comers in India find the rules appertaining -to paying calls at times amusing. The first thing -that appears strange is the conventional calling -hours, being among the hottest in the day, when -quite possibly the people being called on are trying -to keep cool by lying in baths or under punkahs. A -clatter of hoofs is heard, followed by a voice shouting, -“Qui Hie!” which means “Somebody.”</p> - -<p>There ought to be a servant or two sitting on the -verandah, but at times they are not to be found, -their beloved hubble-bubbles having enticed them -away. So the callers continue riding round the -house shouting for “Somebody” plaintively until -“Somebody” is found, and a few well-chosen words -addressed to him in the visitor’s best Hindustani. -Calling out there is altogether an unconventional -art.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp50b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp50b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>“LUMTIDDY HALL”</p></div> -</div> - -<p>I remember once at Sitapur, where all the officers -of a newly arrived battery of artillery dutifully<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> -called on us, with exception of a Mr. Ross, who -happened to be a particular friend of my husband, -so that his non-appearance caused us some surprise. -At last he came and apologised for not having been -before by saying that he had been awaiting his turn -for the calling suit of clothes. Being youngest, his -turn came last! Poor soul; he was afterwards -frozen to death in the Afghan War. Found dead, -still sitting erect on his horse.</p> - -<p>To return to Lord William; India was not long -in finding out that a good sportsman and a judge of -racing had arrived in its midst. Before many weeks -had passed he had made himself felt, and was to be -seen officiating as judge at some pony races. His -first appearance in the pig-skin was in October of -the same year (1875), when he rode a raw, hard-mouthed -horse named Clarion for a friend in the -Grand Military Chase, having amongst his opponents -that well-known splendid horseman Frank Johnson, -who won on a horse called Ring, Clarion being -third. After this he continued to ride a number -of mounts for friends and acquaintances.</p> - -<p>It was about this time that Lord William was -appointed A.D.C. on the staff of the retiring Viceroy, -Lord Northbrook, who was being succeeded by Lord -Lytton, one of Disraeli’s appointments. While -learning his new duties at Calcutta, Lord William -did a little racing, winning the Corinthian Purse on -a black Waler called Dandynong, for his friend -Captain Davidson, the Prince of Wales being present -at the time. It did not take him long to master the -duties of an A.D.C. or to become popular, for he -really commenced a new era in the social life of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span> -India. Things began to hum, and everyone began -to enjoy the races, dances, picnics and paper-chases -he inaugurated. He was soon surrounded with -friends.</p> - -<p>When Lord Lytton took over the Viceroyalty he -retained Lord William as A.D.C. on his staff. In -April of that year, Colonel Colley, who was Military -Secretary to the Viceroy, wrote, in a letter to Lady -Lytton: “Lord William Beresford is full of fun and -go, and is being placed in charge of the stables.” So -he was already doing the work and fitting into the -corner for which he was so admirably suited.</p> - -<p>The summer of ’76 was spent at Simla, his first -introduction to the place where he was to spend so -many summers of his life.</p> - -<p>In a letter written home at this time, he speaks of -being happy with the Lyttons, and pleasure at -having the management of the horses.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp52b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp52b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>9TH LANCERS’ MESS, SIALKÔTE, 1876</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lady Lytton, referring to this time, says: “I -noted that Lord William managed the stables admirably, -and our coachman Wilson was very happy -under him”; from which it may be inferred that -Wilson was a good servant, or he would not have -been happy under Lord William’s eye, for he was -very particular, and would not be content unless -everything was properly turned out and in perfect -order. It may not be generally known that only -three people are allowed to have carriages in Simla, -namely, the Viceroy, the Commander-in-Chief and -the Chief Commissioner of the North-West Provinces. -The Viceregal party are often the only ones -to avail themselves of this privilege. The rule -sounds a little selfish and high-handed, but it is explained<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> -by the fact that there is only one road where -it is possible to drive, and that one is very circumscribed. -The inhabitants of the station live in -houses dotted about the hillside, approached in -many cases by scrambling paths, up which people -have to be carried in janpans (a sort of chair slung -on bamboo poles and carried by four bearers), ride, -or in a rickshaw, a sort of bath chair pulled by native -servants.</p> - -<p>Carriages are therefore white elephants in the -hills; and even for riding it is necessary to have -sure-footed and quiet ponies.</p> - -<p>There are so many books dealing with Indian life -I feel that it is rather superfluous to explain that the -official residence of the Government is, during the -summer, at Simla, and at Calcutta in winter. Lord -Lawrence, the Viceroy in 1863, first started Simla as -the official summer residence, taking all his assistants -and council with him, the reason that this particular -station was chosen being that it was the only place -in the Himalayas, or indeed any of the Indian -mountains, where there was sufficient accommodation -for the followers in his train. It was also easy -of access and had a good road to it, compared with -those of the other hill stations. Of course, like most -innovations, it met with a certain amount of grumbling -from those who considered they could have -chosen a better spot, and each successive administrator -tried to go one better by suggesting some -other place. Up to now, no other place has been -found more suitable, so it may be taken for granted -that Lord Lawrence made a wise choice. Anything -less like a government house, at that time, than the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> -Viceregal Lodge, rejoicing in the name of Peterhoff, -it would be difficult to imagine, being nothing more -or less than a glorified bungalow, standing on the -edge of what in England we should call a precipice, -and in India a hillside or khud, and with very little -ground round it.</p> - -<p>Having heard that there was a racecourse, Lord -William, in his first spare moments, went to see it, -finding this dignified title applied to a small, more -or less flat piece of ground lying between two hills, -the roads to it being zigzag paths, hollowed out by -the mountain torrents during the winter and monsoon, -to which a little assistance was given by the -authorities to make them safe. No carriage could -get there, nevertheless this little spot was a source -of joy and health to many, for here every Saturday -races were held, occasional cricket matches, and -other health and pleasure giving exercises, to which -all the inhabitants and visitors thronged. All the -world and his wife used to go, also other people’s -wives, for there are always any number of grace -widows in the hill stations, whose husbands are unable -to get leave to accompany them, or at any rate -only for a short time. Annandale was the name of -this little basin where the races were run at that -time. I was introduced to it a few years later, and -thought its primitiveness added to its charm. There -was no such a thing as a grand stand, or even an -un-grand one. People sat about on the hillside to -watch the racing. There was a small shed, if I remember -rightly, where Reigning Royalty could -shelter, should the necessity arise, which formed a -sort of holy of holies where they could carry out<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> -the exclusiveness necessary to their position, so -odious and trying to many of them.</p> - -<p>Now there is a gorgeous thing in pavilions, as will -be seen by the photograph, but I do not feel any -ambition to go there, liking the memory of Annandale -as it was in earlier times too well to have any -desires for buildings comfortable or otherwise, in -that historic little corner. After a race meeting -there was a general scramble up the hillside again to -dress for dinner and the evening’s amusements, of -which there were plenty; Lord William took care of -that; theatricals, dances, concerts, Christy Minstrel -performances, and at times quite classic and dignified -oratorios, besides endless private parties and -social gatherings.</p> - -<p>Government House has to fulfil its obligations, -and give a certain number of dances and parties, so -has the Commander-in-Chief and the Governor of -the North-West Provinces, this being one of the -things they are out there for. Some live up to the -letter of the law, so to speak, others are full of hospitality -and private enterprise, especially those with -young people of their own out there with them.</p> - -<p>On August 6th there were great rejoicings, a son -being born to Lord Lytton, who was away in the -hills at the time in connection with his work. Lady -Lytton, in a letter speaking of the many kindnesses -of their A.D.C., says: “Lord William rode twenty-six -miles to Fagoo with letters (to Lord Lytton), and -brought me back the answers and congratulations -the same evening,” which is just the kindly sympathetic -thing he would do.</p> - -<p>The work and responsibility attached to the life<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span> -of a Viceroy is great and anxious. It is well that he -should have sympathetic workers under him who -will relieve him, as much as possible, of all unnecessary -worries and anxieties. Lord William felt -this keenly, and all the Viceroys he served under -expressed their gratitude for his never-failing -thoughtfulness and unselfish devotion.</p> - -<p>When it is realised that this one man, with -his handful of councillors, keeps in touch -with 207,000,000 Brahmins, 9,000,000 Buddhists, -62,000,000 Mohammedans, 2,000,000 Sikhs, 1,300,000 -Janns, 94,000 Zoroastrians (Parsees) and 8,000 -Jews, not counting the 8,000,000 of the aboriginal -tribes whose religion I do not know, considers -all their grievances, studies carefully all their superstitions -and traditional etiquettes, managing to keep -all more or less happy, it seems a superhuman task.</p> - -<p>That such comparative contentment reigns is -eloquent of the amount of thought and care devoted -to the smallest detail of government. Lord Lytton -came to the country knowing little of it or its people, -but quickly made a study of both, and was deeply -interested.</p> - -<p>It has always struck me that Lord Lytton’s way -of expressing himself was exceptionally charming. -His letters home, and to the Queen during anxious -times, are delightful to read. Lord William described -him as a most considerate Chief, and regretted that -he was not stronger, as he was so keen, and worked -so hard, that he exhausted himself. The years of -the Lytton administration were full of anxious and -busy times.</p> - -<p>In October, Lord William found time to ride a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> -race or two at Dehra, winning one, thanks to good -judgment and riding, on Red Eagle for a friend, -also the Doon Chase on Commodore for Captain -Maunsell.</p> - -<p>A little later, at Umballa, he rode for Mr. George -Thomas, and won a hurdle race on Fireman. On -returning to Calcutta from Simla he was elected a -steward of the Calcutta races, having already joined -the Turf Club. Among the other stewards for the -year were Lord Ulick Browne, the Hon. W. F. -McDonnell, and Captain Ben Roberts.</p> - -<p>It is a matter of regret that in the early years of -Lord William’s sojourn in India, there was practically -no sporting paper to chronicle his many endeavours -and triumphs; the only thing of the kind -being a rather superannuated <cite>Oriental Sporting -Magazine</cite>, which was more or less in a moribund -condition, although run by good sportsmen, some -of whom were, perhaps, growing a little out of touch -with the views of the rising generation. It was not -until 1878 that <cite>The Asian</cite> was started as a sporting -venture, by an energetic person called Mr. William -Targett, who, though he knew nothing about horses, -felt that he was filling a long-standing want, which -the success of his paper proved to have been a -correct and business-like surmise. The paper may -still be doing useful work for all I know, although -it has lost its original and popular proprietor, whom -Lord William liked so well. While speaking of <cite>The -Asian</cite> and Mr. Targett I think the following little -story is interesting.</p> - -<p>Mr. Targett was at home in 1894 on one of the -holidays he allowed himself every three years. The<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span> -time was drawing near for his return to India, so -some of his oldest friends in this country convened -a little “au revoir” banquet at the Victoria Club -in Wellington Street.</p> - -<p>Fully a hundred sat down, all good sportsmen -hail-fellow-well-met. Mr. Targett was evidently -much pleased at the kindly feeling that had prompted -his friends to give him this send-off. All were in their -places except the intended president. Suddenly the -door flew open and the voice of the arranger of this -merry meeting announced: “Gentlemen, allow me -to introduce your chairman, Lord William Beresford.” -Many present knew he was in England, but few that -he was in London, therefore little did they expect -his presence. This surprise was arranged between -Lord William and Mr. Meyrick (the well-known -writer of “Sporting Notes” in the <cite>Sporting Times</cite>) -with a view to giving the proprietor of <cite>The Asian</cite> -pleasure.</p> - -<p>Mr. William Targett was delighted, and grasped -his lordship’s hand, saying: “What, you here, -Bill!” The quick reply came: “Yes, Bill; I’m -here and so pleased at the invitation!” Wherever -Lord William was, there it was lively, and this feast -lasted three good hours, until he was obliged to keep -what he referred to as an “austere appointment,” -but at the end of his response to the toast of his -health he took the whole room into his confidence -with the concluding sentence: “Gentlemen, while -you are thinking about your Christmas dinner, -Targett and myself, with good luck, hope to be on -the Calcutta racecourse; and I must tell you that -this week I have, I think, purchased the winner of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span> -the Viceroy Cup—Metallic—for my old friend Orr-Ewing. -Good night and good luck to you all.”</p> - -<p>One jubilant and well-known Umballian present -shouted: “I am betting on the Viceroy’s Cup. -Who wants to back his lordship’s tip?” He quickly -found customers. The recounter of this story to me -added that he risked a little bit, and was pleased to -find on the following Christmas week that Metallic -had won, and he therefore the better off by -a “tenner.” It was kind of Lord William to find -time to give his little Calcutta friend this pleasant -surprise, considering that every one of his own -friends and relations were clamouring for his time.</p> - -<p>But to return to 1876 in the East. At the close of -the year, all official India, and a great deal of the -unofficial, gathered at Delhi for the Proclamation -of the Queen as Empress of India on January 1st, -1877. This entailed unceasing work on the Vice-regal -staff, and all Government officials, both civil -and military. The assemblage was to last fourteen -days, and the heads of every departmental government -in India were to be present, besides 14,000 -troops, seventy-seven ruling princes and chiefs, and -68,000 people were invited and actually stayed in or -around Delhi.</p> - -<p>Only those who have been in the vicinity of, or -engaged in, the preparations for any big gathering -in India can imagine for a moment the amount of -galloping and fuss, the thraldom of official red tape -and etiquette to be punctiliously observed, the -number of contradictory orders, the hurt feelings -and notes of explanation that are flying about; -most of this galloping, between head-quarters and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span> -heads of departments, being carried out by the -A.D.C.’s.</p> - -<p>At last everything was growing shipshape, and -people left off saying, “I told you so,” even began -to smile furtively once more, for all was in readiness. -The Rajahs’ gardens were laid out elaborately round -their different tents and camps, each vying with the -other to have the best and most attractive display. -The elephants had arrived and were amiable and -docile. The Rajahs’ horses in readiness, with magenta -tails and gorgeous trappings. The jewels laid out -and counted. Everything, in fact, ready for the -great day. Therefore a little relaxation was considered -consistent with good form on the part of the -staff and officers in waiting for the great event, consequently -a game of polo was arranged for Christmas -Day.</p> - -<p>This chance game, a thing born of a few spare -hours in the midst of the pomp and glitter of Eastern -rejoicing, was destined to prove the blackest sorrow -of Lord William’s life. Captain Clayton had become -to Lord William, what is perhaps the most irreplaceable -thing in the world, his best friend, and during -this game their ponies cannoned into one another. -Captain Clayton’s fell; its rider was picked <ins class="corr" id="tn-60" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'up unconcious'">up unconscious</ins>, -and died the same night.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp60b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp60b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>THE DELHI DURBAR, 1877</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Poor Lord William was wild with grief, and -Captain De la Garde Grissell, an old friend and -brother officer of his, who was in the camp with the -11th Hussars, was sent for to the Viceroy’s camp -to stay with Lord William during the night. Captain -Eustace Vesey and Captain Charles Muir sat up with -Captain Clayton until he died at midnight. Captain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> -Grissell tells me that they were so anxious that none -should do anything for their dear friend but those -who had known and cared for him, that he and -Captain Vesey made all the arrangements—in India -everything has to be carried out so swiftly. There -was no undertaker, so a soldier made the coffin and -Captain Grissell himself screwed down the lid, both -he and Captain Vesey being greatly overcome. The -funeral was next day, and a most impressive sight, -all the troops at the Durbar taking part. A military -funeral is at all times impressive, indeed harrowing, -to those who mourn the loss of one who has shared -their lives, but it becomes doubly so when the circumstances -have been so tragic. He was buried in -the graveyard behind the ridge held so long by us -during the Mutiny, and he lies with the 9th Lancers -who fell at that time and are buried close by.</p> - -<p>All the rest of the time Lord William was in India -he used to go away by himself on the anniversary of -that terrible accident and visit his friend’s grave. -So great had the grief been to him that he always -felt that he must be alone on that day; alone with -his grief and the spirit of his old friend. He did not -want to speak; not because there is anything in life -too sacred to say or tell, but much too sacred to -parody. But the world and all its shows will not -stand still for us while we grieve, and Lord William -with his good pluck struggled to perform his duties -at the Durbar, working so hard that he only had -time for a couple of hours’ sleep out of the twenty-four. -The strain was too much for him, and he -fainted while sitting on his horse and had to be -carried away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span></p> - -<p>His heart and courage were always too big for his -body and strength. Captain Clayton had been his -life-long friend, and what made him feel it even -more, was the thought that through his pal’s death -he had gained his troop.</p> - -<p>The actual Durbar appears to have been a success, -and the Maharajahs and Princes were so pleased that -they each wished to present a bejewelled crown to -the Empress Queen, but Lord Lytton, with some of -his well-chosen phrases, expressed appreciation, and -explained that it would not be expedient, for in the -first place the Queen would have a crown for nearly -every day in the year, and secondly, it might lead -to jealousy and heart bitterness, better avoided, -which explanation appeared to be conclusive and -void of offence.</p> - -<p>On Friday, January 6th, Lord Lytton held a -review of all the troops, preceded by a march past -of those attached to the native Princes in Delhi.</p> - -<p>At this time Lord William was still hard at work -studying the etiquettes, ritual, superstitions, religions, -and dignified ceremonials so dear to the -heart of Orientals, who are all great observers of -ceremony. The study fascinated him, and proved -of great use later in assisting those he worked for; -knowing what to avoid and where to give pleasure. -No one can hope to fill any responsible position in -India who has not studied and had long education -in these matters, and this was so quickly grasped by -Lord William, that to the end of his days the Rajahs -were among his most faithful friends and admirers.</p> - -<p>By January 15th the Viceroy was back in Calcutta, -and Lord William riding in races again. He<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> -had one of his bad falls in a steeplechase, hurting his -nose considerably, besides receiving other injuries. -As usual he tried to make light of them, but collapsed -and had to be carried home.</p> - -<p>Before closing this chapter it will be interesting -both to Captain Clayton’s and Lord William’s -friends who may not already be acquainted with the -fact to know that there is a marble tablet in the -church at Curraghmore, placed there by the fifth -Marquis of Waterford:</p> - -<p class="pfs80"> -In affectionate remembrance of<br /> -William Clayton Clayton,<br /> -Captain, 9th Lancers.<br /> -For many years the dearest friend of the House of<br /> -Curraghmore.<br /> -Born April 23rd, 1839. Killed while playing polo<br /> -at Delhi, Christmas Day, 1876.<br /> -</p> - -<p>Another instance of the respect and affection with -which Captain Clayton was regarded at Harrow-on-the-Hill, -where he was educated. There is a white -marble cross in the churchyard, the inscription on -the base being:—</p> - -<p class="pfs80"> -In loving memory of<br /> -William Clayton Clayton,<br /> -Captain, 9th Queen’s Own Royal Lancers.<br /> -Born April 23rd, 1839.<br /> -Killed while playing polo at Delhi, India, Dec., 1876.<br /> -</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Oh, the merry laughing comrade,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Oh, the true and kindly friend,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Growing hopes and lofty courage,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Love and life and this the end!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">He the young and strong who cherished</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Noble longings for the strife,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">By the roadside fell and perished,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Weary with the March of Life.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span></p> -<p>So great was the feeling of loss at his death that -old friends, Harrovians, soldiers, and indeed those -of all classes who knew him, wished to do something -to perpetuate his name, and decided to found a -scholarship. Subscriptions flowed in, and in 1881 -the Clayton Scholarship was founded, valued £40 -a year, tenable for three years at Harrow School.</p> - -<p>Lasting affection of this kind is not inspired by -any but good men, and speaks better for the character -of the individual than any words of mine, for words -are poor impotent things. England, prolific though -she be in men of courage and manliness, can ill spare -one of her sons when of the nature of Captain Clayton, -whose influence was everywhere for good.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV<br /> -<span class="fs70">HE WINS THE V.C.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Hero of Khartoum’s Fame and Tragedy, as Private Secretary—Indian -Famine—Lord William and the Jowakis—A Month’s Holiday -in Afghanistan—Back in Calcutta—Barrackpore Monument to -Lady Canning—Lady Waterford as Artiste—Cawnpore Memorial—Racing—Trouble -in South Africa—A Favour Granted—Off -to the War—A Friend Left in Charge of Affairs—Some -Fights for Queen and Country—Some Fights for Private Reasons—Exciting -Moments—Irish Bravery of Man and Beast—Two -V.C.’s at Dinner—Receives Reward at Hands of the Queen-Empress—A -Shower Bath in Dublin—Some Racing and a Row—A -Thrice-run Race—Miller Addresses Lord William</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">It is not possible to give a correct idea of Lord -William’s life in India without briefly mentioning -the chief measures proposed and -carried out during the different Viceroys’ administrations.</p> - -<p>He, of course, made it a point of honour never to -criticise or express any opinion on the policy or -private lives of those he worked for, but being so -intimately connected with the Viceregal Court, both -in his official capacity and as a valued friend, all -movements, military or civil, naturally entailed work -for him, and it must be borne in mind that he not -only did what his calling demanded, but at all times -laid himself out to be useful to his masters and their -belongings.</p> - -<p>It is worth pausing for a moment to reflect on the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> -life of an Indian Viceroy; we shall then be able to -realise what it must have been to them to have a -man like Lord William, with his loyalty, ability, and -never-failing sympathy and cheerfulness always at -their command. No doubt it is a great honour to be -asked to represent the King in India, and a much -coveted position, but when we look back at the men -who have held this high office, it seems that nothing -but patriotism, of the highest order, can have persuaded -them to leave their own beautiful and stately -homes, where they were their own masters, could -live in peace with all they loved around them, and -where they could mix freely with their neighbours, -for the splendid isolation of the Viceregal throne; -not having been trained, as Royalty are, to be -approached only through mediums, having to sit -upon a pedestal from which they must not descend, -no matter what their inclinations, and up which -none may climb to greet them, is paying a huge price -for the honour. They must often feel very lonely, -some I know do, and very homesick.</p> - -<p>The choice of the staff is naturally a matter of -great importance, and a Viceroy usually selects -people with whom he can unbend and associate -without infringing precedents and necessarily established -laws and customs. Not every man makes a -good A.D.C.; it is of no use their having views of -their own; they are there to do as they are told. -Their duties are not very arduous, unless they like to -make them so by doing all sorts of kind and thoughtful -things not marked on the day’s programme. -How unsuited some are for the appointments they -hold, was proved by Captain Gordon (later of Khar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span>toum -fame and tragedy), who came out from home -as Lord Ripon’s private secretary. By the time he -had been in the country a few weeks he resigned, as -he could not countenance His Excellency’s policy, -and expressed his own views somewhat bluntly, -which was disconcerting to everybody in turn.</p> - -<p>After this little digression we must return to the -time after the Delhi Durbar, when famine was casting -a heavy shadow over the land, and Lord Lytton -decided he would go and see for himself the extent -of the misery and distress; no light undertaking, as -it entailed much travelling to visit all the different -parts, chiefly in the Madras Presidency, the district -that had suffered from the same cause in 1853 and -1854. The affected area covered 2,000,000 square -miles, where food was wanted for thirty-six million -people.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately Lord William was not able to -accompany His Excellency, owing to his latest -racing accident, from which he had not sufficiently -recovered. This was a great disappointment to him, -for he may have been happy-go-lucky and devil-me-care -in his own private life, but there was nothing -approaching it in his official capacity, where he was -always keen and full of enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>Lord Lytton had arrived in India knowing nothing -of it “except its myths,” but was hard at work -learning more, being somewhat puzzled but greatly -interested. Amongst other matters, such as famine -and irrigation, there was the ever-troublesome question -of our geographical boundaries amongst the -Afghan mountains, requiring close study and attention. -It would be pleasant to follow the work done<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> -on this tour and its far-reaching results, but it has -no place here except as far as Lord William was connected -with it, so I pass on, simply stating that after -a long and careful study of the famine question, Lord -Lytton satisfied himself that periodical famines -must be expected, and provision must be made for -such distressful times during the country’s prosperity. -He appointed a famine commission to -enquire into it and report thereon, as to means of -irrigation and any other measures possible to adopt. -This report was issued in 1880, the year of Lord -Lytton’s return to England, and was the foundation -of the latter-day system of irrigation, developments -of communication, and famine insurance, the benefits -of these measures to be reaped by his successors.</p> - -<p>In September of the same year (1877) His Excellency -returned to Simla. In October Lord William -had collected a few promising horses and began -entering them under his own name. His colours -were carried at the Dehra October Meeting by Oliver -Twist, Lucifer, and Firetail. Lucifer was a country-bred, -on which Captain Chisholme of Lord William’s -regiment won two races for him. A little later, at -Umballa, he had a good time, Oliver Twist bringing -in the shekels by winning the Drawing-room -Stakes, ridden by T. Tingey, the chief professional -jockey in India at that time. Lord William rode in -all the “chases” at the meeting, but scored no wins. -He had a fall in the Grand Stand Plate, but was not -much the worse, so remounted and rode in another -race the same afternoon. The betting and plunging -at this meeting amounted to a scandal, especially -as many of the losers were more or less penniless.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span> -The settling naturally took a long time; indeed, I -have heard that some of the winners never got their -money at all. This meeting was the beginning of -the break up of a very well-known figure in those -days, Captain Frank Johnson, one of the handsomest -of men, he being one of the heaviest losers.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s attention was now turned towards -Jowaki, where the Frontier tribes were growing -aggressive, and it became necessary to send troops -to straighten matters out a little, and he had great -hopes of being allowed to accompany them. Lord -Lytton complained to the authorities at home that -it was somewhat difficult for him, when so little was -known of what we called our frontier, as there were -no maps to show where our territory really began -or ended.</p> - -<p>The hill tribes are always rather a problem. All -are muscular and warlike, but many of them -acknowledge little tribal control or responsibility, -which makes it difficult to know whom to deal with. -Their chiefs have no control over them, even when -they have chiefs, on which point I am by no means -clear. The incessant raids on Peshawar and the -district could not be tolerated, so Lord Lytton -sent troops with instructions to deliver a night surprise, -which, for some reason, did not come off until -daylight, thereby losing its effectiveness and warning -the tribes of our intentions, which was unfortunate. -The first stage of this expedition was consequently -a failure. After this little miscarriage of -justice and retribution, General Keyes was sent with -more troops to punish the raiders. This was called -the Jowaki Expedition. Lord William begged the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span> -Viceroy to allow him to go with General Keyes. -Permission being granted he was happy, for this was -after his own heart. The General’s instructions were, -to cut off the Jowakis from the other tribes, to prevent -their neighbours joining in with them. This -was successfully accomplished, and a good lesson -taught, as the Jowakis’ losses were severe and ours -light. After this, there were only about 1500 rebel -tribesmen left to deal with. Finding their strongholds -destroyed and most of their land in our hands, -they gave in, and sent to make terms. Lord William -enjoyed himself, as this was his first experience of -active service, for which he received the medal and -clasp. After several months of climbing mountains -in pouring rain, and struggling across torrents, he -returned to Simla, where someone asked him the -time-honoured question, “What were your sensations -when first under fire?” To which he replied, -“I don’t remember what I felt like under fire, but I -do remember what it felt like under water—dashed -unpleasant!”</p> - -<p>Under Lord Lytton’s orders the tribal frontiers -were thoroughly surveyed and mapped out, also -good roads made in every direction, after which the -Punjab frontier settled down to peace and quietude.</p> - -<p>So many years have elapsed since Lord William -was in India, indeed so many since he died, that I -am somewhat handicapped by letters and documents -dealing with this, and many other parts of his life, -having been destroyed. So many of his contemporaries -have passed away, also no wife or mother -living, with cherished letters and records to help in -these Memories. His brothers, though deeply at<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span>tached -to him, were of necessity much apart, each -following his own profession, and therefore not in a -position to help much about his foreign service.</p> - -<p>After the Jowaki Expedition Lord William returned -to his duties on the Viceregal staff, keeping one eye on -the Russian influence in Afghanistan, hoping he might -have a chance of more fighting. He was longing to -be back with his regiment, as they were sure to go -if there was any serious trouble, and this there was -before long. What is now known as the second -phase of the Afghan War came after the hasty -treaty of Gandamak. The Khyber Pass Force was -withdrawn as far as Lundi Kotal, and Sir Louis -Cavagnari, a political officer of some repute, was -sent with an escort to Kabul as resident, Sir Donald -Stewart’s division remaining at Kandahar. As many -people expected, this arrangement did not last long, -but they were not prepared for the terrible thing -that happened.</p> - -<p>While the whole country was waiting to hear of -the safe arrival of Sir Louis and his escort, news -came that he and all with him had been massacred. -Thus began the second phase of the Afghan War. -Sir Frederick Roberts fought his way up to Kabul -and remained there, trying and hanging a number -of people, some say wrong ones as well as right, -but it was impossible to help it, and no doubt they -all richly deserved what they got, so it was just -as well. The 9th Lancers were in the thick of the -fighting and Colonel Cleland disabled, so Lord -William’s old friend, Colonel Stewart Mackenzie, -took command. They had great difficulty in saving -the guns by getting them across a twelve-foot ditch,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> -the only possible crossing of which had been blocked -by a fallen wheeler and the gun stuck fast. Colonel -Stewart Mackenzie endeavoured to execute a charge, -the second during the day. Meanwhile the officer -responsible for the gun gave orders to unhook and -spike it. Colonel Stewart Mackenzie’s horse was -shot, and, falling on him, he was rescued with the -greatest difficulty.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp72b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp72b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>XMAS CARD TO AUTHOR</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The accounts of all the deeds of bravery amongst -his brother officers made Lord William long to go -and share their dangers and hardships, for he loved -the “Old 9th,” as he called them. At last, unable -to bear it any longer, he asked for a month’s leave. -As usual on such occasions, he was tortured by the -fear that it would all be over before he got there, so -he made elaborate arrangements to do the journey -in record time the moment his leave was granted. -Booted and spurred, he paced up and down his -rooms until the joyful news that his leave was -granted was brought to him. He jumped on to -a waiting horse and galloped away for Umballa. -Fresh ponies were waiting for him at different stages -of the journey, which enabled him to catch a train -that took him to the rail head of the expeditionary -force. Without waiting for food or sleep, he began -riding again; here fresh ponies were in readiness for -him, and he arrived among his war-worn brother -officers scarcely less travel-stained than themselves, -after riding day and night for five days, only broken -by the train journey. He was in time to accompany -Sir Sam Browne, <span class="allsmcap">V.C.</span>, up the snow-covered Khyber -Pass, which he regarded as a refreshing holiday. I -give a little sketch sent to me at this time by another<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> -friend enjoying the same holiday, which will give a -little idea of its pleasures. The Sir Sam Browne -mentioned above was destined to be immortalised -by the now famous Sam Browne belt. It was the -child of the gallant General’s imagination, and first -worn on active service during this campaign. Whatever -its merits have now been proved to be, it was -greeted with contumely and caustic comments by -the army, as is customary with all new inventions, -but like the Brodrick cap, it has weathered countless -storms. I remember men used to speak of it -with suppressed passion as “the Christmas tree -arrangement.” I do not know why, unless on -account of the things supposed to be hung on it.</p> - -<p>Soon after Lord William joined him, Sir Sam -Browne decided to storm the Citadel of Ali Musjid -from the right-hand side of a rocky ridge of some -height. General Appleyard at the same time was to -lead his brigade up the left side, along a precipitous -path, little more than a goat track. Between these -two brigades was a deep gorge with rushing water -at the bottom. The air was alive with bursting -shells fired from the Citadel. The Afghans were -engaged in shelling the ridge from end to end, which -made it, according to Lord William, “lively.” Shells -were even bursting among the advancing columns.</p> - -<p>When nearing the Citadel, Sir Sam Browne wished -to communicate with General Appleyard on the -opposite ridge. Here was Lord William’s chance. -He at once volunteered, and General Browne -accepted his offer, instructing him to reach General -Appleyard as quickly as possible, but to make a -detour of the valley to lessen the risk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span></p> - -<p>“All right, sir,” replied Lord William, who had -no intention of making a detour at all. Dismounting, -he gave his horse to someone to hold, scrambled -down the precipice, and was out of sight in a moment, -hidden by the flying earth and smoke from the -bursting shells. Reaching the bottom safely, he sat -down and took off his boots, partly wading, partly -jumping, from rock to rock, arriving safely at the -other side. Here he again sat down and lighted a -cigarette before putting on his boots and scrambling -up the hill, where he delivered his message. He was -as calm and collected as when out partridge shooting, -in fact calmer than he was sometimes on those -occasions, but always with the same fire burning in -his keen eyes.</p> - -<p>By the middle of December, 1878, General Sir -Sam Browne’s column was in occupation of the -Musjid, after climbing that stern, sulky-looking -Khyber Pass. Lord William’s leave being up, and -feeling how good it had been of Lord Lytton to let -him go, he hurriedly ate his Christmas dinner with -the Headquarters Staff and started on his way back, -meeting with some excitement on the way down, as -the Afghan hillmen potted at him most of the time -from their hiding-places in the mountains.</p> - -<p>A month was not long in which to journey to the -Khyber Pass, take part in the storming and capture -of Ali Musjid, and then return to Calcutta, but -proves the old saying that “Where there is a will -there is a way.”</p> - -<p>Lord William received a medal and clasp and was -mentioned in despatches for his share in this campaign.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span></p> - -<p>I do not think a man less brave because he loves -doing daring and dangerous things. Certainly he -appeals to the imagination no less, though, I suppose, -in the last analysis, it is the man who is afraid in his -heart, yet does a brave thing by force of will over -body, who is the most truly brave.</p> - -<p>On his return to Calcutta he took up the thread -of life where he had left it, and continued during his -lighter moments, racing, dancing and flirting; for -he was a veritable butterfly, fluttering from flower to -flower and sipping honey in the sunshine. And why -not? A little gentle flirtation is good for everyone’s -self-respect, and keeps them young. After -all, what are a few little silken insincerities? What -is flirtation? Simply a social accomplishment, a -little mutual sympathy beautifully expressed, and -a little repartee. There are not a few who think it -is pleasanter to be in sympathy with many than in -bondage to one.</p> - -<p>When at Calcutta Lord William was fond of -spending week-ends at Barrackpore, which is a sort -of country residence for the Viceregal people, standing -on the banks of the Hugli, and has lovely gardens -and grounds, with the advantage of being within a -few miles of Calcutta, therefore not much packing -up and journeyings required. It was a place much -sought after by honeymoon couples. The Vice-reine -used to lend it to them, and Lord William had the -privilege also of using and lending it when not -required by their Excellencies, to those in search of -quietness and peace.</p> - -<p>After the big official Government residence at -Calcutta, this homy countrified house was very<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> -restful. All felt the moment they arrived that the -official smile might be laid aside for a time and some -of the stiffness out of the spine.</p> - -<p>There is an interesting monument at Barrackpore -erected to the memory of Lady Canning, sister of -Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, wife of the third -Marquis, and therefore aunt by marriage of Lord -William. Lady Canning was very beautiful, and -like her sister very good. Her husband, Viscount -Canning, succeeded Lord Dalhousie as Governor-General -in 1856, and when she died in Calcutta, -November 18th, 1856, from fever caught while -sketching in the Terai, was mourned most sincerely -by the community at large, to whom she had always -been sympathetic and kind. At the time of her -death Lord William was fourteen years old. Louisa, -Marchioness of Waterford, shared her sister’s love -of art and painting, was indeed an artist of merit. -Mr. Watts considered her one of the greatest real -artists of that time. One of her celebrated pictures -hangs at Ford Abbey, a place which she inherited -in Northumberland. The picture is entitled “The -Miracle of Healing the Two Blind Men.” Some of -her book illustrations were also considered by -authorities on such matters as excellent. It was -Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, who designed -the beautiful monument of a guardian angel which -stands to-day over the fateful well at Cawnpore, -where the unhappy English people were thrown in -alive during the Mutiny. Anyone visiting that -station in India cannot fail, when driving through -that dusty, sun-dried place, to be deeply impressed -by this beautiful white, calm-looking figure, spelling<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span> -pity and peace. It is difficult to prevent bitter and -revengeful feelings taking possession of us as we -remember all that happened in that historic place, -but after looking at that calm, peaceful and dignified -figure, a certain feeling of “Father, forgive them, -for they know not what they do,” takes the place of -revenge. It is seldom that a monument appeals to -us in that way; many are grand, great works of art -and manipulation, but that white angel at Cawnpore -is something more. If my brain had conceived the -idea and my hand designed it, I should be a proud -and soul-satisfied woman.</p> - -<p>The Beresford stable was now seldom idle even -when the owner was away. In 1879 his horse -Telegram was figuring in Calcutta, winning the -Alipore Plate. The same horse got beaten a little -later by quite a slow mare called Blue Bonnet, -belonging to Mr. E. T. Roberts, which was a piece -of bad luck, more especially as the cause was the -poor beast’s breaking a blood-vessel, which, however, -did not prove a very serious matter, as he was -patched up and fulfilled his obligations to his owner -by winning the Calcutta Cup on the second day of -the meeting.</p> - -<p>At Dacca, which is about 150 miles from Calcutta, -Lord William won at this time a steeplechase with -(I believe) Telegram, and it was rumoured that -for some unaccountable reason the Dacca steamer -was delayed for a day, instead of starting at the -advertised time, which was very convenient for -Telegram, as it allowed him to be at Dacca in time -for the meeting, which would otherwise have been -impossible. Everybody wondered how such an<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> -unheard-of thing could have happened. I wonder -if Lord William could explain?</p> - -<p>It was in the January of 1879 that the Viceroy’s -anxieties were increased by war breaking out in -South Africa. In case any of my younger readers -do not know, or have forgotten, about this war, I -had better recall the immediate cause leading up -to it.</p> - -<p>In 1879 Sir Theophilus Shepstone had annexed -the Transvaal. Sir Bartle Frere, as High Commissioner, -explained to the Zulu King, Cetewayo, -that there must be no more arguing about a certain -strip of land claimed both by him and the Transvaal -Republic, and to avoid further trouble he had better -disband his army. This demand, stated as bare, -undiluted fact and shorn of parliamentary terminology, -sounds rather high-handed, but anybody -interested in the history can read the matter up and -form his then more mature opinion, as there were -other matters of importance attached to the situation -without which it would not be possible to form -a fair judgment. At any rate Cetewayo, seeing “no -sense in it,” as an old retainer of ours used to say -when requested to do anything he did not like, -began the row by totally defeating the British troops -at Isandhlwana on January 22nd, 1879, which was -not a good beginning for us, and we felt rather -small.</p> - -<p>The horrors of that time must be still fresh in the -memories of all persons alive now, who were old -enough to read and think in 1879. Lord Chelmsford, -who was in command, was greatly blamed for -his plan of campaign, but he afterwards retrieved<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> -his mistakes to some extent by defeating the Zulus -at the battle of Ulundi and taking Cetewayo prisoner. -That, however, was poor comfort to those whose -dear ones had been sacrificed to his mistakes, that -is to say if the disaster was attributable to his errors, -which I am not competent to judge.</p> - -<p>It was at this battle of Ulundi that Lord William -so distinguished himself and won the name of -“Fighting Bill,” appearing in <cite>Vanity Fair</cite> in September -the same year under that title, though I -cannot congratulate “Spy” on the production, for -he represents Lord Bill as a “beery”-looking -person, which is the last thing he ever looked in life, -but in the picture it will be noticed more than any -other of his pictures or photos the resemblance in -the eyes and upper part of his face to his uncle, the -third Marquis.</p> - -<p>Hearing of the unfortunate reverse at Isandhlwana, -Lord William was “just mad,” to use his -own words, to go and fight in South Africa, and the -kind, indulgent Lord Lytton again allowed him to -go, this making the third time he had been permitted -to leave his work on the staff to which he -had been appointed. Doubtless His Excellency -admired the spirit which prompted Lord William -to again ask the favour, and six months’ leave was -granted.</p> - -<p>Once more we see Lord William happy and “off -to the war,” his soul on fire. He succeeded in getting -appointed to Sir Redvers Buller’s staff, and left all -his affairs in the hands of a brother A.D.C. with -whom he had been sharing a bungalow, and who -was a great friend, telling him to attend to all his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span> -business for him during his absence, and to open all -his letters, adding, “If you find any of them beginning -very affectionately you need not go on.” The -friend who received these instructions was Captain -Charles Muir (now Colonel), at that time not only -A.D.C., but also commanding His Excellency’s -bodyguard.</p> - -<p>Lord William knew how to choose his friends, and -felt he was leaving everything in safe and adequate -hands, that his interests would be faithfully looked -after, and all private affairs treated with tact and -delicacy. It was an anxious and responsible position -for Captain Muir. There were the private -letters to be cared for, the official ones to be -answered, the racing stable with its inevitable -worries of horses going wrong, men going wrong, -and the usual everyday matters to be carried out -and adjudicated upon, all this requiring considerable -discretion.</p> - -<p>Lord William arrived at Durban about the -middle of April, 1879, after a tedious journey from -Aden in a coasting steamer, which, like excursion -trains, seemed to stop everywhere with no particular -object, and mostly at horribly unhealthy-looking -places.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="fp80xb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp80xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>CAPTAIN CHARLES MUIR (NOW COL.), A.D.C. TO -VICEROY AND COMMANDING HIS EXCELLENCY’S BODY-GUARD</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="fp80yb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp80yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM AND PONTO</p></div> -</div> - -<p>All around the roadstead were the transports that -had brought troops from England. This thrilled -Lord William to such an extent he could not wait -to begin his fighting for Queen and country—that -was to follow—so just to keep his hand in he indulged -in a fight on his own account in the hotel at Durban, -which was cram-full of officers in every branch of -the service. This was fight No. 1, before he had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> -reached head-quarters or reported himself; that -time-honoured institution he attended to later. -Fight No. 2 was another private affair, between himself -and a war correspondent named Mr. Fripps, who -made some disparaging remark about General -Buller, when Lord William delivered a message he -had received orders to convey, and which caused -the artist inconvenience.</p> - -<p>Lord William could not stand this, and said he -would not allow anybody to abuse his General, and -if they did he would thrash them. Mr. Fripps did -not appear the least awed, and suggested when -they got back to camp that night they should settle -the matter. Amidst the work and excitement of the -day Lord William forgot all about the suggested -thrashing: not so Mr. Fripps, who turned up before -going to bed to see if it was convenient to his lordship -to carry out his threat. A fierce encounter -ensued, and it was just touch and go who came out -on top, when one of Lord William’s arms got rather -badly hurt; he wanted to go on fighting with only -one arm, but chivalrous Mr. Fripps suggested finishing -the fight another day, when he had both arms -and it would be fair play. After this they were the -best of friends.</p> - -<p>Now came the official fighting. Lord William -had been hoping for some staff appointment. His -lucky star being in the ascendant, the wish was -gratified almost immediately, as will be gathered -from the above narrative, by General Redvers -Buller (at that time Colonel Buller) appointing him, -with the sanction of Lord Chelmsford, as his staff -officer, in the place of Captain the Hon. Ronald<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> -Campbell, who had been killed in a recent battle -when fighting against 20,000 Zulus.</p> - -<p>Captain Campbell was a difficult man to follow, -and Sir Redvers was rather in despair of finding -anyone who could fill his place. General Marshall, -who knew Lord William better than most people at -that time, hearing he had arrived in the country, -hastened to bring him to Sir Redvers’ notice, knowing -he would be invaluable.</p> - -<p>It did not take Lord Bill long to collect his kit -and start off on his long journey to join his new -Chief up country at Kambula, where he was in -command of the irregular Volunteer Cavalry, forming -part of Sir Evelyn Wood’s splendid little fighting -force, and it was here the Fripps fight already -mentioned took place.</p> - -<p>Lord William found he was the only staff officer -with Sir Redvers, so his hands were soon full. The -force of 8000 under his chief were a strange but -interesting crowd, made up largely of gentlemen -not wanted elsewhere, runaway sailors, Australians, -Canadians, and some of the undescribables from -South African towns, in fact a cosmopolitan crowd -who had volunteered for the period of the campaign -for the sum of 5s. a day as pay.</p> - -<p>What made Lord William’s work the more -difficult was that there were several sub-commands -which had originally been forces of their own, all -of whom he had to keep up to the mark, work -together, make efficient, and content. Every detail -had to be arranged by him; also the daily parades -had to be inspected.</p> - -<p>It was no sinecure being right-hand man to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> -Sir Redvers, for he was a firm, silent martinet, -ruling all under him with a rod of iron, and he -considered it Lord William’s place to wheel this -heterogeneous crowd into line and order. Lord -William was, in some degree, of the same way of -thinking as his Chief. Both were born fighters, both, -at any rate in theory, strict disciplinarians, but Lord -William had the happy knack of always drawing -the best out of people; his Irish wit, combined with -his cheerfulness, was irresistible; even the most -cantankerous, the worst funkers, the most lawless -succumbed, and became his willing slaves.</p> - -<p>June 1st saw Lord Chelmsford’s Army in the -Valley of the Umvaloosi, where across the silvery -winding river could be seen the Kraal of the Ulundi -King, with all its minor attachments surrounding -it. Two or three days only had been allowed in -which the Zulu Chief had to decide whether he -would do as we bid him or not. While the gentleman -was making up his mind it was considered wise to -find out what sort of ground was in front of our -force, over which it was expected we should advance. -The orders were that Sir Redvers was to make a -reconnaissance across the river without aggravating -Cetewayo unduly, before his days of meditation were -concluded.</p> - -<p>At the appointed hour Lord William and his -Chief were to be seen in front of Sir Evelyn Wood’s -tent, waiting for the rest of the contingent, made up -of all sorts and odds and ends.</p> - -<p>Sir Redvers led the way, followed by the rest of -the horsemen, Lord William bringing up the rear, -to see all was complete. He then galloped forward<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> -to join and lead the Scouts, little thinking what stern -adventure was awaiting him. General Buller followed -with the rest of his party.</p> - -<p>Cetewayo, not requiring time for consideration, -having quite decided on his course of action, when -hearing of our assortment of troops climbing down -the bank of the Umvaloosi, at once commenced -hostilities, a scattered fire from the Zulus greeting -our horsemen. Nothing daunted, they forded the -river on the left of a kopje which was evidently -being held by the Zulus, and then bending again to -the left took it in reverse. The late occupants were -seen hurrying through the long grass out on to the -open plain in front of our men, who thought they -feared being cut off. Lord William and his scouts -were pressing on the heels of the fleeing Zulus, some -of them not reaching the Kraal they seemed to be -heading for.</p> - -<p>It looked as if Sir Redvers and his staff officer -were going to have an easy time and run straight -into Ulundi. This was very exhilarating, and they -galloped on close behind the Zulu Chief, who was -evidently in command of the fugitives, and possibly -from design in their rear. He was a huge, powerful -man and a veteran, which was proved by the ring -round his head. Suddenly he turned round on the -advancing scouts. Lord William being well in -advance of the rest, leading his men, could plainly -see the Chief marking his distance preparing to use -his assegai, and it came. But his opponent was -ready, and too quick for him, so dashing aside the -assegai, he galloped with his sword up, the point -fixed and rigid. The Zulu waited with his shield up.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> -He did not wait long, the impetus given by the -pace his horse was galloping carried Lord William’s -sword right through the shield and half through the -man’s body, entering his heart. He dropped dead, -and the assegai was sent home to Curraghmore, -where it decorated the corner of Lady Waterford’s -drawing-room.</p> - -<p>I think we may take it the flight of the Zulus was -only to lead our men on, and get them into a tight -corner, for suddenly several thousand Zulus appeared -out of the long grass which had entirely hidden a -deep water-course in which they had been waiting. -It therefore became necessary to retreat, and Sir -Redvers Buller gave the order to fire a volley and -then retire. Lord William and his scouts rode back, -followed by many bullets. Two men were killed, -and a third wounded, his horse getting away.</p> - -<p>Always the first to lead the way into any danger -zone, so likewise Lord Bill was the last to leave it. -He had been taken by surprise, but was in no way -flustered, and with that thought for others for which -he was so remarkable, turned for a moment in his -saddle, though hotly pressed by the enemy, to make -sure all his living men were away and safe; he then -discovered the wounded man whose horse had run -away, lying helpless and dazed on the ground, but -trying to rise. He was a non-commissioned officer, -Fitzmaurice by name, and at the mercy of the -advancing hordes of savages who were perilously -near. Quick as thought Lord William turned his -Irish charger and galloped back, threw himself out -of the saddle and tried to put Fitzmaurice up on to -his horse, but the wounded man was as splendid as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> -his preserver. Realising the delay only meant both -being killed—one might possibly escape, but two? -It seemed impossible—the Zulus were close on them, -so he shook his head feebly, saying, “No,” begging -Lord William to leave him and save himself.</p> - -<p>Of course Lord Bill would have none of this, and, -swearing mighty swear words, yelled at the man, -“Come along, you b—— f——” (meaning I suppose -“beloved friend”). “If you don’t I’ll punch your -b—— (beloved!) head for you.” How characteristic -of Lord William. Those who knew him well -will be able to picture the fierce way he would say -it. Seeing Fitzmaurice was weak from loss of blood -and unequal to any exertion, Lord William, though -sadly impeded by the arm hurt in the previous -private fight, with some difficulty lifted and shoved -the man on to his horse, no easy matter on a highly-strung -impetuous animal, but it was accomplished, -and, hurriedly mounting behind him, galloped for -life, but with little hope of escaping, the Zulus -following closely. What desperately anxious moments! -made doubly so by the wounded man -being unable to keep his balance from weakness -and loss of blood, twice his weight nearly pulled -Lord William out of the saddle, and he felt all was -over. Just when beginning to fear he could not -support Fitzmaurice any longer, help came in the -shape of Sergeant O’Toole, who had seen their danger -and rode out in hot haste to the rescue, shooting -Zulu after Zulu with his revolver as they came -within measurable distance. He then assisted Lord -William with his now helpless burden.</p> - -<p>It is interesting to note that both those brave<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> -men, Lord William Beresford and Fitzmaurice, were -Irishmen, O’Toole, who came to the rescue, was -Irish, and the horse which bore them into safety -was Irish, each so splendid in their several parts; -Lord William risking his life to save his countryman, -he in his turn refusing to jeopardise his officer’s -life, then the plucky Irish horse straining every -nerve in response to his master’s bidding, though -carrying a double burden of swaying riders. Again, -the Irishman that grasped the situation, and without -waiting for any word of command, lost not a -moment in riding to their rescue, no precious time -being lost in wondering what had happened, and if -there had been a disaster. Truly a quartet of distinction.</p> - -<p>It was hard to tell when they arrived at last in -safety who was the sufferer, for all were bathed in -gore. Mr. Archibald Forbes, the clever newspaper -correspondent, tells the story of how on the afternoon -of the same day, hearing Lord William was to -be recommended for a V.C., he hurried to his tent -to tell him the news, and congratulate him; finding -his lordship fast asleep, the sleep of exhaustion, -he debated in his mind whether to awake him to -hear the good news or let him sleep on and recuperate; -deciding on the former, only to be rewarded by -having a boot thrown at his head and being told to -go to h—— (heaven, I suppose).</p> - -<p>Later on, hearing he really was to be recommended -for the Cross for Valour, he remarked it would be no -pleasure to him unless O’Toole received one also. -I wonder how many men there are who would have -thought of that? No doubt O’Toole’s promptness<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> -had a good deal to do with the ultimate safety of -the party, but it was due to Lord Bill’s courage -and kindness of heart that the episode occurred, and -to him, assuredly, the greater glory.</p> - -<p>In a letter written at this time by Lord William -to Lady Lytton he says, speaking of his experiences, -“They were indeed two days worth living for, and -never to be forgotten. I was lucky in the day’s -reconnaissance inasmuch that I helped to save -a poor man’s life, whose horse fell with him, about -200 yards from 3000 Zulus. He was half stunned -and bleeding a good deal. I galloped back to him and -with difficulty got him on to my horse (even more -exciting than the gymkhana races two on one -pony). The Zulus had come to within 50 yards of -us when I managed to start off at a gallop with him, -never thinking that the pair of us would get out -alive, but we did.”</p> - -<p>It will be remembered that it was during this -savage war that Prince Louis Napoleon lost his -life.</p> - -<p>When Lord Bill, or “Fighting Bill” as he was now -called, returned to India, many people hardly knew -him he was so altered in appearance, owing to his -having grown a beard. It certainly entirely changed -his face, and his friends were glad when he turned up -one morning “in his right mind” as somebody -expressed it, or, in other words, shaved, and as he -was before he wasn’t.</p> - -<p>He was of course fêted and patted on the back, but -fortunately he was not a nature this would spoil. At -one regimental dinner given in his honour while -being carried round the table on the shoulders of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> -some of his old pals he espied in a corner of the -room a doctor wearing the ribbon (V.C.), so the -moment he could free himself from the affectionate -attentions of his friends he made a dive for the -doctor, and hoisting him on to his shoulders (regardless -of the man’s protests, who thought his last -moment had come) ran round the room with him -on his shoulders, all present now cheering lustily. -It is delightful to remember this sympathetic action -of Lord William’s, his blood still at fever heat, -from the excitement and lust of battle and the -appreciation and applause of his countrymen, yet -in the zenith of his pleasure and congratulations -on receiving the V.C., the moment he caught sight -of the ribbon on another man’s breast at once wished -him to share in the applause and cheers of the -evening. With quick perception and never-failing -sympathy with others, he knew in a moment what -memories had been stirred in the old hero’s heart, -perhaps a little bitterness for the forgetfulness of -mankind, and that chivalrous action of Lord William’s -turned his night into day, all present drinking to -the two V.C. heroes.</p> - -<p>There are in this world a certain number of -people who are by nature so jealous they cannot -bear to hear anybody praised but themselves, who -say when others have performed deeds of valour -that it is purely a question of chance and luck, that -of course everybody would have done the same -if only they had the opportunity. No doubt many -would like to do great deeds, give their souls for the -opportunity, yet when the moment presents itself, -fail to recognise it, and so the golden chance is<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> -lost. All are not blessed with a quick perception, -dashing courage and an uncommonly human heart.</p> - -<p>Deciding that a sight of the old country would -do him good, Lord William thought he would -finish up the remainder of his leave by dashing home. -After figuring out the time it would take going and -returning, he found he would have just eighteen clear -days for enjoyment. They were a great eighteen -days, but hardly restful, though certainly refreshing. -The first to greet and congratulate him as the ship -neared Plymouth was the Prince of Wales, who -was in the Sound at the time with Lord Charles -Beresford, and His Royal Highness was the first to -convey the news to Lord William that the Queen had -been pleased to give effect to the recommendation -for the V.C., and that he was commanded to Windsor -to receive the reward at the hands of the Queen-Empress. -This was a happy beginning to the short -but well-earned holiday. The Prince was always -a good friend to Lord William, indeed to all the -Beresfords. It was seldom one of them was not in -attendance in some capacity.</p> - -<p>A very happy, light-hearted Lord Bill journeyed -to Windsor to receive the modest looking but much -coveted bronze Cross “For Valour,” Her Majesty -pinning it on to the hero’s breast, but not before -he had explained to his Queen he could not in honour -receive recognition of any services he had been able -to perform, unless Sergeant O’Toole’s services were -also recognised, as he deserved infinitely greater -credit than any that might attach to himself.</p> - -<p>The Queen, appreciating this generosity and -soldierly honesty, bestowed the reward also on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> -Sergeant Edmund O’Toole of Baker’s Horse, and -Lord William was satisfied. He received a great -ovation in London, being especially pleased with the -congratulations of the Prince of Wales, who, while -shaking him warmly by the hand, made one of those -individual and graceful little speeches for which he -was so deservedly popular.</p> - -<p>When the Prince of Wales became King he grew -so weary of wrestling with the pins of medals which -would not penetrate stiff material, that he designed -a hook for fastening these on, to take the place of -the pins, which makes it a much more simple and -less fatiguing process. The hook is taken back after -the hero leaves the “Presence.”</p> - -<p>After a great ovation in London, Lord William -made straight for Ireland, going first to the Bilton -Hotel in Dublin, then a fashionable resort. He -asked his old friend the hall-porter if there was anybody -he knew in the hotel, and was informed that -Captain Hartopp, 10th Hussars, known to his -friends as “Chicken Hartopp,” was in the bathroom, -so he quietly went upstairs and locked the -door on the outside, then turned on the cold douche -from the main source, giving the occupant a rather -forcible shower bath. This was followed by strong -language from inside the bathroom. Lord William -was outside listening, and awaiting events. Presently -he heard “I thought there was only one man -in the world who would dare to do such a thing, and -he is safe in Africa.”</p> - -<p>But he soon found out his man was not in Africa, -but at home, very much at home in Ireland, where -he was pleased to find he was not forgotten, but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> -that if he hoped to visit all the kind friends who sent -him pressing invitations he would have to cut himself -into a great many pieces.</p> - -<p>While preparing to return to India, Lord William -was staying with his mother in Charles Street. The -Prince of Wales was dining quietly with her one -night; Lord William came down without his V.C. -medal. The Prince at once noticed its absence and -told him he believed his mother had given him the -V.C., and he should remember it ought always to be -worn when in the presence of Royalty. Lord William, -of course, went and fetched it.</p> - -<p>The holiday was over all too soon, but there was -nothing depressed or “dumpy” about his lordship. -At any rate the world was not allowed to see -it if he was, for up to the last moment he was -playing practical jokes and laughing. One of the -reasons why he was always happy and pleased, -wherever he might be going, was because he was -sure of a hearty welcome, but of course that was -thanks to his own amiability and cheerfulness.</p> - -<p>Returning to India it was pleasant to be told -how much he had been missed, and how delighted -everybody was he was back again. He was looking -forward to the Dehra races, which would be due -shortly after his return. His cousin Willie Holmes -was managing the meeting. Here he found a -goodly collection of cheery souls, amongst them -the well-known Mr. Kelly Maitland, Mr. Horace -Hayes, and many more. Lord William’s Gazelle -managed to beat Mr. Horace Hayes’ Bismillah in -the pony race. They then all moved on to Meerut -for more racing. At this meeting Mr. Kelly Maitland<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> -gave a cup for a three-quarter-mile pony handicap. -The handicapping of Sattara, the pony belonging -to Mr. Maitland, upset him, for he considered it -unfair. It was a little unusual to enter anything -to run for his own cup, and so he had better have -swallowed his discomfiture and said nothing, but -he began airing his grievance at the Wheler Club in -the evening, when Mr. Holmes came into the room, -and made some pointed remarks about the generosity -in giving a cup he was so evidently anxious to win -himself. Then the fat was in the fire, everybody -talked at once, shouting to make themselves heard, -while somebody went into the lottery room where -Lord William was busy, and told him Mr. Maitland -was calling Mr. Holmes naughty names. -This of course could not be tolerated; he must -see his cousin was not sat upon by Mr. Maitland -or anybody else, so he dashed into the fray, after -which matters were not quieter and the hullabaloo -ended in the celebrated “Maitland versus Beresford” -defamation case, which was tried before a -native judge in 1880 and the plaintiff was non-suited. -Lord William’s language was as a rule -most polished, and personally I never heard him -otherwise than parliamentary, but I have been told -that on occasions “He could bring tears to the -eyes of a cabby from an utter incompetence to -compete with him.” I am under the impression -this racing row gave him one of his opportunities -and he threw in a few new words not generally -understood outside Ireland, which added lustre to the -occasion, and it is always annoying to have words -hurled at you that you do not know the meaning of.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> -It leaves so much room for speculation and possibilities.</p> - -<p>There was a little excitement also at the Allahabad -races of 1879-80, where he rode his own Pomponius -Ego heavily handicapped by the weight of 13st. -7lbs., while opposing him was Daintily, ridden by -Tingey, carrying 9st. 7lbs. The latter was declared -winner, while Lord William firmly believed he had -won, but Pomponius swerved when just on the -post, and as several ponies were all up together in -rather a bunch it was perhaps difficult to tell exactly. -At any rate the judge decided he was fourth. There -were ructions over this, Lord William speaking his -mind; it was finally agreed there should be a match -between Pomponius and Daintily, 1000 rupees a -side, the same weights and same distance, only -instead of riding his own pony Lord William put -up John Irving.</p> - -<p>The match was breathlessly watched by a large -gathering, and some betting was the order of the -day. The result was a dead heat. The owners -refused to divide, so it had to be run off again, when -Pomponius once more swerved just on the post and -was beaten by half a length. So Pomponius’s owner -had to pay up and look as if he liked it, which -none knew better how to do, for there never lived -a more cheerful loser.</p> - -<p>Taking it all together Lord William was fairly -successful this cold weather with his horses. -Telegram won a couple of hurdle races at Agra. -The stable did nothing at Lucknow, but in February -Ashantee, ridden by Lord William, won the Himalayan -Chase at the Dehra meeting. Mr. Abbott tells<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> -a good story about this event. Ashantee’s owner -had backed him pretty heavily through his pals with -Miller the bookmaker, till the horse stood at 2 to 1. -Before mounting to go to the post he went up to -Miller and put on another thousand. Miller addressed -him thus, “Well, my lord, I should be sorry to see -a promising young nobleman like yourself cut off -at the commencement of a brilliant career, but it -would suit my book if you was to break your -blooming neck in this race.”</p> - -<p>I remember on one of my journeys in a P. & O., -Miller and his partner, whose name I forget, were -on the same boat journeying to Calcutta. He seemed -a very gentle-voiced retiring sort of man, but no -doubt could make himself heard and felt when so -inclined.</p> - -<p>While all the fighting in Afghanistan and South -Africa was proceeding, each treading hotly on the -other’s heels, the country at home was growing -discontented and upset, for it naturally became -disorganised, business interfered with, and some -discomfort for the inhabitants, which ended in -Parliament being dissolved on March 24th, 1880, -the Liberal Government being returned by about -120.</p> - -<p>The Queen sent for Lord Hartington, then for -Lord Granville, and lastly for Mr. Gladstone, who -accepted office.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE VICEROY RETIRES</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Change of Government and What it Meant—Why it Took Place -at Simla—The Ceremony—An Anxious Moment—A General -Stampede—Retirement of Lord Lytton—Work of Which Viceroy?—Lord -William’s Services Valued—A Bet Between Him -and the Author—Lord William’s 10 to 1</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">In the spring of 1880 there was the change of -Government at home already alluded to, -brought about mostly by the dissatisfaction -of the country over Lord Lytton’s Afghan policy -and the war in South Africa with its disasters and -awkward situations, Mr. Gladstone succeeding Lord -Beaconsfield as Prime Minister. He at once took -steps to reverse Lord Lytton’s policy. Therefore -His Excellency resigned, Lord Ripon taking his -place in June, if I remember correctly.</p> - -<p>The change in Viceroys usually took place in the -cold weather at Calcutta, but on this occasion the -Afghan War was still going on, and the new Liberal -Government could not wait until the monsoon, -which was due in a few weeks, had cooled the air, so -Lord Ripon had to take the reins from Lord Lytton -at Simla.</p> - -<p>In those days the railway was left at Umballa, on -the main line of the Indian North-Western, after -which the rest of the journey was done with horses<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span> -in vehicles of some sort, the usual mode being by -“tonga,” a sort of phaeton hung very low and -drawn by a pair of ponies harnessed curricle fashion, -the ponies being changed about every four miles, -this part of the journey taking about eight hours. -The first forty miles over the plains to Kalka, the -roads are good, and the travelling over them is very -pleasant. After that they become mountainous for -fifty-eight miles, climbing and winding up the spurs -of the outer Himalayas to the deodar and rhododendron -clad ridge of Simla, six or seven thousand -feet high.</p> - -<p>Government House, or the Viceregal Lodge at -Simla at the time of the Ripons’ arrival was called -“Peterhoff,” and it would be difficult to imagine -an abode less viceregal. It was simply a rather -glorified bungalow, situated on the edge of a young -precipice, the house cramped and inconvenient, with -very little ground about it, but it has long since been -superseded by the much more commodious and impressive -new viceregal lodgings on the summit of -what was then known as Observation Hill. The -lawn in front of Peterhoff was no bigger than many -of those often seen in front of suburban villas. This -Peterhoff lawn was, however, historic, for it was -there that Lord Lawrence thrashed a chuprasse -(messenger) <em>with his great-coat</em> for some unusually -flagrant act of carelessness or disobedience.</p> - -<p>Small as this historic lawn was, it had to take part -in the ceremonies attendant on the change of Viceroys. -Lord William was not responsible for what -occurred there on this memorable day, but as an -acting A.D.C. necessarily took part in it, and I think<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span> -if he had then been Military Secretary the arrangements -might have been better.</p> - -<p>When the change of Rulers took place at Calcutta -there was plenty of space and room for the crowd -of dignitaries, British and native, presenting an impressive -show as they lined the stately portico and -ample stairway. The numerous uniforms, picturesque -dresses of the native chiefs and notables, -together with the scarlet uniforms and tall lances of -the bodyguard combined to make the scene gay, and -even splendid.</p> - -<p>Not so at Simla, where on this occasion the whole -officialdom from the Commander-in-Chief and -members of Council downwards, were packed into -a big shamiana (tent with a flat roof) somewhere -about twenty feet square. Most noticeable amongst -the assembly were the two Sikh Chiefs, of Jhind and -Nabha, their states not being far from Simla; both -were elderly men, tall, handsome and strikingly -alike, though I believe no relation. With their -snowy garments, jewelled necklaces, aigrettes and -gold-hilted swords, they looked what they were, -warrior princes of the best Oriental type.</p> - -<p>There was nothing remarkable about the rest of -the crowd. Everybody of course had to be in uniform, -and as no one was allowed to remain outside -the shamiana it was soon packed and most uncomfortably -hot. One side of the tent was open, -and a strip of red cloth led from it to the porch of -Peterhoff.</p> - -<p>Everybody was awaiting the arrival of the new -Viceroy, Lord Ripon, who had slept the night before -at the foot of the hills at Kalka, and was expected<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> -every moment to arrive with his personal staff in a -train of tongas.</p> - -<p>Sir Robert Egerton, the Lieut.-Governor of the -Punjab, had gone to meet Lord Ripon at the first -rest-house, some six or eight miles down the road, -where the new Viceroy was to refresh his inner man -and change his travelling garments. Everybody -in the tent was very hot and wishing the show over, -but they had some time still to wait. The appointed -hour had come and gone, but still no Viceroy. Lord -Lytton walked up and down between the house and -the shamiana smoking a cigar, while everybody else -held their breath waiting anxiously for release before -being quite stifled.</p> - -<p>At last the signal was given, the great man was -approaching, there was a general buzz and hum as -in a hive of bees when the queen thinks of moving. -Lord Lytton hurried out of the house: three or four -<ins class="corr" id="tn-99" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'aide-de-camps'">aides-de-camp</ins>, Lord William being one, endeavoured -with difficulty to clear a space in the -shamiana, which feat presented somewhat of a -conundrum, the area being about the size of an -ordinary healthy hearthrug.</p> - -<p>Sir Robert Egerton’s little pony carriage could -be heard driving up, and in a minute or two Sir -Robert came striding down the red cloth, a very -imposing figure, tall and portly, with a good deal of -presence, dressed in his diplomatic uniform as a -Lieut.-Governor with cocked hat and sword. Lord -Ripon followed, neither tall nor majestic in appearance, -his London clothes looking as though they had -been used as a pillow in the tonga on the way up, or -hastily pulled out of a much-packed Gladstone bag,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span> -which was no doubt precisely the case, and how -loyal of him! having been sent out by the bag’s -namesake.</p> - -<p>Well! now the show began. The A.D.C.’s pressed -everybody back until they had to hold in their breath -for fear of taking up too much room. Lord Lytton, -whose manner was always polished and charming, -came forward and shook hands, with some ordinary -words of welcome. Lord Ripon, who felt the awkwardness -of the situation, being sent out to replace -Lord Lytton, nothing abashed at the numerous eyes -fixed on him at close quarters, plunged at once “in -medias res.”</p> - -<p><em>Lord Ripon</em>: “Didn’t want to come out at all -really, my dear Lytton, not in the least you know, -but a man must obey orders——”</p> - -<p><em>Lord Lytton</em> (much embarrassed) interrupting: -“Yes, my dear Marquis, quite so. Let me introduce -you to His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.” -Sir Paul Haines, standing on the fringe of the crowd, -was presented, Lord Ripon hastily shook hands, -keeping an anxious eye on Lord Lytton, then returning -to the charge.</p> - -<p><em>Lord Ripon</em>: “Yes! As I was saying, my dear -Lytton, I didn’t want to.”</p> - -<p><em>Lord Lytton</em> (more embarrassed): “Yes, quite -so, exactly. Let me present you to Mr. ——, a -member of your Council.”</p> - -<p>Lord William dived into the crowd, assisted by -other A.D.C.’s, who trampled on everybody until -the high official was produced, and the presentation -effected.</p> - -<p><em>Lord Ripon</em> (again returned to the matter weigh<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span>ing -heavily on his mind): “Oh, yes! I was saying -I’ve been Secretary of State, you know, and I -didn’t——”</p> - -<p><em>Lord Lytton</em> (now desperate): “Yes, my dear -Marquis. Let me present you to Mr. ——, another -member of your Council.”</p> - -<p>Once more a dive into the crowd, Lord William -returning breathless with his high official, when a -hasty presentation took place.</p> - -<p>The crowd now began to enter into the spirit of -the thing, and, being tired of having their toes -trodden on and their waistcoat pressed out of their -proper positions in life, propelled all the big-wigs -wanted by Lord Lytton to the front, almost into -Lord Ripon’s arms, this expedited matters, and -there was no longer any time for personal explanations, -so Lord Ripon kept them for another time -and everything went on famously.</p> - -<p>So far, all had been comedy, but it now nearly -approached tragedy, for Lord Lytton’s eyes fell on -the Rajah of Jhind, one of the Sikh chiefs already -mentioned, and he was asked to come forward, -arriving in the tiny space kept open by Lord William. -He bent himself from the waist and touched the feet -of the new ruler of India, direct representative of his -Sovereign Lady the great Queen, for whom he had -fought most gallantly, and for whom he would right -willingly have fought again. Only Orientals can -perform so deep an obeisance with dignity; to -receive it equally becomingly is not so easy, and poor -Lord Ripon, who had been hurried out of England -and hurried up country with hardly time to think, -and with little knowledge of Oriental etiquette, was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> -taken completely by surprise, and jumped back as -far as the crowd would let him, not knowing quite -what was happening, and then bowed violently, the -two heads only missing contact by an inch—awful -moment! for had the chief’s turban been knocked -off, or even set awry, he would have felt himself -deeply disgraced, for Orientals do not look at things -as we do. To deeply wound the feelings, however -unintentionally, of a chief who, when the mutiny -broke out, was the first to draw his sword on our -side, would have stirred the whole Punjab, and we -might have lost in respect and loyalty what no -elective council or other political bodies could ever -have restored. So differently does the East and -West judge, and reflect on both trivial and important -matters.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this the ceremonial came to an end, -and Lord Ripon was conducted into the house to -take the Viceroy’s oath in presence of his Council -and other almighties who cared to attend.</p> - -<p>The rest of the crowd were then at liberty to go -home, but the morning’s entertainment was not yet -over, for groups of people were riding homewards -along the main road or Mall when bang went a gun, -let off close above their heads, the first gun of the -new Viceroy’s salute. What a transformation scene -took place, the crowd of gold-laced and uniformed -big-wigs with cocked hats and flowing plumes, who -a moment before had been looking tired and bored, -were now a struggling mass of men and horses, all -presenting the appearance of circus riders doing -tricks. One portly General, who danced beautifully, -was struggling manfully with his long-tailed Yar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span>kundi -pony, which seemed to consider the only safe -place on earth was over the railings off the Mall and -down the precipice the other side. Two other folk -of some importance had cannoned into each other -violently, while one had bitten the dust. Various -people were seen disappearing in the distance on -madly galloping steeds, heaven only knowing where -they would stop; other horses following in their -wake, prancing amongst the cocked hats and sun -helmets strewing the ground. One unfortunate -individual, when his horse unshipped him during its -attempts to climb a tree, had a really nasty fall. He -seemed from all accounts to have <ins class="corr" id="tn-103" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'been ricochetting'">been ricocheting</ins> -a bit, and was laid up for some time. Needless to -state none of those happy people who were in a -position to choose what they would do, waited for -the remaining twenty guns, and there was a general -stampede. The roads in hill stations do not lend -themselves to runaway horses or circus tricks. -Most of those concerned were glad when that day -was over, and most assuredly both Lord Lytton -and his successor must have breathed sighs of -relief.</p> - -<p>Lord William had a keen sense of humour, and -nothing escaped his notice. During experiences of -this sort, however, he always behaved with great -calm and dignity, which showed his powers of self-control, -for he was often consumed with mirth. He -was all the time, thanks to his powers of observation -and wonderful memory, combined with the interest -he took in the etiquette, superstitions and mystic -rites of the Eastern people, laying the foundation -for the brilliant performance of the most difficult<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span> -and many-sided office he was a little later called upon -to fill.</p> - -<p>The new Viceroy being installed and having -appointed Lord William as one of his A.D.C.’s, it -now became part of his duties to accompany the -Lyttons a certain distance on their way home, -travelling with them and seeing to their comfort as -far as Saharanpur, en route for Bombay.</p> - -<p>With much regret on the part of all the Lytton -household they bid adieu to the A.D.C. To quote -Lady Lytton’s own words: “We felt indeed sorry -to lose his cheery and constant pleasant companionship. -His kindness to all our children had never -ceased from the first day to the last.”</p> - -<p>And what were the feelings of Lord William -when he said farewell to the friends who had always -shown him the greatest consideration and kindness?</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp104b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp104b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD LYTTON, FAMILY AND STAFF, 1877</p> - -<p><em>Left to right.</em> <em>Standing</em>: Col. Colley, Mil. Sec. (later Sir George Colley); Lord William Beresford, Capt. Rose, 10th Hussars; Col. Villiers, -Dr. Barnett, Capt. Liddell, Miss —— (author forgets), Lord Downe, Lady Downe, Capt. Jackson</p> - -<p><em>Seated</em>: Mrs. Burne, Sir John Strachey, Lord Lytton, Lady Lytton, Lady Strachey, Col. Owen Burne, Private Secretary; -Lord Kilmaine, brother of Mrs. Burne</p> - -<p><em>Children, left to right</em>: Bina Lytton, Connie Lytton, Fanny Strachey</p></div> -</div> - -<p>To many A.D.C.’s it would only be a case of “<span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Le -Roi est mort, vive le Roi</span>,” but their late “aide” -was much attached to them, and being of an affectionate -and loyal nature must have felt rather as -though he had been torn up by the roots. That -Lord William lived to see the good results of some -of the seeds sown by Lord Lytton’s policy and -earnest work there can be no doubt, for he surely -laid the foundations of some of our latter-day benefits -in India. Amongst the measures that must always -be associated with Lord Lytton were the Famine -reports and Insurance, the equalisation and reduction -of the salt duty, the system of Indian Finance -profoundly modified by decentralisation, and reconstruction -of Provincial responsibility. In recognition<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span> -of his services when returning from India an -earldom was conferred upon him.</p> - -<p>To an impartial observer looking back over the -lives and works of the different rulers in India, it -appears to matter not what the views and policy -of each may be, they cannot get away from the fact -that they must, and do, reap the benefit to some -extent of the work of their predecessors. This must -be a consoling thought to the retiring Viceroy, who -may feel on leaving India that he will be a thing of -the past, but that at any rate his work will live after -him, and, maybe, he will be spared to see it grow. -Even those who know nothing of India may therefore -readily grasp what a difficult thing it is to -know the actual share each Viceroy has taken in -the measures proposed and carried out during his -time. Each Viceroy is of course actually responsible, -though his part of the transactions of the -Government of India is sometimes confined to a -careful perusal of the papers and an affirmatory nod -or two at the Council table. That Viceroys work -hard and conscientiously there is little doubt, but -cannot take real interest in, or have a thorough -knowledge of, half the big questions they have to -deal with. In some cases the very weight of their -responsibility and possible far-reaching personal -influence, makes them shy of exerting that influence, -preferring to leave many questions to be -virtually decided by those who have, or ought to -have, first-hand knowledge.</p> - -<p>It is only really in matters of foreign policy that a -Viceroy is almost compelled to form his own decisions. -Then again there is the constant pressure<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span> -exercised by the Secretary of State. Every mail -the Viceroy writes a long letter to the Secretary of -State at home, and every mail he receives a letter -containing the views and decisions of the latter. -Also long cypher telegrams are continually passing -between the two, so that the policy or decision and -acts of a Viceroy are very often not his own, but -have been dictated to him by the Secretary of State. -It is well, however, to bear in mind that if things go -wrong, it is the Viceroy who is abused by the British -public, the Press, and quite possibly by the Secretary -of State as well. It does not as a rule take a Viceroy -very long to find out Secretaries of State are not -infallible, and that it is a risky business to go against -the opinions of his members of Council, each of whom -have the key to the whole situation, and is on the -spot, while the Secretary of State is not, and has to -judge by documentary evidence, not always at first -hand, and naturally robbed of the atmosphere surrounding -the matter requiring decision. All who -have any knowledge of diplomatic situations and -work, know what an important part this plays, and -how misleading a written temperature may be to -those not present and therefore unable to keep their -finger on the pulse of the moment.</p> - -<p>This may sound as if it had nothing to do with the -subject of these memories, but as a matter of fact -it has. It was because Lord William so thoroughly -appreciated the worries and difficulties surrounding -the life of those he was serving, and because he was -always ready to help in any way possible outside -his own particular calling, that he became so valued -by them all. He could be relied upon to carry out,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> -and see through, any tiresome social problem, could -be depended on to remember and produce almost -verbatim established precedents of the time he had -been in India and some time before, as he had closely -studied Indian history on his arrival in the country. -How clearly he had mastered detail was proved to -me several times later in his career.</p> - -<p>Once in London, I think in June, 1885, if I remember -rightly, when speaking to him of the different -castes and their faiths, I was much interested and -surprised at the feeling way he spoke of and in a -measure appreciated their feelings, of the Parsees, -whom he described as the Jews of India, with their -great wealth and expenditure, endowing schools, -building hospitals, and taking part in many great -financial undertakings, so full of soul and feeling, -that they will not allow their dead to pollute the -earth, yet do not hesitate to offer up the human -bodies of those they loved as plunder and food to -the disgusting, flesh-eating vultures, who sit watching -the white road leading from the City of Bombay -to the “Tower of Silence.” It is revolting to hear -the cry of those almost featherless, horrid-looking -birds, as they see another pathetic procession winding -its way up the hill. Of the Hindus, who while -considering it wicked and cruel to kill, and against -their religion, still will work their cattle until unable -to stand any longer, and then leave them to die of -thirst and misery, rather than put them out of their -pain. Animals in India are supposed to possess -souls, and are worshipped, that being the case one -wonders they dare so ill-treat them.</p> - -<p>The life of the Hindu is one perpetual ceremony<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span> -from the time of birth to the day when he is burnt -by the side of the Holy Ganges.</p> - -<p>Lord William and I agreed that their religion -must be a most absorbing and real thing in their -lives, otherwise the perpetual observance, and ritual, -from morn to eve would become most irksome, yet -some of it appeals to us as rather beautiful. The -first thing in the morning on awaking the Hindu -turns to the East and prays to his Sun-god, then to -the river to cleanse himself and perform his ablutions, -asking his god to keep him from all temptation, all -sin in taste, touch, word, thought or deed. From -the river to the barber to be shaved, a most important -part of the curriculum, for only a tiny tuft -of hair is allowed to any Hindu, and even that must -be hidden by his head-dress.</p> - -<p>The different caste marks of the natives worn on -the forehead are distinctly interesting, and once -when we were boasting how much we knew about -all these things, I asked Lord William if he could -tell them straight off from memory. He bet me a -sovereign he could. I felt I might easily lose my -sovereign, so beat him down to five shillings, which -I told him was as much as I could afford to lose. I -could see from the merry twinkle in his eye he -thought he had me on toast, so just as he was beginning -I said: “If we are not agreed what is going -to happen, who shall be the judge?” In a moment -he named a mutual friend we were likely to meet at -Hurlingham on the following Saturday. This being -settled, he asked: “Where shall I begin?”</p> - -<p><em>Author</em>: “With the Hindus.”</p> - -<p><em>Lord William</em>: “A triangle encircling a dot.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span></p> - -<p><em>Author</em>: “Right.”</p> - -<p><em>Lord William</em>: “The Brahmans, one single spot -on the middle of the forehead.”</p> - -<p><em>Author</em>: “Right.”</p> - -<p><em>Lord William</em>: “Shiva, a triangle, crescent, a dot -and two curved lines” (he hesitated a moment, continuing) -“and a U-shaped mark with a dot in the -middle.”</p> - -<p><em>Author</em>: “Wrong!” (in a triumphant voice).</p> - -<p><em>Lord William</em>: “No, no, I am right, by my vig -and viskers I’m right!”</p> - -<p>We both talked at once while laughing, gesticulating -and explaining, he enquired where I considered -he had gone wrong. I explained the U-mark -with a dot in the middle was part of the Vishnu -caste mark, and what he had forgotten of the Shiva -was in reality three horizontal curved lines.</p> - -<p>The argument became so fierce the rest of the -caste marks remained unrelated, but on the following -Saturday I received my five shillings, he having -found out his mistake meanwhile, and to my horror, -having no pocket in my best bib and tucker of any -useful proportions, I was presented with five shillings -in threepenny pieces out of pure mischief, but he did -not score much, as I insisted on his carrying them -for me all the afternoon.</p> - -<p>It will be rather sad in many ways when the much-boasted -civilisation of the West has robbed India of -the value and dignity of her traditions and heritages.</p> - -<p>The Indians are really descendants I believe of -the great Aryan race, whose language our Lord -spoke in. There is so much of interest attached to -the lives, faiths, and rituals of the people of the East,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span> -but this is not the place to write it, and we must go -back to Simla, where we left Lord Ripon, the new -Viceroy. He was a Roman Catholic, the first of that -faith to be a ruler of India; also the first who had -been Secretary of State for India, not that either -fact troubled the natives much.</p> - -<p>One of the features of the Simla season, is the -social gathering on Saturdays to witness sports and -gymkhanas held on the course or ground I have -already described in a previous chapter.</p> - -<p>Lord William was the moving spirit; he got up -the races, competed in them, and was always ready -with a fresh programme every week. He won so -many races himself that it became monotonous, so -he invented all sorts of weird and sporting combinations.</p> - -<p>The racecourse, if so we may name it, was rather -dangerous, as at one time there was only an apology -of a stone wall consisting of loosely piled-up stones -to prevent an impetuous pony from falling down -the side of the hill, or what in India we call the khud, -in English a dangerous mountain-side.</p> - -<p>I remember seeing Lord William get some shocking -falls, and once when he was driving nine ponies -and riding one over the jumps, when it came to turning -the awkward corner already mentioned, one of -the leaders, he drove three abreast, took it into its -head the stone wall was there to be jumped, and -while it was hanging suspended over the awful drop -at the other side of the wall, which would probably -have meant a broken back, Lord William and the -rest of what he called his “10 to 1” were hopelessly -mixed up on the safer side, looking as if they had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span> -all jumped on each other. His lordship was extricated -with nothing worse than a dislocated shoulder -and thumb. He laughed immoderately, though he -was ashy white. He insisted on having his shoulder -put right at once. A chair was brought and placed -on the course upon which he sat while his shoulder -was jumped and bumped into its place again, also his -thumb attended to and tied up. It was with some -difficulty he was prevented from trying again, only -being stopped by a brother A.D.C. swearing he had -sent some of the ponies home, as they had apparently -had enough even if Lord William had not.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI<br /> -<span class="fs70">AN IDEAL MILITARY SECRETARY</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Dignity and Humour—Some Tests of Both—Affection of the Natives -for Lord William—How They Tried to Please him—What -Happened on a Slippery Floor—Some Tableaux—A Supper and -a Race—What the Jockey Club Would Have Said—Lord Ripon’s -Message to the Amir of Afghanistan—The Amir’s Reply—The -Work of the Military Secretary—Swelled Heads and Outgrown -Shoes—How Lord William Dealt with Them—Pay of -Military Secretary—Compensation for Diminishing Rupee—No -Fish to Fry</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">Those who knew Lord William will think I -have passed over a very marked feature in -his life, namely, his smartness at repartee -and his endless jokes. I have forgotten neither, nor -have I ceased to be grateful for the way he succeeded -in brightening up the dullest parties; he carried -sunshine and merriment with him wherever he went, -and it was infectious. No matter how awkward a -position he might find himself in, he always came -out gracefully and smiling.</p> - -<p>I feel that to repeat Lord William’s jokes, is to rob -them of their atmosphere and merit. Jokes are -individual things, and require such delicate handling, -they must have their own surroundings and atmosphere; -it is so easy to rob them of their bloom or -kill them altogether.</p> - -<p>Lord William was one of those rare people who -found it possible to be serious in a funny way, which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span> -was no doubt an asset, though at times disconcerting -for other people, as will be seen from the following -narrative:</p> - -<p>When on tour the Viceroy and Vice-reine held -receptions answering to drawing-rooms in England, -so that all the local people could come and make -bows and curtseys to the representatives of the -English Court. On one of these occasions a fat Irish -lady, having made her obeisance, thought she would -like to watch the rest of the show, so she and her -daughters either stayed in the throne room, or returned -to it, ranging up opposite the viceregal -party, and began making audible comments.</p> - -<p>This could not be allowed, and Lord William most -politely told her to “Move on,” though I am sure -he did it in a way that made it appear he was conferring -a great favour, and with one of his most winning -smiles. The lady did not move an inch, but -stood her ground.</p> - -<p>“Then, Ma’am,” said Lord William with another -seductive smile and with the broadest of brogues -put on for the purpose, “you’ll have to pardon me -if I put my arm round your waist.” The lady, seeing -that, whether she liked it or not, from the throne -room she was going and thinking discretion the -greater part of valour, “moved on” without the -pressure of Lord William’s arm. I was not present -on this occasion, so tell the tale as it was told to me.</p> - -<p>Lord Bill’s face when anything funny happened, -and he felt it behove him in his official capacity to -be serious, was a study; and while he often witnessed -strange happenings they never ceased to -amuse him; his sense of humour never deserted him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span></p> - -<p>I remember one occasion when he must have -found self-control difficult.</p> - -<p>The viceregal party were on tour and staying in -a big station where they announced they would hold -one of these drawing-room sort of receptions.</p> - - -<p class="p1 noindent"><em>Scene I. (No action.)</em></p> - -<p>Large bungalow of chief political officer in the -neighbourhood. Two large rooms and one small one -opening into one another, the curtains which usually -hung between the rooms to make them more private -and to prevent people hearing what you are saying! -being removed for the afternoon, leaving a free passage -from the verandah on one side of the house -through the three rooms and out into another -verandah at the other side of the bungalow.</p> - -<p>All the furniture had been removed from the -middle rooms to make it more impressive.</p> - -<p>A roughly constructed and somewhat uncertain -platform raised a little from the ground, covered -with imposing red felt and bath rugs. Two deck-chairs -or something of that sort representing the -thrones.</p> - - -<p class="p1 noindent"><em>Scene II. (Action.)</em></p> - -<p>Enter Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy, who have learnt to -pick their way, and walk with circumspection over -hastily laid red baize and felt. Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy -making polite conversation to their host and hostess -admiring all the excellent arrangements made for -their comfort. Mrs. Viceroy sits on her throne, Mr. -Viceroy stands beside her, and the staff arrange -themselves becomingly, one A.D.C. having been told<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span> -off to receive and unpack the ladies on arrival at -No. 1 verandah, another on verandah No. 2 to repack -them, and say how charming they are all looking, -that it is a day he will remember all his life, and -so on. A third A.D.C. announces the names, which -are handed to him on cards, and the Military Secretary -introduces them.</p> - - -<p class="p1 noindent"><em>Scene III.</em></p> - -<p>Arrival of fluttering ladies on verandah No. 1. -Many never having attended a drawing-room at -home, are very anxious about their curtseys. First -lady, who has been practising various kinds of -curtseys and bobs before her glass for days, now forgets -all about them, her one idea being to get it over. -She shoots through the room and out the other side, -her example followed by those behind her, like -rabbits bolting in frosty weather from one hole to -another, Mrs. Viceroy trying to keep time with a -bow and a reassuring smile for each. The Viceroy -bowing, trying to look pleased, but unmistakably -bored.</p> - -<p>Fresh batch of ladies, one starts with the wrong -foot first, or something of the kind, gets out of step -and turns round to begin, again hoping for better -luck, but hastily stopped by Lord William, who -explains in a whisper the rules of the game forbid -any return. Mr. and Mrs. Viceroy pretend not to -see or hear.</p> - -<p>Everything going swimmingly, Viceroyalty beginning -to think of tea and drive in the evening, -A.D.C.’s beginning to think of flannels, rackets and -smokes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span></p> - -<p>Enter elderly lady very nervous, makes a really -profound curtsey, so profound she cannot extricate -herself from it, and she rocks slowly backwards and -forwards endeavouring to recover herself and get -into her stride again. Lord William’s big blue eyes -watching every movement (I felt certain he was -betting on the finish), when with a groan the lady -subsided backwards on the floor, her feet entangled -in drapery and skirt.</p> - -<p>“Fighting Bill” to the rescue, old lady picked up, -her brow mopped, bonnet set straight and restoratives -administered in verandah No. 2.</p> - - -<p class="p1 noindent"><em>Scene IV.</em></p> - -<p>Royalty descend—mutual congratulations, Lord -William and A.D.C.’s telling each other all about -it in room No. 3. Enter whiskey and sodas.</p> - - -<p class="p1">But I must not be frivolous, as Lord William was -a stern upholder of the dignity of the Court, and very -properly so, only the “make-shifts” necessary for -more or less impromptu ceremonies in India and -foreign countries at times lend themselves to amusing -situations; and why is it people always want to -laugh more when they know they must not do it?</p> - -<p>I remember at a big function at Simla, when -Colonel Chesney was being made a K.C.S.I. by Lord -Ripon. Lord William had arranged for a number -of us to be allowed into the holy of holies to watch -the ceremony. We stood round the wall like well-behaved -school children. His Excellency was announced, -small, rotund and dignified in flowing -robes of state, and walked up a strip of the inevitable -red baize to his seat at the far end of the room.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span> -There was a good deal of ceremony about the proceedings. -First one official walked a few steps and -bowed to the occupant on the seat at the end of the -red baize, then, after apparently counting something -to himself, advanced a few more steps and bowed -again, continuing this slow mode of progress until -within a certain distance of His Excellency, when -more characters took part, and my attention was -diverted to one of the bowing individuals who was -related to me, which made me more sensitive to the -fact that one of his silk stockings was on wrong side -out, and with every waft of air caused by his humble -obeisances, little fluttering ends of silk streamed out -behind the happily unconscious man, who, buttoned -tightly into much gold lace, was fancying himself -not a little. Those little flags fascinated me, and I -was certain not one of them escaped Lord William’s -eagle eye. I looked across the room to where he was -carrying out his duties, but he was as grave as a -judge, and so was I, indeed I flattered myself I was -behaving very nicely, until I heard one of the -daughters of the Commander-in-Chief, who was -standing just behind me, whisper: “Look, he has -got his stockings on wrong side out.” I then felt, -with someone sharing my amusement, I must laugh -and disgrace myself for ever. Fortunately more important -developments taking place we forgot to -watch the fluffy bits of silk.</p> - -<p>While being most punctilious about all things -concerning his work, and the popularity of those he -served, and in spite of his hard work, Lord William -found time to amuse himself fairly well. I was at -Government House one day when preparations were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span> -being made for a dance. Seeing the native servants -deeply engrossed arranging a cosy dark corner, -amongst some palms and curtains, I enquired what -they were trying to do. They replied with many -salaams that they were arranging a “Kissi Ka waste -for Lord Brasspot-Sahib,” in English I suppose you -would call it a quiet corner for two. All the natives -were fond of Lord William, hence doubtless their -anxiety to minister to his moods and emotions, -arranging a little corner where a little kissing could -be done in peace and quietness.</p> - -<p>Speaking of dances reminds me of one at the -Commander-in-Chief’s (Sir Donald Stewart); the -floor was very slippery, and Lord William, while -dancing in a set of Lancers, pointing his toes and -doing pretty steps first to the right and then to -the left, fell on to his knees in front of a huge old -lady with several chins and tied in the middle with -a string or what had possibly once been a sash, but -it was hard to tell, being out of sight in folds of -figure. Lord William, not the least disconcerted, -crossed his arms over his chest and bowed his head, -saying, “Madam, I am at your feet,” and was up -dancing again for all he was worth without a pause, -as if it was all part of the game, much to the amusement -of everybody present, especially the lady at -whose feet he fell, for she was a jolly cheery soul.</p> - -<p>Among the enterprising things Lord William did -in India was the overhauling and setting on its feet -the Amateur Dramatic Club, which was on the verge -of bankruptcy when he applied himself to re-establishing -it on a firmer basis; now it is one of the -soundest undertakings in India, with a stock of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> -excellent scenery, library, and large wardrobe. -Always anxious to provide amusement for the folk -at Simla, he considered it would be a pity to allow -such a useful institution to fall on evil days, so with -his usual generosity he advanced the money to pay -off the most pressing of the club’s debts, and from -that day to the present time the club has never -looked behind it and has now become the fashion. -Every season theatricals take place there, all the -rank and fashion taking part or scrambling for seats -to watch the performances. Having firmly placed -the club on its feet Lord William retired from the -management, only keeping a first claim on one of -the boxes. Invitations to the little suppers he instituted -in the theatre after the performances were -much sought after, their fame had spread far and -wide, both for the good things he provided and for -their cheeriness.</p> - -<p>One year some tableaux were got up in the theatre, -the money collected for seats being given to some -charity connected with sick children. Lord William -loved small bairns and they loved him. I remember -at these particular tableaux I represented Charlotte -Corday going to execution for the murder of Marat; -my executioners were Lord William Beresford and -Captain Donald Stewart, a brother officer of my -husband’s in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders; we -had many rehearsals both for this tableau and others, -but the despair of the stage manager was great over -the Corday scene, as the executioners always ended -in romping. Well do I remember their both rolling -about the floor trying to execute one another instead -of Charlotte Corday. The manager would become<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span> -almost tearful in his entreaties to them to “behave -themselves.” They would then get up, shake themselves, -saying to one another, “Now no more nonsense, -Donny, we must behave ourselves”; and -Captain Stewart would reply, “Now do shut up, -Bill, and let us get to business,” but their good -resolutions did not last long, they were soon stabbing, -wrestling and tickling one another again and -rolling about on the floor. I began to wonder what -would really happen when the day arrived to -appear before the public, but in spite of having had -no proper rehearsals when the fateful moment came -they behaved splendidly, but directly they were off -the stage and behind the scenes began again.</p> - -<p>When the whole performance was over, the staff -gave a supper in the theatre to those they wished -to invite who had taken part in the tableaux. A -merry evening followed. As soon as all had refreshed -themselves, someone suggested a steeplechase -over the tables and chairs; forms were quickly -turned upside-down, and chairs built up into fences. -There was some fun while the would-be riders chose -their mounts. At last all was settled, and we women -packed ourselves away in one corner of the room to -act as audience. I am afraid if the Jockey Club had -witnessed that race none of the riders would ever -again have been granted licences, for they out-jockeyed -each other, crossing and trying to pull the -riders off their mounts. There were some resounding -and shocking spills, but nobody cared, and the -race waxed fast and furious, being won eventually -by Captain Donald Stewart, a great big fine mount, -ridden, if my memory may be relied upon, by<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> -Captain Des Voeux of the Carabineers or Captain -Roddy Owen. The appearance of these sportsmen -at the end of the race baffles description, their hair, -which in some cases had answered for reins, was -hanging in disordered wisps, collars reclining on -shoulders, clothes dusty, dirty shiny faces, and all -weak with laughter.</p> - -<p>This was the lighter side of what was taking place -during the early part of Lord Ripon’s reign. He, -meanwhile, was giving anxious thought to the conclusion -of the second Afghan campaign, having been -sent out with instructions to reverse Lord Lytton’s -policy and terminate the war as speedily as possible. -Kandahar, which the latter had intended to hold, -was given up, and the whole of Afghanistan secured -to the Amir Abdul Rahman.</p> - -<p>The following, poem shall I call it, appeared -about this time in one of the Indian papers signed -“Bala.” A cutting of it was given to me, but I -do not know from what paper, so cannot ask for -permission to reproduce it, and can only trust I -may be forgiven.</p> - - -<p class="p1 pfs80">THE VICEROY’S MESSAGE AND THE AMIR’S -REPLY</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">George Samuel, Marquis of Ripon, to the Afghan Chief wrote he,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">“God made me Viceroy of India, and thou knowest what I made thee,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">You rule by my will and pleasure, I care not to flatter or bribe,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">One pledge or promise I ask of thee; I pardon if all men know</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That up to this time thou hast not done much to prove thee our friend or foe.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For the Russian is closing upon you, our faith in his promise is dead,</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">He is massing his troops on your border, and is eager to push on ahead.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Sharp is the word with the Muscovite, whose will is to plunder and spoil,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">His covetous eye is on India, and eke on your God-granted soil.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Now while he stands for a moment still, there is only one thing to be done,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I must send a commission to meet him, to show where your boundaries run,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And you must promise safe escort (we know what the Afghans are!)</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And prove yourself friend to the English, and foe to the Russian Czar.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">So choose thou of all my civilians, or choose thou of all my host,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">One man to lead the commission, whom ever thou trustest most.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Whom thy tribes have known and trusted, to pass through in safety and peace,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And so shall thy borders be measured, and our feud with the Russians shall cease.”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">The Afghan Chief wrote answer: “You English are cunning and deep!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But I’d ask if you’ve ever succeeded in catching a weasel asleep?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I know what will come of commissions—just what became of your Embassy,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">You harried us well four years ago, and I keep good memory.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Here stands my Cabul city, here I dwell by your favour at rest,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But the tribes of my frontier are evil, and know no respect for a guest:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">If your commission needs a safe escort on the oath of a trusted friend,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I have not the means to protect them. But whom will the Viceroy send?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Wilt thou send the poet, Sir A. F. D., the man who advised the last war?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">He is safer, I ween, on the Naini Tal lake than he would be near Kandahar.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Wilt thou send little Bobs—the Bahadur? He is trusted and honoured, I know,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But he’s cooling his heels at Ootacamund, and doesn’t seem anxious to go.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">Shall I ask for the man with the ringlets? the virtuous lovely L—p—l,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">He is living at home at his ease, writing books, and he has grown a great swell.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Where is the chief McG——gr to pledge me the word of his clan?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">He is there on the pine-clad highlands, a highly-paid, well-placed man.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">He is shelved with the rest, all promoted they enjoy the reward of the great.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Will they come now those I have chosen? I watch for their face and wait,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For the bright light shines on promotion, and dark is the downward track,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And the Simla hills ring an echo of voices that hold them back.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Let the commission stay on the mountain and start as thy message said,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">When the Amir sends a safe escort—when the Kalends of Greece are sped.”</div> - <div class="verse indent51">“<span class="smcap">Bala.</span>”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>This effusion is amusing no matter how it scans.</p> - -<p>Lord Ripon was also called upon to decide grave -questions arising between British and natives; he -embarked at once on a very liberal policy. In -accordance therewith the Vernacular Press Act was -repealed, and among other measures, the so-called -Ilbert Bill was introduced in the Legislative Council, -giving native magistrates the same powers with -respect to Europeans and Americans as British -magistrates, but this aroused such a storm of opposition -the measure had to be practically abandoned, -Act III of 1884 being a compromise.</p> - -<p>Lord William, having acquired a useful knowledge -of Indian customs and feelings, was able to be -a great help to Lord Ripon, who, finding the value -of his loyal friend, very shortly appointed him his -Military Secretary.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span></p> - -<p>Major White (later Sir George White, <span class="allsmcap">V.C.</span>) of the -92nd Gordon Highlanders, had been acting in that -capacity from the time Lord Ripon arrived in Bombay, -where both he and Lord William Beresford met -His Excellency, but the work of Military Secretary -did not appeal to Major White, who loved soldiering, -and was not obliged by circumstances to do anything -else, and feeling thoroughly unsettled when his old -regiment was in Afghanistan, in the thick of the -fighting, at last made up his mind to ask Lord Ripon -to spare him for a time, at any rate, so that he might -go and join them. This request being granted his -work had to be carried on temporarily by someone -else. When Major White returned he still felt unsettled, -and shortly afterwards resigned. Major (afterwards -Sir John) Ardagh succeeded him, but did not -remain long; then Lord Ripon offered the post to -Lord William, and the great moment in his life had -come, he had now the opportunity of showing the -stuff he was made of, a scope for his talents.</p> - -<p>The work of a Military Secretary is not known to -everybody, so I will try and explain it in common -or garden English. When any big machinery is in -motion it all looks very easy, but machinery requires -much oiling and constant careful supervision to make -it work satisfactorily.</p> - -<p>To be a successful Military Secretary in a viceregal -household it is necessary to be like St. Paul, -“all things to all men,” for he comes in touch with -so many different interests, acts as oil to so many -different wheels. It calls heavily on anybody’s tact -to carry out the work without friction. The duties -are many and important, for he is the head of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span> -establishment and controls it. The private accounts -and correspondence are in the hands of the private -secretary, all the rest is in those of the Military -Secretary. The A.D.C.’s are under him, and he -arranges what part each one has to play. One may -happen to be musical, he will probably be told off -to look after the band; another may be a connoisseur -on omelettes and other appetising confections, -he will be asked to look after the kitchen department. -It will be the duty of one, whoever writes -the most plainly, to keep the visitors’ book, write -and send out the invitations; this is no light undertaking, -for Viceroyalty have to entertain a good -deal—it is a part of their duty. Some do it better -than others, but all endeavour to fulfil their obligations.</p> - -<p>It is in fact a miniature court and meant to be -impressive.</p> - -<p>The Military Secretary has four paid A.D.C.’s -under him; by that I mean a staff allowance, which -is in addition to their military pay they may be -drawing in the usual way, the staff allowance being -anything between Rps.250 and 400, possibly 500 a -month, and of course they live free. I am speaking -of the time that Lord William was Military Secretary, -there may be a different arrangement now.</p> - -<p>In addition to the four A.D.C.’s I have mentioned -there were usually two that were honorary.</p> - -<p>The popularity of a Viceroy rests in a great -measure in the hands of his Military Secretary, hence -the importance of having a man who understands, -and is in touch, with the native princes and people, -who has the table of precedence at his finger-ends,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span> -and is pleasing and courteous to all. Lord William -excelled in all this, and one of the reasons why he -was from first to last such a phenomenal success, -was because he left nothing to chance, everything -was carefully thought out, no hurried word of -mouth orders, but everything written or printed -and placed in the hands of those it concerned, some -time before the orders and work had to be carried -out.</p> - -<p>Lord William was one of the old school who saw -nothing amusing in being rude, nothing clever in -hurting people’s feelings, and he would not tolerate -anything of the kind amongst his A.D.C.’s.</p> - -<p>It is not altogether unknown for young A.D.C.’s -attached to the staff of Government houses to get -swelled heads, treating everybody not in immediate -connection with their household as canaille, unless -of course they happened to be globe trotters with -handles to their names, but anything of this kind -was quickly suppressed by Lord William, who was -kindly and courteous to all, be they princes, princesses, -subalterns, Bohemians or what nots. Perhaps -a little extra pleasant to a pretty face, and who will -blame him?</p> - -<p>Speaking of bad manners occasionally witnessed -at Government houses in different countries, I -have observed it is a way satellites have at times; -while their superiors, like our Royal Family for -instance, are unsurpassed for graciousness of manner, -those in attendance on them are at times sadly -lacking in those amiable qualities. In fact not -only have swelled heads, but have grown too big -for their shoes. One might think such an uncom<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span>fortable -combination would lead them to see the -error of their ways.</p> - -<p>But to return to the Military Secretary and his -many duties, which are enough to make the stoutest -heart quake.</p> - -<p>The Viceroy not being a soldier, naturally depends -a good deal on him for advice as to military points -of view, military law, and so forth. A really sound -man can, and often does, influence the ultimate -decisions of His Excellency, imperceptibly, of course, -or his value would be gone. The work of the Indian -Office also filters more or less through his hands, in -fact everything requiring the Viceroy’s attention, -while should there be any difference of opinion -between departments, and any of them thought the -Military Secretary was taking any part, or interfering, -there would be fierce indignation and heart-burnings. -So while all these delicate matters are being brought -to the Viceroy’s notice by the Military Secretary, yet -he must appear to know nothing about them, though -quite possibly his advice has been asked.</p> - -<p>Amongst other duties he has to map out and be -responsible for the arrangements of all the Viceregal -tours in the country, involving the railway journeys, -allotting every hour of time each day and night for -weeks and months ahead. The moving of horses -and carriages, servants, and arranging for everything -to be in readiness to meet the viceregal party -at all the places where they are going to stay, the -officials to be informed at each; levees, drawing-rooms, -and receptions to be arranged. The native -princes who wish to meet His Excellency have to be -communicated with. Attached to these meetings<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span> -there is endless work, as each Rajah has a certain -code of etiquettes, a proper number of guns fired as -salutes according to their rank. Some have to be -fetched in state to meet the Viceroy; the Military -Secretary, an aide-de-camp, and at times other -officials having to drive to their palaces and fetch -them, taking them back in the same way. These -tours are looked forward to by the princes and big -landowners of the country, as many of them have -grievances and schemes to lay before the representative -of the English Royalty.</p> - -<p>It is difficult for anyone unversed in Eastern ways -to realise how much depends on the forethought and -experience of the person responsible for all these -arrangements. It requires some tact to carry out all -efficiently without a hitch, the least little error, even -a molehill of a hitch, may mean mountains of annoyance -and friction for His Excellency.</p> - -<p>In all viceregal movements it is essential that -there should be much dignity and show, plenty of -colour and red druggeting. Ritual and observances -are the soul of the people of the East. Established -precedents have to be carefully guarded, a yard or -two of less red cloth than usual might easily be construed -into an indignity.</p> - -<p>Then there are the presents to be thought of, -which it is part of the Viceroy’s duty to dispense, -and there is a certain amount of work attached to -this, as the different political officers in each district -to be visited have to be consulted as to what will be -most suitable, and will meet with the approval of -each recipient.</p> - -<p>In addition to all this strenuousness, the domestic<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span> -details fall to the lot of the Military Secretary; if -a handle comes off a door he must see it is replaced, -if a goat instead of a sheep finds its way on to the -dinner table, if the horses fall sick or the coachman -drinks too much tea, if a bath leaks, if more visitors -are coming to stay than there is accommodation for, -it is the business of the Military Secretary to avert -inconvenience or disaster, in fact there must be no -inconvenience or disaster, otherwise he is not an -efficient Military Secretary.</p> - -<p>In return for all this efficiency the pay of a Military -Secretary is 1500 rupees a month, fifteen rupees -being equal to £1, making about twelve hundred a -year. In later years something was given in the -way of compensation for the diminished value of -the rupee, bringing it to about £1300 a year, all -found, as the servants say.</p> - -<p>Not every man possesses the necessary qualifications -to enable him to fill this onerous post, for not -only has the Military Secretary to mother the Viceroy -so to speak, but he has to look after, advise and help -Mrs. Viceroy, all the little Viceroys, their maids, -governesses, butlers, coachmen and hangers on.</p> - -<p>Lord William filled the post so satisfactorily that -he was retained by three successive Viceroys; this -speaks for itself. With the exception of Lord -William I never met a really popular Military Secretary, -there was always the qualifying “but” or -“if,” but then the majority have perhaps had “fish -to fry” of their own, which would bring them into -ill favour with aspirants for the same frying-pan. -It seems sad that the days of enthusiastic workers -should be embittered by disappointment because<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span> -promotion does not come soon enough, or someone -else has forged ahead—then a few short chapters of -life and we find “Finis,” and what has all the striving -done for them? all the heart-burnings? Very soon -their names are only blots of ink on pieces of paper, -and probably these are put away in the lumber-room -with other “forgottens.”</p> - -<p>One of the refreshing things about Lord Bill was -he was entirely devoid of any fish to fry for himself, -he sought no high places, suffered from none of the -discontents or scramblings after promotion or office -that seem to have pervaded the lives of many great -men, if we may judge by what we read of them, so -he climbed no ladders at other people’s expense, -pushing them down when arriving at the top, which -gives such grave and not unnatural offence, leaving -much bitterness in the minds and hearts of those -who are feeling injured.</p> - -<p>The two things in life which seem to cause the -most unpleasantness are jealousy and class-hatred. -Lord William disarmed both, it was not easy to be -jealous of a man who asked nothing for himself, -climbed over nobody, and who was so generous he -would give away almost everything he possessed to -anyone in need, whose pride of race only showed itself -in honourable straightforwardness and unswerving -singleness of purpose. <em>No</em> class could hate him, -he was hail-fellow-well-met to all, thinking no ill -of any man, and having a clean mind himself was -not on the look-out for unpleasantness in other people. -He had learnt that most valuable lesson of how to -handle humanity, which spells success in life.</p> - -<p>No doubt there are some people who will say, “Oh!<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span> -but he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, -with plenty of relations and friends to push and help -him.” Even supposing for the sake of the argument -we allow that, does anybody imagine that if Lord -William had been unsatisfactory or incapable he -would have been Military Secretary for so many -years? and not to one Viceroy but to three, all of -whom probably held more or less conflicting views, -likes and dislikes, each one in turn passing through -anxious times and moments of perplexity, yet all -without exception spoke of him in terms of great -appreciation and affection.</p> - -<p>Many have obtained good posts, not all have kept -them.</p> - -<p>Amongst all the successful personages I can think -of, there are none who have had so few jealous -enemies as Lord William Beresford.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately everyone who has anything to do -with that noble animal, the horse, comes in for a -certain amount of criticism and occasional abuse; -it appears to be the inevitable or natural sequence -of events.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII<br /> -<span class="fs70">EARLY RACING EXPERIENCES</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>First Racing Partnership—Some Successful Horses—The “White -Mutiny”—Military Secretaries Come and Go—Fleur-de-lys’ -Affection—Racing—Paperchasing—An Exciting Drive—Ponto’s -Admiration for the Fair Sex—Inverarm—How a Sick -Soldier Fared—Love of Children—A Children’s Party and How -it Ended—The Home for Lost Dogs—Simla Gymkhanas—A -Sore Head—A Change of Mounts—Sipi Fair and Marriage -Market—What Some of Lord William’s Friends Said—Why he -was like King Solomon</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">Early in 1880 Lord William and his friend, -Mr. Monty Stewart, joined hands, forming a -racing partnership, and their horse Warrego -won the St. Leger at the Umballa meeting. They had -also purchased Kate Coventry for 5000 rupees, a big -sum for those days. She won the Grand Annual the -very next day for them, which was encouraging. -At the same meeting Gazelle won the Pony Handicap, -Warrego the Trials, and Oliver Twist the Selling -Race. On the last day’s racing Oliver Twist rather -upset the public’s and everybody else’s calculations -by defeating his own stable companion Warrego, -who was favourite.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp132xb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp132xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Rouch, Straua</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD’S HORSE DEMOCRAT</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp85" id="fp132yb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp132yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD LEADING KATE COVENTRY, -RIDDEN BY DEWING. CALCUTTA, 1881</p></div> -</div> - -<p>At Lahore Kate Coventry won the Maiden Chase, -Pompey the Dwarf Chase, Lielle the Arab and -Country-bred Handicap, Ronaleyn the All-horse -Handicap, and Potboy the Pony Handicap, not a -bad performance. Lord William now engaged<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span> -Ryder as his trainer and jockey; he had been successful -for Baboo Mohini Mohun Doss of Dacca.</p> - -<p>At Dumdum Kate Coventry won the Handicap -Chase as well as another race. After this, luck -seemed to desert the combined stable, though Kate -Coventry still played up nobly, winning the Ballygunge -Cup, and Lawyer the Trial Chase Cup. At -Deccan, Pot Boy and Lawyer also won a race or -two.</p> - -<p>Then came the Umballa Autumn Meeting, where -their luck was so crushing Lord William vowed -he would get rid of the lot of his horses, and -advertised the majority for sale. He may have -deceived himself through disappointment, but nobody -else thought for a moment he would be able to -live without racing, in taking which view they were -correct, for in July, 1881, he purchased Camballa -and Western Princess through the dealer and importer -known by the name of Teddy Weekes. Luck -seemed once more to be returning, for at the October -meeting at Dehra Fleur-de-Lys won over the hurdles, -Kate Coventry the Himalayan Chase, and Warrego -the Corinthian Stakes, while Probably, a country-bred -pony, showed the way in the Gimcrack Stakes. -Again at Umballa the good Kate Coventry, Fleur-de-Lys -and Probably also each won a race.</p> - -<p>Lord William was now recognised as a rising -racing man, and as one come to stay. He began to -do great things when the Government moved down -to Calcutta for the cold weather of 1881-2. His -new purchase Camballa, a black Waler gelding, began -well by winning the Viceroy’s Cup, steered by Ryder. -I see in an old paper of that time “the unpopular<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span> -Governor-General was not present to see his cup -run for.”</p> - -<p>It will be remembered I have already pointed out -the reason of Lord Ripon’s unpopularity with his -own countrymen, though never was a Viceroy so -loved by the natives, into whose hands he played all -the time, no doubt thinking it would lead to future -good, but causing at the time dread and consternation -amongst Europeans. Whether his scheme of -equalisation between the races has been a success -or not I leave to my readers to decide, though -perhaps it is still early days to say definitely one way -or the other. Certainly, if we may judge by the way -India has assisted us in our present struggle, we -should feel inclined to think it had, but it is necessary -to look a little beyond our noses, and think what -may be expected in return—the <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">quid pro quo</i>.</p> - -<p>I do not suppose Lord Ripon troubled much as to -whether he was popular or not, he was there to do -the best for the country and its people, according -to his light, after that it must be left in the lap of the -gods. The public opinion I have heard expressed of -the Viceroys during the time Lord William was on -the staff ran as follows—that Lord Lytton was -charming, hard-working, and that his work would -live long after him; Lord Ripon unpopular, as it -was thought he would make life impossible for the -white man in the country owing to his enormous -sympathy with the natives; Lord Dufferin, popular -but left a great deal in the hands of his private -secretary; Lord Lansdowne, universally popular, -and Lady Lansdowne especially so. These being the -only Governor-Generals under whom Lord William<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span> -served I need go no further. He spoke of them all -with affection and gratitude, saying he had received -“the greatest kindness from all officially and individually.” -I must confess when he said this I felt much -as I do when parents say they love all their children -alike, which cannot be in the least true; they may -love them all, but it must be in different ways and -degrees, so I think Lord William felt, if he had -spoken literally, he had affection for all his chiefs -but in different ways and degrees.</p> - -<p>Even Viceroys have a good deal to “put up with.” -First and foremost they have to act on orders from -home, after which, if the measures do not prove -successful or satisfactory, the blame of course falls -on the Viceroy’s head; then when settling down and -getting into his stride, finding help and comfort in -some of his staff—say the Military Secretary, that -office bringing the individual more closely into -association with him than the rest, forming an important -part of his daily life—it has not been unknown -for one Military Secretary after another to -find that their health will not stand the strain, or -that they wish to return to their regiment, another -has married a wife who will not live in India and so -on, so resignation follows on resignation, leaving the -unhappy Viceroy in a constant state of explanations -and instructions to new-comers, and with nobody -to lean on, while possibly feeling anxious over work -of which he has had no previous experience and hardly -knows where to turn to find someone who does. -Occasionally, perhaps, Viceroy and members of the -staff find “incompatibility” a reason for divorce.</p> - -<p>The cold weather of 1881-2 proved to the Beres<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span>ford-Stewart -partners that they had a good thing -in their new purchase Camballa, besides winning the -Viceroy’s Cup, he also won the Burdwarn Cup. -Many people speculated as to this horse’s lasting -powers, as he stood rather straight on his pasterns, -and in India the ground is very hard. However, he -did all that was required of him, caused no disappointment, -and then was sold again at no loss, so -was not a bad bargain. Lord William also won a -race himself on Alien; his pretty little Australian -mare Fleur-de-Lys, which he had bought from Mr. -Abbott, the Tirhoot planter, also won the Tom -Thumb Stakes for him. This little mare was charming -as well as pretty, and as intelligent as a dog. -She had a great affection for her syce, who had been -her close companion from the time she arrived in -India, and her owner used to give his friends little -exhibitions of her affection at times. He would hide -the syce somewhere, and then let Fleur-de-Lys loose -out of her stable, telling the man to call her, while -he kept dodging about hiding from her, but she -always found him in spite of all the dodging, whinnying -with pleasure when she came up to him. If -anyone caught hold of the syce and pretended to -beat him and he howled, the mare would go straight -for whoever it was she supposed was hurting her -friend and companion, would savage and trample -on the offender if she could get at him. So great was -her affection for her syce that it was unnecessary -when moving about the country to put a bit into her -mouth, for she would follow him anywhere. She -was eventually sold amongst others to the Prince of -Jodhpore, where she would be well cared for.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span></p> - -<p>Warrego was now the property of the Beresford-Stewart -stable, and won the two mile Durbangah -Cup for them. Camballa beat several good horses -for the Merchants’ Cup, proving himself <em>the</em> horse of -the year.</p> - -<p>At the end of the cold weather 1881-2 Mr. Stewart -was obliged to leave India and go home owing to ill-health.</p> - -<p>Kate Coventry was still going strong and doing -wonders, winning the Ballygunge Cup, and again -later in the year the Grand Annual, at Lucknow, -Ryder in the saddle. After this meeting Ryder was -sent to England to buy some horses for Lord William.</p> - -<p>The Autumn Meeting at Dehra Doon was very -poor, the unsatisfactory settling after their last -meeting had made people a little shy, many declaring -it was not worth while running their horses under -the circumstances; another reason, I think, being -the course was not in very good order, but none of -these things troubled Lord William, though now I -come to think of it he certainly rode other people’s -horses, and did not run any of his own, as far as I can -remember.</p> - -<p>The Umballa Autumn Meeting was not a great -success either, owing to much the same reason. The -rules regarding betting were a trifle lax, but Ryder, -who had returned from England, rode an Australian -horse named Blackthorn for Lord William, winning -the Sirhind Derby, also several other races; but -Island King, a horse Ryder had brought back with -him, had a terrible fall when running for the Cup, -and had to be put out of his pain.</p> - -<p>Paperchases were much in vogue in India during<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span> -the cold weather. In Calcutta they were very -popular, large fields collecting, but eventually they -became little short of steeplechases. A number of -women used to ride in them, and go right well, but -so many who joined in the chase were given to -racing it became a little dangerous, as will be -readily grasped by anyone who has been closely -followed either in the hunting field or in a paper-chase -by a racing man, who may, and at times does, forget -all about waiting his turn at a fence, and just pushes -and rushes wherever he sees a chance, quite regardless -of consequences. What matter whose face they -trample on so long as they get there!</p> - -<p>There were some great chase riders in those days, -Captain David Papillon, Colonel Oliver Probyn, with -his one arm, Lord William Beresford, and that good -sort Mr. Sydney Hartwell of the Oude and Roulicund -Railway. What nerve that man had! I remember -a wonderful grey roan pony he drove, with a knee -as big as an apple dumpling, the result of one of his -many accidents, arising from the fact that he was -almost impossible to hold. I doubt if many people -would have cared to drive the gee. Mr. Hartwell -was a strong man, yet it took him all his time to hold -this handsome quadruped. He was like a miniature -carthorse, and exceedingly fast. An extra pair of -reins were always buckled on to the bit and rested -under a clip on the dashboard in case of the first lot -giving way under the strain. The traces generally -dangled loose, the whole cart and contents, no -matter what weight, being pulled from the bit and -reins.</p> - -<p>Several times I was asked if I would like to risk<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span> -my life behind this steed, and gladly consented, as -Mr. Hartwell was a first-rate whip and most cheery -companion. It was arranged during one of these -drives that we should meet Lord William on the -Lucknow Racecourse to see a pony he thought -would suit me, put over the jumps. We arrived safely -at the appointed spot, Mr. Hartwell put me down -and took the pony and cart a little distance away to -wait until we were ready, the pony raising no objection -to standing. After the matter of trying the -pony Lord William thought would suit me, it was -agreed that both Mr. Hartwell and Lord Bill should -come back and refresh at our bungalow, his lordship -said he would jump up behind us on the cart; he -received the same instructions as myself, namely, -to nip in quick, the moment our Jehu took hold of -the reins; this was safely accomplished by both of -us, and off we shot like a rocket. The syce in his -anxiety to give the place of honour behind to Lord -Bill, did not leave himself quite enough foothold, and -was shot off at the first rear and bound given by the -pony, given just to express pleasure at being on the -move again. Mr. Hartwell was the only person or -thing in the cart retaining a firm and upright position, -Lord William was heard to say “By Jove,” I -was speechless shuffling back into my seat trying to -look as if I had never left it, the syce I heard later -was last seen tearing frantically in rear of the cart, -after falling flat on his face and losing his puggery, -which was flying out in yards and streams behind -him as he ran trying to re-wind it round his head. I -was too busy holding on to turn my head to see what -had happened to anybody.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span></p> - -<p>After this preliminary all went well, as we proceeded -to drive round the course to have a look at -the pony jumps, the grey roan flinging himself along -delightfully though keeping us in a state of expectancy, -when my lord and master, who had been on -duty and delayed, therefore not able to be present -at the trial of the new pony, came galloping up in -hot haste to overtake us. This was the signal -evidently to the roan that a race was on, it was -really thrilling, and instead of going straight home -as we had intended after inspecting the jumps, we -were raced round the racecourse at top speed about -three-quarters of the way, then on one wheel were -hurruished down an awkward dip and carried like -birds through the Barrack Square, then on through -a mango tope, where Lord William disappeared. -Various people who saw us <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> were pleased to -be funny about our appearance, and one or two -sketches were made, in one of which Lord William -was supposed to be holding me on to the seat, but -looked much more as if trying to sit on my head.</p> - -<p>I regret much that in the course of my travels a -book full of such souvenirs has unaccountably disappeared. -Eventually Mr. Hartwell got the pony -in hand, and thanks to his brilliant driving I was -landed at our bungalow to find Lord William and -my spouse complacently refreshing themselves in the -verandah. Lord William said he and a bucket, which -appeared from under the seat somewhere, were -tipped out under the mango trees while we were -being carried over what looked like a newly filled-in -grave.</p> - -<p>Mr. Alfred Abbott was another great chase rider;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span> -he was seldom seen without a cigar in his mouth, -and died with one between his teeth on the Barrackpore -Racecourse; and many more old friends of -Lord William and mine, in fact it would be easy to -fill many books with the doings of old friends of that -period.</p> - -<p>Young and old took part in these paper-chases, Sir -George White with grey hairs when Commander-in-Chief, -and youths with growing down on their upper -lip. One very noticeable thing about people in India -is the way they keep young in spite of their years, -taking part and interest in all that is going on, old -ladies and gentlemen dance until the early hours with -the best of the young ones, ride races, play tennis -and racquets, in fact everything that is going.</p> - -<p>One year Lord William offered a prize for a Ladies’ -Steeplechase over the Calcutta Racecourse. There -were many competitors, some coming from a distance -to show what they could do.</p> - -<p>When Lord William presented the prize of a beautiful -silver inkstand to the winner, who happened to -be a Mrs. Somebody he did not know, he expressed -the hope that she would find it useful and persuade -her to write long letters to her husband. This was -unfortunate, as the lady and her husband had -agreed to part. It was a most unusual thing for -Lord Bill to make a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">faux pas</i>.</p> - -<p>The Simla Season of 1882 passed much in the usual -way, a round of social gatherings and festivities. One -character I must not fail to introduce to you, namely, -Ponto, Lord William’s poodle; he appears in many -photographs, and so he ought, being quite a personage; -he lived with his master after he became<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span> -Military Secretary in quite a palatial house called -“Inverarm,” standing on the hill, not far from the -Viceregal Lodge.</p> - -<p>Ponto and his master were inseparable; there -were times of course when he was not wanted which -he failed to realise or appreciate, and in spite of the -efforts of those who had instructions to keep him at -home, searched Simla until he located his master, -sitting proudly outside the door until he put in an -appearance. Once Lord William left the house he -was visiting by a different route, and Ponto sat on -far into another day, when he was remonstrated with -by the inhabitant of the bungalow at whose door he -sat.</p> - -<p>On another occasion Ponto broke away from -custody and turned up in church at Simla during a -marriage service; the church was very full, but Ponto -managed to squeeze his way through amongst the -multitude of legs, and gave a brisk “Wuff” of -delighted greeting when he located his master. -This affection at times was embarrassing, but as he -meant it all in good part his master was obliged to -accept it in the same spirit, while vowing he would -find some other means of keeping Ponto at home. -Both the latter and his master had many things in -common, both admired beauty; if Lord William -was sitting at luncheon and said in the usual conversational -voice, “There goes a pretty girl,” Ponto -would be up and off in a moment, on to a chair to -gaze right and left out of the window, or to the door, -to look out for the pretty girl. This was always a -sure draw for Ponto, and used to amuse Lord -William, showing him off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span></p> - -<p>Inverarm was like a museum for its many trophies -of the chase and sport generally. Tables groaned -under cups and beautiful silver. Some of Lord Bill’s -silver bowls were remarkable for their delicate workmanship; -he used often to lend them to people giving -parties when they wanted to make a little splash. -Indeed, so interesting and comfortable was the -house that whenever there was an overflow from the -Viceregal Lodge, which was not infrequent, Peterhoff -being very circumscribed, the extra guests were put -up at Inverarm.</p> - -<p>One day when riding along the Mall, Lord William -saw a doolie being carried along with a sick man -inside; he asked the bearers who was inside, and -being told a cavalry officer from the plains, and hearing -they were going to take the invalid to an hotel, -he told them to go straight to Inverarm, and escorted -them to it, keeping the sick man until well again, -doing everything possible for his comfort and to -expedite his recovery. The individual in question -was the present Sir Robert Baden-Powell, at that -time in the 13th Hussars, now father of that most -important and valuable institution the Boy Scouts.</p> - -<p>No season either in Simla or Calcutta was allowed -to pass without the children being catered for; the -parties the Military Secretary gave for them were -amongst the most delightful and eagerly looked forward -to by the young folk, who all adored Lord -Bill; he in his turn adored them. The vocabulary -of children is so small and yet so sufficing. Bairns -are very dramatic little persons, and their patois -delightful. He would at any time give up an engagement -for his own pleasure to go and amuse a sick<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span> -child, telling them stories, taking them presents and -flowers, and always being robbed of the one in his -button-hole. He used to have great confidences and -secrets with them, which children always enjoy. -One small boy who had broken his leg and was much -devoted to his delicate mother, wanted to give her -something on her birthday as a great surprise, and -could not make up his mind what it should be, as his -saved pennies were not excessive. For days Lord -William made suggestions, none of which were -favoured, some being too costly, others she would -not care for. Each visit Lord William paid he had -some fresh list of suggestions. If the boy had -decided on an elephant Lord Bill would have said he -was sure he could get one for the money and procured -it; but at last the boy had decided in his own -mind, and joyfully told Lord William, saying, “I -have found out what mother would like; it is a book -she often reads. It got spoilt with the white ants -eating it, and I want to give her another.”</p> - -<p>“That is capital,” said Lord William; “what is -the name of the book and who is it by, I mean who -wrote it?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I don’t know that,” replied his little friend, -looking rather dismayed, “I think it is called <em>Infernal -Hope</em>, but I don’t know who wrote it.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind, little man, I will soon find out, -don’t worry, it is a funny name, but I will soon get -it for you. If I write to a man I know who keeps a -big book shop, he will be sure to know and send it at -once.”</p> - -<p>Lord William made a point of finding out from -another member of the family what the book was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span> -without giving away his little friend’s secret. It was -Archdeacon Farrer’s <cite>Eternal Hope</cite>, and it arrived -duly in a beautiful cover in time to give pleasure to -both the little invalid and his mother.</p> - -<p>Some years after this, when I was giving a children’s -party at home in England, Lord Bill asked, -“May this child come, please?” Of course I replied -I should be charmed, and certainly the children -were; I never saw bairns enjoy themselves more. -He pretended he was an elephant at the Zoo, and -allowed them to sit all over him while he travelled -about on all fours giving them rides, then pretending -to fall down and roll with them. When he thought -they were tired of this he crawled under the table in -the dining-room and pretended he was a bear in a -cage, and had to be fed by the children through the -bars formed by the legs of the chairs arranged -around him.</p> - -<p>After the last happy child had gone home, Lord -William and my youngest brother, who had likewise -been assisting, feeling rather limp and exhausted, -suggested they would like a wash and brush up. -After this operation both were due at opposite ends -of London; it was pouring with rain, and there -seemed to be a scarcity of cabs. The servants -whistled until they were nearly black in the face, -as my brother expressed it; at last they succeeded -in attracting the attention of one hansom; then -each man was too polite to take the cab from the -other, and as they were going in opposite directions -they could not share it. My brother told Lord -William to jump in and he would find one for himself, -or wait with me until another arrived.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span></p> - -<p>Lord William would not agree to this, and told -my brother to jump in. It ended in their struggling -fiercely in the street, each trying to put the other -into the cab. The cabby at first looked on in awe -and wonderment; he was anxious to keep the cab -dry, and each time one of the strugglers was nearly -deposited in the cab, up would go the glass, then as -they subsided for a fresh effort on the pavement -down went the glass again, as the cabby saw all was -not decided. He was now entering into the spirit of -the game, and settled down to watch and be ready -to receive the missile when it eventually arrived.</p> - -<p>By this time another cab had turned up, but nobody -took the least notice of it. A small crowd of -wet errand boys had collected to watch the fun, and -I was momentarily expecting a policeman to appear -on the scenes and take them both into custody.</p> - -<p>At last Lord William won the day, and from behind -the curtains in the dining-room window I saw -my bruised and shin-barked brother chucked into -the cab while in response to the cabman’s “Where -to?” Lord William replied, “Home for lost dogs, -and drive like the devil.” Needless to say neither -my brother nor Lord William looked like paying -visits after this romp; their hats had been knocked -off and clapped on again by the servants, and small -boys looking on, only to roll off once more. Ties had -waltzed round, and were looking out from unaccustomed -places, collars looked shy and drooping; -but I am flying too far ahead; and the Simla Gymkhanas -require and deserve a little space before passing -on.</p> - -<p>The subject of these memories was always full of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span> -new ideas for the amusement of Simla. Amongst -other races he organised, was the Victoria Cross Race, -which was exciting, the idea being that each rider -had to place a dummy figure of sorts lying on the -ground or in some perilous position, the riders would -then have to ride as hard as ever they could over -certain jumps, pick up the figure, and bring it back -over more jumps into safety, just as if they were trying -to save life. These figures were often really well -got up, one perhaps dressed as an ayah, another as a -child, a soldier, war correspondent, and so on. It -was most amusing to watch the struggles while -picking up the figures and remounting again. During -one of these races Lord William elected to rescue a -war correspondent who was supposed to be wounded. -He succeeded in picking him up, and was coming over -the last fence with him in great style, when a post, -which had no business to have been left where it was, -caught Lord William on the head, or his head came -in contact with the post, giving him a nasty wound, -which bled profusely and caused him to lose the race, -but the rescued correspondent came in useful, as he -helped to mop up the gore. Lord William swore he -was none the worse, but must surely have had a very -sore head.</p> - -<p>Another invention from the same brain was the -cigar race. The riders had to start, go over some -of the jumps, then change mounts. It was arranged -beforehand whom they would change with, it had -to be one that had started in the race; then light a -cigar, remount quickly, and finish the race with the -cigar still alight. This was essential. The agitation -was great when the matches would not light, their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> -heads broke off, or the ponies objected, some of -which saw no fun in it and declined to wait and see -the rest.</p> - -<p>Then for another change the ponies and their -riders had to jump through big paper hoops after the -fashion of circus entertainments. This race generally -led to merriment, as the ponies did not care for the -game, and ran in every direction to avoid the ordeal. -The umbrella race was a good one. Riders had to be -mounted on their own ponies, which they had to -saddle themselves, when a bell was rung, then open -an umbrella, which had to be carried open over the -jumps. The opening of the umbrella generally -caused trouble.</p> - -<p>The race for people who had never ridden in one -before was usually comic; elderly sportsmen and -timid youths were persuaded or goaded into entering, -and it provided all sorts of novel conditions and -situations.</p> - -<p>Riding up from one of these gymkhanas on a -newly purchased pony, which had seemed to me very -quiet and suitable to narrow paths and hill-climbing, -it suddenly turned nasty on hearing the clatter of a -horse coming up hurriedly behind him, promptly -laid his ears back and turned his tail over the side of -the khud, while I had the unpleasant experience of -hearing loose stones and earth giving way under his -feet and rattling down hundreds of feet below. I -thought I had seen my last gymkhana. I leaned as -far forward as I possibly could, to keep my weight -off his quarters and give him a chance, for he was -beginning to think he had done something foolish, -and was scrambling to keep foothold with his fore<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> -feet, when Lord William, whose horse’s clatter had -caused the outbreak of displeasure on the part of my -mount, came to the rescue, and seizing me more or -less by the hair of my head landed me safely, the -pony slipped down a little way, but got entangled -in some bushes, and so gave time to several kindly -helpers who rescued him. Lord William then insisted -on our saddles being changed, as he would not -hear of my riding the wicked pony any more; I -therefore had a charming beast of his to take me -home, while he taught mine a lesson. When he -turned up later he told me he thought the pony must -have been drugged when I bought it, as it was a -nasty, vicious brute, and had tried to crush his legs -against first a tree and then some railings after I had -left him with it.</p> - -<p>The fair held once a year at Sipi, a few miles outside -Simla, was usually a day of extra festivities. -Lord William’s picnics there were most enjoyable, -being arranged and managed as everything he undertook -was managed, with forethought for everybody’s -comfort. His organising powers were extraordinary, -while his peculiarly gracious and courtly manner -added charm to all the functions he arranged. Even -in the matter of food everyone’s particular taste was -catered for.</p> - -<p>With the exception perhaps of Sir Spencer Ponsonby -Fane, I never met anyone with such a talent -for organising State functions and great occasions as -Lord William, and certainly the latter was the more -popular and caused less offence than his old friend -did at times.</p> - -<p>The road from Simla to Sipi is just a pleasant<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> -distance for a ride, but along the edge of precipices -and through an alarming dark tunnel, which is quite -exciting if riding a quarrelsome horse, for in the -darkness you often meet a crowd of ponies being -driven through with big bundles on their backs. -They are usually being driven through by pedestrian -natives. The situation at times lends itself to some -mix-ups and chatter.</p> - -<p>The surrounding tribal women gather themselves -together, decked out in all their best, some with a -view to finding suitable mates, others to sell their -jewellery and gew-gaws. The Thibetan women often -realise big prices for their turquoise and silver ornaments. -It is a great day amongst the hill tribes for -exchange and barter, indeed sales of all sorts.</p> - -<p>There is also ceremony attached to this fair, as -some of their gods are brought to shower blessings -on all the chosen ones. Such curious figures some of -these deities possess, they baffle description, being -quaint figures, half man, half beast, half nothing. -Some do not possess any legs, others we presume -have, but are clothed in mysterious garments, -leaving much to the imagination. One year Lord -William gave his picnic in a villa built there by an -Italian confectioner, which sounds strange in the -Himalayan mountains surrounded by Thibetan -females and other hill tribes. We also must have -looked a little out of place, indeed I think we always -do look out of place in the gorgeous colour-loving -East.</p> - -<p>Lord William was the life and soul of Simla, and -exceedingly popular with everybody. One of his -most charming traits, and one which I admired much,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span> -was his gentle, polite manner to natives. Once -young Englishmen arriving from home considered -it fine and grand to be rude and rough to natives -when they were stupid, and made mistakes, which -very often arose from their own ignorance of the -language, and therefore being unable to express -themselves intelligibly; I have heard a young subaltern -saying he had saddled his pony, when what -he wished to say was the syce was to do so, the young -man’s grammar being defective, for which the natives -had to suffer. Lord William was most particular -in giving his orders to see they were understood, and -gave them in a clear polite way which was most refreshing; -naturally the natives loved him, would do -anything for “Lord Brasspot Sahib.”</p> - -<p>Many of his friends said he was a great loss to the -Service. Once when a great friend of his was walking -round Jakko (the only decent road round on one -side of Simla, a sort of continuation of the Mall) with -General Sir George Chesney, who wrote that clever -book <cite>The Battle of Dorking</cite>, Lord William rode by at -a gallop, taking his hat off to Sir George in a way -quite peculiar to himself; it always seemed to imply -so much, respect, affection, compliment, pleasure -at seeing you, and everything else of the kind, leaving -each individual feeling comfortable and pleased. -As he passed, Sir George, who was walking with one -of the members of the staff and as already stated an -old friend of Lord William’s, turned to his companion -remarking, “There goes a leader of men. Instead -of being Military Secretary to the Viceroy he ought -to be commanding a cavalry brigade; he would be -unequalled at that work, always supposing he was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span> -not turned out of the service for disobedience to -orders.”</p> - -<p>Another friend, a clever lady of that time at Simla, -speaking of Lord William’s character generally, -said, “It is not Bill’s cleverness or quickness to -grasp the situation, but what he has got in an eminent -degree is what Solomon had. I have always thought -that Solomon’s great wisdom was much exaggerated, -and that what he really had in pre-eminence, and -Bill has too, is tact, doing the right thing at the right -time. For instance ... it was not Solomon’s great -knowledge that bamboozled the Queen of Sheba, -but knowing when she wanted a foot-stool!”</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII<br /> -<span class="fs70">LORD RIPON LEAVES INDIA</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Arrangements for Entertaining Visitors—Lord de Grey’s Shooting—A -Good-looking Staff—A Fancy Ball—The Baby cries—Lord -William Feeds the Infant—Singing Quadrilles—Pig-sticking—The -Tent Club and Its Members—A Case of Mistaken Identity—The -Reputation Match—Lord William Resolves to Give Up -Racing—Lord Ripon’s Farewell</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">During Lord Ripon’s time in India a -number of people came out from home -to stay with him, some wishing to combine -a visit to their friends with shooting, pig-sticking -and globe-trotting. This kept Lord William busy, as -he had to make all the arrangements for their -comfort, and where they were to stay, when the -Viceregal Lodge was full, which was generally the -case. Occasionally he turned out of his own house -for guests, searched for suitable bungalows for -others, making everybody comfortable and yet -without the least apparent effort. Rajahs were -communicated with, and shoots arranged; horses -were found to suit the various riders, chosen in -accordance to their prowess, programmes made -out for each day, and printed instructions sent -on ahead, so that all was in readiness at each halting -place, carriages, horses, servants, food, sport and -all the heart of man could desire.</p> - -<p>The happy relations existing between Lord<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span> -William and the Native Princes made this easier -for him than it might have been for many.</p> - -<p>The present Marquess of Ripon, then Lord de -Grey, came to stay with his father, and was anxious -to have some big game shooting. He is, as everybody -knows, one of the best shots in England. His -game card from 1867 to 1891 gives some idea of his -skill and the sport provided. I think the years 1880 -and 1882 were the years he was shooting in India.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp83 bbox" id="i154b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/i154b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption smcap"><p>Lord de Grey’s Game Card from 1867-91</p></div> -</div> - -<p class="p2 pfs90 pg-brk">GAME KILLED <span class="allsmcap">FROM 1867 TO 1891</span>.</p> - -<table class="autotable fs60" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr" rowspan="2">Date</td> -<td class="tdrr">Rhino-</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2"> Buffalo</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Pig</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Red Deer</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Partridge</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Wood Cock</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Wild Duck</td> -<td class="tdrr fs90" colspan="2">Capercaillies</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Rabbits</td> -<td class="tdrr" colspan="2">Total</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr br">ceros </td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Tiger</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">S???</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Deer</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Grouse</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Pheasants</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Snipe</td> -<td class="tdl br fs90" colspan="2">Black Game </td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">K???</td> -<td class="tdl br" colspan="2">Various</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1867</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">8</td> -<td class="tdrr">265</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.179</td> -<td class="tdrr">741</td> -<td class="tdrr">20</td> -<td class="tdrr">22</td> -<td class="tdrr">10</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">719</td> -<td class="tdrr">934</td> -<td class="tdrr">115</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.013</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1868</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">35</td> -<td class="tdrr">201</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.418</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.601</td> -<td class="tdrr">28</td> -<td class="tdrr">67</td> -<td class="tdrr">23</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">690</td> -<td class="tdrr">543</td> -<td class="tdrr">113</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.719</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1869</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">35</td> -<td class="tdrr">135</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.659</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.431</td> -<td class="tdrr">26</td> -<td class="tdrr">133</td> -<td class="tdrr">37</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">547</td> -<td class="tdrr">443</td> -<td class="tdrr">122</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.568</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1870</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">21</td> -<td class="tdrr">498</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.308</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.117</td> -<td class="tdrr">36</td> -<td class="tdrr">53</td> -<td class="tdrr">30</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">893</td> -<td class="tdrr">626</td> -<td class="tdrr">137</td> -<td class="tdrr">6.660</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1871</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">55</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.408</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.598</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.889</td> -<td class="tdrr">50</td> -<td class="tdrr">244</td> -<td class="tdrr">42</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.093</td> -<td class="tdrr">341</td> -<td class="tdrr">225</td> -<td class="tdrr">6.945</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1872</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">38</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.498</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.083</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.835</td> -<td class="tdrr">27</td> -<td class="tdrr">60</td> -<td class="tdrr">31</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.108</td> -<td class="tdrr">756</td> -<td class="tdrr">235</td> -<td class="tdrr">8.671</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1873</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">25</td> -<td class="tdrr">248</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.417</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.050</td> -<td class="tdrr">95</td> -<td class="tdrr">263</td> -<td class="tdrr">85</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.027</td> -<td class="tdrr">450</td> -<td class="tdrr">591</td> -<td class="tdrr">8.231</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1874</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">3</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">90</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.878</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.345</td> -<td class="tdrr">229</td> -<td class="tdrr">462</td> -<td class="tdrr">131</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">4</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.200</td> -<td class="tdrr">302</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.200</td> -<td class="tdrr">8.854</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1875</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">3</td> -<td class="tdrr">287</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.882</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.225</td> -<td class="tdrr">176</td> -<td class="tdrr">461</td> -<td class="tdrr">208</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.376</td> -<td class="tdrr">576</td> -<td class="tdrr">743</td> -<td class="tdrr">9.937</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1876</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">3</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.554</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.394</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.110</td> -<td class="tdrr">30</td> -<td class="tdrr">25</td> -<td class="tdrr">37</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.248</td> -<td class="tdrr">890</td> -<td class="tdrr">266</td> -<td class="tdrr">11.557</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1877</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">2</td> -<td class="tdrr">4</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.032</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.359</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.235</td> -<td class="tdrr">35</td> -<td class="tdrr">45</td> -<td class="tdrr">33</td> -<td class="tdrr">11</td> -<td class="tdrr">11</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.496</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.044</td> -<td class="tdrr">309</td> -<td class="tdrr">11.616</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1878</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">4</td> -<td class="tdrr">9</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.669</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.378</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.679</td> -<td class="tdrr">43</td> -<td class="tdrr">44</td> -<td class="tdrr">55</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">6</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.152</td> -<td class="tdrr">667</td> -<td class="tdrr">503</td> -<td class="tdrr">13.214</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1879</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">4</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.344</td> -<td class="tdrr">630</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.140</td> -<td class="tdrr">132</td> -<td class="tdrr">92</td> -<td class="tdrr">62</td> -<td class="tdrr">9</td> -<td class="tdrr">11</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.125</td> -<td class="tdrr">287</td> -<td class="tdrr">215</td> -<td class="tdrr">7.051</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1880</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">9</td> -<td class="tdrr">6</td> -<td class="tdrr">18</td> -<td class="tdrr">31</td> -<td class="tdrr">73</td> -<td class="tdrr">12</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.131</td> -<td class="tdrr">682</td> -<td class="tdrr">531</td> -<td class="tdrr">9</td> -<td class="tdrr">47</td> -<td class="tdrr">54</td> -<td class="tdrr">26</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">501</td> -<td class="tdrr">141</td> -<td class="tdrr">408</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.684</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1881</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.566</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.465</td> -<td class="tdrr">5.014</td> -<td class="tdrr">26</td> -<td class="tdrr">14</td> -<td class="tdrr">43</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.058</td> -<td class="tdrr">797</td> -<td class="tdrr">166</td> -<td class="tdrr">12.154</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1882</td> -<td class="tdrr">2</td> -<td class="tdrr">2</td> -<td class="tdrr">6</td> -<td class="tdrr">1</td> -<td class="tdrr">66</td> -<td class="tdrr">104</td> -<td class="tdrr">10</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.025</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.123</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.370</td> -<td class="tdrr">14</td> -<td class="tdrr">21</td> -<td class="tdrr">44</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">464</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.122</td> -<td class="tdrr">117</td> -<td class="tdrr">9.491</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1883</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.896</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.845</td> -<td class="tdrr">6.119</td> -<td class="tdrr">157</td> -<td class="tdrr">84</td> -<td class="tdrr">155</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">918</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.386</td> -<td class="tdrr">319</td> -<td class="tdrr">13.884</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1884</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">10</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.073</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.523</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.347</td> -<td class="tdrr">134</td> -<td class="tdrr">70</td> -<td class="tdrr">70</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">713</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.896</td> -<td class="tdrr">453</td> -<td class="tdrr">14.289</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1885</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.015</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.788</td> -<td class="tdrr">4.620</td> -<td class="tdrr">104</td> -<td class="tdrr">23</td> -<td class="tdrr">31</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">589</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.547</td> -<td class="tdrr">108</td> -<td class="tdrr">12.830</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1886</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">20</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.989</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.463</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.383</td> -<td class="tdrr">105</td> -<td class="tdrr">87</td> -<td class="tdrr">72</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">357</td> -<td class="tdrr">786</td> -<td class="tdrr">349</td> -<td class="tdrr">8.611</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1887</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">57</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.258</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.785</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.387</td> -<td class="tdrr">104</td> -<td class="tdrr">3</td> -<td class="tdrr">12</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">415</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.328</td> -<td class="tdrr">237</td> -<td class="tdrr">12.586</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1888</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">4</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.060</td> -<td class="tdrr">853</td> -<td class="tdrr">5.072</td> -<td class="tdrr">31</td> -<td class="tdrr">151</td> -<td class="tdrr">10</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">307</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.523</td> -<td class="tdrr">85</td> -<td class="tdrr">11.096</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1889</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">5</td> -<td class="tdrr">3.081</td> -<td class="tdrr">5.751</td> -<td class="tdrr">6.182</td> -<td class="tdrr">100</td> -<td class="tdrr">109</td> -<td class="tdrr">14</td> -<td class="tdrr">38</td> -<td class="tdrr">8</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.747</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.069</td> -<td class="tdrr">135</td> -<td class="tdrr">18.239</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1890</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.006</td> -<td class="tdrr">7.002</td> -<td class="tdrr">6.498</td> -<td class="tdrr">172</td> -<td class="tdrr">105</td> -<td class="tdrr">28</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.446</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.120</td> -<td class="tdrr">123</td> -<td class="tdrr">18.500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr">1891</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">--</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.277</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.699</td> -<td class="tdrr">5.794</td> -<td class="tdrr">34</td> -<td class="tdrr">13</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">—</td> -<td class="tdrr">711</td> -<td class="tdrr">406</td> -<td class="tdrr">271</td> -<td class="tdrr">11.205</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrr"></td> -<td class="tdrr">2</td> -<td class="tdrr">11</td> -<td class="tdrr">12</td> -<td class="tdrr">19</td> -<td class="tdrr">97</td> -<td class="tdrr">186</td> -<td class="tdrr">378</td> -<td class="tdrr">39.606</td> -<td class="tdrr">63.163</td> -<td class="tdrr">88.715</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.917</td> -<td class="tdrr">2.698</td> -<td class="tdrr">1.317</td> -<td class="tdrr">94</td> -<td class="tdrr">45</td> -<td class="tdrr">23.840</td> -<td class="tdrr">22.980</td> -<td class="tdrr">7.543</td> -<td class="tdrr">252.625</td> -</tr> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc fs150" colspan="20"><span class="smcap">Lord de Grey’s Game Card from 1867-91</span></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>Amongst others who came out were Lord and -Lady Wenlock, Lady Charles Beresford, and later<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[155]</span> -their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of -Connaught.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp154b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp154b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>GROUP AT BARRACKPORE ON THE LAWN</p> - -<p><em>Left to right. Standing</em>: Lady Downe (the late); Mr Primrose (now Right Hon. Sir Henry), Lord Alwyne Compton (the late); Dr. Anderson -(Viceroy’s Medical attendant); (next figure not known to author); Lord Downe, Capt. Deane, 17th Lancers; possible Sir Maurice Fitzgerald; -but uncertain; Capt. Poe, I believe; Lord William Beresford. <em>Seated</em>: Lord Ripon, H.R.H. Duchess of Connaught, H.R.H. Duke of Connaught, -Lady Ripon. <em>On ground</em>: Capt. Rochfort (now Sir Alex., Governor of Jersey), Capt. the Hon. Charles Harbord (now Lord Suffield)</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lord William found a pleasant bungalow, not -far from the Viceregal Lodge, for Lady Wenlock, -while her husband was away shooting, and she -spent a good deal of time sketching. Being of an -artistic temperament she delighted in the scenery -and colouring, finding endless opportunities to -practise her art—plenty of work for her brush. -Yet at times the colouring is so superb it defies all -efforts of speech or brush.</p> - -<p>Picture the hill-sides one blaze of rhododendrons, -sheets of them leading down to green valleys, where -after the rains maidenhair ferns and wild orchids -cling lovingly to the branches of the trees, on the -ground, carpets of little white flowers resembling our -lily of the valley, but lacking its scent, in the distance -blue mountains, behind these purple mountains, -behind these again snow-clad peaks, a brilliant sun -shining over all, framing pictures that remain in -memory for life, and yet there are times when the -very splendour of it seizes us with a limitless despair. -In these few beautiful moments when the sun, -symbol of deity in the East, is bidding us good-night, -changing all round from rose to red, orange -to turquoise, leaving a tiny twilight, and the day -is gone, hidden away behind a mist of grey. And -we think—but no, we will not think, we will go dress -for the “Poggle Khana” or fools’ dance, as the -natives call a fancy dress ball. But of these more -later.</p> - -<p>I wish to introduce my readers to a group of -people taken about this time. All the men are<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[156]</span> -members of the Viceregal Staff. Lady Wenlock is in -the centre, handsome Lord Alwyne Compton (died in -1911) is seen sitting behind her; he was one of -the A.D.C.’s. When not on duty he had an affection -for a brown velveteen coat and yellow button-hole, -which suited him exceedingly well, his hair, eyes and -skin, being almost Italian looking. Lord William, -Military Secretary, is on Lady Wenlock’s left, and -beside him sits Lady Charles Beresford, his sister-in-law. -Then comes Mr. Primrose, Private Secretary -to the Viceroy (now the Right Hon. Sir Henry -Primrose). On the extreme left is Capt. St. Quinten, -another good looking young man, who was a -favourite A.D.C. in the viceregal household. Sitting -at Lady Charles Beresford’s feet is Capt. Clough -Taylor, who hailed from the same county as the -Ripons, he also was A.D.C. His wife, Lady Elizabeth -Clough Taylor (died in 1896) is sitting on Lady -Wenlock’s right. Behind her stands the Hon. Miss -Lawley. Sitting at Lady Elizabeth’s feet is Capt. -Muir, A.D.C. (now Colonel) and Commander of the -Body Guard. In the arm-chair below Miss Lawley -is the Hon. Charles Harbord, A.D.C. (now Lord -Suffield), and next to him Capt. Rochfort, A.D.C. -(now Sir Alex. Rochfort, Governor of Jersey).</p> - -<p>It will be observed their Excellencies liked good -looking men on their staff.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp156b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp156b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>STAFF AND GUESTS AT VICEREGAL LODGE, SIMLA</p> - -<p><em>Left to right</em>: Capt. Rochfort (now Sir Alex. Rochfort, Governor of Jersey); Honble. Miss Lawley, Capt. Harbord (now Lord Suffield), -Lady Elizabeth Clough-Taylor, Lord Alwyne Compton, Lady Wenlock, Lord William Beresford, Lady Charles Beresford, Mr. Primrose, -Captain St. Quinten</p> - -<p><em>On ground, left to right</em>: Capt. Muir and Capt. Clough-Taylor</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Now I am anxious to tell you about the fancy -dress balls.</p> - -<p>Some of the dresses worn in India on these -occasions are marvellous, people out there seem to -take much greater pains to do the thing properly, -and there have been many anxious moments in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[157]</span> -case the dresses should not arrive from Paris or -England in time. One fancy dress ball I remember -as being particularly amusing, but it was not at -Simla. Lord William appeared as a Chelsea -Pensioner, and was quite excellent. A good looking -woman, wife of an Artilleryman, was “A Wasp”; -she naturally had a tiny waist. The wondrous dress -with its stripy bands of yellow, black gauze wings, -and the little antennae in her head, all well carried -out, but the wings made dancing difficult, so she -sat in a corner with the Chelsea Pensioner a good -deal. The poor old Pensioner did not like much -light—it hurt his poor old eyes. But the chief -joke of the evening was when a big hefty hospital -nurse carried into the ballroom a very lusty looking -big red-faced baby, with a distinctly blue line along -the upper lip. A white rosette-adorned cap tied -under his chin, a short white frock reaching a little -below his knees which stuck out all round from the -amount of material it contained, which, however, -helped to support a big blue sash, matching the -shoulder knots; frilled kicksey-wickseys, white socks -and sandal shoes completed this child’s costume. -The bottle of milk which he was sucking, or pretending -to suck, was fixed to his sash, and had a long -tube. The nurse put down her charge to toddle -along the floor, still holding his hand, but the baby -if left for a moment began to cry.</p> - -<p>It was not long before we discovered in the baby -a hard riding man who had brought some hounds -out from home and given us some amusement with -them in the cold weather, his nurse was an officer -in a smart cavalry regiment. Before the evening<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[158]</span> -was over so many practical jokes had been played -on the poor baby that he and his nurse in self-defence -retired and changed into ordinary evening -garments; but not before supper, when Lord William -insisted on feeding the baby with a tablespoon, and -dived first into one dish and then another so quickly -that the already red-faced baby became apoplectic; -it was after this he escaped, having been severely -patted on the back for a choking fit.</p> - -<p>India has changed since those days when the -natives used to be rather shocked at ladies appearing -publicly in evening dress, and at some of the flirtations, -perhaps not entirely peculiar to the East, -but to-day they have become so civilised and -Westernised it takes a good deal more to shock them.</p> - -<p>The country is a mixture of shabbiness and -gorgeousness, pathos and childishness. Some of us -appear very giddy out there, because if we did not, -we should cry; so ride and dance, keeping up a -ceaseless round of activity, we <em>say</em> because it keeps -us in health, which in a measure no doubt it does, -it also leaves no time for thoughts of home and -regrets.</p> - -<p>The music of the country is quite peculiar to -itself, so is the dancing, which is poor and monotonous, -but, of course, I am speaking of some years ago, -now possibly the Princes are asking their bandmasters -the names of the morsels being played to -them, and are told, as really happened I believe to -Queen Victoria once, who, on hearing a particularly -bright tune being played, asked its name. Nobody -seemed able, or inclined, to inform her, but she was -determined to know, and sent specially to the band<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[159]</span> -to ask, the messenger returned looking a little -uncomfortable, and said it was called “Come where -the booze is cheaper.” Probably tunes of that sort -are now the order of the day, having travelled with -the motor-car and latter-day luxuries.</p> - -<p>During the winter in India, singing quadrilles -were the fashion, and had to be rehearsed frequently, -it was rather funny to see Lord William being -schooled into singing his part of “Ba ba black -sheep, have you any wool?”; he learnt “Where -are you going to, my pretty maid?” much quicker.</p> - -<p>It is astonishing the amount of talent that is -represented at times in the hill stations in summer, -it is by no means uncommon to have really good -Christy Minstrels, concerts and even high-class -oratorios. (I suppose the latter ought to have been -mentioned first).</p> - -<p>Lord William did not take part in the big game -shooting unless he had to go officially, as it bored -him to tears, but he loved pig-sticking more than -any other form of sport, and used to get a good deal -of it from Calcutta. He belonged to the Calcutta -Tent Club, and always said the best days he had -were when with his friend “Archie Hills, on his -own land at Packabari.” Mr. Hills, if I remember -right, was an indigo planter. He appears in the -pig-sticking group. For those unacquainted with -this form of sport I will explain it briefly. The game -can be played by one alone, but usually by three or -four men who go out together mounted on horses, -and armed with spears to hunt and slay the boar. -My own humble opinion is that Arabs are the -pleasantest mounts for this form of sport, they seem<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[160]</span> -to understand the broken ground better than any -other class of horse and are sure-footed.</p> - -<p>The boars are not like our English pork, but very -fierce fighting animals; tigers have been known to -fight shy of them. It is wonderful the way these -pigs cover the ground; they are really fast, and give -jumps and bounds of a surprising nature. They -generally begin by going away from the sportsmen, -but after a while when they get annoyed, and think -it is time for some fun themselves, they will turn -suddenly and charge the enemy. Some horses that -have been ridden regularly after pig, are clever -at dodging these charges, which is a distinct -advantage, a rip from the tusk of a boar is a nasty -one, they always rip upwards, inflicting horrid -wounds, when they get the chance.</p> - -<p>The Tent Club, already mentioned, was formed -at Calcutta of pig-stickers, a photo of which will -be found with the names of the most prominent -members. I do not remember hearing a great deal -about Lord William’s pig-sticking, beyond the fact -that he enjoyed it above all things, and got as much -of it as his duties allowed. It was returning from -pig-sticking in 1880, I think, that an excitement -occurred in which Lord William took part.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp160b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp160b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>SOME NOTABLE MEMBERS OF THE CALCUTTA TENT CLUB</p> - -<p><em>Left to right, standing</em>: General Harry Wilkinson, Col. Jim Cooke, Mr. Macnair, Mr. H. Millett, Mr. Anderson, Mr. W. L. Thomas, -Mr. W. O. Bell Irving, Mr. Playfair, I think; Mr. Jim Henderson, Captain Muir. <em>Seated</em>: Mr. G. Fox, Sir George Greaves, Mr. Carlysle, -Sir Franklin Prestage, Lord William Beresford, Mr. Archie Hills; (next not known to the author). <em>On the ground</em>: Mr. A. S. Chapman, -Mr. Laurie Johnstone, Captain A. Rochfort</p></div> -</div> - -<p>A number of horses, about 250, had been landed -from the ship <i>Thessalus</i>, with a view to taking them -to Dhurrumtollah, where stables were ready for -them; how to get them there was a matter of -speculation; it was decided a few expert Australians, -with stock whips, should drive them Colonial fashion, -all grouped up together, this answered admirably -for some time, until one or two of the leaders took<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[161]</span> -it into their heads that gas lamps were dangerous -things, and galloped madly away through the streets, -followed by all the rest, simply a mad galloping and -hurruishing crowd of horses, a regular stampede, -not a pleasant thing to find advancing towards you. -They rushed with alarming clatter through the streets -out into the maidan or plain, where they broke -up into groups, tearing off in every direction. It -took all night and part of the next day collecting -the animals, who by that time had tasted enough -freedom and were not sorry to be caught, but the -excitement was great. One unfortunate man, who -was riding home at a belated hour, meeting this -charging cavalcade turned his horse’s head very -wisely and was carried along with them.</p> - -<p>Lord William was a good judge of a horse and -understood their training, he was therefore often -asked for his advice, and if anyone had a good horse -they wished to sell they usually let Lord William have -a look at it. One day in Calcutta, Mr. John Ralli -sent him for trial a very fine fast trotting mare to -look at; his lordship decided to buy her. The same -evening he went for a “walk round” at Belvedere -and saw there a Mr. S. (we will say) and his very -handsome wife walking arm-in-arm. There was a -very strong likeness between Mr. Ralli and Mr. S., -and as Lord William passed, mistaking him for -Mr. Ralli, he gave a little pinch whispering, “She’s -a ripper.” Mr. S. immediately replied, “You’re -a scoundrel, sir!” Lord William was very indignant -and thought the man had gone mad, as, of course, he -was referring to Mr. John Ralli’s fast trotting mare. -Mr. S. was also angry, thinking Lord William<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[162]</span> -referred to his wife. Rather a funny story of mistaken -identity.</p> - -<p>Lord William was with the Viceroy on the memorable -occasion when touring a certain district where -the natives had come to the conclusion that, under -the new Viceroy’s rule, they were to have a free run -among the scattered European residents, where -several ladies were living, and when he arrived the -said scattered Europeans were not inclined to give -his Excellency a favourable reception! This episode -was referred to as the “White Mutiny.”</p> - -<p>The Autumn of 1882 was not a very lucky one -from the racing point of view. Both the Dehra and -Umballa meetings were poor and temporarily somewhat -out of favour. The winter of 1882-3 was not -much better, at Calcutta Lord William certainly won -a race with Fariz and another with Mooltan, and he -won a match five hundred rupees a side, riding his -Premier against Captain Webb, on Mr. Godjack’s -Skirmishe.</p> - -<p>In May came the news of his partner’s death, -poor Mr. Monty Stewart, who had gone home sick. -In consequence of this, all the horses were put up for -sale, the majority being bought by the Sporting -Maharajah of Jodhpore.</p> - -<p>Lord William not being able to afford racing -alone, on the lines he aspired to, now looked round -for another partner, and before long he and the -young and rich Maharajah of Durbangah came to an -arrangement. The Rajah had acquired a taste for -racing from Major Ben Roberts, who had just left -India to take up some appointment in England. So -now began another partnership, and more money was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[163]</span> -forthcoming to purchase valuable horses. Ryder -was once more sent to England to see what he could -find, Lord William also went on short leave and -returned with a sprinter named Reputation, Father -Prout and Little Charlie. £2000 was given for -Reputation, and before leaving for India he won the -Egremont Plate of £300 and the Glasgow Plate £200, -but he was a nervous horse, did not travel well, was -easily thrown off his oats and did no good in India -where the ground was too hard for him, which was -disappointing, for in the Egremont Plate before -leaving England when being ridden by “Archer” -he gave 16lbs. to Laceman and 27lbs. to Hornpipe, -who were the same age, yet won easily.</p> - -<p>Reputation was a smart good-looking horse, -bought from a solicitor I believe named Tidy, whom -it may be remembered Lord Marcus once tackled in -his office, ending in fisticuffs and police court proceedings.</p> - -<p>On May 10th, 1883, a great match was arranged -between Lord William and Mr. Leopold de Rothschild: -the former backing his Reputation against -the latter’s Brag. Archer rode for Lord William -and Fordham for Mr. Rothschild. The race was run -at the Newmarket Spring meeting, 200 sovereigns -a side T.Y.C. Matches were quite a fashionable -feature of the sport at this period and were generally -arranged overnight and a surprise addition to the -day’s racing.</p> - -<p>The excitement was great over this race, many -were interested in it, amongst others the Prince -of Wales, Sir J. Astley, Lord Hartington (afterwards -Duke of Devonshire) and many more. Crowds<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[164]</span> -flocked to see the race run and there was a good -deal of money on it. The horses ran close together -most of the course, it was most thrilling, but eventually -Brag gained the advantage about a hundred -yards from home, winning cleverly by a neck. -Perhaps for the benefit of those who are not race-goers -I ought to explain T.Y.C. means the two year -old course at Newmarket which is five furlongs and -140 yards. This course was a long way from the -stand; there were more winning-posts in those -days than there are now. It was customary for -people to hack over to the different places to see the -finish. Brag had the advantage in weight as -Reputation had to give him 14lbs., which, in the -opinion of many people who were in a position to -judge, was considered too much to ask. Perhaps -Lord William was not as experienced at that time -as he was later in that delicate game of matching: -considerable knowledge being necessary to bring it -off successfully.</p> - -<p>A number of people will not forget that day -easily, a good deal of money changed hands over -the race.</p> - -<p>It was in the Palace House at Newmarket, Lord -William made this Brag and Reputation match; -where Mr. Leopold de Rothschild always entertained -both King Edward and our present King. It is an -unpretentious looking abode but very historic, and -was the Newmarket house of Charles II.</p> - -<p>The newly purchased horses arrived safely in -India on July 30th, 1883. But now more bad luck -attended poor Lord William, for while riding at -Cawnpore in the Gangees Cup he broke his collar<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[165]</span>bone, -and hardly had he recovered from this than, -in a jumping Competition at Simla, he dislocated his -shoulder and was not able to enjoy the Dehra Autumn -meeting.</p> - -<p>When once a shoulder has been dislocated it -forms a fondness for the amusement and continues -to do it with slight provocation. Lord William -says it happened once through sneezing!</p> - -<p>Though unable to attend the Dehra Meeting, his -stable was represented, an Australian named The -Mute won the Trials, Action won the Gimcrack -Stakes and Johnnie the Hack race. Later at Meerut, -Lord William was well enough to ride, and on a -horse purchased from the circus proprietor, John -Wilson, won the Maiden Chase. At Umballa riding -Johnnie he was triumphant in the Grand Military -Steeplechase, but got a toss in the Grand Annual -when riding Jack the circus horse, but he remounted -and finished the race. On the last day of the Umballa -meeting he grew annoyed at the weight his horses -had to carry and refused to start any one of them, -declaring he was sick of racing, and meant to “give -it up, and go in for Botany or Erotics.”</p> - -<p>In spite of this heroic resolve the following month -he was riding at Lahore.</p> - -<p>The Calcutta 1883-4 first cold weather meeting, -Lord William had a walk over for the Monsoon -Welter Cup. At the second meeting Syndicate won -the Hooghly Plate, but had only one opponent. -In March, Diamond won the Corinthian Stakes, and -Caspian the Sirhind Plate. Lord William thought -a good deal of an Arab they—he and his partner—owned, -named Reformer, and he sent it to England<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[166]</span> -to run at Newmarket in the Arab races, but the -poor beast died in the Red Sea.</p> - -<p>In June, the first and second day’s racing at -Simla saw Lord William without a winning mount.</p> - -<p>Though Lord Ripon’s time was comparatively -free from political anxieties he had a number of -guests to stay with him all to be amused and catered -for, this provided food for thought on the Military -Secretary’s part, who was ceaseless in his endeavours, -but the hard work of that and the constant strain -of his racing engagements was beginning to tell on -Lord Bill, and he began to look as if a journey home -for a while would be good for him.</p> - -<p>Only those who understand racing know the -amount of thought and care it requires to be -successful, even with luck in their favour. To begin -at the beginning, money is not made out of the -stakes that are won, expenses generally throw the -balance into the wrong side, therefore it is betting -must do it, and we know Lord William did make a -good deal of money over his racing, but it was thanks -to his own cleverness. To be successful it must be -studied as a business; there are many elements -to be taken into consideration and reckoned with, -it is really a vast study. Jockeys have to be chosen -and retained. Trainers found who give satisfaction -and understand their work. Races looked up to suit -the horses in the stable, and horses bought to suit -the big-plum races all are keen on winning, and -after all these considerations how often things go -awry.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp166b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp166b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD RIPON, LADY RIPON AND STAFF</p> - -<p><em>Left to right. Standing</em>: Lord Wm. Beresford and Ponto, Capt. Charles Harbord (Lord Suffield), Capt. C. Burn, Dr. Anderson, Capt. Muir, -Capt. Leonard Gordon</p> - -<p><em>Sitting</em>: Mr. Primrose, Lord Ripon, Lady Ripon, Capt. St. Quinten, Capt. the Hon. H. Legge</p> - -<p><em>On ground</em>: Capt. Roddy Owen, Capt. Rochfort</p></div> -</div> - -<p>It is not reassuring to know that the moment a -man takes up racing his honour no longer remains<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[167]</span> -in his own hands, for now he has to take his trainer, -his jockey, his syce, and his understudies into consideration, -not forgetting his horse. On the face -of it, it seems as if only a very philosophical person -could bear the strain.</p> - -<p>When things go wrong it is usually put down to -either the jockey’s evil doing, or the owner’s sharp -practice, while it by no means follows that either -is to blame. So many things, and so many people -have to be taken into consideration, the horse by no -means the least; for horses like human beings have -their good and bad days, their moods and tempers, -but are unable to explain their feelings. Trainers -are likewise not infallible, inclined at times to think -some of their geese have grown into swans (in all -good faith), forgetting other people have a swan -or two.</p> - -<p>Owners are obliged of necessity to rely a good -deal on their trainer’s judgment, but those who come -off best are undoubtedly the men who keep an eye -on their horses, having opinions of their own and -able to carry their own tails. Against this there is the -trainer who will not express an opinion, which is -vexation to owners wishing to discuss their chances.</p> - -<p>Then again think of the anxiety attached to -sending valuable horses from place to place to -fulfil their engagements; the serious question of -what race will be suitable to each horse, the difficulty -of deciding what and when to buy, what and when -to sell, and judging their public value. Buying -race-horses is a different thing altogether to choosing -a hunter or a carriage horse. The temper of the -parents has to be thought of, and indeed traced<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[168]</span> -back a good long way, also whether any of the -family are inclined to be musical. The shape of -horses’ feet is important, and so few people agree -about horses’ points, the wonder is any trainer -and owner can be found to agree.</p> - -<p>Lord William looked most carefully after the -training of his own horses, and this is no sinecure; -they require constant watching. Some have capricious -appetites and have to be coaxed with dainties -or they will not eat enough, others do not thrive -unless they eat grossly and have to be exercised -in proportion; here comes in the valuable gift of -being able to judge condition, many fail in this most -critical point.</p> - -<p>It was greatly owing to Lord William’s study of -his horses’ characters and temperaments that he -was as successful as he was; he knew (none better) -that all cannot be treated alike, in sickness and in -health, as they say in the Marriage Service; he -was also perfectly aware of the uncertainty attached -to all matters appertaining to horse-racing. Horses -as a rule do their utmost to meet the wishes of -their riders, but the training is a severe trial, and -the tempers of some give away under it. Their -life seems to be one long persecution; it is to be -hoped their feeling of fitness makes up for all the -fuss and regulations.</p> - -<p>Logic is no doubt a good training for owners, -leading them to sound judgment, but horses are -not given that way.</p> - -<p>One good point in Lord William’s training was he -did not overtrain, as a rule his horse had a reserve -of staying power.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[169]</span></p> - -<p>It will be seen that his lordship had plenty to -occupy him, in fact considerably overworked himself -habitually. Yet always cheerful and comfortably -optimistic, and it really requires the temper of -an angel to be able to manage horses, stablemen, -jockeys, trainers and racing authorities. When we -bear in mind that this was Lord William’s recreation, -it enables us to form some idea of his busy life.</p> - -<p>The State functions which all had to be arranged -by him were no trifle, any mistakes or incompetence -on the part of the Military Secretary might lead to -serious trouble and jealousies. The official visits of -the Rajahs to the Viceroy, our King’s representative -for the time being, requires a special knowledge, -each having to be received according to his rank. -Some when coming to pay their respects have to be -fetched, as I have already stated, by the Military -Secretary, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Department, -and an A.D.C. A guard of honour has to -await his arrival, much red cloth spread, and a salute -fired of as many guns as his rank entitles him, and -they keep a very sharp and watchful eye, carefully -noting these etiquettes, which are of staggering -intricacy when receiving and paying visits. It is -also obligatory that the General commanding the -district should be in attendance with his A.D.C. -Nothing must be left to chance. All is prescribed -in the official regulations.</p> - -<p>At the levees and drawing-rooms the Military -Secretary reads the names on the cards handed to -him as each person presents himself to bow or -curtsey. Some of the foreign names are rather -posers and shocking mouthfuls. It requires some<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[170]</span> -pluck to tackle them, and it is surprising what -offence is caused if any mistake is made. Supposing -Mrs. De Larpent Fitz-Jones-Ben-Maurice is presented, -and the De is left out or the Fitz-Jones perchance, -many apologies and explanations will have -to be made. Besides these functions the viceregal -stables were looked after by the Military Secretary, -the French cook Bonsard and the English coachman -with their native underlings to be kept up to the -mark, the ladies’ maids (who usually require so much -more waiting on than their mistresses) to be amused, -and the servants ready to carry them out in rickshaws -or jampans, to eat the air, or in some cases, -riding, and I think no one was overlooked or forgotten.</p> - -<p>When on tour his lordship made out each day’s -programme in advance, something after this fashion:</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">8 a.m.</td> -<td class="tdl">The Rajah of ... will send his Sirdars to ask after the health of the Viceroy.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">9 a.m.</td> -<td class="tdl">His Excellency will eat his breakfast.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">10 a.m.</td> -<td class="tdl">His Excellency will smoke and attend to his correspondence.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">11 a.m.</td> -<td class="tdl">The Rajah will arrive, and the usual ceremonies take place.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">12.30. </td> -<td class="tdl">His Excellency will return the Rajah’s visit.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">1.30. </td> -<td class="tdl">Their Excellencies will have luncheon.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdrt">2.30. </td> -<td class="tdl">Sports and tent-pegging arranged by the Rajah for his Excellency’s amusement.</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="noindent">and so on throughout the day.</p> - -<p>Imagine to yourself having to map out 365 days in -this fashion and please everybody! Truly a great -man, and some of the big functions I have been<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[171]</span> -privileged to witness have sadly needed a Lord -William as stage manager; he would have greatly -added to the dignity of the shows and the persons -taking part.</p> - -<p>The official society in Simla at this period was -particularly bright and happy. The Commander-in-Chief -at Snowdon, Sir Donald Stewart, with his -kindly wife and family of cheery, happy young -people; the young men on the Viceroy’s staff, other -dignitaries and their belongings, all like one big -family, meeting nearly every day; then the crowd -of visitors, officials from all over India on leave with -their wives, officers up on short leave with wives if -they own one, wives sent up for their health, while -the husbands are kept working on the plains (Lord -William being sure to look after them), little children -with pale faces hoping to find some roses to take back -to daddy; Lord William kept an eye on them all, -ready to sympathise and help any he thought needing -it.</p> - -<p>It was at Simla in Lord Ripon’s time I first met the -Rajah of Kooch Behar and the Maharanee. She had -not long been married, was very shy and rather -fragile looking, and wore beautiful silken draperies -I remember. Her husband, the Rajah, was very -popular with the English community, and a great -friend of Lord William’s. They had much in -common, as both were fond of racing, polo, and -paperchasing, the latter of course only in the plains -and Calcutta.</p> - -<p>A few years ago I met the Maharanee again in -London, and introduced my son to her, she being no -longer shy but with an assured and very charming<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[172]</span> -manner, speaking good English and dressed like the -rest of us. My son said how pleased he was to meet -her, he had heard me speak of her so often. She replied -with a charming smile:</p> - -<p>“And now you meet me I hope you are not -disappointed.”</p> - -<p>Latterly the Kooch Behars spent a good deal of -time in England, where everybody liked them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp50" id="fp172b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp172b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>THE LATE MARQUESS OF RIPON, VICEROY OF INDIA</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lord Ripon’s reign was drawing to a close; he -left India in November, 1884. More popular with -the natives than any previous Viceroy, he was also -much liked by those who worked with him. He was -very loyal to them, but how glad he must have been -to return to his own beautiful home in England. The -following farewell is supposed to have emanated -from his Excellency’s pen, it appeared in some local -paper at the time I believe, and was sent to me as a -cutting. I therefore do not know the name of the -paper, so cannot ask its permission to quote it, but -feel sure it will have no objection.</p> - - -<p class="p2 pfs80">LORD RIPON’S GOOD NIGHT</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Adieu! adieu! the land of palms</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Fades o’er the waters blue;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The loafers yell, the planters roar,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And weeps the mild Hindu.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Apollo his own Bunder gilds,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">As slow he sinks from sight:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell to them and thee for aye,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Unhappy land—Good night!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">I leave thy shores to which I steered</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With hopes that swelled my heart,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Their shadowy phantoms rise again</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To greet me ere I part.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[173]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">They came not through Sleep’s Ivory Gate,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">As once they came, dream-born,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But whence the truer shades arise</div> - <div class="verse indent2">From the twin Gate of Horn.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">They tell of many a purpose crossed,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of disconcerted plan:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of baffled aims that wisely chide</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The imaginings of man:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of fond desires, of fancied good,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">As though could power constrain</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All means to justest ends and bring</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A golden age again.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">They tell of angry gathering crowds:</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of Faction’s hate-swayed throng:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of wild words prompting wilder deeds,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Unstayed by heed of wrong;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The cruel taunt, the scornful jest,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The slander that belies,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The coward hiss that rose unshamed</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Before a woman’s eyes.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">All save the last in other years</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I braved this, this, was spared;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Though fiercer crowds had wreaked the worst</div> - <div class="verse indent2">That bigot rage had dared.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I stood for what I deemed the right—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Ye women-slayers say true!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Have cheeks that never paled for them,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Ere blanched for such as you?</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">To win the fickle breath of praise,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">No suppliant knee I bow,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And what once Duty pledged to grant,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">No fear shall disavow.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I crave not at your hands for aught</div> - <div class="verse indent2">But dues that fair lists owe,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And bear ye as ye will, ye meet</div> - <div class="verse indent2">At least a gallant foe.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[174]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Yet not alone of these the freight</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Their parting message bears,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But auguries of harvest joys</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For a seed-time of tears.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The reapers of the summer swathes</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Know well that winter’s rain</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Must spend its havoc on the soil,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Ere smiles the yellow grain.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">So time shall its own wreck repair,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And they who garner, then,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Forget not that the day’s long heats</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Were borne by other men.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Yet not in vain the labour now,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Nor scant the meed unsued,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The richest guerdon toil can earn—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A people’s gratitude.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">They bring the memories of friends</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Who charm on exile shed:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Who lightened weary months of care,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And soothed the fevered bed:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Bold hearts that never failed my side,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">In cloud or shine the same:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Still true in the fierce fight that raged</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Round Ilbert’s fateful name.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Come hither, come hither, my trusty Aide,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">What turns thy cheek so pale?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">What latest fair thou leav’st behind,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Believes thy oft-told tale?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">If ’tis some fond delusion paints</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Thy happiness at stake,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">A heart that holds so many loves,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Fear not, will never break.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">And she for whom thou sighest now,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">That fond and faithful she!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Already smiles on other Aides,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And thinks no more of thee.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[175]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">A simple primrose is to her</div> - <div class="verse indent2">But that and nothing more:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And thou wilt find some newer love</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Before thou touchest shore.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Another lord my palace treads,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">My reign is past and o’er:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Of me thy shades have seen the last,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Rheumatic Barrackpore!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Let Simla’s typhoid-laden air</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Another victim know,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And envy his ungrateful race</div> - <div class="verse indent2">That wail in health below.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell to levees, pageants, routs,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To weeks of endless dinners;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To balls where I must lead the dance</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With capering saints and sinners.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell to Rajahs and Nabobs:</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To fetid pan and attar,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To coming Russians in Herat</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And Rent Bills in Calcutta.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell, Societies where meet</div> - <div class="verse indent2">In concord, whites and blacks:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Associations that defend</div> - <div class="verse indent2">What nobody attacks:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The long addresses that pursue</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A Viceroy where he goes:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell to Hunter’s bright romance</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And Kimberley’s dull prose.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Farewell to Budgets and Reports,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To critics in the press,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Who nightly weave Arabian tales</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of fiction, fact and guess:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To hourly fears lest Colvin’s glance</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of deficits should tell;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Riots, rupees, and zemindars!</div> - <div class="verse indent2">To one and all farewell!</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[176]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">And all the scathing paper wars</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Where Secretaries fight</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To prove how sharp the pens they wield,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">How smartly they can write:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Official minutes, drafts and notes</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And boxes that they fill,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To my successors I bequeath</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With one unfinished Bill.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">With thee, my bark, I’ll swiftly speed</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Athwart the ocean’s span,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor care what land thou bear’st me to,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">So not to Hindustan.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Welcome, welcome, ye hastening waves</div> - <div class="verse indent2">That homeward wing my flight!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Welcome the Franchise and the Lords.</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Distracted land—Good night.</div> - <div class="verse indent25">H. S. J.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[177]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX<br /> -<span class="fs70">LORD DUFFERIN’S VICEROYALTY</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Lord Dufferin Succeeds Lord Ripon as Viceroy—Durbar at Rawal -Pindi to Meet the Amir of Afghanistan—A Few Annoyances—How -it All Ended—Some Presents—Outline of a Viceroy’s -Tour—A Nasty Fall—Sale of Confederacy Horses—“Father -Time”—Parlour Fireworks—A Ride to the Pyramids—Unostentatious -Charity—Some Impositions</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">The Earl of Dufferin succeeded the Marquis -of Ripon in 1884. India hoped great things -of him, as he was a man thoroughly experienced -in dealing with delicate situations, having -been Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada, -and Ambassador at St. Petersburg; he had also -from 1864 to 1866 been Under-Secretary of State for -India.</p> - -<p>Lord Ripon’s zeal for the natives having created -a strong and most undesirable antagonism between -the Europeans and natives, the new Viceroy’s first -endeavour was to restore confidence to the European -community without undue reaction, and he succeeded -in a measure.</p> - -<p>Lord William remained in his old haunts, being -appointed Military Secretary to the new Viceroy; -he also being experienced, all began smoothly. In -domestic politics Lord Dufferin carried out certain -reforms in the tenure of land in Bengal (Bengal -Tenancy Act, passed 1885), and Lady Dufferin<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[178]</span> -started a great work with a view to providing -medical treatment and nursing for native women, -of which I will write later. In all these movements -Lord William took the keenest interest, and he was -the oil which helped to keep the machinery working -smoothly. Somebody once said, “A landlord is -the father of his tenants,” then surely a good competent -Military Secretary who has been at his post -some years is father, godfather and nurse all rolled -into one to the Viceroy. The private secretary, Sir -Donald Mackenzie Wallace, was also exceptionally -capable and a man of letters.</p> - -<p>Being so well supported must have been a comfort -to Lord Dufferin during the anxious time which -followed his taking office, for there was still that -urgent and difficult question of the Afghan boundary -demanding attention. The hitherto sketchy and -uncertain alignment as arranged and agreed in the -1872-3 Anglo-Russian agreement left loopholes for -controversy, the River Oxus having been regarded -as the boundary or demarcation line. This river -had views of its own, altering its course to suit -its own convenience, therefore could not be relied -upon as a satisfactory or definite boundary, but one -likely to lead to misunderstanding. The Russians -were also a little pressing with their influence in the -direction of Herat. As we had been led to look upon -that place as “The Key of India,” we had to consider -what was best to be done to prevent its occupation by -the Russians. It may be remembered that Lord -Dufferin considered almost any deviation in the -boundary better than offending the Amir and -making him antagonistic to us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[179]</span></p> - -<p>The forts at Herat were not of much importance, -but our prestige would certainly suffer if we allowed -anybody else to occupy the place, and as India could -not spare enough troops either to hold Herat or even -the line of communication between it and Candahar, -Lord Dufferin held much converse with the Government -at home, the Commander-in-Chief in India -(Sir Donald Stewart) and the India Office as to the -best mode of procedure, the result of which was we -prepared to send about 25,000 men to Quetta via -the Bolan Pass. The Amir thought he would like to -talk over the situation with the Viceroy, and so it -was agreed that the Afghan Chief should meet His -Excellency at Rawal Pindi. In consequence of this -arrangement a huge camp was formed, everything -done and carried out on the most magnificent and -impressive scale, such as is beloved by Orientals, -plenty of tinsel, glitter and pomp.</p> - -<p>I have often thought the inhabitants of India, and -Afghanistan too for that matter, must think us very -dowdy looking people compared with their own -codes, and indeed we do make a sorry show amongst -their gorgeous jewels, colour and trappings. Perhaps -if we were to appear at their big gatherings and on -great occasions with more of the “rings on our -fingers and bells on our toes” that we used to hear -about in our nursery rhymes, we should inspire more -admiration and reverence. I am strongly under the -impression that these colour-loving people look for, -and take the outward and visible sign, as a precursor -of the inward and spiritual grace.</p> - -<p>This Durbar at Pindi entailed most elaborate -preparations and much work on the Military Secre<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[180]</span>tary. -It really consisted of several camps, one group -for the native princes and chiefs, one for the British -Army, another for the native army, the viceregal -camp, one for the Lieut.-Governor, and various -others, making an imposing array.</p> - -<p>Among the guests of the Viceroy were the Duke -and Duchess of Connaught, numerous Lieut.-Governors, -Commander-in-Chief, also members of -Council.</p> - -<p>The comings and goings of all these good people, -their comfort, the necessary arrangement of precedence -and etiquette was the work of the Military -Secretary, and required some thought and hard work -to digest and assimilate satisfactorily. The worry -attached to the arranging of a camp of this kind is -enormous. Lord William did not appear the least -depressed, but quite as cheery and bright as usual, -while being extraordinarily efficient. Of course he -had the A.D.C.’s under him, whom no doubt he had -chosen from his knowledge of their capabilities. It -is, however, easy to imagine the worries and anxieties -attached to the occasion. We all know how -annoying it is when arranging functions ourselves, -to find at the last moment the <em>chef</em> has been -indulging in something stronger than tea, which has -made him quarrelsome, preferring chasing the -kitchen and vegetables maids rather than attending -to the dinner the expectant guests may be awaiting.</p> - -<p>Heaps of annoyances of all sorts and kinds were -bound to happen. I do not know what they all were, -but I do know that after making the most elaborate -arrangements for everybody’s comfort, excellent -food, decorations, snowy white tablecloths, etc., the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[181]</span> -very day of the Amir’s entry a heavy thunderstorm -spoilt everything. The tenants of the different -camps had either to stay where they happened to -be and risk having no dinner, or wade through a -swamp. The decorations were ruined, the tablecloths -draggled and limp, the water having poured -through the tents. Elaborate ceremonies under -canvas are trying at any time, but when in addition -to natural difficulties everything is under water, it -is truly a hopeless and thankless task.</p> - -<p>Usually these domestic worries fall on the -shoulders of women, and are borne more or less -patiently as part of their existence. For a man to -tackle such things and on such a glorified scale will, -I feel sure, take away the breath of those readers -who have never seen what an energetic, undauntable -man like Lord William could master. In a moment, -so to speak, he had to reorganise everything. How -was he going to keep people dry, how prevent the -rain from spoiling or even washing away the presents -all laid out ready for the Amir, the diamond ornaments, -gewgaws, and oh! horrible thought, the -musical boxes, suppose they refused to be musical -in consequence of the wet? Who could tell what -crisis might arise, or whose head be cut off! As a -matter of fact and interest the Amir did bring his -own executioner with him in gorgeous garments, -and carrying the emblem of his office, a battle-axe -and a few other suggestive little items, meant, no -doubt, to impress us.</p> - -<p>Before passing on to other matters, it may interest -some of my readers to know what in the Oriental -world is considered “good form” when receiving<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[182]</span> -presents. On this occasion a sword studded with -diamonds round the hilt was presented on a cushion -to the Amir, who on taking it into his hand diplomatically -exclaimed, “With this sword I hope to -smite any enemy of the British Government,” repeating -his lesson very nicely. This was quite as it -should be, and the Amir had been well advised, but -when the rest of the presents, guns for his son, -musical boxes, watches and all sort of glittering -things were being spread out before him, he pretended -not to see, or take the smallest interest in -this part of the show; but as soon as he was alone -with his followers, all were examined carefully, and -he was very pleased.</p> - -<p>When the time arrived for the giving of presents -it was understood the object of the meeting had been -obtained, all points carefully discussed between the -Viceroy and the Amir, the latter having formed -clearer views of what was to his own interests -(and ours incidentally); that we were prepared to -fight his enemies, assist him with arms and money, -and with him pay attention to the fortification of -Herat, and if he followed our advice we were -going to help him to keep Russia away from his -doors.</p> - -<p>The great Durbar was over, and beyond the -torrents of rain nothing much had gone amiss, the -elephants told off to take part in the state procession -did not refuse to “process,” the musical boxes did -not refuse to play, and all went well.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp182b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp182b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD DUFFERIN, FAMILY AND STAFF</p> - -<p><em>Left to right. Standing</em>: Capt. Leonard Gordon, Hon. C. Lawrence, Capt. Onslow, Col. Harry Cooper, Capt. A. Balfour, -Lord Herbrand Russell, Mr. Goad, D. Findley</p> - -<p><em>Sitting</em>: Col. G. F. Graham, Lady Helen Blackwood, Lord Wm. Beresford, Miss Thynne, Lord Dufferin, Lady Dufferin, Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace</p> - -<p><em>On ground</em>: Capt. C. Burn, Capt. Honble. C. Harbord</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Then followed the arranging for the return of -all the participators in this pageant. Happily the -Amir considered rain a good omen, and as it rained<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[183]</span> -when he arrived, also when he took his departure, -he must have felt he was in luck’s way.</p> - -<p>Lord William, Captain Harbord, Mr. Durand, and -other high officials drove from the Viceroy’s camp -to the Amir’s, preparatory to the final adieu and to -inform him of the arrest of Ayab Khan, thereby easing -his mind, also the tidings that Her Majesty the -Queen-Empress had conferred on him the decoration -of the Grand Cross of the Star of India.</p> - -<p>The Amir left in the Viceroy’s carriage accompanied -by these officers <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en route</i> for the station with -a cavalry escort and body-guard of the King’s -Dragoon Guards. The route was lined with troops -who presented arms every fifty yards. Then a -pleasing little speech from the Amir, and he was on -his way back to Kabul.</p> - -<p>Lord William had time again now to breathe -freely after his hard work, and carried back to -India and eventually to his home in England various -souvenirs he treasured, presented to him by some -of those attending the Durbar as a small appreciation -of his untiring efforts for their comfort and pleasure.</p> - -<p>Besides the brain work this gathering necessitated -the writing it had entailed was enormous. I append -a programme drawn up by the Military Secretary -for Lord Dufferin’s tour from Simla to Calcutta in -1885, which gives some faint insight into the Military -Secretary’s work every day. Also into that of the -Viceroy, for at each place mentioned in the programme -there were numerous people to be interviewed, -some with grievances to be redressed, or -petitions of sorts for the consideration of his -Excellency. The landowners look forward to these<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[184]</span> -visits as they give them an opportunity of personally -explaining their views to their ruler. In addition -to all this there are all the local celebrities to be met -and have polite nothings said to them, the arranging -of which takes some writing, some tact and some -talking. It all passes more or less through the hands -of the Military Secretary before being placed in the -hands of the Viceroy.</p> - -<p>Think what the Durbar entailed!</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p><em>Memo. of Dates of His Excellency the Viceroy’s route from Simla -to Calcutta, via Nahun, Dehra, Saharunpore, Delhi, Ulwar, -Ajmere, Oodeypore, Indore, Jodhpore, Jeypore, Bhurtpore, -Agra, Lucknow, Cawnpore, and Benares.</em></p></div> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt pad3" colspan="2">1885</td> -<td class="tdlt fs80"> DAY</td> -<td class="tdlt fs80"> STATION</td> -<td class="tdlt fs80 pad4">REMARKS</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Oct.</td> -<td class="tdlt">20</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Simla</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 8.30 a.m. by tonga.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt">Dugshai</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 1.30 p.m. Lunch. Leave 3 p.m. Ride on to Nyna, 9 miles.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt">Nyna</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp; arrive 5.30 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">21</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Nyna to Suran</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp, 13 miles.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">22</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Suran to Bonytee</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp, 13 miles.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">23</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bonytee to Nahun</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp, 12 miles.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">24</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Nahun</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">25</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Nahun to Majra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp by tonga.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">26</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Majra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp. Shoot.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">27</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Majra to Dehra Dun</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp. Shoot on road. By tonga.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">28</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Dehra Dun to Sharunpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Inspect remounts, stables, and gardens in the afternoon.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">29</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Delhi</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 a.m. by special train.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">30</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Delhi</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">31</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Delhi</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Nov.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[185]</span></td> -<td class="tdlt"> 1</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Delhi</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 2</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Delhi</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 11 p.m. by special train.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 3</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ulwar</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 a.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 4</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ulwar</td> -<td class="tdlt">Shoot.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 5</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ulwar to Ajmere</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 10 a.m.; arrive 6 p.m. by special train.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 6</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ajmere</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 7</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ajmere</td> -<td class="tdlt">Open College; leave 9 p.m. by special train to Nimbehera.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 8</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Oodeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 6 p.m.; 6 miles by road.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 9</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Oodeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">10</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Oodeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">11</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Oodeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 9 a.m. by road to Nimbehera.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">12</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Indore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 a.m. by special train.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">13</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Indore</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">14</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Indore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 2.30 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">15</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jodhpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 6 p.m. by special train.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">16</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jodhpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Shoot.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">17</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jodhpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Shoot.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">18</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jodhpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">19</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 10 a.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">20</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">21</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jeypore</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">22</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Jeypore to Bhurtpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 10 a.m.; arrive 4.30 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">23</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bhurtpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Shoot; leave 3 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">24</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bhurtpore to Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Viceroy’s Camp. By special train; arrive 5 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">25</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">26</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">27</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">28</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">29</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">30</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Dec.</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 1</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra</td> -<td class="tdlt">Levee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 2</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Agra to Gwalior</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 9 a.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Dec.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[186]</span></td> -<td class="tdlt"> 3</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Gwalior to Dholepore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 4.30 p.m.; leave 11 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 4</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lucknow</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 a.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 5</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lucknow</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 6</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sunday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lucknow</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 7</td> -<td class="tdlt">Monday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lucknow to Cawnpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 1.30 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 8</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tuesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Cawnpore</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 11 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt"> 9</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wednesday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Benares</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 a.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">10</td> -<td class="tdlt">Thursday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Benares</td> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">11</td> -<td class="tdlt">Friday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Benares to Calcutta</td> -<td class="tdlt">Leave 11 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdct">”</td> -<td class="tdlt">12</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saturday</td> -<td class="tdlt">Calcutta</td> -<td class="tdlt">Arrive 9 p.m.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt tdpp pad2 smcap" colspan="5">Military Secretary’s Office, Simla.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt pad4" colspan="5"><em>September 14th, 1885.</em></td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>All this time while Lord William was attending -to his duties, his horses were running in different -races, but he was not very lucky, the 1884-5 -Calcutta Meeting was disastrous, one horse after -another going wrong, and Prospero put his lordship’s -shoulder out again by falling with him, in spite of -which, swathed in bandages, he rode on the second -day a very good race on the same animal, it being -one of the best races he ever rode, though he did -not win.</p> - -<p>Calcutta now had a new grand stand, and the -races were run in the afternoon instead of the -morning, which was a popular innovation. At the -Second Calcutta Meeting, Ryder, Lord William’s -jockey, also had a nasty fall when riding Euphrates, -the grand one-eyed Arab belonging to John Wheal, -termed by Mr. Abbott the Father of Indian Trainers, -who describing the race says: “Just opposite the -Stand, on the other side of the course, Euphrates,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[187]</span> -being on his blind side and on the extreme inside, -perhaps shying from the rush of heels behind him, -ran bang into the rails, not only crushing and -breaking Ryder’s leg but continuing to press inwards -till the woodwork gave way and Ryder from sheer -weakness fell off, and Euphrates continuing his -mad career must have dashed against a post, for, -when caught, it was found he had knocked his -only remaining eye out.”</p> - -<p>On the 28th of January Lord William had another -nasty fall, his horse Jack not rising properly at the -first fence, throwing his rider on to his face. Friends -who were near pulled him out of the way before -he got trodden on. He was unconscious and badly -cut about the head and nose, having to be carried -back to Government House and put to bed, though -the moment he regained consciousness he wanted -to go back to the races.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this accident Lord William went -home on leave, and badly he wanted the change and -rest, for he was showing signs of overwork, his many -accidents had shaken him almost more than he was -aware of; but before leaving India the Durbangah-Beresford -Confederacy horses were put up for sale -on the 28th of February at Messrs. Brown & Co.’s -Mart in Calcutta. Very fair prices were realised as -will be seen from the following list:</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Reputation</td> -<td class="tdl">bought by</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Hard</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,800</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Father Prout</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Dr. Hart</td> -<td class="tdrt">700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Little Charlie</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Hard</td> -<td class="tdrt">6,000</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">King of the Vale</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Major Deane</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Bassanio</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Macklin</td> -<td class="tdrt">5,700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Zephyr</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Dr. Hart</td> -<td class="tdrt">3,000</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Glory</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Major Deane</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,000</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Manfred<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[188]</span></td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Major Deane</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lapella</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Mr. Croft</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Bolieo</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Gordon</td> -<td class="tdrt">3,700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Jack</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Dr. Hart</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Diamond</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Webb</td> -<td class="tdrt">750</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Prospero</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Burn</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,000</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Torpedo</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">H. H. Kooch Behar</td> -<td class="tdrt">700</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Quack</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">H. H. Kooch Behar</td> -<td class="tdrt">450</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Pretender</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Major Deane</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,200</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Cinder</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">—</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,800</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Atarin</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">—</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,400</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Khartoum</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">—</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,200</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Fariz</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Captain Gordon</td> -<td class="tdrt">650</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Snuff</td> -<td class="tdc">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Dr. Hart</td> -<td class="tdrt">900</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>One or two of the best were bought by Mr. Hard -for one or other of the partners of the Confederacy, -Reputation and Little Charlie amongst them. -Bassanio, the Australian, who fetched 5,700 rupees, -was bought back in March by Lord William. The -Government bought several for the Stud Department, -and a little later purchased good old Jack from -Dr. Hart and sent him as a present to the Amir of -Kabul for stud purposes. Prospero was back again -in the stable, and a week or two before Lord William -started for home won the Grand Annual at Meerut, -also the Hurdle Race, and Dynamite a handicap -of sorts.</p> - -<p>In April Lord Bill started for home. India felt -lonely when he had gone, especially amongst some -of his fair friends. With women absence often makes -the heart grow fonder, but with men it is proximity -that plays the mischief, and Lord William I am -afraid forgot to be sad over the partings, for he -found so many more fair friends in the Old Country -anxious to greet him and be kind.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[189]</span></p> - -<p>There was no doubt about it he was beginning -to age, to realise how quickly we drop into middle -age. It all comes about so imperceptibly, perhaps -a few grey hairs first awaken us to the change, it -suddenly dawns upon us, time is not standing still, -that we have reached the top of the hill that looked -so long and unending, and now behold we are slipping -down the other side, and where are all the lovely -views we expected to find on reaching the top of the -hill? Surely they must have been mirage! It is a -curious fact that you may look at yourself in the -glass many times a day but until something happens -to force the fact of a change on you the only image -you behold in the mirror is yourself in <em>youth</em>. Even -after elasticity has left us, it still does not dawn -upon us we are—of the past. Perhaps nothing -brings it home to us more quickly than meeting -some friend of our youth and finding he has grown -ponderous, lost the sparkle, hair grown grey, eyes -dim, and possibly a corporation, this makes us turn -an anxious eye on ourselves to see if similar changes -have taken place.</p> - -<p>Lord William never lost his sparkle or his pluck -and he never sported a corporation, but the unceasing -energy of his life was telling on him. It -was quite useless begging him to take things more -easily for it was not possible to him. How he did -enjoy a joke! I think it was in 1885 when he was home -on this leave that he went with me to Rose’s toyshop -in Sloane Street to find some toy to amuse a -small boy of mine that was delicate. While we were -wandering round the shop a friend came and spoke -to me, so Lord William continued his prowl, looking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[190]</span> -for likely things. When at liberty once more I -found him with a neat parcel in one hand, and he -exclaimed, “I have the very thing.” “What?” -I asked. “Oh, come along, and I will explain it to -you,” so we marched out. I was then told the -parcel contained “Parlour Fireworks.” I suggested -they were rather dangerous things, but the idea was -pooh-poohed. They were only pretty coloured lights -that threw up harmless sprays of blue, green and -red powdery flame. One of them he lit in the drawing-room -fender to show me how harmless they were. -It seemed all right, so as soon as he had gone and it -was growing dark the small boy, myself and nurses -proceeded on to the flat roof of the house we were -then renting in Park Lane, in the narrow end near -Gloucester House, where we felt well protected by -the Duke of Cambridge’s policeman always stationed -at his door. The first few Roman candles we lit -were a success and caused great delight, then I -found a queer little box with rules where to light it. -I faithfully followed all the instructions. At first -nothing happened, then suddenly the air was alive -with rifle-like reports in rapid succession, while -live squibs, things I believe called crackers, were -flying about cracking in every direction all over the -tops of the houses. What a commotion there was! -The policeman ran in every direction at once and blew -his whistle, the jaded sleeping horse in the laundry -van at our area railings suddenly awoke, curled its -tail over its back pug-dog fashion, and set off for all -it was worth, leaving the man in charge, still in the -kitchen, probably enjoying good things. Everybody -in the neighbourhood shouted, while we all scrambled<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[191]</span> -helter-skelter down the narrow staircase leading -from the roof, and on which housemaids had left -various pails to dry and air. These in our haste to -descend and hide our heads, we charged, hurtling -them down the stairs in front of us, making a -horrible clatter.</p> - -<p>Arrived at last in our rooms again, we all pretended -to be dead while the policeman came to enquire if -we had heard anything, and did we know anything -about it? Our old housekeeper, who had been with -us many years and who was in the secret, faced the -policeman, fearing we might be given away by some -indiscreet statements from the other servants. She, -of course, was very indignant that peaceable people -should be liable to such disturbance and hoped the -policeman would make a point of finding out about -it, saying: “Really nobody is safe from bombs and -Jack-the-Rippers nowadays.” The policeman promised -to do his best. The following day the morning -paper mentioned a mysterious affair that had occurred -in Park Lane, and it was supposed an -attempt had been made to blow up Gloucester -House!</p> - -<p>Thinking the matter over after all was calm again -and the laundry man had gone in search of his -horse and van I began to wonder how much of this -had been design on the part of Lord William, for it -was a Jack-in-the-Box that exploded making such -a noise, harmless in itself but productive of rather -an upheaval. When I told him what had happened -I thought he would never stop laughing.</p> - -<p>I had lately returned from Egypt where I had -been staying with friends who one evening got up a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[192]</span> -picnic at the Pyramids to which we were all to -ride on donkeys. I was told by that dear good fellow -Gerry Portal, I think, but it is so long ago I am not -sure, that the best donkey in the place had been -secured for me, it was a great gymkhana winner, pure -white, and boasted the name of Lord Charles -Beresford. So I rode Lord Charles Beresford to the -Pyramids. Everything was being called Lord -Charles or Lord Charles Beresford at that time, -his name was on everybody’s lips, for he was and had -been doing great things in Egypt, and it was considered -a great honour for anyone or anything to -be called Charlie.</p> - -<p>I seem to have been recounting many stories of -Lord William’s fun and humour, but none of his -thousands of kindly deeds, which were strewn -throughout his life as thickly as blackberries in -September. It is difficult to know where to begin, -but I like to think that when the day came for him -to cross the border the spirits of some of those he had -saved from despair, whom he had helped not once -but many times, were waiting to greet and welcome -him. I do not think anyone who went to him for -help or sympathy was ever “rebuffed.” At times -he certainly was imposed on, though he would not -believe it, and even when it came home to roost, as -it occasionally did, he was most forgiving. One -individual in particular I remember in India. He -had been in a good cavalry regiment, but got into -trouble at one of the Umballa Race Meetings I have -already described when there was heavy plunging, -trying to recover himself and place his finances on -a firm footing again, he only slipped further into the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[193]</span> -mire, until in a hopeless mess; he then, to make -matters worse, outstayed his leave, and was turned -out of the service. This man was well known -throughout India, and was an extraordinary character, -blessed with good looks, a fine figure and -physique, a charming tenor voice, it seemed there -was much to be thankful for. Lord William thought -if once this man was put on his legs again, given a -fresh start, he might pull himself together and be -more lucky; he therefore paid up for him, and befriended -him in every way. This friend, whom we -will call Captain X., now devoted his life to racing -in India, and he became a formidable opponent, as -he had good hands and judgment, and I doubt if -there was a racecourse in India that had not made -his acquaintance. It was not long before he was in -trouble again; once more Lord William and Lord -Airlie came to the rescue, meeting with gross ingratitude, -for the man could not be straight, he -failed and robbed his benefactors at every turn. -Lord William was only full of pity that such a -talented, fine chap should go hopelessly wrong. -Captain X. was very good company, a very fast -runner and a strong swimmer; all this appealed to -Lord Bill, who tried his hardest to save him, but it -was no use. I have been told eventually he helped -the man to go away to another country and try -again.</p> - -<p>Lord William always said his sympathies were -with the sinners, but I think they were with everybody -in every station of life.</p> - -<p>Riding through Cantonments one day he met a -soldier’s wife carrying a heavy child who was look<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[194]</span>ing -ill. He asked why she carried it, and on hearing -it was ill and she could not drag it along after her, -and the air was good for it, he expressed his sorrow -for its ill-health, spoke a few cheering words, and -rode on. That evening a perambulator arrived from -an anonymous donor at the door of the sick child’s -mother.</p> - -<p>More times than I can number have boys fresh -out from home been saved from making “asses of -themselves,” as Lord William expressed it, by his -counsel and help. A youth I knew came out to join -a crack regiment. He had more money than was -good for him, and fancied himself not a little. His -mother wrote asking me to be kind to him. I endeavoured -to mother him, but he was so certain he -knew everything and was a fine fellow going to show -everybody the way, it was difficult to guide or help -him. He began racing and betting. Naturally there -were older hands at that game than himself, and he -got into trouble. At last, when he had come to the -end of all his resources, he came to me, but as he was -then heavily involved with a native money-lender, -I felt it was beyond my powers, and asked if I might -consult a friend if I mentioned no names. This I was -permitted to do, and sought Lord William’s help. -He told me not to trouble about it at all, but send -the lad to him. After some discussion he rather -ungraciously accepted Lord William’s offer, and -went to see him. Happily this turned out better -than the other case I have mentioned, for the boy -came back radiant, to tell me Lord William was -going to settle with the money-lender and put him -straight, and when he came into his uncle’s property,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[195]</span> -which was bound to fall to him before very long, he -was going to put it all right with Lord William, but -as he had no power to anticipate the money he could -only give his word of honour about it.</p> - -<p>I wonder if there was anybody but Lord William -who would have done this. When in the evening I -met my old friend and thanked him for helping the -lad with such uncertain security, he replied, “Oh, -I never expect to see it again, but he’s a nice boy -and has promised to come to me for tips before -plunging again.” It rejoices me to be able to say -all <em>was</em> paid back and Lord William had a faithful -and devoted friend as long as the poor lad lived. -He died of heart failure on a P. & O. going home on -leave.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[196]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X<br /> -<span class="fs70">DEAR LONDON AGAIN</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>The Man Who Thought He Was King—A Dance After Dinner—How -It Ended—Corney Grain in Disgrace on the Door-mat—Racing—Trouble in -Burmah—Lord Dufferin and Lord William -Go There—Collecting the Offertory in Church—Some Schemes -of Interest</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">Those few months of leave in 1885 picked -Lord William up wonderfully, and he -thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the -time after his nine years of India, a big slice out of -the prime of a man’s life, but he had the satisfaction -of feeling he had faced the music, so to speak, by -beginning his life afresh, yet returning after nine -years comfortably off, and holding a high position of -great responsibility, thanks to nobody but himself. -Viceroys came and went, but Lord William Beresford -remained, year in and year out, becoming the cornerstone -of the social fabric of India, and ruling its -society with an iron hand, though very much gloved -in velvet.</p> - -<p>I remember comparing notes with him as to what -we looked forward to most on returning to England -after a spell abroad. He said he “yearned for Curraghmore -and Piccadilly, and after that devilled -sole and brown bread and butter!”</p> - -<p>Most people will, I think, sympathise with Lord -William in his longing for dear feverish London.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>[197]</span> -She casts a spell over us all, and when we are exiles -the remembrance of her brings on more fits of -home-sickness than almost anything else, visions -of Piccadilly come back to us as we remember her -perhaps in the still early morning, when returning -from balls and parties, the streets deserted by all -save a few market carts filled with cabbages and -other garden produce on the way to Covent Garden -Market, a few lonesome souls sleeping on benches -between the policeman’s “move on” visits; or -perhaps the visions that come back to us are the -evenings when the hurrying mass of people, the cabs -and carriages were all shrouded in the blue-grey -misty haze peculiar to London at night. We remember -how we used to speculate on where they -were all hurrying to, and fit histories to them, all so -bent on tasting and testing life, often regardless of -consequences. Each individual wearing that self-absorbed -mind-your-own-business air, that is one of -the fascinations of a great city.</p> - -<p>Lord William said he felt “beside” himself with -joy when he again beheld the buses and heard the -newspaper boys, and then “The Eton Boating -Song,” so wrought with memories, played on a -street organ filled him with an ecstasy of joy and -sadness. He heard again the splash of the oars, saw -again the pals of those old days whose names were -at one time on everybody’s lips, now only little -black splashes of ink on white paper.</p> - -<p>I wonder if any of my readers remember the fine -old man who used to sit in the Row during the -summer of 1885 fancying himself king; the way he -used to swagger up as if all the world belonged to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>[198]</span> -him, his servant walking immediately behind him -watching for the imperious wave of his master’s -hand, which, being interpreted, meant he wished to -sit down. Two chairs were then hastily arranged, -on one of which he sat down with a good deal of -action, the other proudly supported his legs. This -arrangement took up a good deal of room where -people were walking up and down, but nobody -interfered with this aristocratic-looking, well dressed -and groomed old man, with his large flowing moustache -and huge button-hole, consisting one day of a -sunflower, another a peony, or something equally -remarkable. The old gentleman used to talk a good -deal to himself about the bad manners and ingratitude -of his subjects who passed up and down -without bowing to him. We often wondered who -he was. One day Lord William found out from a -policeman on duty in the park. An accident had -upset the equilibrium of the old sportsman’s brain, -but he was quite harmless and nobody objected to -him, so he was allowed to remain. As our bad -manners and ingratitude caused him so much uneasiness, -Lord William suggested we should muster -strong one day and march past in couples, bowing -deeply. We felt a little nervous as to what might -happen, but acquiesced, and we all marched past -bowing and smiling, being amply repaid for our -courage by the evident pleasure of the king, who -took off his hat with a graceful flourish to us and -presented the sunflower out of his button-hole to -one of the girls of our party.</p> - -<p>Memories of those days come tumbling over one -another with such rapidity it is hard to know where<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>[199]</span> -to stop, the pleasure is so great in recalling -them.</p> - -<p>One evening I remember well, during that same -leave (I think) of Lord William’s, he was dining with -us, and after dinner somebody said would I play -some dance music as they wanted to dance, so we -adjourned to the dining-room and had it cleared at -one end. After dancing awhile, the men began -American cock-fighting. There were some fierce -encounters and amusing scenes. I was still sitting -by the old cottage piano which stood in a corner of -the room, when one of the combatants, breathless -from a contest with Lord Bill, came and leaned -against the piano whilst drinking a whisky and -soda. Somehow accidentally the greater part of the -whisky and soda got upset down into the vitals of -the piano, the top being open at the time.</p> - -<p>Poor old piano, it is going still, but the shock to -its nervous system was so great it every now and -then has the sulks for a time, until coaxed by a -tuner into fresh efforts.</p> - -<p>At the party to which I am referring, I remember -the men with us were Corney Grain, Gerry Portal, -Jim Lowther, Lord Hay of Kinfauns, and my young -brother, as well as Lord William. Those who knew -the men will guess what the evening was like. I was -afraid we should disturb the neighbourhood with -our laughter over an impromptu that Corney Grain -gave us at the partially intoxicated piano of his -experiences at the houses of some of his patrons -where he had been engaged to amuse the guests. -No names were mentioned, but so excellent was his -mimicry that we at once recognised a number of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>[200]</span> -people. Having been cheered and heavily patted -on the back he proceeded to give us a musical sketch -of a certain V.C. hero on board ship making love to -a shy young lady. Lord Bill was much tickled and -so were we. It was screamingly funny, and with -our eyes shut we could have imagined it was -Lord William speaking, or perhaps I should say -cooing.</p> - -<p>This was followed by another sketch, this time -Gerry Portal supposed to be bamboozling some -foreign potentate into believing we, the British, were -doing everything for his good, from pure unadulterated -<ins class="corr" id="tn-200" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'philanthrophy, while'">philanthropy, while</ins> really benefiting ourselves. -This was considered too much, and brought -the house down. They all set upon Mr. Grain, who, -I had better explain for those who never saw him, -was a huge man both in height and figure. He clung -desperately on to the music-stool with his legs and -the piano with his hands, until the piano, music-stool, -and Mr. Grain began to move together first -in one direction and then another. Lord William -tried to get his arms round Mr. Grain’s rather -voluminous waistcoat, and Mr. Gerry Portal tried -to untwiddle his legs from the music-stool. Jim -Lowther seized the tea-cosy from the sideboard and -clapped it over the musician’s head. This led to one -hand relinquishing its grip on the side of the piano -to remove the head-dress, a weak moment on Mr. -Grain’s part, for he got separated from the instrument -and dragged half across the room when crack -went the long-suffering music-stool, and he was on -the floor. My brother held the door open while the -rest tried to eject the man who dared to be ribald<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>[201]</span> -about Mr. Portal’s foreign policy, but each time -when it was nearly accomplished out flew a huge -and long leg slamming the door to again. At last, -when all were hot and exhausted, Mr. Grain was -laid unresisting on the front-door mat.</p> - -<p>We received many apologies next day from our -guests for being so uproarious, and Lord Bill wished -to provide a new piano and music-stool, but of -course we would not hear of it. I never mean to -part with that piano, even when it gives up the -ghost, for it has witnessed many cheery parties, and -has been with me long voyages north, south, east -and west.</p> - -<p>In addition to all this froth and frolic Lord Bill -had been doing some useful business in the way of -buying race-horses for himself and his friends. He -had also engaged the lightweight jockey named -Dunn, who arrived in India about the same time as -his lordship returned, ready for the October meeting -at Umballa. While at home he had purchased -and sent out two or three horses and a pony for -Indian racing, amongst them, Metal, in hopes of -carrying off some prizes at Calcutta. The horse -came from the Duke of Westminster’s stable, but -had disappointed his owner in the Goodwood Cup, -Baron Hirsch’s horse just beating him. What a -cheery meeting it was, the 9th Lancers being there -under orders for home. They marched out of the -station on the last day of the races, the whole of the -white population turning out to give them a hearty -send-off.</p> - -<p>A great number of racing men collected there, -combining their wish to see the 9th Lancers off for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>[202]</span> -home and see some racing. All were in great form, -and the fun was tremendous.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s valuable Prospero won three races -for his owner. Dynamite and Oliver Twist also won -a race each.</p> - -<p>A rising Armenian barrister in Calcutta was also -present, having conceived a passion for racing and -started a stable for the purpose.</p> - -<p>In the club at Umballa on settling day a sporting -match was arranged between this barrister named -Mr. Gasper and Lord Bill, the suggestion coming -from the former. The match was for 2000 rupees -a side, P.P., each horse to carry not less than 8 stone -4 lbs., distance ¾ mile. Horses to be named by -1 o’clock the day before the race, which was to be -run the last day of the first Calcutta meeting, horse -to be nominated by Lord William Beresford must -be his property or the property of H.H. the Maharajah -of Durbangah.</p> - -<p>Lord William hoped to win this on one of his new -purchases named Metal, but when the day arrived -the horse was ill with colic so Mr. Gasper’s Regulater -walked over.</p> - -<p>Great things were expected of Metal, and as the -Maharajah of Durbangah was very anxious to win -the Viceroy’s Cup Lord William sold the horse to -him just before the race, and His Highness had the -pleasure of seeing his colours carried first past the -post.</p> - -<p>Tim Whiffler, who had been bought at the same -time as Metal, had so far not done anything worthy -of record or the pay for his keep, and at Tollygunge, -running for the Ballygunge Cup, he went head over<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>[203]</span> -heels at the first hurdle, rolling on his rider. This -was an unlucky race for most of the riders, as every -horse fell except the winner, Mr. Charles Moore’s -Prospect. The second day Tim Whiffler won a race -after another fall.</p> - -<p>At the second Calcutta meeting in January, Metal -won the Kooch Behar Cup after a good race with Sir -Greville, belonging, I believe, to Major Prior.</p> - -<p>Trouble had been brewing in Burmah for some -time, and Lord Dufferin decided he would go and -see for himself if things were working satisfactorily. -The British resident had been withdrawn owing to -King Thebaw (chiefly at the instigation of his unprincipled -wife) having massacred all the men-kind -of the Royal Family with a view to ensuring the -stability of his throne. Commercial relations were -however maintained, and whispers reached Lord -Dufferin of some sort of treaty having been signed -between the Burmese and the French, by which the -valuable ruby mines with other perquisites which -in parliamentary language would be termed accessories, -had been leased to a French trading company.</p> - -<p>All this pointed to trouble in the future, especially -as King Thebaw was known to have expressed -himself of the amiable intention of driving “the -white devils into the sea,” also it would not be wise -to allow British trades to be excluded. This was -politely but forcibly pointed out to the King, who -was evasive and unsatisfactory. The Secretary of -State then gave instructions for an immediate -advance on Mandalay. King Thebaw begged for -time, but was told nothing but instant submission -would be considered, under which circumstances<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>[204]</span> -he would be spared and treated properly. He was -only allowed a few minutes in which to make up -his mind, and it was thanks to this promptness and -decided policy of ours that the campaign came to a -satisfactory conclusion so quickly and with so little -loss of life. But we were not quite out of the wood -as China was asking pertinent questions about our -future policy; but all was explained and approved -in a short time, and a convention signed giving -England a free hand in Burmah. In consequence -of all this Lord Dufferin started on February 3rd, -1886, to see for himself what was happening. Burmah -lying directly on the east of Bengal with a population -of four millions, it was regarded as a frontier over -which we should keep a jealous eye and some -control. Besides, he was anxious that commercial -relations should be established with Thibet. Lord -William as Military Secretary was in attendance on -His Excellency, receiving the medal and clasp, -being mentioned in despatches, and promoted to -Brevet Lieut.-Colonel. Speaking of the Burmese -ladies he said they were most enlightened and -independent people, choosing their own husbands -and divorcing them also if they wished to do so.</p> - -<p>The Viceroy was anxious to have our army -considerably increased in India. In Lord Ripon’s -time the native army had been reduced, but Lord -Dufferin thought owing to changed circumstances -a fresh arrangement should be made, and that we -should be in a position to launch a strong force of -both British and native troops on short notice against -any neighbour whose conduct was suspicious and -unsatisfactory. He also felt it would be better for<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>[205]</span> -the country itself, but all he could get from the -Government was an extra 11,000 men. Both Lord -Dufferin and the Commander-in-Chief were against -the short service system for India, thinking both -from the point of utility and economy longer service -would be better.</p> - -<p>The work of the India Office filtered more or less -through the hands of the Military Secretary; he -therefore was well posted in all these questions -under consideration and discussion.</p> - -<p>Especially was he interested in Lord Roberts’ -scheme for doing away with the old army canteen, -for it was he who inaugurated “The Institute,” -where not only could the men get their beer, but food -as well; they could sit down comfortably and write -letters, play games and read the papers. Places of -this sort had been a long-felt want, and they have -been great successes and certainly conducive to less -drunkenness.</p> - -<p>During Lord Dufferin’s time several important -steps were taken in the way of military reform, as -he expressed himself plainly on the difficulties of -military administration under dual control, for -while the organisation and commissariat were worked -by the superior Government at home, the discipline, -training, equipment, and matters of that sort were -ruled by the Commander-in-Chief.</p> - -<p>Neither were the native troops forgotten, for -now in commemoration of the Queen’s Jubilee they -received medals for good conduct and any special -services, also gratuities in much the same way as the -English soldiers.</p> - -<p>Lord William, and indeed most of the thinking<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>[206]</span> -community in India at this time were anxious as to -the result of the higher education of the natives, -who, though finding their feet, were not yet able -to use them. He felt the education ought to benefit -both them and us, but would it?</p> - -<p>I have often doubted whether some, even of -Lord William’s more intimate friends, fully recognised -the more serious side of his character. The -world is ever prone to think that brilliancy excludes -wisdom, and gaiety is the enemy of common -sense. As a matter of fact there was a world of -deep feeling and strength of character underlying -Lord William’s light-hearted manner.</p> - -<p>At a big dinner party at Government House, -Bombay, I remember hearing a number of people -discussing Lord William, his career, racing successes, -deeds of daring, etc., when someone asked the -rather unexpected question, “What is his religion?” -The then Commander-in-Chief replied, “I don’t -believe he’s got one.” This was surprising coming -from a man who was both officially and socially in -almost daily association with him, proving what I -have so often thought that the faces of those around -us, even those of our nearest and dearest, may be -photographed on our brains, while yet we know -little of their minds and hearts; they are sealed -books to us.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s religious feeling was profound, -though his views were not altogether orthodox, -but there are some dogmatic doubts while leading -us away from the altar bring us nearer to the Throne. -Aristippus tells us “Good cheer is no hindrance to -a good life.” His lordship agreed with this founder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>[207]</span> -of Hedonistic philosophy, but I doubt if he had been -asked to put down in black and white what his -religious convictions were, whether he could have -clearly defined them, any more than a great number -of people could. It would be good for us all if we -had to put our faiths and beliefs into writing, but -what confused and contradictory statements they -would make, and how annoyed we should be if anybody -dared to say so to us. Faith and reason -unfortunately will not walk kindly hand in hand, -and Lord William felt that amid the latter-day clash -of theories, new fields of thought were being opened -to us, thoroughly recognising how some of the old -moth-eaten shibboleths, we have so often repeated, -have prevented us forming unbiased judgments. -He maintained that ancient religions had no creeds -but were fed and brought up, so to speak, on institutions -and facts. Faith is not peculiar to Christianity, -it is the ordinary characteristic of the highly developed -religions. Lord Bill always said he felt it -was possible to be a good Christian without being a -theologian. I think “good Christian” exactly describes -Lord Bill, yet how hard it is to define a good -Christian when ideals among Christians differ so -greatly in different countries and ages. St. Ethelreda -was canonised for never washing; this was not Lord -Bill’s Christianity, though I have known some people -who certainly qualified, but as far as I know, have as -yet, had no justice displayed towards them. Then -again St. Onofries was called a saint because he -disappeared into the desert seeing nobody and doing -nothing (so he said), but this saint does not matter -at the present moment; what does matter is the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>[208]</span> -extreme difficulty we all find in locating the middle -distance between two points, when the points do -not stand still.</p> - -<p>Lord William had his faults in common with the -rest of us, but not many can comfort themselves -with the belief that they have done as many kindly -acts. He may not always have been aware of the -amount of good he did, for kindly acts towards -ourselves make us kindly to others, thereby forming -a common good. That the happiness of everybody -depends to a certain extent on the forbearance and -help of others was part of Lord Bill’s religion. His -charities, which were many, were not of the order -that creates multitudes of sins, but covered them -up, often, and helped those who had made grievous -mistakes, to begin afresh.</p> - -<p>The nice little church at Simla used to echo with -the sound of Lord William’s clinking spurs as he -walked up the aisle. One Sunday when he was -carrying round the collection plate, he halted in -front of a canny old colonel whose careful habits -had made him decline to subscribe towards the -Annandale Races, which had annoyed Lord Bill, so -he held the plate, whispering audibly, “It’s Zenana -this time, not Gymkhana!”</p> - -<p>The scene outside this church on Sundays and -high days was curious, as in the hills everybody rode -to church, or came in hand-carried or drawn -equipages. When all the rank and fashion had entered -the building the syces with the many ponies congregated -for a smoke and chatter. The men who ran -with the rickshaws and jampans after their kind, -followed suit, arranging their carriages in neat rows.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>[209]</span> -The owners usually dressed their carriers and -runners in some distinctive livery. One would have, -say, claret-coloured coat, cut fairly long, hanging -square over the draped loin cloths which are worn -instead of trousers; only the head man indulged -in this form of civilisation. This combination of -coat and loin cloth finished off with possibly a -yellow cumberbund twisted round their waists, and -yellow puggeries round their heads. Others would -have brown and blue, and so on, only the Viceregal -party using scarlet, the many colours of the liveries -and the grouping of the natives and their charges -forming a picturesque foreground to the church, -though very unusual to the mind of the everyday -English church-going community.</p> - -<p>There were several matters occupying Lord -William’s mind at this time. The enlargement of the -Annandale racecourse for one; this was a great -undertaking and a considerable expense which will -be readily understood, as big ravines had to be -filled in and levelled as well as portions of hills -removed. His lordship subscribed handsomely -towards it himself, and some of the native princes, -who were always ready to help him in his endeavours -for the good or pleasure of the community, came -to the fore also, subscribing liberally. While the -alterations were being carried out the usual races -and sports were taking place, tent-pegging, tilting -at the ring, riding one pony while leading another -over the jumps, rickshaw races, which proved highly -exciting for the occupants, and mirth-provoking -to the on-lookers.</p> - -<p>The building of the new Viceregal Lodge or<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>[210]</span> -Government House also occupied a good deal of -time, Lord Dufferin supervising and directing. -I have often wondered what the natives must have -thought when they had to build white-tiled kitchens -and bath-rooms, and still more what they felt when -called upon to use a correct up-to-date kitchen -equipment.</p> - -<p>I well remember when first I arrived in India -being full of high-flown ideas of revolutionising the -cooking and cook-house system. I was warned not to -interfere, but to eat what was placed before me and -leave well alone; however, I was full of ardour and -proceeded to the cook-house to inspect the cooking-pots -and arrange everything to my liking. My -splendid theories were doomed to instant death. -My experiences were such that for days I was without -appetite and never again had the pluck to face the -cook-house. That was long ago, no doubt now the -natives have learnt to live up to and appreciate -modern luxuries.</p> - -<p>Last, but by no means least, came Lady Dufferin’s -scheme for the benefit of Indian women. The Queen -had asked Her Excellency just before leaving for -India to see what could be done to provide proper -medical aid and nursing for native women, who -from their traditional faiths and customs were unable -to avail themselves of the knowledge and help of -men doctors. Lord William was very enthusiastic -about the work which was interesting Lady Dufferin, -who, with her usual thoroughness, soon placed it on -firm feet. There was so much to be considered; -first of all the question of finance, still more difficult -the inherited traditional prejudices to be overcome<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>[211]</span> -in conjunction with the superstitions and ignorance -of the people of India. For generations the appalling -loss of life through ignorance in the East had been -regarded with the hebetude of fatalism. Nevertheless -in 1885 the work was begun under the mouth-filling -title of “The Countess of Dufferin’s National -Association for supplying female medical aid for -the women of India.” It is well to take a good -long breath before starting on this impressive -title.</p> - -<p>Considering that the undertaking entailed the -collecting of the necessary funds, suitable places -being found for the hospitals and dispensaries, women -to be trained as doctors, midwives, and hospital -assistants, and that each and all had to be under the -superintendence of or in the working hands of women -for the treatment of their own sex and children, it -is really remarkable that it was so soon in more or -less working order, and speaks volumes for Lady -Dufferin’s energy and for the help of her co-workers.</p> - -<p>I remember Lord William saying it would have -a more far-reaching civilising influence in the -country than any other measure hitherto contemplated. -That these women doctors and nurses have -been zealous and capable is proved by the work that -has been done. In 1901, that is in six years, 1,755,734 -patients passed through their hands, the increase -between the years 1895 and 1900 being 88,000, -the whole of this treatment having been carried -out by forty fully qualified lady doctors called 1st -grade, 322 surgeons, 2nd grade, meaning they had -been taught in India and held that country’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a>[212]</span> -qualifications, and 175 hospital assistants and helpers -called 3rd grade.</p> - -<p>The medical profession for man or woman is one -that demands great sacrifice, and it is a calling that -perhaps comes the least before the lime-light, for -it does not advertise, seeks no rewards, no medals, -clapping, or bands to cheer and encourage, yet -many are daily performing heroic deeds, burning the -candle at both ends in the cause of suffering humanity, -and for what? Not applause, they get none, -not reward, they get none from the world, but for -love of their work, because they feel there is no -higher calling. I do not think many people know -how much this great work is indebted to Lord -William’s collecting and his own personal assistance. -Anything in the way of sickness and suffering -appealed strongly to him. The Clewer Sisters in -Calcutta also have little idea where some of the -anonymous gifts came from that were I know from -Lord William. Many treats enjoyed by children -were the result of Lord William’s thought and -financing, but he did not like people to know; he -only wanted to make them happy and reaped a -real happiness himself in witnessing their pleasure.</p> - -<p>He was keenly interested in the leaps and bounds -made in later years in the science and art of medicine. -He could remember when it was the proper thing -to bleed people for fainting fits and apoplexy, when -it was quite usual to use the same family pocket -knife to prune the roses and perform minor operations, -before what they a little later called the -faddists’ silly craze for sterilising instruments, came -into vogue. “Such silly fuss and nonsense!” Though,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a>[213]</span> -if I remember right, it was only in George the II’s -reign that a law was passed forbidding the company -of barbers from practising the art and science of -surgery, which sounds rather like Punch but is -nevertheless a fact, and can be found by an anxious -enquirer in Statute 18, Cap. XV.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a>[214]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI<br /> -<span class="fs70">SOME SPORTING MEMORIES</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Lord William’s Driving—One of Two Experiences—A Sermon in -the Smoking-room—Useful Shirt Cuffs—Convenient Handwriting—New -Year’s Parade—A Waiting Race—A Spoilt Meeting—Purchase -of Myall King—Dufferins Leave India—Rules -Issued by Lord William for Their Departure</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">The Autumn Race Meeting at Meerut saw -Prospero win the Merchants’ Purse, value -1,000 rupees, for Lord William, Ryder up; -also the St. Leger, value 1,500 rupees, with Tim -Whiffler. The same month (October) FitzWilliam -won the Steward’s Purse at Lucknow, 2,110 rupees, -the Pony Derby, 2,410 rupees, with Little Nell, all -ridden by Dunn. I have heard the winner of the -Pony Derby called “Little Hell,” partly from -affection and partly because she gave others so -little chance, I presume!</p> - -<p>I have always been under the impression that -there is more money to be made out of ponies and -pony racing than in Viceroy’s cups. In India a -man who is a good judge of horse-flesh and knows -their points can often pick up ponies fairly cheaply -in the serais, sort of village cattle-market, where -dealers are to be found with horses and ponies for -sale. Then if the purchaser has good hands and good -temper, he may be able to train some into good polo -ponies, and possibly win a race or two in a small<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215"></a>[215]</span> -way, after which good prices may be realised, -though some of the ponies bought in the rough, have -a tiresome way of growing after having reached the -required height, skilful shoeing is then the best -chance to make them register the proper standard. -If after this they still persist in being too big they -can be sold as ladies’ hacks, if a woman has ridden -them once.</p> - -<p>Many poor men have been able to enjoy their -lives and have all they wanted in reason, thanks to -their training and selling ponies they have bought -with an eye to business. I am speaking of some -years ago, possibly ponies and prices are different -now.</p> - -<p>The Simla season ends in October, and the gaiety -and festivities are carried on at Calcutta on a more -pronounced scale though with less of the family -party feeling, owing to the larger community. The -poor big-wigs do not have much peace in either -place, it is so difficult to escape from people, who, -though doubtless are many of them charming in -themselves, the amount of bowing and scraping -they entail is fatiguing.</p> - -<p>One Commander-in-Chief I knew simplified matters -by riding along looking straight ahead and seeing -nobody, taking no more notice of the crowd of -amiable people waiting to bow and smile than if they -were so many little dogs wagging their tails. At -first this gave offence, which did not greatly upset -the good man’s calm, but before long it was recognised -as a mercy and something to be thankful -for.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s coach was quite a feature in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a>[216]</span> -Calcutta Society, the turn-out was smart, the -driver cheery, and a good whip, small wonder that -most people liked to receive an invitation to accompany -his lordship on some of his jaunts. I have -sat beside some pretty whips one time and another -in my life, far and away the most accomplished -being Lord William Beresford; next to him a good -second was the late Mr. Ben Cotton, for some time -Master of the Isle of Wight Foxhounds.</p> - -<p>One year after the races at Calcutta, where Lord -William had been riding in several and had a bad -fall, dislocating his shoulder, notwithstanding which -he drove his coach laden with friends off the course, -through the thronged streets, the horses very fresh -and pulling hard; but beyond the fact that he was -looking very white nobody would have known anything -was the matter with him, and all reached -their homes in safety.</p> - -<p>Another day when returning from a picnic at the -Botanical Gardens on the opposite side of the river -to Calcutta his coach-load had a near shave of a -nasty accident. Sir John Hext, who was on the -staff of two Viceroys with Lord Bill, was one of the -party at the time, and tells me they started away -from the trysting-place rather late, when it was -quite dark, and somehow managed to miss the road; -the horses were longing to get away, and were scarcely -under control. Having got off the road the next -thing to do was to get on again as soon as possible, -not an easy matter, but nobody spoke, and Lord -William kept his head; by a piece of dexterous -driving he tooled them safely under large low -hanging branches of trees, round trunks of trees, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217"></a>[217]</span> -over all sorts of uncomfortable places before reaching -their destination. All on board were holding their -breath awaiting disaster at any moment, happily -none occurred, thanks to good driving.</p> - -<p>I really think Lord William thoroughly enjoyed -hairbreadth escapes; he always seemed especially -pleased after one that would have left most people -limp, to say the least of it. His driving powers were -certainly put to the test sometimes, and during -exciting and critical moments his eyes seemed to -become bigger, bluer, and fiercer.</p> - -<p>Coming over the Howrah Bridge one day, the -hook of the pole-piece came off and dropped the -bars on to the leaders’ hocks. This not being part -of the usual programme they objected to it, not -quite knowing what was the proper thing to do -under the circumstances, whether to kick the thing -to pieces, jump over the bridge, or run away. Owing -to their not being concerted in their action Lord -William decided it for them, allowing them a little -of each, but none for long; owing no doubt to these -little concessions there was no accident, but when -all reached home safely a few pointed remarks were -made to the man who had been entrusted with the -revarnishing of the coach, in return for his forgetfulness -in not bolting the pole-piece on again properly.</p> - -<p>Sir John Hext, now Rear-Admiral, was a great -friend of Lord Bill’s (they were on Lord Dufferin’s -and Lord Lansdowne’s staff together), he tells me an -interesting story of his old friend; it happened at -the end of one of the Calcutta race weeks. As usual -Lord William had been hard at work all day. There<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218"></a>[218]</span> -was an extra large party staying in Government -House, it had overflowed to such an extent that -Lord William was obliged to put up tents in the -grounds for some of the young soldiers and men -who were of the party. After dinner the <ins class="corr" id="tn-218" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'aide-de-camps’'">aides-de-camp’s</ins> -room was full of men guests staying in the -house. Lord William came in late about 11.30 and, -not seeing Sir John and Capt. Harbord, fellow-staffites, -curled up in arm-chairs at the far end of the -room, he proceeded to preach what was virtually -a most excellent sermon on the evils of gambling -and racing, holding himself up as the frightful -example. Sir John says, “If that sermon could -have been taken down by a shorthand writer, and -a few slight expurgations made, it was one that any -Bishop might have been proud to preach. Being -without exceptions the most practical sermon he ever -heard in his life.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp51" id="fp218b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp218b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM BERESFORD IN 1886</p></div> -</div> - -<p>One of the most remarkable things about Lord -William was his memory; he never forgot anything -and was the soul of punctuality, which considering -his multitudinous duties was praiseworthy. He was -little short of a genius, for even when Government -House was crammed full of guests to overflowing, all -to be servanted and fed, each to be treated with the -consideration demanded by their rank, endless -dinners, parties, and receptions to be arranged with -carefully considered etiquette and precedence, people -to be met, taken away, amused; Rajahs’ and Nabobs’ -interviews with His Excellency to be arranged, the -stables to be attended to, with at least sixty horses -for the use of the Government House party. This -alone is no trifle. It was part of Lord William’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a>[219]</span> -work to have horses suitable to all occasions. There -must be tame and docile carriage-horses for Her -Excellency, who may be nervous, but they must step -up to their noses and look full of mischief, otherwise -they would not be impressive and therefore valueless -for their purpose; as it is important that all state -ceremonials should be highly spectacular. Then -the chargers for His Excellency must understand -birthday parades and <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">feux de joie</i> for it would -never do to have the Viceroy standing on his head -in the middle of the Maidan, while his charger -either joined the crowd of onlookers or returned to -the stables. Lord William took endless pains to -train the horses to their special duties, like the -Balaclava heroes, guns were fired to the right of -them, guns to the left of them, just by way of practice -and to teach them to behave nicely and pretend -they heard nothing, and if they did—well what matter. -There must also be plenty of carriages and horses -at the disposal of the guests. The mounts must be -chosen to suit the prowess of the individuals. One -may want to cut a dash in a paper-chase, another -simply a gentle amble to eat the air, and so on. Once -a Bath-chair was requisitioned, but Lord William -never turned a hair. A Bath-chair was forthcoming -at the time it was desired, where it came from was a -mystery. Then there were the viceregal tours -already mentioned to be arranged some time in -advance. Picture what it means to write out -programmes for 365 days in advance—not for one -person—but for many.</p> - -<p>After all his duties had been attended to most -punctiliously there were his own horses and affairs<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220"></a>[220]</span> -requiring attention. Yet never was there as much -as a cushion forgotten for Her Excellency. Beyond -a tiny notebook and his shirt sleeves everything was -carried in his head. I have seen some wonderful -notes on the cuffs of his shirt. An English laundry-maid -of an enquiring turn of mind might have -compiled an amusing diary from them, though -a little cryptic. Seeing some hieroglyphics on one -of his cuffs one day at luncheon, I asked if I might be -permitted to know what they meant; he shot out -the cuff and showed it to me; it was not altogether -easy to decipher, but with a little assistance I read:</p> - -<p>“Viceroy’s bath.” “Sack Syce.” “19 Guns.” -“Pacify Mrs. B.”</p> - -<p>He explained he had made a note of these little -items requiring attention. I asked if it was part -of his duty to give the Viceroy a bath, but he said, -“No, but the bath leaked and his note reminded -him to replace it with a sound one.” “Sack Syce” -meant there had been slackness in the stables and a -certain syce would have to go. Nineteen guns -sounded a big order and rather mysterious, but -it had to do with a Native Prince who considered -he had not received enough salutes or too many, I -forget which, and his lordship wished to adjust the -matter. Then came “Pacify Mrs. B.” I gathered -a certain lady had been deeply pained at the way her -name had been spelt on one of the invitation cards, -a very important “e” had been left out, which made -her name look quite commonplace, and she felt it -had been done on purpose. Lord William was going -to put the matter straight and the “e” in its right -place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221"></a>[221]</span></p> - -<p>It can easily be imagined the amount of correspondence -Lord William had to attend to, it was -enormous, happily he had a clerk who wrote so like -him it was almost impossible to tell one from the -other. The Military Secretary was much praised -for being such a good sort, fancy so busy a man -answering all the letters himself! That clerk was -most convenient.</p> - -<p>Lord William used to tell some amusing stories -of the way people approached him with a view to -using his influence with the Viceroy in their favour. -Various methods were adopted by those who wanted -his help, they mostly began by expressing great -affection for his lordship, and profound admiration.</p> - -<p>Being a kind-hearted man, Lord Bill did his best -to further everybody’s wishes, and if they were in -any way possible presented the matter to His -Excellency for consideration.</p> - -<p>Occasionally some Native Chief thought he ought -to have some concessions, decorations or invitations, -and asked Lord William to help him in the matter, -once when this had occurred and the answer was -longer coming than the Chief liked, he thought -he would expedite matters by making a handsome -present to his lordship and at the same time asking -when his request was going to be granted. This, of -course, settled the matter, as it was undoubtedly -meant as a bribe and was reported at once to the -Viceroy—needless to say the favour was not granted.</p> - -<p>It seems rather hard that while we, the British -people, give presents to the Chiefs, we are not allowed -to receive any in return, that is to say none of any -value; but no doubt it is wise.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222"></a>[222]</span></p> - -<p>New Year’s Day is a great holiday in India, the -birthday, so to speak, of the Queen-Empress, January -1st being the anniversary of the Delhi Durbar when -she was declared Empress of India. There are -endless big parades all over India in honour of this -occasion. At Calcutta there is always a most imposing -military parade which everybody turns out to -witness, putting on their best bibs and tuckers, -as their share in its impressiveness.</p> - -<p>It is a busy and anxious day for the Military -Secretary, for in addition to all his other work he is -wondering whether after all his training, the Viceroy’s -charger will behave properly when the dreaded -moment arrives for the firing of the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">feu-de-joie</i>. -The horses under his care may have been properly -broken—the horses belonging to other people may -not, and when the show begins if one horse begins -playing the fool in all probability others will follow -suit. There is a vast amount of ceremony attached -to these parades. The Viceroy puts on all his war -paint, throws out his chest, and rides down the -lines of troops drawn up for his inspection, followed -by his glittering staff, everybody feels it behoves -them to polish buttons and do an extra brush up, -even the Vice-reine’s coachman indulges in an extra -shave and endures the middle button of his coat -buttoned up, just until the ceremony is over.</p> - -<p>Nobody takes the least notice of all these efforts -to be extra smart; but perhaps it would be noticed -if they did not, and nobody would perceive it more -quickly than the Military Secretary.</p> - -<p>After examining all the lines of troops drawn up -for his inspection the Viceroy returns to the saluting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223"></a>[223]</span> -point, and the Artillery let themselves go with ten -rounds in the Imperial Salute followed with the much -dreaded <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">feu-de-joie</i>, when so much dignity is often -<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">nolens volens</i> cast to the wind. On one of these -birthday parades I remember seeing the horse of a -big official unship its rider and then after various -gallopings caused much confusion by playing tunes -with its heels on a big drum against which it seemed -to bear some grudge, when he had finished with it, it -drummed no more, at any rate for the time being; -but to continue with the orthodox proceedings. -After this fusillade follows the National Anthem -with all the massed bands playing together, then -the Artillery have another innings, until thirty-one -guns have done their best.</p> - -<p>In all probability the Viceroy knows little about -troops, what they should look like, what they should -do, or how many buttons make five on the men’s -uniforms, but his Military Secretary will have -primed him.</p> - -<p>Everybody says it is a horrid bore, but they -enjoy it all the same. I must not forget one of the -most important features in the day’s show, namely, -the final cheers for the Empress of India and the -march past. The cheering proves as trying to the -horses generally as the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">feu-de-joie</i>.</p> - -<p>We were trying to guess the number of people -looking on, and asked Lord William what he considered -would be somewhere near the figure, and he -told us there were quite 100,000 on the Maidan, -and it was not an unusual number on these -occasions.</p> - -<p>The year 1886 brought several annoyances and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224"></a>[224]</span> -disappointments to the Military Secretary in connection -with his racing. In the first place Metal -failed to win him the Viceroy’s Cup, which he had -counted on; Mr. Gasper, who has been already introduced -to the reader, beating him with Mercury. -Coveting this horse his lordship made an offer for -him to Mr. Gasper, resulting in the grey Australian -changing his stable and his owner for the sum of -10,000 rupees, which was considered cheap.</p> - -<p>There was rather a tragic little episode at this -meeting though it had nothing to do with Lord -William. A smart little chestnut belonging to -Mr. Abbott won The Trials in the shortest time on -record and dropped dead immediately after passing -the winning-post from rupture of the heart, poor -little beast.</p> - -<p>The first race Mercury ran for Lord William was -for the Durbangah Cup, and he won; following it up -with the Kooch Behar Cup, but in this race there -was only one other horse against him, namely, -Mr. Mullick’s Sir Greville. This was really a very -funny race as evidently both jockeys had received -orders to ride a waiting race, this they did with a -vengeance, for when the flag fell neither of them -hurried at all, but moved quietly along keeping -boot to boot, both being determined to wait, this -manœuvre continued, much to the amusement of the -spectators until within half a mile from the winning-post, -when both sat down to ride for all they were -worth. Mercury won, but Mr. Mullick’s jockey -pressed Dunn so closely into the rails that poor Mercury -got rather badly cut.</p> - -<p>Another Beresford-Durbangah horse won the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225"></a>[225]</span> -Alipore Plate and Bolero the Jubilee Purse. At -Tollygunge, though that good horse Prospero won the -Handicap Chase, poor Tim Whiffler, who had such -a habit of falling, this time turned head-over-heels -when running for the Ballygunge Cup, breaking his -thigh and having to be shot.</p> - -<p>Bad luck seemed to be dogging Lord William’s -footsteps at this time, for Mercury, who had been -doing so well, and from whom great things were -hoped, caught a chill, followed by fever, from which -he died. Then again, after the annual move to -Simla, and he was running Little Nell in the Bazaar -Stakes, on the Annandale Course, though he won -with her, there was a good deal of unpleasantness -attached to the race, owing to Captain Wood, of the -8th Hussars, who was also riding a pony for a -brother officer, and who came in second, lodging a -complaint directly after the race, saying Dunn, Lord -William’s jockey, had jostled him. This rather -spoilt the pleasure of the meeting for everyone. The -race had been witnessed by a number of people, -friends of both parties in question; several thought -they could explain it all, and proceeded to air their -views, hoping by so doing to ease matters and -straighten it out, instead of which, further complications -ensued. This was followed a little later at -Calcutta with fresh annoyance over the Arab named -Euclid, belonging to the Confederacy. Lord William -heard some people had been making remarks about -the performances of this horse, which they seemed -to consider unsatisfactory; he therefore at once -asked the stewards of the Calcutta Turf Club to -inquire into the matter and give their opinion; this<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226"></a>[226]</span> -they did, saying they found nothing leading to any -such conclusion as had been suggested. So Lord -William came out on top.</p> - -<p>For years Lord William declared no Australian horse -could touch the English, but Mercury caused him to -change his mind, this horse’s performances having -been almost phenomenal. In consequence of being -bitten with the grey Australian, and not content -with having between twenty and thirty horses -already in training, he gave the well-known Australian -dealer, Mr. Weekes, a commission to bring -him one or two of the “real things” from Melbourne.</p> - -<p>When the dealer returned from Australia, he -brought with him two horses for Lord William, -Myall King and Golden Gate. I do not remember -hearing of the latter doing anything encouraging, and -Myall King made a poor show to begin with, and his -new master said a few things not altogether complimentary -to the dealer in connection with his -selection, but before long changed his mind, Myall -King becoming his greatest favourite, winning three -Viceroy’s Cups for him, the first on December 24th, -1887, value 7000 rupees. When Lord William was -leading his horse in after the race, thoroughly pleased -and happy, the excited and delighted Mr. Weekes, -who had purchased the horse for his lordship and -who had been brooding over the names he had been -called when first he brought Myall King over, rushed -up to Lord William holding out his hand for joy, -saying, “Now do you still say I am a something -something thief?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Lord Bill, taking the proffered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227"></a>[227]</span> -hand; “indeed you are all something something -right.”</p> - -<p>“Then you will come and stay with me in Melbourne, -won’t you?”</p> - -<p>“Of course I will,” said his lordship, only too -anxious to move on.</p> - -<p>Myall King also won the Durbangah Cup, £150, -on the 30th of the same month.</p> - -<p>In the summer of 1887 Lord William bought up -the lease of the Dehra Doon course, over which he -spent some time and trouble, getting it into good -order; he kept it up entirely at his own expense -until he left India. He removed all his horses there, -also the Viceregal horses, being a good climate for -them.</p> - -<p>People in India were beginning to be rather -frightened of Lord William’s string of horses, saying -it was no use entering theirs against him, that they -had no chance. I remember hearing a good deal of -this at Lucknow, but it was not quite a fact, as his -lordship found out to his cost occasionally. He -certainly had a formidable string of horses, and he -wanted to be on top, where to a certain extent he -was, but in racing there is always the element of -chance to be reckoned with, horses going wrong, -jockeys making mistakes, and no end of other things -to be taken into consideration. He sent his horses -to all parts of India for race meetings, even to Poona.</p> - -<p>The Spring Meeting at Lucknow of 1888 inaugurated -one of his lordship’s most successful racing -years in India. I always feel sorry he was not able -to carry out all his racing single-handed, but he did -it on such a big scale it became more than one pocket<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228"></a>[228]</span> -could stand, hence the partnership. The Lucknow -races in February brought in 7625 rupees in stakes -alone—</p> - - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Empress</td> -<td class="tdl">winning the</td> -<td class="tdl">All Ponies Handicap</td> -<td class="tdl" colspan="2">Dunn riding</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Myall King</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Stewards’ Purse</td> -<td class="tdl">Dunn</td> -<td class="tdl pad2">”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Lavercost</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Derby</td> -<td class="tdl">Tingey</td> -<td class="tdl pad2">”</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">Little Nell</td> -<td class="tdl pad4">”</td> -<td class="tdl">Mahamet Bagh Plate</td> -<td class="tdl">Elliott</td> -<td class="tdl pad2">”</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>In March at Meerut followed more wins, Little -Nell, Solheil, Bob, Treasure, and Lavercost roping -in 3015 rupees in stakes between them.</p> - -<p>The Dufferins’ term of office was up in 1888. They -had the pleasure of seeing the new Viceregal Lodge -finished before their departure, and enjoyed its -roomy comfort after the very circumscribed Peterhoff. -Against that they had the discomfort of the -move from one house to the other, with one half of -their possessions in one house and the other half in -the other, when, as usually happens on such occasions, -whatever is wanted is sure to be where they -are not.</p> - -<p>Lord Dufferin had done a good deal of useful work -in India, undertaking various reforms and costly -measures that his predecessors had seen the advisability -of, but postponed, fearing the expense; he -consequently left the country (I am told) with a -decided financial deficit, to be dealt with by someone -else.</p> - -<p>On his retirement he was created Marquess of -Dufferin and Ava, the latter taken from the city of -that name a few miles from Mandalay. Of course -there was the usual speculation as to whether Lord -William would stay on as Military Secretary. India<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229"></a>[229]</span> -without Lord William seemed at that time an impossible -thing to contemplate.</p> - -<p>It might be imagined after so many years of India, -combined with the exceptionally strenuous life he -led, that his spirits and ceaseless stream of humour -and fun might have begun to fail him, yet this was -far from the case, he still led the van in fun and -frolic.</p> - -<p>As the time drew near for the departure of the -Dufferins, he issued the proper and usual orders for -all concerned, leaving nothing unthought of for -everyone’s comfort. Then, wag as he was, he issued -the following order, and had it delivered in print to -the A.D.C. in attendance on the departing Viceregal -party.</p> - - -<p><em>Rules to be observed by the A.D.C. in attendance on -their Excellencies the Viceroy and the Marchioness of -Dufferin and Ava after their departure from Calcutta -and until their arrival at Aden.</em></p> - -<div class="blockquoty"> - -<p>1. The A.D.C. in waiting will have the kindness to -report himself every morning in the undress -uniform of His Excellency’s staff, and will -appear in the same at every station at which -any officials meet His Excellency.</p> - -<p>2. At early Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner -he will wear a sword.</p> - -<p>3. During their Excellencies’ stay at Bombay the -A.D.C. in waiting will always appear in uniform.</p> - -<p>4. On board the <i>Kaiser-i-Hind</i> the A.D.C. in waiting -will visit the decks at 4 a.m. and will see<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230"></a>[230]</span> -that the cleaning operations are performed -quietly.</p> - -<p>5. He will be so good as not to wear boots before 7 a.m.</p> - -<p>6. He will be so obliging as to appear in uniform -at breakfast and to wear it until sunset.</p> - -<p>7. The A.D.C. in waiting will take His Excellency’s -orders after breakfast, and in the event of his -services not being required by the outgoing -Viceroy, he will be so kind as to see if Her -Excellency wishes to be supported on deck, -or if the young ladies need assistance.</p> - -<p>8. The A.D.C. in waiting will be so good as personally -to submit to the Captain any wishes -the ladies’ maids may express, and to endeavour -to have them carried out.</p> - -<p>9. The A.D.C. in waiting will please see that the -chairs, cushions, rugs, and books of His -Excellency and of the ladies are arranged on -the deck by 10 a.m.</p> - -<p>10. At 12 o’clock he will kindly see that they all -have Beef Tea.</p> - -<p>11. He will be expected to render assistance to the -Captain in every emergency, and to be the -master of all the ceremonies during fine -weather.</p> - -<p>12. As His Excellency’s policeman does not accompany -him to Aden, the A.D.C. in waiting -must endeavour to learn a few Persian -stories for the occasion, which he will repeat -to His Excellency for one hour daily while -pacing up and down the deck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231"></a>[231]</span></p> - -<p>13. He will also, while listening to the Persian -stories which His Excellency will relate to -him, say “Hau” at intervals of one second -during the whole time the narrative continues. -He will also be kind enough to wear an expression -of profound attention.</p> - -<p>14. In rough weather the A.D.C. in waiting will be -permitted to put on a waterproof coat over -his uniform and to use his chin strap.</p> - -<p>15. His services can on no occasion be dispensed -with during the first five days of the voyage; -he will therefore be expected to keep in good -health, and can on no pretext be allowed -to call for the services of the steward.</p> - -<p>16. At Aden the A.D.C. in waiting will be relieved -from duty.</p></div> - -<p class="right">(Signed) <span class="smcap pad3">William Beresford</span>, Lieut.-Col.,<br /> -<span class="fs80 padr2">Military Secretary to the Viceroy.</span></p> - -<p class="pad2 fs70"><span class="smcap">Simla</span>, <em>November 6th, 1888</em>.</p> - -<p class="p1">The A.D.C. in question, of course, knew Lord Bill’s -little ways, how much was earnest and how much -fun, and appreciated the thoughtful concession of -allowing a chin strap and waterproof to be used -during rough weather, for more reasons than one.</p> - -<p>It was shortly before the Dufferins left India that -Lord William and five other members of the Viceroy’s -staff in one of their lighter moments when dressed -in their racing kit, jumped into a merry-go-round -for a ride and were snapshotted. Lord William is -on the extreme right sitting sideways; next to him -in front is Capt. Roddy Owen; standing up in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232"></a>[232]</span> -striped jacket is Capt. Burn, generally known as -“Handsome Charlie”; then comes Capt. Harbord -(now Lord Suffield) riding a finish; behind him -Capt. Leonard Gordon and Capt. H. Legge. A light-hearted -little party, overflowing with good humour -and health, much of which was the result of the -amount of exercise they were in the habit of taking. -Sportsmen and those of an energetic tendency keep -their health much longer when in India than their -brethren who resign themselves to the climate with -books, eating, drinking, and sleep, the latter being -the natural consequence of the former.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp232b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp232b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>THE VICEROY’S STAFF IN LIGHTER MOMENTS</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Feeling a little holiday would be beneficial Lord -William went home in April on three months’ leave, -his string of forty odd horses remaining at Dehra -Doon in the pleasant cool shade of its many fine -trees, but before leaving he attended the March -Umballa Meeting, when his Treasure won two races, -the Service Stakes 900 rupees, Capt. Macdougall -riding, and the open Pony Race 850 rupees, Dunn -riding; Eunice the Paget Park Plate 300 rupees, -Melbourne Plate with Myall King 200 rupees, Dunn -riding.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233"></a>[233]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII<br /> -<span class="fs70">A WINNING YEAR</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>On Leave—At the Derby Once More—Lord Lansdowne Takes -Office—Conjurer’s Discomfort—A Gentle Reproach—Irishmen -in India—Another Racing Partnership—A Turf Club Inquiry—Paperchasers—A -Telegram from Lucknow—Lord William’s -Health—Jockey in Trouble Again</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy">Three months is not a long leave to spend -at home, it seems to be all coming and -going; it really was not long enough to -pick Lord William up properly—he was badly in -need of English air and fare.</p> - -<p>A good part of this brief holiday was spent racing -and attending to racing matters. He bought a horse -called Pennant, winning a race with him at Croydon -value £200. Oberon was another he purchased, but -turned out rather unreliable. Clarion was also -added to his string.</p> - -<p>Being at home in time to see the Derby run, he -was enthusiastically greeted by all his old friends, -and had a great time. I rather think it was at this -Derby or Ascot that Sir Claude De Crespigny coming -up behind what he recognised as a Beresford back, -said “Good morning, Marcus,” and then, seeing he -had made a mistake and it was Lord William, asked -whom he should apologise to? Without an instant’s -hesitation came the reply, “Marcus, of course, you’ve -taken the elder brother for the younger.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a>[234]</span></p> - -<p>All the Beresford brothers were smart at repartee; -indeed I think they would be hard to beat. Someone -asked Lord Charles which of his brothers he -considered the quickest at repartee. To which he -replied: “Marcus. It was only this morning when -walking down Regent Street, ahead of us was a -doddering old Irish peer, one of the Backwoodsmen -who came over once a year to vote against Home -Rule, I said, ‘Marcus, if you were a despotic -monarch would you keep that Irish nobleman in -your House of Lords?’ ‘Yes,’ said Marcus, ‘I -think I should, but I should fire him first on the -<em>Coronet</em>.’”</p> - -<p>The smartness of this may be lost upon people -who are not horsy and therefore do not know that -the part of a horse’s anatomy between the fetlock -and the hoof is termed the coronet.</p> - -<p>The Marquess of Lansdowne succeeded Lord -Dufferin as Governor-General of India, holding the -office from 1888 to 1893. No events of great importance -occurred during his administration; there -were some small frontier expeditions, but we did not -hear much about them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp47" id="fp234b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp234b.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Elliott & Fry</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>In 1893, at the end of Lord Lansdowne’s reign, -Sir Mortimer Durand, then Foreign Secretary to the -Indian Government, was sent on a mission to Kabul -with a view to defining the limits of influence of the -British Government and the Amir, with respect to -the independent tribes in the wide belt of country -between Afghanistan and British India. However, we -are not yet dealing with 1893 but 1888, when Lord -Lansdowne had only just taken office. He was -fond of horses and racing, therefore watched his<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235"></a>[235]</span> -Military Secretary’s horses work with sympathetic -interest.</p> - -<p>From 1888 to 1894 were Lord William’s best -racing years in the East, and all his spare time was -devoted to it.</p> - -<p>At the November Lucknow meeting his racing -partner, His Highness of Durbangah, won the -Stewards’ Purse with FitzWilliam, Dunn up, Daphne -the Dilkoosha Stakes, Soheil, an Arab, the Pony -Handicap. On the third day, a pony named Brandy -the Paddock Stakes for maiden ponies, besides -various others which I forget.</p> - -<p>At the Calcutta chief meeting FitzWilliam won the -Trials by way of a good beginning. Eunice, who had -at one time and another won a good many races for -Lord William, now won the Karnaul Stakes. Metal -was backed for a small fortune for the Viceroy’s Cup, -when one of those unexpected things happened -which must always be reckoned with in racing; he -was beaten by his stable companion making the pace -too hot for him, and Myall King again romped in a -winner. They also won races with Pekoe and Shamhad, -while a grey English mare named Venus, whom -nobody expected to do anything, won the Eclipse -Stakes for them. Lord Clyde and Clarion won a -couple of races at the Extra Meeting, making a -tremendous winning year, but not a profitable one -taking it all round.</p> - -<p>It was at this juncture that beautiful Arab pony -Blitz came upon the scenes; the charming picture -of him was given to me by Admiral Sir John Hext, -who agreed with Lord Bill “he was one of the best -that ever looked through a bridle.” Lord William<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236"></a>[236]</span> -sold Metal about this time for £500 to someone in -Australia.</p> - -<p>During the Simla season he rode a good many -races himself on Hardware, Nancy and Shamshad. -He also won a match on Hakim against Mr. Laureston’s -Prince Charlie, 2000 rupees a side.</p> - -<p>In July news reached Lord Bill of the death from -heart disease of Mr. Fitch, who for some years had -looked after and conducted the Calcutta lotteries, -also acted as secretary to the Dehra Races. The -poor man died in England while home for a holiday. -Lord William felt much regret, for he had been -closely associated with him, naturally, over racing -matters.</p> - -<p>Mr. Fitch was another of the many men his lordship -had befriended; in fact had been set on his feet -and owed all his success in life to him.</p> - -<p>The season was jogging along much in the usual -fashion, plunging from the sublime to the ridiculous -and the ridiculous to the sublime all the time. In -India we all become dual natured, whether it is the -climate, the atmosphere we live in, or the desire to -leave no time <em>to think</em> I do not know; but we may -in the morning be told, someone with whom we have -been in daily touch is dead—we say how sad, open -our letters, and make all our arrangements for the -day’s amusements, which we fulfil, leaving just time -to pay a last tribute to one whose hand we have so -often held, whose voice and laughter is still sounding -in our ears; we then hurry home from the cemetery -and go out to dinner, or to the theatre, and home to -bed late, hoping to be so tired that sleep will claim -us immediately. It is not that we are callous really,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237"></a>[237]</span> -far from it; the sad news in the morning has left a -lonesome feeling in our hearts, an aching for the -poor body who such a short time ago was full of all -he or she were going to do when they went “home,” -it makes home seem very far away and the present -so full of prickling possibilities, and we feel we must -laugh or cry, and our English objection to wearing -our hearts on our sleeves makes us appear gay, and -thus we are pitch-forked from the sublime to the -ridiculous and vice versa, still if we never reached -the sublime we should miss the picturesqueness.</p> - -<p>I once asked Lord Bill when we were speaking of -this very matter, that is to say, the amount of feeling -we contrived to hide in our everyday life, when -he told me of several strange things that had happened -in his life of which he had had strong pre-sentiments; -one was in connection with racing, and -the others purely private matters; this led me to ask -him if he was superstitious; he replied, “I like to -think I am not, but I am always very careful not to -wound people’s susceptibilities on that point, having -some of that feeling which is supposed to make us -wondrous kind.”</p> - -<p>Superstition is a thing I suppose that can hardly -be described or accounted for, as some of the happenings -in our lives refuse to be explained by any hitherto -understood methods or any rules or lines of our -acquaintance; and also there are times when we are -not ourselves, oh strange and bitter paradox!</p> - -<p>Lord William’s way of keeping people in order -was very much to the point generally, and yet he -did it very charmingly. An A.D.C. once had been -hauled over the coals by him, and at the end of it<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238"></a>[238]</span> -said, “What a good fellow Lord Bill is, how -thoroughly he rubbed me down, and yet how like a -gentleman.”</p> - -<p>Another rather amusing instance was when the -Rajah of Nabha was giving a party or entertainment -to Lord Lansdowne. A conjurer had been engaged -to amuse those present; he was a rather persistent -personage, at that time wandering round India seeking -a living, and performing at native courts.</p> - -<p>Lord William, who of course had the arranging of -all this sort of functions, told this professor his -entertainment must not last more than twenty -minutes; this he strongly objected to, declaring it -would entirely spoil his show, did not give him a -chance, and so on, he would require at least an hour. -While expressing his sorrow at causing so much -annoyance and disappointment, Lord Bill stuck to -his point and said not more than twenty minutes -could possibly be allowed; he evidently saw defiance -in the man’s attitude, and made his arrangements -accordingly.</p> - -<p>The performance began, Lord William looking on, -watch in hand. At the end of a quarter of an hour -the British magician was warned he had only five -minutes more. He took no notice, and continued -his lofty way. At the end of twenty minutes he was -told to stop. Still he took no notice, continuing his -tricks and patter, when at a sign from Lord William -a native conjurer, who had been watching huddled -up in a corner, bounded into the middle of the floor -with a tom-tom and commenced a most deafening -and unearthly noise. A tom-tom, it should be explained, -is a rattling sort of thing rather like a drum<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239"></a>[239]</span> -gone wrong. The native had been waiting for the sign -of command, watching the conjurer much as a terrier -watches a rat, waiting to be told to “Go.” This -indignity was too much for the white performer, he -collapsed, and the native then proceeded to make -mango trees grow in a few seconds out of stones and -from under flower-pots, etc. Those present were -much tickled at the whole proceeding.</p> - -<p>One more of Lord William’s gentle reproaches. -This time it was addressed to a youth fresh out from -home, where he had been much spoilt; he was complaining -about the disrespectful way the regiment he -had just joined treated him, he was not accustomed -to be treated in such a manner. The poor lad was -learning that painful but wholesome lesson, his value -in public opinion, and he did not like it. Thinking -he had a sympathetic listener in Lord William, and -not knowing him as well as some of us did, the -twinkle in his eye did not act as a warning, and at -last the lad worked himself up to such a pitch of -feeling over his wrongs that he said he should write -to his mother and tell her he should return home at -once. No words had come from Lord Bill, who -appeared to be full of interest and sympathy, but -when he was told that the unhappy youth meant to -return to his mother, he said sweetly and quietly, -“But, my dear chap! think what a disappointment -it would be to her!” Even then the young lad did -not at first grasp what was meant, but when Lord -Bill added, “After fixing you up with new shirts and -pocket handkerchiefs, to have you back on her hands -so soon.”</p> - -<p>Lord William, seeing the boy was nearly tearful,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240"></a>[240]</span> -walked off with him, arm-in-arm, talked it all over -quietly, gave some good advice, and, I understand, -left the poor boy happier and probably much wiser.</p> - -<p>What a number of Irishmen have ruled in India -and been famous there. Lord Mayo, born in Dublin, -who in 1868 succeeded Lord Lawrence. I should -think he was the only Governor-General who had -farmed for his livelihood, and be it noted made -enough to live upon. When he came of age he was -Mr. Bourke. His father, whose eldest brother was -then living, could not afford him any sort of allowance, -but rented one of his farms to him to try and -make what he could out of it, and I have been given -to understand he did make it pay, which is more -than many gentlemen farmers do, methinks!</p> - -<p>Lord Mayo is reported to have said, “And many -a long day have I stood in the market selling my -beasts.”</p> - -<p>Then there was Lord Connemara, Governor of -Madras, responsible for the well-being and happiness -of thirty million souls; Lord Lansdowne, a Kerry -nobleman; Lord Roberts, a Waterford hero of -Kandahar fame; Lord William Beresford, V.C., -the unequalled Military Secretary and patron of the -turf; Sir George White, V.C., who brought Burmah -into order; Sir David Barbour, a perfect juggler in -figures, who brought the much feared and dreaded -financial deficit of the country to a considerable -surplus, and many more if there were time and space -to recount them.</p> - -<p>The Annandale Racecourse was now enlarged -and levelled. It had cost large sums of money, but -was satisfactory, and the races now began to draw<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a>[241]</span> -horses from Umballa and Meerut. The lotteries on -the first day’s racing after the new course was -“declared open,” as they say at bazaars, amounted -to 20,000 rupees, so Lord William hoped it would -not be long before the debt on the ground was paid -off. A little lady, who was one of Lord William’s -most devoted admirers (aged six), was crying one -day at Simla when he happened to look in on the -way down to one of the gymkhanas, and when he -asked her what was the matter and took her on his -knee, she threw her arms round his neck weeping salt -tears down his collar, saying, “Mover won’t let me -go and see you run in your pyjamas.” This required -a little explanation. He gathered she had heard her -mother and friends talking about some race they -hoped he would win at the coming gymkhana. Not -having been very long in the country she had got a -little mixed between gymkhana and pyjamas. Lord -Bill pleaded so hard for his little friend to be allowed -to go to the meeting, consent was at last given, and -he said he could see in the child’s eyes how disappointed -she was that he did not appear in pyjamas -after all.</p> - -<p>In October the usual exodus took place, and Lord -Bill found time to see some of his horses win races at -the November 1889 Lucknow meeting. Blitz, -beautiful Blitz, won the Dilkoosha Stakes; Nellie -the Little Go Chase, FitzWilliam the Bar Cup, -Betsy the Standard Plate. At Dehra, Meerut and -Umballa he won four races. He rode in the Meerut -Charger Race himself, winning on Jim. At Pindi he -rode one of the races, winning on Landshart II; -the other two were won by Daphne and Ensign.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242"></a>[242]</span> -Four races in one day to the credit of his -stable.</p> - -<p>A little later, at the Calcutta 1889-90 races his -Euclid seemed to be losing form, but Pennant was -going strong and won the Trials; Chester also won -the Pony Cup.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s racing partner, His Highness the -Maharajah of Durbangah, was most anxious to be a -winner of the Viceroy’s Cup, and Pennant being in -Lord William’s opinion the likely winner, with his -characteristic kindliness sold the horse to His Highness -just before the race, so that the Durbangah -colours might be carried. The horse won easily, -greatly to his new owner’s pleasure.</p> - -<p>That wonderful pony, Lord Clyde, won the International -Pony Race.</p> - -<p>Speaking at the Turf Club dinner Lord William -confessed he thought a <em>big</em> stable a mistake. In -spite of having gained this experience, which led -people to imagine he intended to reduce his stable, -he added to it, and for the first time sent some of his -horses to Madras to see what he could do there. At -the Autumn Meerut Meeting he had no luck this -year with his horses, chiefly owing, no doubt, to their -usual jockey, Dunn, who knew their temperaments -and little ways, being away at the time ill, which -was hard on the horses and hard on their owner.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp93" id="fp242xb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp242xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>BEAUTIFUL BLITZ</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp98" id="fp242yb" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp242yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>PILOTEER WINNING A TROTTING PRIZE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The big Calcutta meeting on December 26th, -1889, saw the beginning of the Presto row, which -most racing people will remember. The horse was -entered for the Walter Locke Cup, and was expected -to win, Dunn riding, but was not even placed! It -was suggested that it was the result of getting off<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243"></a>[243]</span> -badly at the start, the horse swerving round, losing -several lengths. This caused some comment and -much disappointment, which reached boiling point -two days later, when on the 28th Presto again ran -with Dunn up for the Kooch Behar Cup, 1¼ miles, -winning easily, there never being a moment’s doubt -from start to finish that the race was his, even -leaving Moorhouse, a very fast horse, and several -others hopelessly behind.</p> - -<p>The public were now thoroughly upset, though on -the face of the thing it seemed natural that if the -horse lost so many lengths at the start in the race on -the 26th, it would quite account for relative positions -at the end of the two races. There were, however, -those who considered Dunn’s riding was at fault, -therefore the Stewards of the Turf Club held an -enquiry into it. Mr. Gasper, the clever lawyer who -has already been introduced, and from whom Lord -William bought Mercury, appeared to uphold the -complaint. Whether Dunn was in any way to blame -for this different running of Presto I am not able to -state, but be that as it may, he stood very little -chance in any case with Mr. Gasper up against him, -he being the most brilliant criminal lawyer Calcutta -had ever seen, and he at any rate believed Dunn to -blame, and waxed eloquent in consequence.</p> - -<p>After a long and tedious investigation, over which -there had been some feeling, the Stewards fully -exonerated Lord William, and while not stating -Dunn pulled, they were of the opinion he deserved -censure for bad riding, which had certainly justified -the enquiry.</p> - -<p>The whole affair was much to be regretted, and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244"></a>[244]</span> -makes one wonder how a man can be found who -cares to have his honour resting in the hands of paid -servants like jockeys, trainers, and so forth, when -any day what a man prizes more than anything else -in the world may be thrown to the winds, through -absolutely no fault of his own.</p> - -<p>The course at Calcutta had been expanded, and -the buildings improved, greatly owing to the efforts -of the sporting and popular merchant Mr. Charles -Moore, who took great interest in racing and the -bettering of all its conditions.</p> - -<p>Following the Calcutta meeting came Tollygunge, -where the stable finished the season well, Blitz -winning the Belvedere Stakes in January 18th, 1893, -Gold Leaf the Sensation Handicap, Traveller the -Long Distance Handicap, FitzWilliam the Spring -Purse, and Nellie the Pony Chase.</p> - -<p>I had almost forgotten the cold weather paper-chases, -having so much of interest to recount in the -way of racing. Lord Bill was very fond of riding -after paper, and the Calcutta Paperchases were no -child’s play. He ran second in the Cup in the cold -weather of 1880-81, riding Oliver Twist, third on -Mariner 1881-82, first on Premier in 1882-83, first -on Diamond in 1887-88.</p> - -<p>Captain Muir, commanding the Body Guard, who -has already been mentioned as having been left in -charge of Lord Bill’s affairs when he started for -Zululand, won the Calcutta Paperchase Cup three -years running on his Warwickshire Lad, I believe, -in the cold weather of 1877-78—1878-79—1879-80. -The only person that I know of with such a record.</p> - -<p>I ought perhaps to explain that the Viceroy and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245"></a>[245]</span> -each Governor has a Body Guard for escorts, guards, -sentries, etc., much the same as the Household -Cavalry in England with the King.</p> - -<p>The Viceroy’s Body Guard was very impressive -with its scarlet uniform and lances.</p> - -<p>What a gift it is to be able to speak well. Lord -Bill was a happy speaker, always to the point, and -always amusing, and how people do like to be -amused. We have only to look at the money made -by humorists like Mr. George Robey, who earns -£200 a week to make people laugh, and is worth it, -or he would not receive that handsome money; -Little Tich with his £250 a week, or Cissy Loftus, the -mimic, who received £250 a week for her services.</p> - -<p>Compare with this the pay of some of our Indian -officials, toiling in the heat, often separated from all -that makes life lovely. Truly it is better to be funny -than great, but then after all it is great to be funny. -Lord William thought every boy ought to be taught -to speak, and considered debating societies excellent -practice for them, which no doubt they are, teaching -them not only to think, but to express themselves -intelligibly and to frame their sentences.</p> - -<p>As Lord William expressed it, “Everybody has not -got the gift of the gab,” but most can acquire it, and -no doubt this is true to a great extent; some great -speakers have been miserable failures to begin with, -though overflowing with things they wanted to say. -Disraeli was an example. His first speech in the -House of Commons was an utter failure, possibly -partially from nervousness, also want of practice; -eventually his phraseology was both forceful and -picturesque.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246"></a>[246]</span></p> - -<p>While Huxley, giving his first lecture at the Royal -Institute, I am told, was quite painful, so much so, -that he received a letter imploring him never to -speak again, which was not encouraging.</p> - -<p>Some can speak and cannot write, others can -write and cannot speak. This has been brought -home to me lately while turning over old letters and -documents searching for those relating to the subject -of these memories.</p> - -<p>I have come across forgotten letters that I have -received at different times from India, Afghanistan, -Zululand, Burmah, South Africa, East Africa, -Russia, France, Egypt, in fact from most of the -places where there have been stirring times during -my life.</p> - -<p>Many of the letters written by the chief actors, -others from those who at the time of writing were -taught “not to think, but to do as they were told—thinking -was for their superiors!”</p> - -<p>It has interested me placing them side by side and -studying the different views held by the writers of -the various situations they were dealing with, not all -the facts being by any means in accordance with the -accounts that have been handed down for our -digestion. Some of these writers could have thrown -very vivid light on various situations, but they have -carried their griefs and in some cases their injustices -with them to their lonely, uncared-for graves.</p> - -<p>Amongst these letters are a few written in bald -John Bull, plum-puddingy jerky sentences, like -roughly sketched in pictures to be filled in later; -possibly they found speaking easier than writing. -Then there are the letters dealing with the same<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247"></a>[247]</span> -situations, so eloquent, so full of human sympathy -and yet so dramatic that it is almost like living -through the experiences oneself.</p> - -<p>I suppose mistakes are not sins when people have -honestly done their best, but then the best is sometimes -painfully foolish, and it is poor consolation to -those who have suffered in consequence of it, that it -was all a mistake!</p> - -<p>We must now hark back to Lord William’s racing. -He was hoping to win the Civil Service Cup at Lucknow, -the best pony race in India. He and all the -staff who could possibly get away from Calcutta -went to see it run. Two of Lord William’s ponies -were entered for it, namely, the famous Arab Blitz -and an English pony named Bustle. The former -was a strong favourite, and Lord William thought -it a certain win.</p> - -<p>Before leaving Calcutta he promised Lady Lansdowne -to telegraph to her the result of the race. At -dinner that night Sir John Hext asked Lady Lansdowne -if she had heard from Lord William as was -arranged. She replied “No; I am rather disappointed.” -Dinner had not proceeded very far -when the expected telegram arrived. After reading -it Her Excellency burst out laughing, and handed -it to Sir John, who read, “Bustle <em>in front</em> this time.” -So the English pony had won the Cup.</p> - -<p>Myall King won the Horse Handicap, there being -nothing there that could touch him.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s health was again troubling him. -He had in fact had enough of India and its climate, -though he would not allow it. He was advised to -go home on leave for a while, which he agreed to do,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248"></a>[248]</span> -but did not take long enough to benefit him materially, -that curse of India, dysentery, claiming him at -intervals.</p> - -<p>Before leaving for home he sold Euclid (whom he -considered no longer of much racing value) to Count -Poloki for £700.</p> - -<p>While Lord Bill was at home Weekes, who it will -be remembered bought Myall King for him, bought -another horse in July for the Durbangah-Beresford -stable for 800 guineas. Various items of news -reached Lord Bill while at home which were worrying. -One being that anthrax had broken out at -Dehra in the stables. Those who have had any -experience of that disease will be able to picture his -feelings on receiving this news, it being quite on the -cards that every horse might be dead in a few hours. -Poor Shamshad was the first of the victims. Fortunately -stringent measures were taken by Willson, -Lord William’s trainer, before many had succumbed.</p> - -<p>Then followed the unpleasant news that Dunn was -in trouble again, for the confederacy stable was -active, though Lord Bill was away. This time it -appears Dunn’s riding was so peculiar from the -moment he left the paddock that the Stewards felt -it imperative to institute another enquiry, regarding -the running of Cumberland, and they came to -the conclusion he had not ridden the horse to win, -in consequence of which he was suspended for twelve -months, rather taking his breath away, riding being -his means of livelihood. This punishment was later -added to by disqualification for life, for which no -one could feel sorry, if he was unable to serve faithfully -such a good master he did not deserve any mercy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a>[249]</span></p> - -<p>I believe in 1892, thinking Dunn had suffered -enough, his sentence was remitted.</p> - -<p>Lord William now engaged the services of that -first-rate jockey Vinall, and he was out in India by -October, when his lordship returned, looking much -better for his visit to the German Spas, where he had -amongst other things been drinking the waters.</p> - -<p>In December racing people’s breath was taken -away by finding Lord Bill had bought and landed -in the country a couple of South American horses, -which under the then existing rules were rated as -country-breds and carried weight with that class. -Vixen and Westminster were the names of these -surprise packets.</p> - -<p>At the Calcutta second meeting Escapade, Labby -and Goldleaf won races. Pamela also won her first -prize, the Walter Locke Cup, while good old Myall -King romped away with the Viceroy’s Cup for the -third time, value 5850 rupees.</p> - -<p>The brilliant lawyer, Mr. Gasper, died in December -of this year on the way to England for a holiday; if -I remember rightly he died of heart failure. Lord -William at once wrote a kindly, sympathetic letter -to his wife, which, considering he cannot have felt -very warmly towards her husband after the bitter -tone he took up against his jockey and horses, was -good of him, and I hope the lady appreciated the -spirit that prompted him to do this gentle act. -Gentle courtly manners are the fruit of noble -natures and loyal minds.</p> - -<p>January 1st, 1891, saw Lord William gazetted a -full-blown colonel and K.C.I.E.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250"></a>[250]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII<br /> -<span class="fs70">THE FAMOUS FAREWELL DINNER</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Why the Maharajah of Durbangah Gave up Racing—The Maharajah -of Patiala Joins the Stable—The Indian Lotteries—Some Successful -Racing—Lord Bill Pays Up—Simla Feeling Sad—Death -of Myall King—Some of His Chief Races—Farewell -Dinner—List of Guests—Speeches</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">Early in 1891 the Maharajah of Durbangah -told his partner he meant to give up racing. -Mr. Abbott, who was in the know of all -things racing, attributes this decision to worry and -anxiety caused by certain Government schemes -afloat which he feared would entirely disturb the -peace of his territory. Perhaps I cannot do better -than quote Mr. Abbott’s own words referring to the -reason for His Highness’s retirement.</p> - -<p>“This popular prince was worried out of his life -by the spectre which haunted his nightly dreams of -the utterly uncalled for, ill-judged and stupid scheme -of the Cadastral Survey, hatched by two Irish -civilians, true to their breeding in that they were -rabid haters of landlords. If ever the heart of that -generous, loyal and rattling good all-round prince -be post-mortemed, Cadastral Survey will be found -indelibly printed thereon. How could a man go on -racing when he knew that his whole principality, at -that moment resting in perfect peace and contentment, -was to have its Arcadian simplicity disturbed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251"></a>[251]</span> -by numerically untold bands of harpies in Government -uniform, sweeping through its length and -breadth, looting alike Zemindar and Ryot, taking -bribes with a magnificent impartiality from both—and -to do what? Draw dauby maps, incomplete -and incorrect to start with, absolutely useless in less -than five years. A precious lot of use this thrice-cursed -and most scandalous survey will prove. -Small wonder Durbangah stopped racing, and that -the once contented prince is in a state of unrest and -discontent.” Mr. Abbott maintains, “This and this -alone was the secret of Durbangah’s retiring from -the turf.”</p> - -<p>Whether this survey proved disastrous or a benefit -I am not able to say, but I think we may take it that -the description of Mr. Abbott’s which I have quoted -faithfully represents the state of the Maharajah’s -mind and feelings at the time. Great was the excitement -in India when the news became public property, -and many both wise and foolish were the speculations -indulged in as to the reason. Lord William -was naturally very sorry, having had nothing but -the pleasantest relations with his partner from first -to last. There had always been entire agreement -between them. In addition to his regret at losing -his racing partner Lord William was very grieved -that “such a good fellow and such a loyal prince” -should be unhappy and unsettled.</p> - -<p>There happened to be another native nobleman -at the time anxious and longing to make a name for -himself on the turf, namely, the young and enormously -rich young Maharajah of Patiala, straight -from the leading strings of a strict Scotch tutor.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252"></a>[252]</span> -Being at the Calcutta meeting for the first time in the -early part of ’91, and knowing that the Beresford-Durbangah -arrangement was at an end, he approached -Lord William with a view to being taught -the ropes and joining company. He was already a -good horseman and loved the sport. His lordship -agreed, and so for the future it was to be that very -powerful stable the Patiala-Beresford, the strongest -in India.</p> - -<p>So there was no halting in any of the programmes, -everything went on just as usual. At the Second -Extra Calcutta Meeting in ’91 Lord William won -two races with Lord Clyde and one with Wild Oats, -as wild as his name. At the Lucknow Meeting Myall -King won the Stewards’ Purse, value 1500 rupees. -Here again there was an unpleasantness, one of those -heated arguments that spoil the pleasure of a meeting -for everybody. This time the row began when -Mr. Apcar’s Sylvia won the Civil Service Cup, and -Lord William, on behalf of the owner of the second -pony named Frisky, made objection to her not -having paid the full penalties. After certain explanations -Lord William withdrew his objection, -but Frisky’s owner carried on the war, and the unfortunate -Stewards of the Turf Club (Calcutta) had -to sift the matter and adjudicate. Counsel exhausted -themselves with their eloquence over the -case, but again it came to naught.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp49" id="fp252b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp252b.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Vandyk</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>H. H. THE MAHARAJAH OF PATIALA</p></div> -</div> - -<p>It was, I believe, in December, 1891, Myall King -was beaten for the Viceroy’s Cup by that speedy -horse Moorhouse, but Sunshine won the Karnaul -Stakes, Edith the Zeerut Stakes, Teviot the Eastern -Stakes, plucky little Blitz the Eclipse Stakes, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253"></a>[253]</span> -ears down, thinking hard, and doing his best; Ivo -the Christmas Cup, so amongst these many wins it -is hoped consolation was found to make up for poor -Myall King’s defeat.</p> - -<p>On the fourth day of the big Calcutta Meeting -there was some grand racing. The Patiala-Beresford’s -country-bred pony Negus, supposed to be the -best country-bred ever seen in India, won the -Eastern Handicap, and Ringmaster made a splendid -finish for the Durbangah Cup, Vinall only just -managing to squeeze him in front of Savant by a -short head. The stable at this time had a small -English boy named Peake doing the lightweight -riding for them, he was rather a success. At the -Third Extra Calcutta Meeting the black cap and -light blue jacket won four races on Christmas Day -as follows: Escapade the Kerry Stakes, Tabby the -Welter, Negus the Bengal, Ivo the Fitzmaurice Stakes.</p> - -<p>From now on, until Lord William left India early -in 1894, there is little if any particular interest to -relate except his successful racing, to which he -devoted all his spare time. Chasing appealed -strongly to him, the excitement of it being after his -own heart, and nothing pleased him better than to -be up himself. Being a good judge of a horse, he -knew what to look for when keeping his eyes and -ears open for possible winners. On paper we all -know the thing to look for, good shoulders to help -them when landing, plenty of power behind to propel -with, and so on, but in practice this does not -always do the trick, for most of us at times have -seen little weedy, tucked-up animals win big prizes. -Never mind, we are told the exception proves the rule,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254"></a>[254]</span> -and, as I have already remarked, Logic is, no doubt, -a good training for us all as leading to sound and -considered judgment, but horses are unacquainted -with it. It is very seldom, however, that a horse will -not do his best, strain every nerve, in response to -the demands of his master. Lord William was a -bold, plucky rider, with good hands, but in racing -was, I think, inclined to be too impetuous. I have -seen him spoil his own chances by being too eager. -My readers will say he managed to win a good many -when riding himself. Quite true, so he did, and he -could do almost anything with horses, but his -tendency in racing was to go “all out.”</p> - -<p>A good deal of business was done in India over the -Calcutta Sweepstakes on the English Derby. Lord -William was always keenly interested, and did a -good deal of buying and selling over the horses’ -chances, which, of course, is just as legitimate as -certain leading lights in the English racing world -making a £10,000 yearling book on the Derby. As -a purchaser of tickets Lord Bill was in a good position -to judge a horse’s chances, being well posted from -home, his brother Lord Marcus keeping him well -informed of all that was going on, the breakdowns, -scratchings, and other contingencies connected with -good and bad luck of the racehorse in training. The -Calcutta Sweep on our Derby is the most valuable -in the world. Lord William did a large business with -the Indian lotteries, and made a heap of money over -them. The sweepstakes being drawn some weeks -before the race is run, gives everybody who likes to -avail themselves of it opportunities of making money -by buying and selling the chances subsequent to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255"></a>[255]</span> -draw, taking the form of jobbery on the Stock -Exchange. Many of my readers know all about this, -but there are some who may be glad of the explanation. -It is not now possible to do what has been done -in the past with Calcutta Sweeps, what is called -“future event wagering,” is more or less a thing of -the past. It must be remembered there was not -much for Lord William to learn about racing, and he -knew how to hedge so as to make his book fairly safe -before the flag fell. There is an old adage, “No bet -is a good one until it is well hedged.” I think -latterly Lord William hedged a good deal. I have -heard it remarked that he lost his nerve a little, and -after making a big book would hedge it off again, -thereby not making the sums he might have done -over his own horses, but I think we may take it his -lordship knew what he was doing, and did it fairly -satisfactorily.</p> - -<p>In February, 1892, that wonderful pony Lord -Clyde, whose legs must have been made of cement, -won the Merchants’ Purse at Lucknow with ease, -Arabi Pasha the Derby, and Negus the Civil Service -Cup. Racing people in India were growing restive -at the formidable Patiala-Beresford stable winning -so many of the best races, but if the stewards and -officials who arrange the different meetings invite -outsiders to compete they must not cry if they come -and at times carry off their prizes. Both the Maharajah -and Lord Bill were so extraordinarily -generous they cared much less for the cash and -prizes than for the glory of winning, and would willingly -have given them the value of the stakes if that -was all that mattered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256"></a>[256]</span></p> - -<p>The Patiala Prince started some races of his own -in April, 1892, on his own estate. They became very -popular, and his hospitality was remarkable, everything -well done, and Lord William able to help him -in laying out and arranging the course, which was -1½ miles long, and well kept. It boasted of two -grand stands, stables, dressing-rooms, weighing-room, -and all the heart of man or beast could desire.</p> - -<p>On the opening day both the Maharajah and his -A.D.C., Sirdar Preetum Singh, rode in races, each -being a winner. The bookmakers did good business -too.</p> - -<p>At Agra the stable did fairly well, winning the -Bhurtpore Plate with Doris, Bar Stakes with Teviot, -three races with Edith, and the Auction Stakes with -Joker. Small wonder folk felt nervous when the -Patiala-Beresford horses appeared on the scenes.</p> - -<p>At Simla, on the new altered course, the races -could hardly be called gymkhanas any longer, many -good horses coming from far and near to compete. -Lord William won the Jakko Stakes with his Coffee, -but I do not remember any other wins of this time -at Annandale, though there may have been several.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp256b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp256b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>NEW PAVILION AT ANNANDALE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The majority of his horses, as well as the viceregal -horses, were summering at Dehra as usual. This year -a few were sent to Nami Tal, another hill station, by -way of a change and to represent the stable in some -races and gymkhanas. Two horses that had lately -been imported to India were causing anxiety, they -were not doing very well at Dehra, but as they had -come out in that trying month of August it was -hardly surprising. It was my fate once to be in the -Red Sea in August, and I almost made up my mind<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[257]</span> -to die, but thought better of it, while a real live -judge on board made no bones about it, and did lie -down and die, though everybody did their best for -the poor old man with ice, fans, and punkahs.</p> - -<p>At Meerut Doris won the Haupur Stakes, Cuba -the Handicap Hurdles, Tabby the Aligarh Stakes, -Edith the Railway Stakes.</p> - -<p>At Umballa a match was arranged between Lord -William and Mr. Woolmer, to come off at the Autumn -Lucknow Meeting, the friends of each of these -sportsmen betting on the event. It was looked forward -to with considerable interest.</p> - -<p>Saltford won the Grand Annual at Umballa, and -the stable won a couple of other races.</p> - -<p>At Pindi, Marvel won the Pindi Plate; at Lucknow, -Doris the Dilkoosha Stakes easily, Escapade -the Trials, Teviot the Club Stakes.</p> - -<p>Some horses were sent off at the same time to -Hyderabad with Ryder in charge and did well, bringing -in something satisfactory in stakes.</p> - -<p>Myall King, if I remember rightly, won a big race. -The race meetings followed on each other’s heels -fairly quickly, and we must now follow the stable to -the Calcutta First Extra Meeting, where Pavo won -the Pony Plate easily. Arab Brat, a wonderful pony, -a mass of muscle, well made and lovely to behold, -won the small Pony Trials, Ivo the Frost Stakes, -and in the December Stakes, Lord William led in -Lady Grace the winner.</p> - -<p>At the big meeting, December 24th, Sunshine won -the Kurnaul Stakes, Tostig, a most untrustworthy -but very fast horse, the Trials, Ivo the Walter Locke -Cup.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[258]</span></p> - -<p>For the Viceroy’s Cup this year the stable had -nothing they felt that could compete with the -Maharajah of Kooch Behar’s grand black gelding -Highborn. Their Caterina ran, but was beaten by -him.</p> - -<p>The smart country-bred Sunshine won the Gunny -Meah Cup, the fast Eider the Sandown Park Stake -in a canter, and Caterina retrieved her character by -winning the rich Kooch Behar prize, though she had -a good field against her; Little Brat also won the -Eclipse Stakes.</p> - -<p>It seemed quite correct that after being beaten -by the Rajah of Kooch Behar’s horse for the Viceroy’s -Cup that Caterina should retaliate by winning His -Highness’s Cup.</p> - -<p>A glance at the winning of the Confederacy at this -meeting is instructive, 21,000 rupees being won -between the Patiala and Beresford horses.</p> - -<p>At Tollygunge, the obliging and always ready -Edith won the Handicap Chase. So ended the 1892 -racing.</p> - -<p>On January 14th, 1903, at Calcutta, that compact -and beautifully made pony Parvo won the Belvedere -Pony Stakes, also another a little later. Vixen, the -South American, roped in the rupees in the Selling -Welter, and again next day the Alipore Stakes.</p> - -<p>The first day at Lucknow opened with the two -matches between Lord William and Captain Woolmer. -In the first Lord William was to ride his -English horse Tostig against Capt. Woolmer’s Australian -Flashlight, catch weight over 12 stone, distance -three furlongs. Flashlight was a curious, -rather ungainly looking horse, with an uncomfort<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[259]</span>able -saddle back, being round or roach-backed. -Nevertheless, the horse won. In the other match -Lord William rode an English horse again, named -Simon de Montfort. I am sure his opponent must -have felt impressed by this high-sounding title. -Capt. Woolmer was on an English mare rejoicing -in the common or garden name of Stourbay. Here -again Capt. Woolmer won, and Lord Bill had to pay -up, the terms having been 5000 rupees a side. The -only comfort out of the day’s racing was that Exile -won the Martiniere Stakes.</p> - -<p>The second day’s racing was better for them. -Doris won the Pony Race, Mocassin the Pony Chase, -Kirkstall the Goomtee Stakes, Prince Imperial the -All-horse Handicap, as well as two other races I am -not sure about; so the owners began to preen -themselves again. The Civil Service Cup was a disappointment. -They had hoped to win it with Negus, -but were beaten by a pony named Pekin.</p> - -<p>At Meerut Plebein won the Grand National Chase, -Prince Imperial the Turf Club Cup, and in March, -1893, at the Patiala meeting little Blitz added the -Pony Race to his laurels; Sirus the Asiatic Stakes, -and Salford with nothing near him the Grand -Annual.</p> - -<p>Lord William had added Flashlight to his string. -It had worried him very much there being anything -that could beat his Tostig, which was considered a -really fast horse; he determined if possible to buy -Flashlight, and, as we see, he did accomplish the -deal.</p> - -<p>Riding in the Calcutta Military Paperchase for -the cup in 1893, Lord Bill had a nasty fall with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[260]</span> -Ratafia. No bones were broken this time fortunately, -but he had to keep to his bed for several -weeks. Though now forty-six years of age, he still -rode as hard as ever, still did gymkhana tricks, and -skylarked with the best of them, though he had -already eight times broken his collarbone, had -various concussions of the brain, and hundreds of -minor griefs in the way of bumps and bruises, yet -his nerve had never failed him.</p> - -<p>At the 1893 Pindi meeting, Patiala-Beresford -horses won nothing, which was rather amusing, as -it was from there the chief cry came about its being -no use racing against millionaire princes, of course -they could afford to buy up all the best horses, etc., -giving no one else a chance. On this occasion they -must have felt small, to say the least of it.</p> - -<p>At the end of the season the horses went to their -summer quarters, and the usual anxiety and curiosity -began of wondering what the Confederacy -would produce for the next year’s racing. Wild -rumours floated about of the horses Lord William -was supposed to have bought; the racing and -betting people studied all the English, Australian, -and American papers in hopes of finding out, or at -any rate gleaning some information. The would-be -wise gossipers added various horses to his stable with -wonderful records, all of which were inventions or -at any rate proved incorrect. What was true, and -eventually became known, was that he had bought -Sprig o’ Myrtle, a well-known and good horse, -with a view to taking Highborn down a peg or -two.</p> - -<p>In June I think, at any rate in the hot weather,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[261]</span> -Lord William sent Westminster, Vixen, Lady Grace, -Escapade, Goldleaf and Chester to Bangalore to -train. This was chiefly owing to the Calcutta Turf -Club having decided not to allow South American -horses any longer to be entered in the country-bred -class as regards weight. The Western Indian Turf -Club not having arrived at any such conclusion, both -Vixen and Westminster had a good chance there, -making it worth while sending them. Lord William’s -prediction was verified, they both won races and -many rupees there.</p> - -<p>Simla was feeling rather miserable trying to face -the inevitable, for Lord William’s years of office were -drawing to a close. People quarrelled with one -another to entertain him and do him honour, and in -spite of Lord Bill’s cheery efforts there was a something -in the air that spelt depression, for who would, -or ever could, take his place? And what were Lord -Bill’s feelings in leaving all his kind friends and the -haunts of so many happy and successful years? I -know he felt lumps in his throat at times, and it -seemed to bring home to him that his youth was -gone; that suddenly somehow he had become -middle-aged, and he had not hitherto realised it. -He had been obliged to give up polo, and his health -at times was far from satisfactory, although his -spirit had never failed, was still unquenched, and after -all he had earned a little home life, but against that -no one likes leaving a place where they have been -a little god.</p> - -<p>Amongst the most touching of his farewells was -from the children at Simla; he gave them a last -farewell party at Inverarm, and they presented him<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[262]</span> -with a little remembrance, which was amongst the -most valued of his many parting gifts.</p> - -<p>While at Simla, Lady Lansdowne, who was very -much liked, told some lady she should like to visit -her friends and have tea with them as she did -amongst her friends at home, she did not care for the -formal “stand-off” viceregal attitude. The lady -this remark was addressed to promptly said, “Oh, -will you come to tea with me?” receiving an -answer in the affirmative. When the Military -Secretary heard of this he at once begged Her Excellency -to do nothing of the kind; it would be -establishing a precedent in the first place which -might not be desirable, added to which it would -most certainly lead to jealousy and trouble, so the -kind and sociable-hearted Vice-reine had to give up -the idea.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp262b" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp262b.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Bourne & Shepherd</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>MYALL KING’S GRAVE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lord William now entered upon his last year’s -racing. He wanted to have an Irish finish, a good -gallop for the last, and he was not disappointed, for -he certainly won a prodigious number of races. -People opened their eyes and blinked when Willson, -Lord William’s trainer, reached Calcutta with a -truly formidable string, consisting of good old Myall -King, Flashlight, Tostig, Sprig o’ Myrtle, Kirstall, Ivo, -Westminster, Lady Grace, Caterina, Eider, Tabby, -Killatoe, Firstshot, Nectar, Mite, Negus, Labby, -Parvo, Lady Ethleen, Seabreeze, Puffball, Annie -Rooney, Release, FitzGeorge, Coochick and ever so -many more, surely he must have reached the height -of his ambitions in India; but alas! his pleasure in -his last year’s racing was damped by an accident to -his favourite Myall King while he was being schooled<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[263]</span> -over hurdles. It was noticed he was fencing rather -carelessly, whether he felt he had done his bit, and -ceased to be interested in the game, or whether he -did not feel well, it is hard to tell, but it ended in his -coming to grief and breaking his leg. Lord William -was much upset, for Myall King had played the -game so handsomely for him. He ordered a monument -to be erected to the horse’s memory at Barrackpore, -of which I give a photograph. Lord -William is standing on the right side with his little -fox terrier, Willson the trainer stands on the left, -and Vinall near him. The picture of Lord William -is not the least like him. I think it has suffered in -the touching up process through which I understand -they have to go, but the photo is of interest.</p> - -<p>Many people who had admired the poor old horse -felt sad when they heard he had met his death on the -racecourse where he had won so many races. The -poor beast had of course to be put out of his pain.</p> - -<p>The <cite>Indian Planters Gazette</cite> felt it so strongly it -broke into song, as follows:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Myall King has been shot, ran the pitiful story,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">We heard in Calcutta on last Tuesday eve;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But that such a sad ending had come to his glory,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">We listeners indeed found it hard to believe.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Fling open the gates of the equine Valhalla</div> - <div class="verse indent2">While the notes of his requiem mournfully ring,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Staunchest of thoroughbreds, best of Australians,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Champion of India, brave Myall King.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Yet, if there’s a future for men and for horses,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Perhaps our old hero we once more may see,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Grazing free on sweet clover in meadows celestial,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Happy as sportsmen all wish him to be.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[264]</span></p> - -<p>The following shows at a glance the horse’s performances:—</p> - -<p class="pfs80"><em>Myall King, by King Cob—Queen of the Forest</em></p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl fs80">Weights.</td> -<td class="tdl fs80">Distance.</td> -<td class="tdl fs80"> Time.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1887, Dec.</td> -<td class="tdl">Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> 8.8</td> -<td class="tdl">1¾ m.</td> -<td class="tdl">3 m. 9½ s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl">Durbangah Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> 9.0</td> -<td class="tdl">1 m. 6 f.</td> -<td class="tdl">3 m. 20½ s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdl"> 132 yds.</td> -<td class="tdl"></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1888, Feb.</td> -<td class="tdl">Lucknow Stewards’ Purse</td> -<td class="tdl">10.3</td> -<td class="tdl">2 m.</td> -<td class="tdl">3 m. 41 s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1888, Dec.</td> -<td class="tdl">Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> 9.0</td> -<td class="tdl">1¾ m.</td> -<td class="tdl">3 m. 7½ s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1890, Dec.</td> -<td class="tdl">Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> 9.0</td> -<td class="tdl">1¾ m.</td> -<td class="tdl">3 m. 8 s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1891, Feb.</td> -<td class="tdl">Lucknow Stewards’ Purse</td> -<td class="tdl"> 9.7</td> -<td class="tdl">1½ m.</td> -<td class="tdl">2 m. 41 s.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1891, Dec.</td> -<td class="tdl">Calcutta Viceroy’s Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> —</td> -<td class="tdl"> —</td> -<td class="tdl">Ran third</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1892, —</td> -<td class="tdl">Hyderabad Gold Cup</td> -<td class="tdl"> 9.7</td> -<td class="tdl">2 m.</td> -<td class="tdl pad3">—</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>Misfortunes seldom come singly. Another catastrophe -occurred almost directly after Myall King’s, -that useful pony Edith fell at the same place, putting -her shoulder out, so of course she could race no more.</p> - -<p>On December 2nd, at the first Extra Calcutta -Meeting, Release ran a dead-heat with Mr. Apcar’s -Sapper in the Pony Plate, which was unsatisfactory -to both. At the second Extra Meeting Ivo won the -Fort Stakes, First Shot, looking splendid, won the -Pony Trials, and Westminster the Maiden Horse -Stakes. Prince Imperial the Hastings Plate Hurdles.</p> - -<p>Then came the eventful Cup Day. Excitement -had been great for some time and now grew intense. -Many people thought the Maharajah of Kooch Behar’s -Highborn was certain to win, though in the opinion<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[265]</span> -of some he was a trifle overtrained. Lord William -also had plenty of backers.</p> - -<p>As the horses cantered past to the post, Highborn -certainly did look tired and a little stale, while Tostig, -Lord William’s horse, or I should say the Confederacy -horse, was looking very fit. They both got -away well, and Vinall kept his charge going from the -first, hoping to reduce his field a bit; he kept the -lead until the last turn for home, when it was observed -Highborn was creeping up, though pale blue -and black cap was still leading. Presently Trahan, -who was riding Highborn, threw up his arm and -began riding for a finish. This made the crowd shout -out, “Highborn’s beaten, Highborn’s done,” and -the field thought all was over but the shouting, and -Lord William would be victorious. Both jockeys -now meant business; both were riding every inch -resolutely, but in spite of Vinall’s best endeavours, -the black landed his head well in front as he passed -the winning post, conqueror by a length.</p> - -<p>The sporting Maharajah of Kooch Behar, who was -very popular, received endless congratulations, and -none more hearty than from his old friend Lord -William. Most people had hoped that being his -lordship’s last year’s racing he would again win the -cup and retire victorious, but the stable had to console -itself with Negus winning the Eastern Pony -Stakes, and Eider the Walter Locke Cup.</p> - -<p>The big plum of the third day Parvo secured, on -the fourth day Lady Ethleen ran a dead-heat for the -Lilliputians, and Negus the Pony Handicap, and so -ended Lord William’s last season’s racing in Calcutta.</p> - -<p>On Saturday evening, the 30th of December, 1893,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[266]</span> -a farewell dinner was given to Lord William by a -large number of his friends in the Calcutta Town -Hall, prior to his departure from India, where he had -spent, as he himself said, “The best years of his -life.”</p> - -<p>The hall was decorated with flags and draperies -in Lord William’s racing colours, the lances of the -Viceroy’s Body Guard arranged round the massive -pillars of the hall, the general effect being distinctly -pretty.</p> - -<p>Mr. Charles H. Moore, one of Lord William’s oldest -friends, occupied the chair, and it is thanks to his -courtesy I am able to produce the facsimile of the -signatures of the guests at that memorable feast, also -his speech in proposing the guest of the evening my -readers will see is both eloquent and earnest, and -my friends tell me the delivery was most impressive, -calling forth an enthusiasm rarely witnessed on such -occasions.</p> - -<p>Lord William was, I know, greatly touched, and his -reply was spoken with much feeling and heartfelt -appreciation for his kindly reception.</p> - -<p>Lord William sat on Mr. Moore’s right, the two -next chairs being occupied by Mr. Justice Macpherson -and the Hon. General Brackenbury, while on the -chairman’s left were Admiral Kennedy and Lord -Brassey. The band of the Rifle Brigade played -during the evening.</p> - - -<p>The following is a list of those present:—</p> - -<div class="fs90"> - -<p>Abbott, Mr. H. E.; Agnew, Capt. Q.; Agnew, -Mr. H. de C.; Alexander, Mr. R.; Allason, Major; -Allan, Mr. J. J.; Anderson, Mr. A. S.; Anderson,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[267]</span> -Mr. G. G.; Apcar, Mr. J. G.; Apostolides, Mr. E. C.; -Althorp, Capt. K.; Arbuthnot, Mr. J.; Ardagh, -Col. J. C., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Arthur, Mr. A.; Barclay, Mr. P. -D.; Barlow, Mr. R.; Barnes, Mr. F. C.; Bates, -Mr. R. G.; Beaver, Col. P. K. L.; Beresford, Mr. -W. M.; Beverley, the Hon. Mr. Justice, <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Bignell, -Mr. R.; Boteler, Mr. R.; Bourdillon, the Hon. -J. A., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Brackenbury, the Hon. Lieut.-General -H., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>; Bradshaw, Surgeon-Major-General; -Brassey, the Right Hon. the Lord; Brasier-Creagh, -Capt., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>; Brock, Mr. C.; Brooke, Mr. W. R., -<span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Buck, Sir E., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Buckland, Mr. C. E., -<span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Butler, Mr. A. L.; Bythell, Capt.; Campbell, -Capt. I. M., <span class="allsmcap">D.S.O.</span>; Campbell, Mr. Alec; Campbell, -Mr. H. P.; Chatterton, Col. F. W.; Chisholme, -Major J. J. Scott; Christopher, Major; Collen, -Major-General Sir E. H. H., <span class="allsmcap">K.C.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">I.E.</span>; Cotton, the -Hon. H. J. S., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>; Creagh, Mr. B. P.; Croft, the -Hon. Sir A., <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E</span>; Cubitt, Mr. J. E.; Cumberledge, -Mr. F, H.; Cuningham, Mr. W. J., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>; -Cunningham, Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. D. D.; Currie, -Capt. J.; Curzon, the Hon. Major M.; Dangerfield, -Mr. E.; Daniel, Mr. Linsay; Dickson, Mr. Geo.; -Dickson, Mr. J. G.; Dods, Mr. W.; Doran, Major -B. J. C.; Eddis, Mr. W. K.; Ellis, Col. S. R.; -Enter, Mr. K.; Evans, the Hon. Sir Griffith, -<span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>; Ezra, Mr. J. E. D.; Fenn, Surgeon-Col. -E. H., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Galbraith, Major-General W., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>; -Gambrie, Col. G. R.; Gamble, Mr. R. A.; Garraway, -Capt. C. W.; Garth, Mr. G. L.; Garth, Mr. W.; -Gladstone, Mr. A. S.; Gladstone, Mr. J. S.; Gough, -Capt. C. H. H.; Gough, Mr. G.; Gregory, Mr. E. H.; -Gregson, Mr. C. B.; Grimston, Capt. R. E., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[268]</span> -Hadden, Mr. F. G.; Hamilton, Mr. F. S., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Hamilton, -Mr. L. B.; Harbord, Capt. the Hon. C.; Hart, -Mr. G. H. R.; Harvey, Surgeon-Col. R.; Henderson, -Mr. G. S.; Hensman, Mr. H.; Herbert, Capt. -L.; Hewett, Mr. J. P., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Hext, Capt. J., -<span class="allsmcap">R.N.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Hills, Mr. A.; Hills, Mr. C. R.; Hodgson, -Mr. G. C.; Holmes, Mr. W., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Hope, Mr. -G. W.; Hunt, Col. J. L.; Irving, Mr. W. O. Bell; -James, Mr. S. Harvey, <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Jardine, Sir William, -Bart.; Jarrett, Col. H. S.; Jenkins, Capt. A. E.; -Johnstone, Mr. C. Lawrie; Jourdain, Mr. C. B.; -Kennedy, H. E., Rear-Admiral George; King, -Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. G., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; King, -Mr. D. W.; Kirk, Mr. H. A.; Kooch Behar, H. H. -the Maharajah of, <span class="allsmcap">G.C.I.E.</span>; Lambert, the Hon. Sir John, -<span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>; Lance, Brigadier-General F., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>; Latimer, -Mr. F. W.; Lethbridge, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col.; -Lister, Capt. G. C., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>; Ludlow, -Col.; Lumsden, Mr. D. M.; Luson, Mr. H.; Lyall, -Mr. A. A.; Lyall the Hon. Mr. D. R., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; -Lyall, Mr. R. A.; Mackensie, Mr. D. F.; Mackellor, -Mr. G. B.; Macleod, Mr. J. J.; Macnair, Mr. G. B.; -Macpherson, the Hon. Justice W., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Maitland, -Col.; McInnes, Mr. H. H.; McLeod, Mr. C. C.; -Mehta, Mr. R. D.; Miley, Col. J. A.; Mills, Mr. G.; -Milton, Lord, <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>; Moore, Mr. C. H.; Muir, Mr. -A. K.; Muir, Sir John, Bart.; Myers, Mr. Dudley -B.; Norman, Mr. A. F.; Norris, the Hon. Justice, -<span class="allsmcap">Q.C.</span>; Overend, Mr. T. B. G.; Paget, Mr. H. E. C.; -Paris, Mr. G. B.; Pattison, Mr. F. E.; Paul, Col. -St.; Peacock, Mr. F. B.; Perinan, Mr. F. W.; -Peterson, Mr. C. D.; Patrie, Mr. J. M.; Playfair, -the Hon. Mr. P.; Pollen, Capt. S. H., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[269]</span> -Prickett, Mr. L. G.; Prinsep, the Hon. Mr. Justice -H. T., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; Pritchard, the Hon. Sir C., <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>, -<span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>; Ralli, Mr. John A.; Ralli, Mr. T. D.; Rawlinson, -Mr. A. T.; Raye, Brigade-Surgeon D.; -Rodocanachi, Mr. J.; Ross, Mr. R. M.; Rustornjee, -Mr. H. M.; Sanders, Surgeon-Major R. C.; -Saunders, Mr. J. O’B.; Schiller, Mr. F. C.; Shakespeare, -Mr. F.; Simson, Mr. A.; Simson, Mr. A. F.; -Stedman, General E., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>; Steel, Mr. Robert; -Stewart, Mr. F. G.; Stewart, Mr. C. D.; Stewart, -Mr. J. L.; Stewart, Mr. J. R.; Stuart, Mr. Harry; -Targett, Mr. W. H.; Temple, Mr. G.; Thomas, Mr. -J. P.; Thomas, Mr. L. R.; Thomas, Mr. R. E. S.; -Thomas, Mr. W. L.; Thuillier, Col. H. R.; Toomay, -Mr. J. A.; Trail, Mr. T.; Tremearne, Mr. Shirley; -Turnbull, Mr. R., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>; Turner, Capt. J. G.; -Upton, Mr. R. L.; Vincent, Mr. Claude; Walker, -Major-General A.; Waller, Mr. R. R.; Ward, Mr. -G.; West, Mr. J. D.; Wilkins, Mr. C. A., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>; -Williams, Capt. G. A.</p></div> - -<p>In rising to propose the health of the Viceroy and -Lady Lansdowne, Mr. Moore was very warmly -received. He said:—</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> - -<p>“Gentlemen,—We have a rigid rule here to-night -to confine our speeches to two, but I must break it -so far as to ask you to drink to the health of the -Viceroy and Lady Lansdowne—(cheers). I am sure -I am interpreting your sentiments right in thinking -you will do it with enthusiasm. They have won the -hearts of us all, and their approaching departure -carries with it a feeling of actual personal loss -arising from the affection and esteem they have so<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[270]</span> -universally inspired; he, because he is straight, -loyal and true, and she, because in every respect she -is perfectly charming.”</p> - -<p>“The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, -the whole company standing,” to quote the -words from the account given to me.</p></div> - -<p>After a brief interval the Chairman again rose, his -rising being the signal for prolonged cheering. He -said:—</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> - -<p>“Gentlemen,—I first knew Bill Beresford over -thirty years ago in the playing fields of Eton, where -they say battles are won, to the inspiration of which -thought we may both trust to fight against the -extreme nervousness our respective positions entail -on us to-night. His nervousness needs no apology, -as he has to respond to a whole evening in his honour, -which nobody could face with perfect equanimity. -Mine perhaps requires this explanation, that in -assuming my duty, which is to now call a toast to -his name, and bid him farewell on behalf of this -large company, I find it difficult to do so in appropriate -terms, lest I be charged with personal bias -from my well-known feelings for him of affectionate -friendship and regard—(cheers). I have been -selected for this task which, for this reason, I would -rather have deputed to some other, because amongst -Calcutta residents proper (and this dinner is meant -to bear a Calcutta complexion) I have known him -longer than most, if not than all of you. This qualification -I claim with pride. I beg you however to -believe I mean to be impartial in the few remarks -regarding his career which I now make—(cheers).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[271]</span></p> - -<p>“I must not date back too far, so I leave Eton -days and get straight to India, where his main career -has been spent, and with distinction—(cheers)—for -it is with that portion of his life that this company -is chiefly concerned. What fortunate accident -brought him here I do not quite know, unless it was -the natural termination of the short life and a merry -one dear to youthful soldiers in the old country, but -having arrived here eighteen years ago, here he has -remained, and I would briefly recall to you the -various phases in which he has appeared before us. -I think I can best cut him into four—(laughter and -cheers)—the soldier, the official, the sportsman, and -the social companion—(cheers).</p> - -<p>“As soldier I cannot speak of him from personal -knowledge. I have the satisfaction of being a -member of society who, when war is abroad, is -entitled to seclude himself from its ranks—(laughter)—but -it is a consolation to feel that a good plucked -one, like our friend Bill, is to the fore to protect me—(hear, -hear, and laughter). I recollect I first saw -him as a soldier, gay and dapper, in 9th Lancers -uniform, brown hair, sufficient of it, and a straight -nose—(laughter)—escorting the Prince of Wales -from Prinseps Ghât to Government House, but this -is only the show side of a soldier’s life. For its realistic -side one must go further afield, and there are -those amongst us from whom no doubt I could glean -facts to set forth his worth, but there is no need. He -bears on his breast the sign manual of merit in the -proud insignia of the Victoria Cross, and I am justified -in accepting that as sufficient evidence—(loud -and prolonged cheers).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[272]</span></p> - -<p>“As official, we have all known him best -as Military Secretary to the Viceroy of India. He -has (after six years’ service as A.D.C. to Lords Northbrook -and Lytton) held the post for twelve years -under three successive Viceroys; has raised the -office to a science, and himself from an official into -an institution—(cheers)—acquired a reputation -absolutely unique, and so identified himself with the -position that when a new Viceroy is appointed it -seems more natural to ask who is to be his ‘Bill -Beresford’ than his ‘Military Secretary’—(cheers -and laughter)—and when it is Bill himself the Viceroy -elect has secured, what is of great value, the same -capacity and undeviating loyalty enjoyed by his -predecessor—(cheers). In all this I need not rely -upon my own judgment, for it is proved a hundred-fold -in the fact that he has been the choice and -acquired the confidence and esteem of successive -men of high intellect and such different characters -as Lords Ripon, Dufferin and Lansdowne—(cheers). -More than that I understand his worth has been -recognised by a power higher even than a Viceroy’s, -and testified to by his elevation to a Knighthood in -the Order of the Indian Empire, of which he is -already a member—(loud and continued cheering). -I knew that would elicit the hearty congratulations -of you all, and I am glad we are the first to offer -them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[273]</span></p> - -<p>“In the social part of his duties, his capacity -extends to, and is felt by all of us, for the influence -of the Chief of the Staff is visible in every detail of -the social functions and hospitality of Government -House. I can assure him we not only know it, but -appreciate very warmly the advantages we have -derived from it. He has won all this by sheer force -of character, and we find it hard to realise he is really -giving up.</p> - -<p>“As sportsman, I can best sum him up in the -current colloquialism that he is absolutely undefeated—(loud -and continued cheers). His stable -of racehorses has been for years the chief mainstay -of Calcutta racing; in all weathers and all vicissitudes -of fortune he is to the fore, full of pluck, always -has horses to run or to back, buys freely, and is -generally a dispensation of Providence to stewards, -being a staunch supporter of ruling powers and -frequent offers of useful advice born of long experience. -His most remarkable virtue to my mind -is his exuberant cheerfulness even when luck is -against him—(cheers). I never met a better loser, -and it means possession of a combination of enviable -qualities rarely met with. I have known his career -on the turf for over twenty years, and to speak of -him as I know him he has throughout raced like an -honest English gentleman. As you all know, he is a -splendid whip, and was a first-class performer over -jumps, especially on difficult horses, until he ended -his career to that game, and it was then that he -spoilt the shape of the nose I before alluded to—(much -laughter and cheers).</p> - -<p>“As social companion, I suppose nobody amongst -us has ever had such a large circle of appreciative -acquaintance in circles from the highest to the -lowest, male and female—(laughter and cheers)—and -if I may venture to say it without exhibition of -bias, his popularity is due to his inexhaustible fund<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[274]</span> -of high spirits, ready sympathy, love for hosts of -friends, open-handed generosity—(cheers)—admiration -of beauty, his merry Irish wit, and infinite -capacity of loyal attachment to his pals—(continued -cheers).</p> - -<p>“That concludes my dissection of his personality, -which the patient has borne heroically, and I now -put him together again as one piece—(laughter).</p> - -<p>“I do not think any man in this room is intuitively -more modest in the estimate of his own -merits than my dear friend Bill—(hear, hear, and -cheers). I know his impulse will be to attribute my -praise to my kindly feelings towards him. I anticipate -him by replying that 180 people have met here -to do him honour—(loud and prolonged cheers)—that -residents in India are not given to spasmodic -ebullitions of enthusiasm, nor to be influenced by a -passing breath of popular favour. Their whole trend -of mind is in the opposite direction; they are more -prone to indifference generally, and as regards individuals -to apathy, and when such a goodly company -as this assembles to bid good-bye to one member of -the community, it bears the practical significance -that he has made a noticeable mark and justifies -the general tenour of my remarks—(cheers).</p> - -<p>“I ask him therefore to take that unction to his -soul in reflecting over this entertainment, and assure -him that when on behalf of all of us I now wish him -a very warm farewell, health and happiness in the -future, and add a hearty ‘God bless you, old chap,’ -we mean we admire him, that we are his friends, intend -to remain so, and bitterly regret his departure -from amongst us—(loud and prolonged cheers).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[275]</span></p> - -<p>“I have now to call a toast to him, Gentlemen, as -a typical soldier, a capable official, an undefeated -sportsman, a prince of good fellows, and a man of -mark amongst us.”</p></div> - -<p>The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheers, the -band playing “For he’s a jolly good fellow” and -“Auld Lang Syne,” in both of which the whole company -joined in singing the chorus.</p> - -<p>Lord William Beresford stood up to reply, and -after the hearty round of cheering with which his -rising was greeted had subsided, spoke as follows:—</p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> - -<p>“Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—Before I attempt -to reply to the speech in which your Chairman -has praised me much more than I deserve—(No, -no)—I must ask you to notice that even the old -schoolfellow and friend he is, he is unable to bring -it to my charge that I am orator, and I must own I -feel at a great disadvantage in this respect compared -with him, and if the few words which I have -risen to say seem to any of you to fall short of what -they should, believe me that it is not because they -are not spoken from the heart—(hear, hear, and -cheers)—but because of my inability to give expression -to what I feel, and surely it would be no reproach -to anyone if at a time like this he found it very -difficult, if not almost impossible, to thank you in -adequate terms, not only for the manner in which -you have accepted and endorsed the altogether -flattering description that Mr. Moore has given of -me and of my career in India, but also for the feelings -of good fellowship which prompted you to ask me -to be your guest here to-night—(cheers).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276"></a>[276]</span></p> - -<p>“I can imagine no greater honour than to find -myself at the close of one’s sojourn in India invited -by 180 of one’s fellow-countrymen in Calcutta to a -social meeting like that of to-night—(cheers). The -invitation came to me as a most complete, unexpected -and most gratifying surprise, and will, I -assure you all, add to the brightest and happiest -recollections of my last weeks in India—(hear, hear, -and cheers)—which must, alas! of necessity contain -far more of pain than pleasure in them, for no one -can cut himself off finally from a country in which he -has been employed for eighteen years, and those the -best of his life, in which he has made most of his best -friends, and mixed as I have tried to do in all its -sport and pastimes, without feeling a shock in doing -so—(cheers).</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, Mr. Moore says he does not quite -know what brought me out to India, and as I, to use -his own expression, have appeared before you in four -various phases, first of which he puts as soldier, I -think this is a good opportunity of telling you that -it was in the capacity of a subaltern in the 9th -Lancers that I came out to this country, and he is -quite right in saying that it was in that uniform I -first appeared in Calcutta, as extra A.D.C. on Lord -Northbrook’s staff, leading the cortège of His Royal -Highness the Prince of Wales from Prinseps Ghât -to Government House.</p> - -<p>“I regret that the abundance of brown locks to -which he refers no longer remain, but is replaced by -a scanty silver fringe—(laughter and cheers).</p> - -<p>“With regard to the allusion he made to the -straightness of the nose—(laughter)—that he recol<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277"></a>[277]</span>lects -on that occasion, he is not quite correct, and -there is a gentleman (Mr. J. J. Allan) among my -hosts here to-night that can testify to the fact that, -owing to a slight disagreement he and I had many -years ago, not actually in the playing fields of Eton, -but close by, he made a little arrangement that prevented -the particular nose referred to being worn -straight by its wearer for the rest of his life—(laughter -and cheers)—this particular battle was not won by -either, as it was acknowledged to be a draw, and I -am glad to tell you the two combatants have been -the very best of friends ever since—(hear, hear, and -cheers).</p> - -<p>“When I came out with the 9th, the greatest aim -and object of my life was, some day in the future, -to get command of that regiment, but force of circumstances -prevented these wishes being gratified, and -I elected, whether for better or worse I cannot say, -to remain as Military Secretary with the Viceroy of -India, in preference to going back as second in command -of my old regiment, and thus closing promotion -which I was bound to get by remaining on in -my post out here. I am sorry to say, therefore, that -it is years since I have done any soldiering, and it is -a great regret to me on leaving this country that I -cannot return to the dear old regiment in which I -began my service.</p> - -<p>“The next section into which Mr. Moore has -placed me is the official one, and with regard to it I -may say how fortunate I have been in having served -under five such masters. It is not for me to make -comparisons, or to refer to their respective policies, -but I may be permitted to say, which I do from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278"></a>[278]</span> -bottom of my heart, that from one and all I invariably -received the greatest kindness, and if I have -succeeded in pleasing them, I am fully recompensed -for any trouble I may have taken in the performance -of my various duties; but, Gentlemen, I am afraid -that at times the Military Secretary’s duty necessitates -his doing things which may be displeasing to -those who are affected. In such cases I can only say -that I have endeavoured to do my duty to the best -of my lights, and if I have at any time hurt anyone’s -feelings in such matters, I have done so most unwillingly -and to my great regret, and I should like to -take this opportunity of stating how much indebted -I am to all the different departments that I have had -to deal with for the help, advice, and support that I -have always received on all sides, and thanks to -which my official work has been made comparatively -easy—(cheers)—and when in a few weeks now I -hand over the reins of my office to my successor, the -best and kindest wish I can desire for his welfare is -that he may be as ably supported and leniently -dealt with as I have been—(hear, hear, and cheers). -I think he starts his career under very favourable -circumstances, having formerly served his apprenticeship -on the Viceroy’s staff, and has thus become -thoroughly conversant with all the details of that -staff. He (Colonel Durand) is a real good soldier; -most popular with everybody who knows him—(cheers)—and -I only hope when the time comes for -him to have finished his turn of office as Military -Secretary he will be able to look back to as many -happy days and warm friendships made as I can—(cheers).</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279"></a>[279]</span></p> - -<p>“The third section to which the Chairman referred -was the sportsman section, and believe me, -I am very proud indeed to have such a title attached -to my name, but I am afraid I can no longer claim -to be the sportsman I used to be owing to a variety -of accidents between the flags, on the polo ground, -and in pursuit of pig and paper, but still I cling to -sports of all sorts as much as circumstances will -permit me to do. I have tried all that are offered to -us in India, and I think that many of my hosts to-night -will support me in saying that pig-sticking -takes first place—(hear, hear, and cheers). I certainly -must own I have derived more pleasure from -this than either tiger shooting, racing, or anything -else I tried. Certainly I was extremely fortunate -when I first came to India and tried my hand at the -spear to have the advice and guidance of that acknowledged -prince of pig-stickers, who I am proud -to see has honoured me to-night with his presence, -Archie Hills, of Patkahari—(loud and continued -cheers). It was he who led the dance of our party -the first time I ever rode after pig; he told me how -to hold my spear and use it, and the best day’s pig-sticking -I ever saw in my life was afforded by him -at his own place, when we accounted before tiffin for -seventeen boars, three cut horses, and a collar-bone -broken—(cheers and laughter).</p> - -<p>“With regard to racing, I have indeed had my -full share of the plums, and it is a pleasant thing to -look back on the record of my stable, which amongst -other things can count six Viceroy’s Cups—(cheers)—three -of which are credited to old Myall King—(cheers)—who, -alas! died on the course little over<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280"></a>[280]</span> -a month ago—besides two Kooch Behar Cups, two -Durbangah Cups, three Civil Service Cups, and five -Grand Military Steeplechases, of which I was fortunate -enough to pilot the winner myself—(loud -cheers)—and at one time or another most of the -biggest races in India.</p> - -<p>“In this my last year I was indeed pleased to be -connected with the severe tussle for the Viceroy’s -Cup, inasmuch as Tostig, who made such a good -fight for it, was imported by me, and was till quite -recently my property—(cheers)—and as His Highness -the Maharajah of Patiala was not fortunate -enough to win on this occasion, he and I—believe -me I am quoting his feelings as well as my own—were -compensated to a great extent by the fact that -the much-coveted prize was won by one of my -greatest supporters of the Indian turf—(loud and -continued cheers)—who struggled for many years -with crushing bad luck, but stayed the course, and -eventually has been rewarded for his pluck by -having won the Viceroy’s Cups two years in succession, -and all the other big races this season—(continued -cheers). I may add that I hope he may live -for many years and carry off in the future several -more prizes of the Indian turf, and though His Highness -the Maharajah of Patiala has not yet won this -most coveted prize, which, by the way, is no fault -of his own, he has spared no expense in trying to get -together the best horses money can buy—(hear, -hear)—and has done all that a sportsman could do -to become a recipient of the Viceroy’s Cup, but -though Dame Fortune seems up to the present to -frown upon his endeavours in this particular direc<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281"></a>[281]</span>tion, -I prophesy that his time will come when his -wishes will be gratified, and nobody wishes him this -success more than myself—(cheers). He, at any -rate, can congratulate himself at this moment on -possessing the best horse in India, of which there -can be no doubt, as our best authority out here has -declared officially that Sprig o’ Myrtle is at weight -for age and class, 8 lbs. in front of the invincible -Highborn at a mile and three quarters, and I -only hope that authority is correct in his estimation -of this son of Trenton—(much laughter and -cheers).</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to say I have been obliged to give up -the game of polo, but I still have a sneaking regard -for the pursuit of paper—(cheers)—and I hope, with -the kind assistance of our Honorary Secretary, we -shall have some very pleasant paper-chases this my -last cold weather among you—(hear, hear).</p> - -<p>“Now, Gentlemen, I have come to the last phase -or section referred to, namely, that of social companion, -and on this head I can say nothing. It is -needless for me to do so as your presence here to-night -fully justifies the many nice things the Chairman -has said about me. He is, as you doubtless -know, one of my oldest friends; he has known me -longer almost than anybody present, and has always, -whether in weal or woe, extended the hand of true -friendship and hospitality to me ever since I first -came to Calcutta in 1875—(loud cheers).</p> - -<p>“Before I sit down, I must again thank you one -and all for the splendid reception you have given -me this evening, and for the very kind manner in -which my friends have rallied round me to-night<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282"></a>[282]</span> -and drunk my health, and I heartily wish to all of -you the warm farewell you have wished to me.”</p></div> - -<p>Lord William resumed his seat amid loud cheers, -which were continued for some time.</p> - -<p>Signatures recorded at the farewell dinner to -Lord William Beresford are reproduced here.</p> - -<div class="blockquotz"> - -<p class="noindent pfs90 lsp3 lht"> -SIGNATURES OF THE<br /> -GUESTS PRESENT AT THE<br /> -CALCUTTA BANQUET.</p></div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272a" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272a.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures; page 1 of 10)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272b" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272c" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272c.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272d" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272d.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272e" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272e.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272e-2" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272e-2.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272f" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272f.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272g" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272g.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272h" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272h.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp100" id="fp272i" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp272i.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>(several signatures)</p></div> -</div> - - -<p>Having bid farewell to Calcutta, on his way down -country, Lord Bill managed to stay at Lucknow to -see his horses run for the last time in India. Good -old Lucknow, where he had run many races and had -some glorious times.</p> - -<p>To send him away feeling happy his Mite won the -Civil Service Cup and pots of money; also another -race the same day, namely, the Chutter Munzil -Purse; Vixen won the Horse Handicap on the -third day; Negus won the Derby on the fourth day. -After this Lord William made his final bow to India.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283"></a>[283]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV<br /> -<span class="fs70">HIS MARRIAGE</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>First Visit to the Deepdene—Finds a Relation in His Bedroom—Engagement -to be Married Announced—School Treats—One -New Year’s Morning—King Edward VII Visits the Deepdene -When Prince of Wales—A Narrow Escape—“Tommy, Where Are -You?”—Why Lord William wore a Turban—Fast Trotters -and Their Doings—Mishap on the Way to the Derby—Racing -in England—Racing Geography—Another Racing Partnership—Accident -While Hunting—Mr. Palmer to the Rescue—Lord -William Tells a Story Against Himself—A Son Born.</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">We now enter on the short third volume -of Lord William’s life. He landed in -England during the spring of 1894, -bringing with him various faithful retainers, also -some favourite horses and ponies. In June of that -year he paid his first visit to the Deepdene, Dorking, -as a guest of Lily Duchess of Marlborough, having -been invited at Lady Sarah Wilson’s suggestion to -make up a party for Ascot races.</p> - -<p>It will be remembered that Lady Sarah was a -sister of the 8th Duke of Marlborough, whose widow -was renting the Deepdene.</p> - -<p>Lord William was amused to find in his bachelor -bedroom a print of one of his relations, namely, -Lord Marcus Gervais Beresford, Archbishop of -Armagh, Lord Primate of Ireland, whose eldest son -married Mary Annabella, sister of Sir William Vernon -Harcourt, who was first cousin to the author’s<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284"></a>[284]</span> -mother; Sir William’s mother and author’s grandfather -being brother and sister (<em>vide</em> Burke, Gooch-Vernon -Harcourt); the author’s mother having -been Miss Mary Teresa Gooch, daughter of the Rev. -William Gooch, Canon of York; she having married -Robert Calverly Bewicke-Bewicke, <span class="allsmcap">B.A.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">J.P.</span>, <span class="allsmcap">D.L.,</span> -of Coulby Manor, Yorkshire.</p> - -<p>It is interesting to note Lord William’s father -married his beautiful wife while on a visit to this -self-same gentleman looking down from the walls of -the Deepdene.</p> - -<p>In September Lord William returned to India for -a few months to attend to some business and racing -matters, after which he announced his engagement -to Lily Duchess of Marlborough, which came as a -surprise to most people. In India he was gradually -becoming regarded as a confirmed bachelor, though -it seemed incredible that anyone who was such an -admirer of the fair sex and who was equally admired -by them in return should be able to escape; indeed, -his having escaped is only one more proof of his cool -head and ability.</p> - -<p>It was not a long engagement, April 30th, 1895, -was chosen for the wedding; when Lilian Warren, -daughter of Cicero Price, Commodore of the U.S. -Navy, married Lord William Beresford as her third -husband, the first having been Mr. Louis Hammersley -of New York, an exceedingly wealthy man who left -his wife a large fortune. Secondly, she married the -8th Duke of Marlborough, who died in 1892, but -not before the Duchess’s fortune had done much for -Blenheim Palace.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp49" id="fp284b" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp284b.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Russell, Baker Street</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>LILY, DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Lord William and his bride made their vows at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285"></a>[285]</span> -Church of St. George’s, Hanover Square, witnessed -by crowds of friends. The bridegroom was supported -by his younger brother, Lord Marcus, as best man. -Her Grace was given away by her stepson the 9th -Duke of Marlborough.</p> - -<p>The Church was charmingly decorated with lilies -of all sorts, a pretty compliment to the bride’s name.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Cambridge sat beside Lord William -and the United States Ambassador and Mrs. Bayard -beside the bride. When the service was over Lord -and Lady William Beresford drove to the bride’s -house in Carlton House Terrace, where they received -the congratulations of their many friends, all of -whom did justice to the good things provided for -them.</p> - -<p>Later in the day the bride and bridegroom left -the town for the Deepdene, that lovely place being -rented from Lord Francis Hope. It stands on the -eastern side of the old coaching road near Dorking. -On the north the London, Brighton and South -Coast Railway winds. The grounds around the house -are amongst the most beautiful in England, when -the rhododendrons are in flower the gardens and -grounds are a blaze of colour and a delight. It is -charmingly secluded and yet near enough to the -world to easily see as much of it as might be desired. -It was here, I believe, that Beaconsfield wrote his -<cite>Coningsby</cite>.</p> - -<p>The original house was built in Charles I’s reign by -the Hon. Charles Howard, son of the Duke of Norfolk, -but it was pulled down and rebuilt by a descendant -and eventually sold to a Mr. Hope, a very rich art -collector, whose daughter married the late Duke of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286"></a>[286]</span> -Newcastle, and at her death the Deepdene became -the property of Lord Francis Pelham-Clinton, a -grandson of the Duke’s, who took the name of Hope -on succeeding to the estate; he leased the place to -Lily Duchess of Marlborough for twenty-one years, -and it was there the last few years of Lord William’s -life were mostly spent.</p> - -<p>It seems a strange coincidence that Lord William’s -wife should have lived five years with her first -husband, five years with the second and five years -with the third!</p> - -<p>It was a great pleasure to Lord William fixing up -all his trophies and treasures in their permanent -home. The dining-room, the billiard-room, the -front hall and indeed every nook and corner were -filled with them, all having interesting histories of -their own.</p> - -<p>An arcade runs round three sides of the lofty hall, -above this there is a gallery where guns, spears, -assegais, antlers, racing cups, and beautiful inlaid -vases are arranged in profusion. Also regimental -trophies, of which he was fond and proud, for he -loved his old regiment.</p> - -<p>In the billiard-room there are many masterpieces -of great value, also in one corner stands a small easel -in which reposes a picture entitled “Bill wins,” -below is an inscription, explaining the scene at -Curraghmore Steeplechases on April 30th, 1874, -his wedding having taken place exactly twenty-one -years after on April 30th, 1895.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp97" id="fp286xb" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp286xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>THE DEEPDENE, DORKING</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp94" id="fp286yb" style="max-width: 75em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp286yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>FRONT HALL AT THE DEEPDENE</p></div> -</div> - -<p>One of the ambitions of Lord William’s life was -to win the Derby, and he began looking about him -for likely winners; it did not take him long to collect<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287"></a>[287]</span> -some useful horses, though I doubt very much if his -racing in England ever gave him as much pleasure -as it did in India. His wife was most interested in -his horses and was as anxious as he was that he should -own the best. She was a kind-hearted woman who -did a great deal for the comfort and happiness of all -around her, the poor of Dorking are not likely to -forget her or her husband, for they closely associated -themselves with all the local charities and philanthropic -undertakings.</p> - -<p>Nothing pleased Lord William better than to have -a house full of people; he loved to have some of the -old 9th with him. It had been hoped when he -settled down to home-life he would take things more -easily, but he still continued to cram two or three -days’ work into one, just as he did in India, he had -not yet found a day quite long enough for all he -wanted to do.</p> - -<p>On his birthday he always gave all the Dorking -school children a treat in the park at Deepdene, -entertaining about 1800 of all denominations, and -surely no children were ever so entertained before, -no expense was spared that would add to their -pleasure, and he always took part in the proceedings -himself, which added much to the children’s pleasure, -while, I believe, he enjoyed it himself thoroughly; he -loved to see children happy and hear them laugh. -He arranged their races, threw bags full of pennies -to be scrambled for, taking particular notice of any -child, girl or boy, who after striving was not strong -enough to capture any pence amongst the hustling -crowd of eager bairns, these he used to reward with -pennies privately; he said he could not bear the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a>[288]</span> -look of disappointment on their faces when time -after time they failed.</p> - -<p>Lord William never imagined he could be imposed -upon, with the exception perhaps of a certain section -of the racing fraternity, but children managed to do -it fairly successfully sometimes.</p> - -<p>One New Year’s morning, for instance, he had -asked Mr. Palmer, who attended to all his wife’s -business when she was Duchess of Marlborough -(and afterwards to the time of her death) to breakfast -with him at nine o’clock. Arriving at the Deepdene -and finding his lordship had not finished dressing -he went to his room to talk to him until his toilet -was completed. On entering he found Lord William -with the French windows open and a small crowd -of children standing outside uttering the time -hallowed, “Wish you a happy New Year, sir,” -while the recipient of those kindly wishes was throwing -occasional shillings and sixpences to the expectant -little crowd. Mr. Palmer watched for a -short time and then said, “Well, these kiddies are -getting the best of you.” “How?” asked Lord -William. “Why,” said Mr. Palmer, “in the first -place, they go away and bring others, and in the -second, some of them have been up, gone, and come -back again without your noticing it, possibly may -have been two or three times.” “Oh, no!” replied -Lord William, but he turned to one group who were -very fervent in their wishes for his happiness and -asked, “How many times have you been here this -morning?” The reply came, “Only twice, sir,” -without a moment’s hesitation. He then turned to a -group of three boys, one somewhat older than the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289"></a>[289]</span> -other two, and said to the biggest, “If I give you a -shilling, how will you divide it among the three of -you?” The boy considered for a moment and then -replied, “I would keep sixpence myself and give the -other sixpence to the other two.”</p> - -<p>Lord William foretold a great career for this -specimen. While walking into the dining-room -Lord William said to Mr. Palmer, “I suppose some -of those kids have been too bright for me, but after -all what does it mean; I suppose I have given away -a fiver and with that fiver I have carried joy and -satisfaction to many a child’s heart, better so than -losing fifty to some bookie. In the one case I do get -something for my money, in the latter case nothing.”</p> - -<p>In October, 1895, King Edward VII, then Prince -of Wales, stayed with the Beresfords at Deepdene, -others staying in the house at the time were the -Sassoons, Colonel Brabazon 10th Hussars, otherwise -known as “Beautiful Bwab” (he had some difficulty -with his r’s), Captain Holford, Lady Sarah Wilson -and Mr. Winston Churchill, also, I believe, Mr. Charles -Moore.</p> - -<p>His Majesty enjoyed his visit. He was taken to see -the Home Farm where Lord William attended to -his business and where he kept all his horses except -his racing stud; they were at Epsom, under the -care of Mr. Willson, who came from India with Lord -William. The farm was a delightful sunny spot -and was occupied by Lord Bill’s head man and his -wife; occasionally his lordship had some cheery -bachelor parties there. The view was charming, -looking over Boxhill and the North Downs, sweeping -the valley towards Reigate and Bletchingley. It was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290"></a>[290]</span> -on these downs that Bishop Wilberforce met his -death in 1873; the church there is a memorial to -him.</p> - -<p>Soon after his marriage, Lord William had one of -his many accidents while driving a fast trotter -named Hugh from Leatherhead. The only other -occupants being Lord Marcus and the groom Tommy -Ryan, who came from Curraghmore. The night -was very dark and wet, but they were thundering -along at a very fast pace when Hugh shied violently, -upsetting the whole caboodle. When they began -collecting themselves Tommy was missing, so his -master shouted out, “Tommy, where are you?” -From the other side of a wall came the answer, -“I’m here, my lord, on my head in a ditch.” The -brothers were much amused. Amongst other things -Lord Bill’s head was cut, obliging him to appear at -breakfast next morning with it bandaged up; his -mother who was staying there at the time asked -anxiously what was the matter, he wished to avoid -frightening her so told one of those useful white lies -which oil the wheels of life, saying quite coolly -that he always wore a turban on a certain anniversary -of some event in India! which quite satisfied his -mother.</p> - -<p>A fast trotter or two for his buggy was considered -a necessity, and he brought his chestnut mare, Ilee, -from India with him, he said he could not part with -her, she had so often saved his life by her sagacity. -She apparently did not leave her wisdom behind her -in the East, for one night when for a wonder Lord Bill -was alone and driving her home in the dark, as he -turned into the lower drive at the Deepdene and she<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291"></a>[291]</span> -was doing a little bit of her best, she suddenly stopped -dead, causing a bit of a splutter but probably saving -Lord William’s life, for, thinking he had returned, -the lodge keeper had put up the bar for the night -across the drive blocking ingress or egress without -his permission and knowledge.</p> - -<p>Some of Lord William’s trotters did remarkable -things; Harry, another prodigy, he raced against a -train between two stations on the Brighton line, I -believe it was between Burford and Dorking, for a -bet, of course, and ended in a dead-heat! It used -to be quite a joke amongst the people of Dorking -when they heard one of the trotters thundering down -the road to shout out, “Clear the way for his lordship,” -all using their best endeavours to clear everything -out of his way. The Dorking people had taken -him to their hearts, and they were so proud of all his -feats and doings. It must be recognised more -indulgence and latitude was allowed to his lordship -than would be extended to everybody, but that is -just one of the remarkable things about him, everybody -succumbed to him, allowing licence that would -certainly not have been permitted to anybody else.</p> - -<p>Piloteer, a handsome grey trotter, won many -prizes at Richmond, Dublin and other places. I am -able to give a good photo of him taken just after -winning one of his prizes. He was an Irish horse.</p> - -<p>During 1896 there were various hairbreadth -escapes, without which I am sure Lord Bill would -have felt dull. While driving his coach from Ascot -to Bishopsgate when trying to pass some other -coaches the leaders stepped into a furze-bush and -then bolted; if history tells true the coach was upset,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292"></a>[292]</span> -but of that I cannot speak with certainty, but I do -know for certain that all in the coach were full of -praise for the wonderful driving which had enabled -them to escape unhurt. On the coach at the time -were Lord and Lady Marcus Beresford, that fine old -sportsman, Colonel Chaine, and his wife, Major -Braithwaite and Mrs. Featherstonhaugh.</p> - -<p>Another mishap occurred once going to the Derby, -I think, if I remember rightly, when some of the -occupants were landed over a hedge into a field. -They were all men this time and one who was there -told me about it. I believe it happened when his -lordship was racing against young Mr. Fownes; at -least that is how the tale was told to me, but it was -long ago and I hope I am not taking anybody’s name -in vain.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s coach was always one of the best -turned out and horsed at the Coaching and Four-in-hand -Club meets.</p> - -<p>His first successful racing season after his return -to this country was 1896. He knew the business -thoroughly from A to Z, to which much of his success -was due, for it is no use anybody saying in a light-hearted -way “I am going to race,” expecting to do -wonderful things because they know the points of a -horse and have judged the jumping at local agricultural -shows; it not only spells disappointment, -but often financial disaster. No one unless they have -been behind the scenes or learnt by bitter experience -can form any idea of how much there is to know -before there is even a possibility of success. To begin -with, and it is a big beginning, there are the numerous -authorities which it is wise and advantageous to keep<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293"></a>[293]</span> -in a pleasant frame of mind, and under no circumstances -bandy words with, or argue; fancy arguing -or bandying words with the Jockey Club for instance, -the National Hunt Committee, or the Turf Club of -Ireland; yet all have to be considered. Many are the -rules, regulations, and niceties in the way of etiquettes -requiring digestion, all an education in themselves.</p> - -<p>I had not grasped until Lord William explained it -to me that according to the rules of racing geography, -Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands are -<em>not</em> included in the expression Great Britain, they -are <em>only</em> the United Kingdom.</p> - -<p>Another perplexing thing when you see “owner” -in connection with a horse’s name you rather -naturally conclude the horse belongs to him, but as -a matter of fact it may mean almost anything, the -horse may only have been leased for his racing years, -or he may be shared by partners when presumably -only half the horse belongs to “Owner.” All of this -was of course A B C to Lord William, and he knew -every race, its dates and distances, stakes and -conditions by heart. He considered Newmarket the -best course in the world.</p> - -<p>Liverpool is a terror; if any of my readers are -interested in steeplechasing and have not been over -the Aintree Course there, I advise them to walk -round and look at the jumps in cold blood, they will -wonder any horses or men can be found with pluck -enough to face them. No Beresford, as far as I know, -has ever yet seen his colours carried successfully in that -much coveted prize, the Grand National at Liverpool, -though Lord Marcus got fairly near once with -Chimney Sweep, when he ran second to Captain<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294"></a>[294]</span> -Machell’s Reugny, ridden by that splendid amateur -Mr. J. Maunsell Richardson, in 1874, and again in -1879, when Jackal carried the light blue and black -cap, being beaten by Mr. Garry Moore on the Liberator. -A Liverpool which will possibly for ever bear the -unprecedented mark of four brothers, namely the -Beasleys, having mounts in the chase, and they all -made the course, “Tommy” Beasley coming home -behind Lord Marcus’s horse.</p> - -<p>Some of the Irish courses are also formidable. -At the modern Leopardstown, for instance, where in -the past there has been plenty of grief. Punchestown -is not quite so bad; Irish horses do well there, they -understand the kind of jumps.</p> - -<p>At the end of 1895, Lord William entered into -partnership with Mr. Pierre Lorillard, sharing a -number of race-horses with him, amongst the most -successful being Paris III, which was bought in 1896 -from Mrs. White, who was I believe the widow of the -Hon. James White so successful in Australian racing. -The horse had raced in England in her name before -being purchased by Lord William, but had done -no good, directly he appeared in Lord William’s -colours he won the popular Northamptonshire Stakes, -value £925; now many years defunct. Five horses -ran, but Paris III won by six lengths; it was a -popular victory as he was favourite at 2 to 1. Cannon -was up and the horse carried 3 lbs. overweight, -nevertheless he won easily; he also won the Prince’s -Handicap at Gatwick as well as the Lewes Handicap. -Amongst other horses owned at this time were -Diakka, Myakka, Caiman, and Nonsuch, sold later to -the Prince of Wales, also Berzak, which latter was<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295"></a>[295]</span> -a bitter disappointment, as he failed to stand his -preparation for the Derby.</p> - -<p>The partnership did not last long, as the doctors -advised Mr. Lorillard to give up racing for a time, -but they had won twenty-seven races before the -partnership was dissolved. Lord William bought -Mr. Lorillard’s interest in the stable.</p> - -<p>In December, 1896, while out with the Warnham -Stag Hounds, Lord William met with a terrible -accident, Mr. Palmer, who has already been mentioned, -happening to be out the same day on a horse he had -lately bought from his lordship; they were both -crossing the Gatwick racecourse after a check, there -were some stiff railings in front of them, which there -was no occasion to jump as there was an opening -further down, but a lady riding in front cleared the -rails satisfactorily, that was quite enough, for Lord -William must of course follow; unfortunately either -his horse slipped or took off too late, turning a -somersault over the railings, poor Lord William -beneath him dangerously near his heels, but he called -out to Mr. Palmer to sit on his horse’s head, when a -most curious thing happened. Mr. Palmer in his -anxiety to get quickly to help his lordship did not -notice some wire netting under the broken fence, -over this he fell right on to the horse’s head, this so -startled him he got up without any kicking or -plunging, releasing his rider. Help was called, as -evidently Lord William was badly hurt; on a -stretcher they carried the poor sufferer to a neighbouring -house, where he was examined, but in the -stress and hurry a wrong diagnosis was arrived at. -Mr. Palmer telegraphed to London for a specialist,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296"></a>[296]</span> -and to his local doctor at Dorking, then a medical -man who happened to be present and Mr. Palmer -took him home, where the local doctor was awaiting -them and shortly afterwards the specialist from town -arrived. It was then discovered that his pelvis had -been broken, so his suffering can be well imagined; -they had been considerably augmented I hear at the -house he was first carried into with the kindly but -terribly mistaken endeavour to pull off his boots -instead of cutting them off. Mr. Palmer says he -shall never forget the agonies that were suffered and -yet not a murmur or word of impatience, not even a -groan from the martyr. He was most anxious his -wife should not be shocked with the news, as an -interesting event was looked forward to in the early -spring, and she was at the time resting. The news -was carefully kept from her until the doctors had -done their work. He was bound up and put to bed, -where of course he remained for some time hovering -between life and death. One day when his doctors -hoped he had turned the corner and was going to -recover, they told him he was with luck going to -recover, but that 99 out of a 100 with broken pelvis -bones did not. As they were leaving the room they -heard Lord Bill laughing, seeing nothing to laugh -at they asked what amused him, he replied, “Oh -nothing, I was only thinking of the other 99 poor -devils!”</p> - -<p>Certainly Lord William got about again after a -time, but he was never the same man, his pluck and -spirit were still unquenchable, but his powers of -physical resistance were shattered. He tired more -easily and did not feel up to much exertion; he got<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297"></a>[297]</span> -up too soon, being anxious to attend the funeral of -his sister-in-law, Blanche Lady Waterford, to whom -he was greatly attached. This was February 22nd, -1897. Everybody tried to dissuade him, fearing it -might throw him back, but he would go.</p> - -<p>Lord William was at his best when telling stories -against himself; here is one of them. He had a party -in the house for covert shooting, he did not care very -much for the sport himself, and had not done much -of it, though he enjoyed a day at the time. He used -to leave the arranging and managing of the shoots -chiefly to Mr. Palmer. One of these shooting parties -was being arranged and he told Mr. Palmer to bring -his young son whom he was sure would enjoy a day -with the pheasants. The little lad was about twelve, -and his name was Spencer, he stood mostly by Lord -William during the day. When he went home at -night having had a very happy day, he asked his -father if he ought not to write and thank Lord -William for letting him see the shooting, to which -his father replied, “Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“What shall I say, father?” asked the boy.</p> - -<p>“Oh, you must write your own letter, you are -quite old enough for that,” so off he went, wrote -the letter and posted it.</p> - -<p>Next morning when everybody was assembled at -breakfast at the Deepdene before another day’s -shoot, Lord Bill entered holding a letter in his hand, -and after making some jokes about his own prowess -with the gun and he feared his merits were not fully -appreciated by his friends, said, “Listen to this, -the opinion of one of my young friends,” and he -read:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298"></a>[298]</span></p> - -<div class="blockquotx"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Lord William</span>,</p> - -<p class="in2">I have enjoyed to-day very much, I think -you shot very well. I noticed you generally killed -the birds with the second barrel.</p> - -<p class="right padr4">Your friend,</p> - -<p class="right smcap">Spencer Palmer.”</p> -</div> - -<p>The most successful of Lord William’s horses in -1896 were Diakka, Peveril of the Peak Plate being -his greatest triumph; Berzak the Newmarket First -Spring Two Year Old Stakes, and in the Clearwell -Stakes he ran a dead heat with Goletta, on whom -odds were laid. Nonsuch won two small races.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp55" id="fp298xb" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp298xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM—IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="fp298yb" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp298yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM AND HIS SON BILLY</p></div> -</div> - -<p>On February 4th, 1897, a son was born to the -William Beresfords; at first he was very delicate, -no doubt owing to the anxiety his mother suffered -when Lord William had his accident in December, -1896, so small and delicate was he that he was put -into an incubator for a short time, fearing a breath -might blow him away; now he is a six-footer, so -his nursing and care answered. He was named -William Warren de la Poer. Both parents were -devoted to their child, who was very like his father. -When Lord William was driving his wife on the -coach and was going rather faster than she liked (she -being very nervous) and remonstrating he used to -say, “Oh, I thought you would be in a hurry to get -back to the boy!” As the baby grew older Lord -Marcus used to tease its father by saying, “The child -does not know the difference between you and me,” -but baby did and always chose to go to Lord William.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299"></a>[299]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV<br /> -<span class="fs70">BRINGS TOD SLOAN TO ENGLAND</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>Engagement of Tod Sloan as Jockey—Beresford Family Affection—Caiman -Wins Classic Race—Democrat and His Races—A Tip -for the “Blues”—Accident to Sloan—His Downfall—Five -Years’ Racing and Winnings in Stakes Alone—Volodyovski -Bought—At Liverpool When Ambush II Won the Grand -National</p></div> - -<p class="drop-capy1">We are now dealing with 1897, when Tod -Sloan was introduced to the British public -by Lord William, who had been keeping -an eye on the lad’s performances in America, observing -that in 1895 he had 442 mounts, and won 132 -races, in California four races being won in a day. -In consequence of this and what he was told of the -lad, his lordship sent a cable asking the jockey to -come over here as he had some useful horses to be -ridden. The years 1897-1898-1899 and 1900 were -great for the Beresford stable.</p> - -<p>Sloan was for several years much in evidence, so -it may be worth while to pause a moment and introduce -him to those of my readers who have either -forgotten or never known anything about him. -His real name was James Forman Sloan, when a very -small boy he had been adopted by people named -Blauser, who thinking they were being witty, called -him “Toad,” because he was so tiny, this by degrees -condensed itself into Tod, and Tod Sloan it remained -to the end of the chapter.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300"></a>[300]</span></p> - -<p>In America Sloan had been riding for Mr. W. C. -Whitney, who released him to ride for Lord William, -saying he should very likely be in England himself -before long. As a matter of fact he arrived at much -the same time as the jockey, and met Lord William -for the first time at Newmarket, where Sloan introduced -him to his lordship, the outcome of this -introduction being they became partners. At this -time Jakes Pincus was training Lord William’s -horses, later Huggins, who came over with Mr. -Lorillard, reigned in his stead. Pincus was another -American; he had not been long in this country, -yet he was the man who trained the only American -horse that ever won the Derby, if my memory is to -be trusted. Iroquois was the horse. The man was -a bit of a jockey himself, I have been told.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cuthbert was secretary to Lord William’s -stable at that time, later I believe he went to Newmarket -in the employ of Mr. George Lambton.</p> - -<p>Sloan was one of those fortunate jockeys who can -eat what they like without putting on weight, very -different from some other jockeys of that date. -Fred Archer, for instance, who had to breakfast off -hot castor oil and a slice of thin toast with a view -to keeping his weight down, he dared not dine with -friends, as owing to dieting so rigidly he felt he was -a wet blanket at a feast. Poor fellow, in his endeavours -to ride 8 st. 7 lbs., he became a wreck very -early in life, the wonder was he lived as long as he -did. It will be remembered at the age of thirty he -felt he had had enough and took his own life. -Though much liked and perhaps the most popular of -jockeys he was severe with his mounts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301"></a>[301]</span></p> - -<p>Sloan was fond of animals and gentle with them, -Mornington Cannon also, and they seem to have -achieved equal success. Archer’s seat was the opposite -of Sloan’s, for he sat well back, while Sloan -it was introduced that peculiar monkey up a stick -seat which became more or less the fashion amongst -the American jockeys. Archer was very, very canny -with his money, which at times used to annoy people, -Sloan on the other hand was too generous and let -other people help him to spend his earnings almost -too freely. Cannon liked riding waiting races, while -Sloan liked to get away and come right through. -There was one occasion certainly when Cannon -waited a little too long with Flying Fox, not giving -himself time to get home, but he was a good judge -of pace.</p> - -<p>Sloan’s seat used to be much commented on when -first he came over to this country, people thought -he rode with very short stirrups, but he did not -really, it was the crouching along the neck of the -horse when going fast which gave him that appearance. -He attributed much of his success to this -attitude as it gave less resistance to the wind, -therefore helpful to the horses.</p> - -<p>Sloan entirely agreed with me on one point, which -I have already expressed in my book <cite>Women in the -Hunting Field</cite>, namely that horses will not tread -on you when down if they can possibly help it. <em>He</em> -went so far as to say they “would not unless pulled -into it.”</p> - -<p>Lord William used to say Sloan had no luck unless -he was there, and really it seemed like it. When -Lord Bill lost a race he had been hoping and expecting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302"></a>[302]</span> -to win his face was a study, he had marvellous self-control, -and beyond growing very white showed -no sign of feeling and was always most generous to -the unhappy and often equally disappointed jockey.</p> - -<p>Lord William thought he had a great horse in -St. Cloud II. I fear he did not fulfil his owner’s -expectations, though certainly he was a great horse, -but it was in size, he stood seventeen hands.</p> - -<p>The largest stakes Lord William ever went for was -probably over Sandia in the Cambridgeshire. Either -St. Cloud or Sandia ought to have won easily. -Lord William and Sloan were under the impression -they had won with Sandia, but Mr. Robinson, the -judge, was under the impression they had not, but -that is an old story now. At the time there was a good -deal of feeling about it.</p> - -<p>Sandia won the old Cambridgeshire in the Autumn -of 1897, and Diakka won the Duke of York Stakes -at Kempton Park, for which he started favourite.</p> - -<p>Lord William found time to go to York and help -his brother, Lord Charles, now Lord Beresford, who -was standing in the Conservative interest against -Mr. Furniss. Lord Marcus also went to give a helping -hand. In Lord Beresford’s own book he gives some -amusing accounts of his brother’s smart and witty -repartees to questions asked by the electors. There -was a good deal of excitement in the town at the -time. Lord Beresford won by eleven votes, rather -a near thing. It was too much for the poor Lord -Mayor, he died the same night from excitement and -strain.</p> - -<p>The three brothers were very happy working together -over this election, the affection they had felt<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303"></a>[303]</span> -for one another in youth had not been estranged, -they were still devoted to one another, it was -always charming to hear them speak of their relatives. -What does this family affection spring from I -wonder? It is not often met with; take two well-known -families the Scotch Gordons and the Irish -Waterfords. The Gordons according to their own -account could as brothers never agree, if one told a -story of what he had done at cricket, racing, or -some such thing, and one of his brothers happened -to be present he would flatly contradict him, telling -him he did not believe it, and he was telling tarra-diddles; -followed of course by a free fight, very -often even when staying in friends’ houses. Once -speaking of their quarrelsomeness Lord Granville -Gordon, commonly called Granny, said, “You know -our family is not like the Beresfords one bit, they are -always full of praise of one another and inseparable. -If you were to say to Lord Marcus or Markey as we -call him, ‘That was a great thing you brought off -the other day,’ the reply would certainly be something -of this sort, ‘Oh yes, but you should see my -brother Bill, he can do ten times better,’ or ‘You -should see Charlie, no one can touch him’; the same -with Lord Charles, it is always how much better his -brothers could do things than himself.”</p> - -<p>An uncle of mine, the Rev. Francis Gooch, used -to fish at Ford Abbey in Northumberland by the -kind permission of Lady Waterford. One day when -Lord Charles was up there and he was speaking to -my uncle he said, “Do you know my brother Bill?” -The reply being in the negative Lord Charles said, -“Then bedad you don’t know the finest man in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304"></a>[304]</span> -world.” It is really a beautiful and uncommon -thing to have lived through the great part of their -allotted years, knowing each other intimately, loving -each other tenderly, without one spark of jealous -fault-finding, superiority, or littleness. The pity -there are not more families equally attached, they -do not know what they miss; looking back through -the sketch book of their lives, that family affection -has added warmth and beautiful colouring to many -of its pictures, to be recalled and lived through again -when the day is far spent and night is near.</p> - -<p>In 1898 Lord William owned many winners entered -in the name of one or other of the two partners. -Caiman as a two year old won the Middle Park Plate, -value £2775, Sloan riding; beating the Duke of -Westminster’s Flying Fox ridden by Mornington -Cannon. I am able to give a beautiful photograph -of Caiman at the starting-post the day he won this -race. It will be noticed Sloan did not ride very -short, as I have already pointed out. It will also be -noticed his hand is up to his mouth, this was a habit -or trick of his, he always put his hand to his mouth -when a horse was walking or in a very slow pace. -Whether he had any theories about it or not I do not -know.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp70" id="fp304xb" style="max-width: 25em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp304xb.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS</p></div> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter illowp89" id="fp304yb" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp304yb.jpg" alt="" /> - <p class="fs60"><em>Photo. Rouch</em></p> - <div class="caption"><p>CAIMAN AT THE POST FOR THE MIDDLE PARK PLATE THE DAY HE BEAT -FLYING FOX. TOD SLOAN IN LORD WILLIAM’S COLOURS</p></div> -</div> - -<p>Flying Fox was a horse that stood out prominently -in racing records, not only as a triple crown winner, -but as the horse that fetched the highest price ever -paid at a sale by auction for a racehorse, namely -£39,375, Kingsclere and Prince Palatine being bought -by private contract by Mr. J. B. Joel at £40,000, a -price that would perhaps not have been reached -under the hammer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305"></a>[305]</span></p> - -<p>In the Two Thousand Guineas value £4250 Caiman -only ran second, Sloan up, Flying Fox winning this -time, Cannon riding. For the St. Leger at Doncaster -value £4050 Flying Fox again won, Caiman second, -both ridden by the same jockey as in the previous -races.</p> - -<p>In 1900 Caiman only won the Lingfield Park Stakes -value £2420, his wins, however, as a two year old -in 1898 were £3557, as a three year old £3884 and -as a four year old £2420, making the pleasing total -of £9861.</p> - -<p>The chief races won in 1898 were the Clearwell -Stakes and Middle Park Plate by Caiman, Esher -Stakes by Diakka, Thirty-fifth Biennial at Ascot -by Sandia, Exeter Stakes by Dominie. Mykka -the Lancaster Nursery First October Two Year -Old Stakes, Prendergast Stakes, and Sandown Great -Sapling Plate. On September 30th, Sloan won the -Bretby Welter on Draco for Lord William by six -lengths, the next race the Scurry Nursery on Manatee, -the next race again the Rous Memorial Stakes -on Landrail by three lengths, another on Libra, -by two lengths, the Newmarket St. Leger on -Galashiels by a head, making five wins and a -second out of seven mounts, not a bad day for one -stable.</p> - -<p>Huggins, who was training the horses, lived at -Heath House, the former home of the great Dawson -trainers, “Mat,” and after him his nephew George. -Heath House will always remain most famous in connection -with the name of the uncle, as most of “Mat” -Dawson’s greatest classic efforts came from that -home; for the late Lord Falmouth, Duke of Portland,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306"></a>[306]</span> -Lord Hastings of Melton fame, and lastly crowned -with the success of Lord Rosebery’s Ladas.</p> - -<p>The historic Democrat now came on the scenes in -1899. An American bred horse, his sire being -Sensation, his dam Equality. This handsome and -gentle chestnut with four white legs won no less than -seven out of eleven races as a two year old, worth -£12,939, including the Coventry Stakes at Ascot, -the National Breeders’ Foal Stakes at Sandown, -and the Middle Park Plate and Dewhurst Plate. -The light blue and black cap was doing good business.</p> - -<p>A record of all Democrat’s races may be interesting:</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdc wsp" colspan="2">TWO YEAR OLD RECORD, 1899</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">May 1st.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Great Surrey Breeders’ Foal Plate, Epsom; 4th (Sloan).</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">May 5th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Royal Two Year Old Plate, Kempton Park; 2nd (Sloan), £200.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">May 11th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bedford Plate, Newmarket; 2nd (Sloan), £50.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">June 13th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Coventry Stakes, Ascot; 1st (Sloan), £1,826, beating H.R.H. Prince of Wales’s horse, Diamond Jubilee, ridden by Watts.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">July 1st.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Hurst Park Foal Plate, Hurst Park; 1st (Sloan), £1,135.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">July 15th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">National Breeders’ Produce Stakes, Sandown Park; 1st (Sloan), £4,357.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Sept. 5th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Champagne Stakes, Doncaster; 1st (Sloan), £1,310.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Sept. 29th. </td> -<td class="tdlt">Rous Memorial Stakes, Newmarket; 1st (Sloan), £568.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Oct. 6th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Imperial Stakes, Kempton Park; 2nd (Sloan), £300.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Oct 14th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Middle Park Plate, Newmarket; 1st (Sloan), £2,305, beating Prince of Wales’s Diamond Jubilee.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Oct. 26th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Dewhurst Plate, Newmarket, Houghton; 1st (Sloan), £1,432; Prince of Wales’s Diamond Jubilee 2nd.</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="2"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307"></a>[307]</span> - THREE YEAR OLD RUNNING, 1900</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">May 30th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Epsom Derby.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt"></td> -<td class="tdlt">Democrat ran but was not placed, the race being won by Diamond Jubilee, but this time Sloan was not riding Democrat, - but one called Disguise for another owner, and was severely reprimanded for this breach of Rule 140, forbidding crossing.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">June 14th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The New Biennial, Ascot. Democrat not placed; ridden by Weldon. Sloan rode the winner, Courlan.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Oct. 9th.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Royal Stakes, Newmarket; 1st (L. Reiff), £586. This was Democrat’s last win; he ran later at Liverpool for the Autumn Cup, but was not placed.</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p>I am under the impression that the last time Lord -William’s colours were seen on a racecourse was at -Manchester, when his Billow II, bred in Australia, -won the Autumn Plate, ridden by Reiff. Jolly Tar -won six races in 1900.</p> - -<p>The year Democrat won the Coventry Stakes at -Ascot (1899) Lord William was standing outside the -“Blues’” tent after luncheon talking to some of his -friends, amongst others Sir Claude de Crespigny, -discussing the merits of the different horses, when he -was heard to say apparently as much to himself as -his friends, “It’s all very well their making the -Prince’s horse (Diamond Jubilee) favourite; mine -has just as good a chance of winning.” This was -repeated to some of the “Blues,” who had not been -having a very good time over the Trial Stakes, -adding, the Royal horse is at evens and Bill’s at -three’s, they selected the latter and landed the long -odds. After this they told Sir Claude if he had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308"></a>[308]</span> -another good tip like that for the next day they -hoped he would come and have luncheon again.</p> - -<p>Sloan was never a great admirer of Democrat, -why I do not know, as the horse proved himself -one of the best of his years.</p> - -<p>Riding at Kempton in 1898 a horse reared over -with Sloan, hurting his pelvis bone. Seeing what -pain the man was in and knowing from experience -something about it, Lord William said, “Your racing -is done for to-day, my little man.” “But,” said -Sloan, “who then is going to ride your Democrat?” -Lord William replied, “I shall put Cannon up.” -This was anguish to Sloan, who was somewhat -jealous of Cannon, but he may have found consolation -in the result, as the horse did not win. His -owner thought it was due to the change of jockey, -horses are very susceptible to any change of hands.</p> - -<p>Sloan always considered the greatest achievement -of his life was beating Flying Fox on Caiman -in the Middle Park Plate, when Cannon, as referred -to earlier, waited just a little too long before letting -Flying Fox out, not leaving time to pick up and -win.</p> - -<p>In 1899 Lord William won his first and only classic -race with his Sibola at Newmarket in the One -Thousand, Sloan riding. There were great rejoicings -in the Beresford camp. Sibola ought to have won -the Oaks that year, but got a bad start. Some people -thought it was due to a fit of temper on Sloan’s part, -others attributed the defeat to Sloan, but giving -other reasons; be that as it may, it was a great -disappointment to the horse’s owner.</p> - -<p>Sloan was altogether getting out of favour about<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309"></a>[309]</span> -now. At Ascot he got himself mixed up with a -waiter and a champagne bottle, resulting in Lord -William very kindly trying to pacify the piqued -waiter. This took some doing, but was eventually -managed to the tune of several hundreds, to save -scandal and trouble. The Stewards enquired into -the matter and exonerated Sloan. In honesty to -the jockey, I am pleased to be able to state, when he -found out what Lord William had done for him, he -insisted on the amount being deducted from his -retaining fees.</p> - -<p>Lord William was undoubtedly Sloan’s best friend, -being exceedingly generous and kind to him, but -latterly he gave his mounts to Weldon, the two -Reiffs, and others, being disappointed with Sloan -and fearing he had got into the hands of those not -likely to improve him, and certainly about that time -a number of desperate American gamblers graced -this country with their presence and heavy ready -money investments which put temptation into a -jockey’s way. If a jockey only bets on his own -mount all may be well, but unfortunately they get -tempted sometimes to bet on others, while such a -thing has been heard of as a jockey squaring or thinking -he has squared the rest of his <span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">confrères</span> in the -race; and then failed.</p> - -<p>The final blow came to Sloan over the Cambridgeshire -of 1900, over which there were many unpleasant -stories afloat in connection with his betting. -It was a thousand pities, for he did so well when first -he came over to this country. Lord William was -very pleased with his riding, and many people had -been most kind to him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310"></a>[310]</span></p> - -<p>At one time, I think it must have been at Doncaster -in 1899, the Prince of Wales told Lord William he -should like Sloan to ride for him during the coming -season, however, circumstances forbade this. Codoman -was the horse Sloan was riding in the Cambridgeshire -when he got into trouble over betting. Lord -William again did all he could for Sloan, but the -Jockey Club were firm and advised Sloan not to -apply for a licence to ride during 1901. Of course -he was acting against the rules in betting and he -knew it, but I do not think Sloan was alone by any -manner of means in this misdemeanour; again, I -say the pity of it, for he was a great master of his -method in the saddle; he always maintained his -crouching seat over the horse’s neck that had much -to do with his success. Unfortunately he was a -perfect idiot where his own real interests were concerned. -Here again he was not alone, many of us -are quite brilliant in looking after other people’s -affairs and yet make shocking hashes of our -own.</p> - -<p>It will, I think, have been clear to the readers all -through these chapters how very generous Lord -William was to all who worked with or for him; -also indeed to many with absolutely no claim on his -large and kindly heart. Huggins, his trainer, was -another recipient of his open-handed generosity. -At Newmarket he was a favourite amongst the residents -and Lord William had a great liking for him, -but I doubt if it is generally known that over and -above other fees and charges Lord William allowed -him 10 per cent on <em>all stakes</em> won. This would mean -a comfortable income if the stable was lucky. A<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311"></a>[311]</span> -glance at the value of the stakes won between -1896 and 1900 will prove this.</p> - -<table class="autotable fs80" width="50%" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"><em>Year.</em></td> -<td class="tdc"><em>No. of wins.</em></td> -<td class="tdr"><em>Value.</em></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1896</td> -<td class="tdc">12</td> -<td class="tdr">£5,186 </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1897</td> -<td class="tdc">13</td> -<td class="tdr">7,867 </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1898</td> -<td class="tdc">16</td> -<td class="tdr">8,029 </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1899</td> -<td class="tdc">69</td> -<td class="tdr">42,736½</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl">1900</td> -<td class="tdc">48</td> -<td class="tdr">24,522 </td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdl"></td> -<td class="tdc">—–</td> -<td class="tdr">————</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdr">Total</td> -<td class="tdc">158 </td> -<td class="tdr">£88,340½</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p>In giving the above I am leaning heavily on the -safe side, as there were some wins of which I do -not know the value, so cannot count them in the -total.</p> - -<p>Lord William was still hoping to win the Derby, -and believed at last he was “going to do the trick” -in 1901, for in 1900 he leased from Lady Meux, a -two year old horse named Volodyovski for his -racing career. For the comfort of my readers I may -here state that owing to the horse’s name being such -a mouthful, and the difficulty experienced by many -in pronouncing it at all, he soon became known as -Voly, which will answer my purpose very well. This -horse won five races out of the last six he ran for -Lord William, namely the Windsor Castle Stakes, -Rous Memorial at Goodwood, Newmarket Stud -Produce Stakes, Rous Memorial at Newmarket, other -winners besides Caiman being Jolly Tar and Jiffy II.</p> - -<p>It will be remembered it was Diamond Jubilee -that prevented Lord William heading the list of -winners in 1900, and Flying Fox in 1899. But as the -following shows it was a near thing.</p> - -<p>1899, Duke of Westminster, 1st £43,965—Lord<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312"></a>[312]</span> -William 2nd £42,736½. 1900, Prince of Wales 1st -£29,585—Lord William 2nd £24,585.</p> - -<p>Race meetings of all sorts and kinds attracted -Lord William, whether running horses of his own or -not; he was present at Liverpool when the Prince -of Wales won with Ambush II, and his own horse -Easter Ogue ran seventh. The scene outside the -weighing-room door as His Royal Highness awaited -the return of his winning horse baffles description; -it was difficult to keep a clear space for Anthony to -dismount; all were so anxious to congratulate the -Prince. One of the earliest to express his pleasure and -to congratulate him was the subject of these memories, -and it so happened that the camera man managed -to squeeze into the small space and photograph -the King as he met the horse, just as he left Lord -William.</p> - -<p>Always when flat racing was over Lord William -turned his attention to chasing, which he had liked -from his earliest days. I remember standing with -him once in a crowd at a big “jump” meeting, and -saying to him, “I suppose you have always been too -occupied to make a study of the faces round you at -one of these meetings?” He replied, “No indeed, I -have not been too occupied, but I do not like to look, -sometimes a race means so much to a man.” I -remarked I thought a certain friend standing near -us, and owner of the favourite, was looking rather -pale and anxious, but he said, “Oh he’s all right, an -old hand at the game,” nevertheless when the favourite -was over the last fence I heard a big sigh and when -the cheering began after the horse had won by nearly -a length the owner collapsed. I wonder what would<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313"></a>[313]</span> -have happened if he had lost? Lord William told -me afterwards that if he had not won that race he -would have been absolutely ruined. The faces of a -crowd on a racecourse, especially at a “jump” -meeting, is an interesting study and instructive.</p> - -<p>It is painful to watch the restless hands and nervous -twitchings of those to whom it means “up” or -“down.” Some of course go who delight in a fair -race when the horses are not ridden to death, that -is to say never again able to meet such a supreme -moment; people who have nothing of any consequence -in any of the races, or who, like the late -James Lowther, seldom or never bet at all. Then -again there are the curiously constituted folk who -flock round the most dangerous jumps, presumably, -to witness any accident that may occur; some -people revel in seeing accidents. One man I have -known now for many years, has never to my knowledge, -been moved to mirth unless someone has hurt -themselves, then he indulges in a waistcoat contortion -which answers for laughter, his mouth spreads slowly -across his face, but his eyes take no part in his -merriment.</p> - -<p>Some of the accounts that appeared in the papers -from time to time relating to Lord William’s achievements -were very funny. The <cite>Sporting Times</cite> some -years ago referred to this in one of their issues I am -told, as follows: “Does Lord William Beresford -read the <cite>Hornet</cite>? Probably not, but if he does he -must be surprised to find that he is the third son of -John, fourth Marquis of Waterloo. Why not also -first cousin of Viscount Vauxhall, and distantly -related to the Countess of Charing Cross?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314"></a>[314]</span></p> - -<p>Lord William’s health about now was causing -some anxiety, and he was persuaded to try Homburg -where he had been benefited several times before, -but on this occasion he came back looking worse -than when he went.</p> - -<div class="figcenter illowp54" id="fp314b" style="max-width: 50em;"> - <img class="w100" src="images/fp314b.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>LORD WILLIAM AND LORD MARCUS BERESFORD</p></div> -</div> - -<p>The last time I saw his lordship at Homburg, -the Prince of Wales, Sir George Wombwell and -Colonel Stanley Clarke were being greatly amused -at some of his jokes, and the stories he was telling -against himself.</p> - -<p>Shall we ever see his like again?</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p4 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315"></a>[315]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI<br /> -<span class="fs70">LAST YEARS</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“1900 ... and Feels It”—Affection for the 9th Lancers—Help for a -Brother Mason—Those Who Loved Him—Friends, not Sight-Seers—A -Treasured Gift—Sale of Horses at Newmarket—Purchasers -and Prices—Fate of Democrat—Volodyovski Wins -the Derby—Too Late—Fierce Ownership Dispute—The Law -Settles It—Broken Head of a small Beresford</p></div> - - -<p class="drop-capy1">During most of 1900 Lord William suffered -at intervals from his old complaint contracted -in India, namely dysentery, and -it was taking all his strength away; that he was -feeling very sadly I know, and on a photograph he -was signing for a friend he wrote “W. B., 1900, ... and feels it.”</p> - -<p>At times he was observed sitting resting before -dinner, a most unusual thing for him to do. Unfortunately -in December he ate some game that was -too high for his delicate state of health, this set -up peritonitis, and, in spite of the best advice and -most tender nursing, he passed away on the 28th -December with a smile for those around him, to the -inexpressible grief of all who knew him well, and -the sincere regret of all who were lucky enough to -have met him.</p> - -<p>The specialist, Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton, came -down from town several times to see the invalid, -and at one time there seemed to be a ray of hope,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316"></a>[316]</span> -only to be dashed to the ground again, for the poor, -gallant, brave heart for the first time in his life failed -him and refused to work any longer. His last race -was run, and surely the prize must be his for his -many acts of charity not only in kind, but goodness -and mercy.</p> - -<p>We all knew in his lifetime how generous he was, -no begging letter was ever left unanswered; none -who begged, whether deserving or not, received a -harsh word from him; he was generous to a fault. -He never could resist anyone who said they had been -in his old regiment the 9th Lancers, though I have -grave doubts as to whether some of the suppliants -had ever been in the regiment at all. I know that -some who begged from him had a good deal of method -in laying out their plan of campaign, and waited until -Mr. Palmer, who attended to business matters, had -gone home, before going to ask for Lord William, -knowing that if Mr. Palmer was there the case would -be thoroughly enquired into, while if they saw his -lordship they knew they could work upon his tender -and kind heart. I have been told the following -story is true.</p> - -<p>Lord William was a Mason, and a brother Mason -wanted to see him, and as he had a favour to ask -waited until Mr. Palmer had gone home, and in the -evening begged to see Lord William who at once -interviewed his brother Mason, a tradesman, who -told a long tale with a plentiful use of pocket-handkerchief -to his eyes; he came away with a -cheque for £1000.</p> - -<p>Truly life is a book of many pages, not by any -means easily read, and it seems all wrong that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317"></a>[317]</span> -such generosity should be imposed on, but Lord -William always said his sympathies were with all -sinners, and he liked to give everyone the benefit -of a doubt.</p> - -<p>It does not fall to the lot of everyone to be so -sincerely mourned, for his wife adored him, his -child loved him, his brothers and relations loved -him, his servants worshipped him, the old people -round Waterford and Curraghmore, to whom it was -a red-letter day when Lord William paid them a -visit, which he enjoyed as much as they did; the -old pensioners at the Royal Hospital, Dublin, who -had many times been made happy by a visit from -him.</p> - -<p>When the sad news became known, messages of -sympathy and condolence poured in from the highest -in the land to some of the lowliest.</p> - -<p>It was not until after his death, when his papers -were being attended to, that the extent of his goodness -and charity was fully known.</p> - -<p>I will not dwell on this sad time, for there is no -language great enough for the expression of our -mental emotions, and no language that can express -the dignity of great grief.</p> - -<p>Lord William was laid to rest in the family vault -at Clonagam Church, and the whole route from the -boat to the Clonagam was wonderful; every little -child wanted to pay a last tribute to their friend, -the road was packed and lined with those who <em>cared</em>, -not sightseers.</p> - -<p>Among the four waggon loads of wreathes, crosses, -and other flower tokens of respect and affection, -was one from his brother Lord Charles, “In memory<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_318"></a>[318]</span> -of lovable, chivalrous Bill, from his broken-hearted -brother, Charles.”</p> - -<p>Everyone mourned for Lord William, even the -cabmen in London, Dublin and elsewhere. The -newspapers were full of “Our Bill” and amongst -the many touching references to his death, I think -the following is one of the nicest.</p> - - -<p class="pfs80 smcap">Lord William Beresford</p> - -<p class="pfs80"><em>Born July 20th, 1847, died December 30th, 1900</em></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">The old grey year is stricken down—and lying</div> - <div class="verse indent2">(The days are dark, the trees stand gaunt and bare)</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Stretches its hand and takes from us—while dying—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">One whom we ill could spare.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Soldier and sportman, no fond hand could save you</div> - <div class="verse indent2">From the old robber bearing you away,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">England who once the cross for valour gave you,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Honours you with tears to-day.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">What is the epitaph which shall be found him?</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Let this story of his lost life tell,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">All hearts that knew him to-day around him</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Whisp’ring, “Kind friend, farewell.”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Erin, a vigil o’er her dead son keeping,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Now takes him softly, sadly to her breast,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Under her grassy mantle hides him sleeping,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And gives him his long rest.</div> - <div class="verse indent25"><span class="smcap">Ballyhooley.</span></div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="fs80 in2"><cite>Sporting Times</cite>, January 5th, 1901.</p> - - -<p class="p1">Ballyhooley was really the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">nom-de-plume</i> of Mr. -Bob Martin, who wrote the Irish humorous songs -for the Gaiety and was a great man on the staff of -the <cite>Sporting Times</cite>. In one of the weekly papers -appeared the following:</p> - -<p>“The regret of all for Lord William Beresford.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_319"></a>[319]</span> -A Bill that everyone honoured, but alas none can -meet.”</p> - -<p>In another paper someone signing themselves -“Roy” wrote:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">A fearless soldier and a sportman bold,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Beloved by all; gallant to foe and friend,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Brave, true-hearted, as our knights of old,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">A V.C. hero! noble to the end.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="fs80 in2"><em>December</em>, 1900.</p> - - -<p class="p1">I always thought it was illuminating the way, -though Lord William never met his wife’s mother, -he felt it would be a pleasure to her, and his duty to -write regularly giving account of his wife and son’s -doings, and so forth; ending in a sincere attachment -on both sides, and his mother-in-law heaped beautiful -and costly presents on him, sent from America.</p> - -<p>Speaking, or rather writing of presents reminds -me that in a cabinet where I keep my many treasures -and presents collected during my travels, there rests -in one corner a much used and much mended hunting -crop bearing the inscription, “From Bill, Xmas -1889.” It likewise has seen its last day’s hunting, -for it is tender with age and use, and too much -valued to run any risks. I feel as if I could write -for weeks of all his kindness and loyal friendship, and -then not exhaust my memories of them. There is one -more charming trait I should like to mention, namely -his great consideration and kindness to his servants; -when there had been a house full with many ladies’ -maids and valets he always asked if they had had -a good time, and his orders were that all the servants -should have everything they wanted, nothing was -too good for them. One who had served him said<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_320"></a>[320]</span> -to me once, “It is a pleasure to do anything for him; -he is the kindest master and friend any servant -ever had.”</p> - -<p>On January 23rd, 1901, Lord William’s horses were -sold at Newmarket, and it makes me sad to write -of the break up of his stable; his horses had been -such a pleasure to him all his life and now they were -all to be scattered far and wide. Had he lived, many -of them would have changed hands at times, no -doubt, in the ordinary course of events, but he would -have voiced the orders. Now even at the sale there -was a gloom, a sadness for the cheery voice that was -gone. It seems rather hard that we should be -brought into this world without our wishes being -consulted, and hurried out of it without our wishes -being consulted, and as Emerson says, “We seem -to be whipped through the world hacks of invisible -riders.”</p> - -<p>My readers may be interested to know who bought -the horses and the prices they fetched, so I give the -list. See <a href="#Page_322">pages 322-3</a>.</p> - -<p>Fifth on the list is good old Democrat, who still has -quite a history attached to him. Mr. Joel bought him -for 910 guineas, and while his property he ran his -last race, at Kempton Park on May 11th, 1901, ridden -by Wood, but was not placed, after this he was kept -in peace and plenty until the autumn, when he again -renewed his acquaintance with Mr. Tattersall’s -hammer on October 13th, then Mr. Marsh, the -trainer of the King’s horses, gave 290 guineas for -him; chiefly I fancy for old association’s sake; so -the horse went to Egerton House at Newmarket. -One day the late Lord Kitchener was going round<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_321"></a>[321]</span> -the stable, and I think I am right in saying King -Edward VII was there at the time; when they came -to Democrat Lord Kitchener remarked on his good -looks, and that he was the size and make for a man -like himself with long legs. “Yes, my lord,” said -Mr. Marsh, “he would suit you to take out <ins class="corr" id="tn-321" title="Transcriber’s Note—Original text: 'to Indi as'"> -to India as</ins> a charger if you will accept him as a gift.”</p> - -<p>Lord Kitchener was not a great horseman at any -time, and liked something very quiet so that he need -pay no attention to his mount and devote it all to -the business in hand; this he explained to Mr. -Marsh, asking if he thought the horse was quiet -enough, and was reassured by being told Mr. Marsh’s -daughter used often to ride him when exercising -on the heath. A few days later when Lord Kitchener -was speaking to the Duke of Portland about Mr. -Marsh’s generous gift, and expressing doubts about -a race-horse being a suitable charger, his Grace -suggested Democrat being sent to Welbeck to be -tried there in the riding school with a view to his -usefulness as a charger. The horse’s manners were -found to require very little polishing, so to India he -went, becoming a great favourite with his master. -An unusual end to a race-horse’s career, but a very -happy and a most useful one. When Mr. Marsh -bought him he was no longer considered any use for -racing, no use for the stud to which so many race-horses -go, and I am not quite sure he was not just a -wee bit gone in the wind. However, this great -winner of races after landing £12,939 in stakes became -Lord Kitchener’s favourite charger, and was ridden -by him at the Delhi Durbar and Coronation Procession -of King Edward. Democrat bore himself very -proudly in India, winning several prizes at the -Indian Horse Shows. Lord Kitchener’s and Democrat’s -name will go down to history together, for -in Calcutta there now stands a statue of them sent -out from England in 1913. A good and honourable -man on a good and honourable horse. I have been -told that Democrat died in India shortly before Lord -Kitchener left the country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_322"></a>[322]</span></p> - -<table class="autotable fs70" summary=""> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">HORSES IN TRAINING</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt pad3"><em>Name.</em></td> -<td class="tdlt pad2"><em>Sire.</em></td> -<td class="tdlt pad2"><em>Dam.</em></td> -<td class="tdlt pad2"><em>Purchaser.</em></td> -<td class="tdlt"><em>Guineas.</em></td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Berzack, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sensation</td> -<td class="tdlt">Belphœbe</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lord Kesteven</td> -<td class="tdrt">320</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Billow II, Australian</td> -<td class="tdlt">Atlantic</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tickle</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. D. Cooper</td> -<td class="tdrt">380</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Caiman, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Locochatchee</td> -<td class="tdlt">Happy Day</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. Marsh for Lord Wolverton</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Jolly Tar, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sailor Prince</td> -<td class="tdlt">Joy</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. W. M. G. Singer</td> -<td class="tdrt">2,200</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Democrat, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sensation</td> -<td class="tdlt">Equality</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. B. Joel</td> -<td class="tdrt">910</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Old Buck II, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sensation</td> -<td class="tdlt">Magnetic</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">300</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">THREE YEAR OLDS</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Brelogue, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Favordale</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bibelot</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">320</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Zip, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Owas</td> -<td class="tdlt">Telic Doe</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Gore</td> -<td class="tdrt">310</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Nahlband</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wolf’s Crag</td> -<td class="tdlt">Under the Rose</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. E. Dresden</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,500</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Bronzewing, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Goldfinch</td> -<td class="tdlt">Reclare</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. Hare</td> -<td class="tdrt">320</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Alien, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Henry of Navarre</td> -<td class="tdlt">Kate Allen</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. B. Joel</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,300</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Teuton, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Hanover</td> -<td class="tdlt">Bessy Hinckley</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Gore</td> -<td class="tdrt">210</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Yellow Bird, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Goldfinch</td> -<td class="tdlt">Miss Modred</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lord Carnarvon</td> -<td class="tdrt">210</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Yap, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Dandy Dinmont</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lizzie</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. S. B. Joel</td> -<td class="tdrt">410</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Choctaw, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Onondaga</td> -<td class="tdlt">Henrietta</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. Widger</td> -<td class="tdrt">210</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Moorspate, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Candlemas</td> -<td class="tdlt">Belle B.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. E. Dresden</td> -<td class="tdrt">860</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Sweet Dixie, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Sir Dixie</td> -<td class="tdlt">Brenda</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">200</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Fore Top, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">Top Gallant</td> -<td class="tdlt">Flavia</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. W. Lewison</td> -<td class="tdrt">45</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">TWO YEAR OLDS</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">The Buck</td> -<td class="tdlt">Buckingham</td> -<td class="tdlt">Compromise</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lord Carnarvon</td> -<td class="tdrt">300</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Loveite</td> -<td class="tdlt">St. Fruoquin</td> -<td class="tdlt">Orle</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. G. Faber</td> -<td class="tdrt">1,050</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Charles Lever, U.S.A.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_323"></a>[323]</span> -</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Bard</td> -<td class="tdlt">Equiporse</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">100</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Vendale, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Bard</td> -<td class="tdlt">Water Lily</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">160</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Albanian, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Bard</td> -<td class="tdlt">Loot</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. R. Croker</td> -<td class="tdrt">90</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Bay Filly, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Bard</td> -<td class="tdlt">Roulette</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. W. Smith</td> -<td class="tdrt">175</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Ouilla, U.S.A.</td> -<td class="tdlt">The Bard</td> -<td class="tdlt">Foxtail</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. G. Farrar</td> -<td class="tdrt">115</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Drooping</td> -<td class="tdlt">Martagon</td> -<td class="tdlt">Penserose</td> -<td class="tdlt">Capt. Featherstonhaugh</td> -<td class="tdrt">55</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">BROOD MARES, ETC.</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Manister</td> -<td class="tdlt">Diakka</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tacitus</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. A. McNeal</td> -<td class="tdrt">20</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Brown Yearling</td> -<td class="tdlt">Worcester</td> -<td class="tdlt">Manister</td> -<td class="tdlt">H. Von Grundherr</td> -<td class="tdrt">7</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Famish</td> -<td class="tdlt">Wolf Crag</td> -<td class="tdlt">Cearalin</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. G. Pritchard</td> -<td class="tdrt">20</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">King Cophetua, Yearling Colt</td> -<td class="tdlt">Florizel II</td> -<td class="tdlt">Cerealia</td> -<td class="tdlt">J. D. Wordell</td> -<td class="tdrt">310</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Ch. Yearling Filly</td> -<td class="tdlt">Amphion</td> -<td class="tdlt">Philatelist</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. H. King</td> -<td class="tdrt">12</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">STEEPLECHASE HORSES IN TRAINING</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Lord Arrovale</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tacitus</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lady Arrovale</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. Russel Monroe</td> -<td class="tdrt">380</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Servias</td> -<td class="tdlt">St. Serf</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ayesha Ayagile</td> -<td class="tdlt">H. Escott</td> -<td class="tdrt">80</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Uncle Jack</td> -<td class="tdlt">Ascetic</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mayo</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. Joel</td> -<td class="tdrt">3,000</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Harvesting</td> -<td class="tdlt">Barkizan</td> -<td class="tdlt">Harvest Moon</td> -<td class="tdlt">H. Escott</td> -<td class="tdrt">175</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Brandon</td> -<td class="tdlt">Carlton</td> -<td class="tdlt">Miss Prim</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. J. R. Eastwood</td> -<td class="tdrt">300</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Orange River</td> -<td class="tdlt">Hackler</td> -<td class="tdlt">Capri</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. G. Parrott</td> -<td class="tdrt">150</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Patrick’s Ball</td> -<td class="tdlt">Workington</td> -<td class="tdlt">Duty Dance</td> -<td class="tdlt">Lord Rothschild</td> -<td class="tdrt">310</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Waltager</td> -<td class="tdlt">Saraband</td> -<td class="tdlt">Alice</td> -<td class="tdlt">Mr. G. Parrott</td> -<td class="tdrt">25</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdlt">Brown Study</td> -<td class="tdlt">Tacitus</td> -<td class="tdlt">Brown Beauty</td> -<td class="tdlt">Major E. Loder</td> -<td class="tdrt">100</td> -</tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr> -<td class="tdc" colspan="5">Grand Total £19,439</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_324"></a>[324]</span></p> - -<p class="p1">At King George’s coronation, Lord Kitchener rode -another great race-horse Moifaa, the Liverpool winner -in 1904, while the property of Mr. Spencer Gollan. -The horse was afterwards sold to King Edward.</p> - -<p>When Derby time came round again in 1901, -Volodyovski fulfilled Lord William’s hopes and -predictions, though, alas, not in his name, for the -rules of racing are that death cancels the lease of a -horse, therefore the luck of that Derby fell to Mr. -W. C. Whitney, and I do not think there was a soul -on that racecourse, including Mr. Whitney himself, -who did not wish Lord William had been there, and -the win his.</p> - -<p>Some few weeks after Lord William’s death there -was a good deal of discussion and some heated -arguments between Lady William and Lady Meux -as to the ownership of the horse, Lady William -maintaining it was her late husband’s horse and -therefore now hers; Lady Meux declared it was hers, -and the Jockey Club were at last asked to decide; -they adopted the usual course of leaving the disputants -to have it settled by the law of the land. -It came for hearing, fortunately, before that fine old -sporting Judge Grantham, I say fortunately because -he was perhaps in a position to give confidence to<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_325"></a>[325]</span> -both parties in his judgment, owing to his racing -knowledge and experience. He gave it as his opinion -Lord William’s death cancelled the lease of the horse.</p> - -<p>Lady Meux had bred Voly, being the only woman -who has ever bred a Derby winner, and she was so -excited at his winning that the moment he passed -the winning-post she was out of her grand-stand -box and claimed the right not usual to ladies of -entering the weighing-in enclosure, and she then -followed “Zee pet,” as she called him, down the -course, through the crowd to the saddling paddock a -good quarter of a mile away and then untied the little -bit of blue and brown ribbon mixed up in the horse’s -headgear, which he had carried throughout the race. -While patting and caressing the horse she excitedly -exclaimed, “It is my horse and I want the ribbons -for my museum,” which I have not seen, but have -been told it is a very entertaining place full of a -variety of interesting things, now in the possession -of Admiral Sir Hedworth Meux, well known as -Ladysmith Lambton.</p> - -<p>Mr. Whitney’s colours were similar to Lord -William’s, being the same light blue jacket, but -with a brown cap, which when at some distance -looked very like Lord William’s black.</p> - -<p>It may be wondered why in the course of these -memories I have made no mention of Lord Delaval, -the youngest Beresford brother; it is because he -decided to seek fortune abroad and settled down in -Mexico; the reason for this exodus being to win the -object of his affection for his bride, which rested on -whether he fulfilled his promise to make a fortune -first. It is tragic that when nearing the point that<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_326"></a>[326]</span> -he could return with his promise fulfilled, he was killed -in a railway accident in the United States on December -26th, 1906.</p> - -<p>With the usual Beresford spirit he had thrown his -whole attention and energy into his work, and when -he died owned 196,000 acres with nine miles of -irrigation canals and several large reservoirs, having -quickly grasped that what caused failure so often on -ranches was want of water, without plenty of which -cattle cannot thrive.</p> - -<p>Lord William’s eldest brother died in 1895 at the -early age of fifty-one; he had been ill a long time, -the result of a hunting accident. Lord Bill felt his -death very much. Out of these devoted brothers -only two are left now, Lord Beresford and Lord -Marcus.</p> - -<p>Reluctantly I lay down my pen, it has been a -pleasure writing of our dear friend, and living through -some of the old times again.</p> - -<p>I like to remember my earliest experience in First -Aid was in patching up the head of a Beresford, a -kinsman of Lord William’s and mine, though at the -time he was a very small boy aged about eight years. -A dear chubby-faced lad whose people lived at Bedale, -not far from my old home in Yorkshire. Little -Walter Beresford and his brother Henry, grandchildren -of Admiral Sir John Beresford on their -father’s side and Lord Denman on their mother’s, -came to play with my young brother, and Walter -took the opportunity to fall from top to bottom of -the cellar stone stairs while playing hide and seek, -though they were on forbidden ground. I was very -proud of my work when I had done patching up the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_327"></a>[327]</span> -poor little head, and remember how plucky the lad -was, but then he was a Beresford and what is born -in the bread comes out in the butter. I fear this is -not a correct quotation, but will do quite nicely.</p> - -<p>Lady William only survived her husband a few -years.</p> - -<p class="p2 center"><i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Requiescat in pace.</i></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="p2 chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_328"></a>[328]</span><br /> - <span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_329"></a>[329]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX</h2> -</div> - - <div class="fs80"> -<p class="noindent"> -Abbott, Mr., <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his unlucky horse, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Afghan Chief, The, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> -<br /> -Agnew, Capt. Q., <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Agnew, Mr. H. de C., <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Agra Stable, The, <a href="#Page_256">256</a><br /> -<br /> -Alexander, Mr. R., <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Ali Musjid Citadel, Storming of, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br /> -<br /> -Allahabad, The thrice run race, <a href="#Page_94">94</a><br /> -<br /> -Allason, Major, <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Allan, Mr. J. J., <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a><br /> -<br /> -Althorp, Capt. K., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Amir of Afghanistan, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> -<br /> -Annandale, <a href="#Page_54">54</a><br /> -<br /> -Anderson, Mr. A. S., <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Anderson, Mr. G. G., <a href="#Page_266">266</a><br /> -<br /> -Apcar, Mr. J. G., <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Appleyard, General, <a href="#Page_73">73</a><br /> -<br /> -Apostolides, Mr. E. C., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Arbuthnot, Mr. J., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Archer, Fred, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -Ardagh, Col. J. C., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Arthur, Mr. A., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -<em>Asian, The</em>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> -<br /> -Astley, Sir J., <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br /> -<br /> -Australian horses stampede, <a href="#Page_160">160</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Baden-Powell, Lieut.-Gen. Sir R., <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> -<br /> -Badger, The pet, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> -<br /> -Baker, Colonel Valentine (afterwards Baker Pasha), <a href="#Page_29">29</a><br /> -<br /> -Barclay, Mr. P. D., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Barrington, The Hon. (afterwards Sir) Eric, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his story of the Tyrol accident, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Barlow, Mr. R., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Barnes, Mr. F. C., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bates, Mr. R. G., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Beaconsfield, Lord, <a href="#Page_96">96</a><br /> -<br /> -Beasley, Capt. (“Tommy”), <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> -<br /> -Beaver, Col. P. K. L., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bengal Tenancy Act, <a href="#Page_177">177</a><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Lady Charles, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Lord Charles, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">meets Lord William at Curraghmore, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the “Brothers’ Race,” <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Sir John, <a href="#Page_326">326</a><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Lord Marcus, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">meets Lord William at Curraghmore, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lord Marcus and the “Brothers’ Race,” <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lord William, and the hall porter, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Lord and Lady Marcus, <a href="#Page_292">292</a><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-LW"></a> -Beresford, Lady William (formerly Duchess of Marlborough), marriage, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">disputes with Lady Meux, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death of Lady William, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Lord William—<br /> -<span class="pad1">accidents to, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">an accomplished whip, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">active service, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Annandale racecourse bought, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">anthrax at his stables, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">A.D.C. to Lord Northbrook, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">bad luck, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">farewell banquet at Calcutta, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">bull, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Bombay meets Lord Charles Beresford, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Bonn, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a bribe, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the “Brothers’ Race,” <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">meets his brother again at Curraghmore, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">on Sir Redvers Buller’s Staff, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">bungalow nearer Viceregal Lodge, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">buys Myall King, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a cab incident, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Calcutta paper-chase, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the Cambridgeshire, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">on castes of India, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_330"></a>[330]</span><span class="pad1">child and the gymkhana, the, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">calling with Mr. Charles Lascelles, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and children, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">children’s farewell party, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the children of Dorking, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Cigar Race, The, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a coaching adventure, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">commands irregular volunteer cavalry, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a complaint, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">congratulated by the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">conjurer, discomfiture of, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">convalescence, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">“the courteous,” <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Dr. Renau’s school, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">death, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at the Amateur Dramatic Club, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Dramatic Club, the Amateur, re-established, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">dines with his mother and the Prince of Wales, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">despatch carrying, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">disappears “en route,” <a href="#Page_140">140</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the dissatisfied subaltern, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Dorking, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">drives coach down barrack steps, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lady Dufferin’s scheme, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Durban, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">battles at Durban, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at the Durbar, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">faints at the Durbar, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Durbar souvenirs, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the economical colonel, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">engaged to be married, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at Eton, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and Fleur-de-Lys, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">gazetted Colonel and K.C.I.E., <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Gloucester House mystery, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">guests at Calcutta banquet, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the hall porter and the refrigerator, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the Hill and Frontier tribes, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">homesick, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">horse-training for the Durbar, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></span><br /> -<span class="pad1">inherits his money, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">invents the umbrella race, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">invents the Victoria Cross race, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">joins the 9th Lancers, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">last race in India, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">leaves England, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">loses a bet, and how he paid, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lord Rossmore and the intruder, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the Maitland-Beresford case, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the man who thought he was King, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">marriage, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">as a Mason, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">match with Rothschild, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">methods, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his memory, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Military Secretary to three successive Viceroys, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">mistaken identity, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Mr. Moore’s speech at Calcutta banquet, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and his mother-in-law, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the natives, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">paperchasing, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">parlour fireworks, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a polo accident, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and Ponto, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and Ponto at the wedding, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the pony, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a quiet corner, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">races with Captain McCalmont, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the racing man, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">racing receipts, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his racing reputation, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">racing rumours, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">racing troubles and worries, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">racing, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">racing partners—</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">Mr. Lorillard, his new partner, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">Durbangah, Maharajah of, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">Maharajah of Patiala, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">Mr. Monty Stewart, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad2">Mr. Whitney, a new partner, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">receives the V.C. from Queen Victoria, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">recommended for the V.C., <a href="#Page_87">87</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">regimental trophies, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">religion, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">relies on Mr. Palmer, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">rescues Mrs. Stuart Menzies, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">returns to India, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">returns to Ireland, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">“rules for the A.D.C.,” <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the runaway carriage, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and the runaway coach, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">saves the life of Dr. Perry, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">sells his stables, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_331"></a>[331]</span><span class="pad1">a serious accident, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">shares a bungalow with Captain Clayton, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and soldier’s wife, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">some fast trotters, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a son born, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">speech at Calcutta banquet, reply to, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">spelling, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">State functions, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his tact, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the Tattersall’s sale, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">the £1000 card, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his three-year-old record, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and Tod Sloan, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">on tour, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his two-year-old records, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a useful clerk, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">and viceregal tour programme, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a war trophy, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a well-liked man, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">what the <em>Hornet</em> said, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">wins the name “Fighting Bill,” <a href="#Page_79">79</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">wins the V.C., <a href="#Page_86">86</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">with Sir Sam Browne, <span class="allsmcap">V.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">wrestles with Joseph Leeman, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">at York, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</span><br /> -<br /> -Beresford, Mr. W. M., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Beverley, the Hon. Mr. Justice, <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bignell, Mr. R., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bombay, Government House dinner party, <a href="#Page_206">206</a><br /> -<br /> -Botanical Gardens, Calcutta, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> -<br /> -Boteler, Mr. R., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bourdillon, the Hon. J. A., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bourke, Mr., <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Brabazon, Capt., <a href="#Page_289">289</a><br /> -<br /> -Brackenbury, the Hon. Lieut.-General H., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bradshaw, Surgeon-Major-General, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Brasier-Creagh, Capt., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Brassey, the Right Hon. the Lord, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Brock, Mr. C., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Brooke, Mr. W. R., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -“Brothers’ Race,” The, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /> -<br /> -Browne, Lord Ulick, <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> -<br /> -Browne, Sir Sam, <span class="allsmcap">V.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a><br /> -<br /> -Brunton, Sir Thomas Lauder, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> -<br /> -Buck, Sir E., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Buckland, Mr. C. E., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Bulkeley, Capt. Rivers, rides the Prince of Wales’ horse, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -Butler, Mr. A. L., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Burn, Capt., <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br /> -<br /> -Burmah Crisis, The, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br /> -<br /> -Bythell, Capt., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Cahir, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> -<br /> -Calcutta race meeting, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a><br /> -<br /> -Calcutta Sweepstake, <a href="#Page_254">254</a><br /> -<br /> -Calcutta Tent Club, <a href="#Page_159">159</a><br /> -<br /> -Cambridge, Duke of, <a href="#Page_285">285</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, Capt. the Rt. Hon. Ronald, The death of, <a href="#Page_81">81</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, Capt. I. M., <span class="allsmcap">D.S.O.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, General D. M. G., <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, Mr. Alec, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Campbell, Mr. H. P., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Candy, Captain (“Sugar Candy”), <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">horse jumps down a quarry, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Canning, Lady, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Canning, Viscount, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Cannon, Mornington, <a href="#Page_301">301</a><br /> -<br /> -Carrington, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Cavagnari, Sir Louis, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -Cawnpore, The statue, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">the well, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cetewayo, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">advances, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">retreats, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">taken prisoner, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Chaine, Col., <a href="#Page_292">292</a><br /> -<br /> -Chatterton, Col. F. W., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Chelmsford, Lord, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">takes Cetewayo prisoner, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Chesney, Colonel, afterwards General Sir George, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a><br /> -<br /> -Cheylesmore, Lord, <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Children’s parties at Simla, The, <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> -<br /> -Chisholme, Major J. J. Scott, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Christopher, Major, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -China interposes, <a href="#Page_204">204</a><br /> -<br /> -Cigar Race, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> -<br /> -Clarke, Colonel Stanley, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> -<br /> -Clayton, Captain, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">the death of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Harrow and Capt. Clayton’s death, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">“In memoriam,” <a href="#Page_63">63</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Cleland, Colonel, wounded, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -Clewer Sisters, The, <a href="#Page_212">212</a><br /> -<br /> -Clonagam Church, <a href="#Page_317">317</a><br /> -<br /> -Clonmell, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Collen, Major-General Sir E. H. H., <span class="allsmcap">K.C., I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Colley, Colonel, afterwards Sir George, <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br /> -<br /> -Commander-in-Chief and the salutations, <a href="#Page_215">215</a><br /> -<br /> -Compton, Lord Alwyne, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Connaught, Duchess of, <a href="#Page_155">155</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_332"></a>[332]</span><br /> -<br /> -Connaught, Duke of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br /> -<br /> -Connemara, Lord, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Cooking reform, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br /> -<br /> -Cork, Earl of, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Cotton, the Hon. H. J. S., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Cotton, Mr. Ben, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> -<br /> -Creagh, Mr. B. P., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Crespigny, Sir Claude de, <a href="#Page_307">307</a><br /> -<br /> -Croft, the Hon. Sir A., <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Cubitt, Mr. J. E., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Cumberledge, Mr. F. H., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Cuningham, Mr. W. J., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Cunningham, Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. D. D., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Currie, Capt. J., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Curzon, the Hon. Major M., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Curraghmore, <a href="#Page_2">2</a><br /> -<br /> -Cuthbert, Mr., <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Dacca steamer incident, The, <a href="#Page_77">77</a><br /> -<br /> -Dalhousie, Lord, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Dangerfield, Mr. E., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Daniel, Mr. Linsay, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Davidson, Captain, <a href="#Page_51">51</a><br /> -<br /> -Dehra Races, The, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> -<br /> -Delavel, Lord, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-DD"></a> -Devonshire, Duke of (then Lord Hartington), <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br /> -<br /> -Dickson, Mr. Geo., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Dickson, Mr. J. G., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Drawing-room reception, <a href="#Page_144">144</a><br /> -<br /> -Denman, Lord, <a href="#Page_326">326</a><br /> -<br /> -Dogcart mishap, The, <a href="#Page_20">20</a><br /> -<br /> -Dods, Mr. W., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Donkey, The, and the cock, <a href="#Page_41">41</a><br /> -<br /> -Doran, Major B. J. C., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Dufferin, Lady, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">her scheme to help Indian women, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Dufferin, Earl of, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> -<br /> -Dunn, the jockey, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">in trouble again, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Durand, Mr., afterwards Sir Mortimer, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a><br /> -<br /> -Durand, Colonel, <a href="#Page_278">278</a><br /> -<br /> -Durbangah, Maharajah of, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">becomes Lord W. Beresford’s racing partner, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Durbar, The, a huge crowd, <a href="#Page_223">223</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Eddis, Mr. W. K., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Egerton, Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_99">99</a><br /> -<br /> -Ellis, Col. S. R., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Enter, Mr. K., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Evans, the Hon. Sir Griffith, <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Evening, A festive, <a href="#Page_200">200</a><br /> -<br /> -Ezra, Mr. J. E. D., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Famine, The Irish, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Fancy dress ball, <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br /> -<br /> -Fane, Sir Spencer Ponsonby, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><br /> -<br /> -Farewell Banquet, Calcutta, The, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">names of those present at, <a href="#Page_266">266-9</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Mr. Moore’s speech at, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">Lord Bill replies, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Fenian, Lord W. B.’s horse, <a href="#Page_30">30</a><br /> -<br /> -Fenians’ threat to Lady Waterford, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Fenn, Surgeon-Col. E. H., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Fife, Captain, <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br /> -<br /> -Fitch, Mr., <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> -<br /> -Fitzgerald, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Fitzmaurice, <a href="#Page_85">85</a><br /> -<br /> -FitzWilliam, Hon. P. W., <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -Forbes, Mr. Archibald, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br /> -<br /> -Ford Abbey, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Fordham, jockey, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br /> -<br /> -Fownes, Mr., <a href="#Page_292">292</a><br /> -<br /> -Frere, Sir Bartle, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-FR"></a> -Fripps, Mr., <a href="#Page_81">81</a><br /> -<br /> -Furniss, Mr., <a href="#Page_302">302</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Galbraith, Major-General W., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gambrie, Col. G. R., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gamble, Mr. R. A., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Game card of Lord de Grey, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br /> -<br /> -Garraway, Capt. C. W., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Garth, Mr. G. L., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Garth, Mr. W., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gasper, Mr., <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Gladstone, Mr. A. S., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gladstone, Mr. J. S., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gladstone, Mr., <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-GO"></a> -Godjack, Mr., <a href="#Page_162">162</a><br /> -<br /> -Gollan, Mr. Spencer, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /> -<br /> -Gooch, Rev. Francis, <a href="#Page_303">303</a><br /> -<br /> -Gordon, Capt., appointed Lord Ripon’s Private Secretary, <a href="#Page_67">67</a><br /> -<br /> -Gordons, The Scotch, <a href="#Page_303">303</a><br /> -<br /> -Gough, Capt. C. H. H., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gough, Mr. G., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Grain, Corney, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Grantham, Mr. Justice, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /> -<br /> -Granville, Lord, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -Gregory, Mr. E. H., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Gregson, Mr. C. B., <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -Grimston, Capt. R. E., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Hadden, Mr. F. G., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hamilton, Mr. F. S., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hamilton, Mr. L. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hammersley, Mr. Louis, <a href="#Page_284">284</a><br /> -<br /> -Hammersley, Mrs. See <a href="#I-LW">Lady William Beresford</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_333"></a>[333]</span><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-CH"></a> -Harbord, the Hon. Charles, afterwards Lord Suffield, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Harrington, Lord, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -Harrow School and the death of Captain Clayton, <a href="#Page_64">64</a><br /> -<br /> -Hart, Mr. G. H. R., <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hartington, Lord. See <a href="#I-DD">Duke of Devonshire</a><br /> -<br /> -Hartopp, Captain (Chicken), and the bath, <a href="#Page_91">91</a><br /> -<br /> -Harvey, Surgeon-Col. R., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hastings, Lord, <a href="#Page_29">29</a><br /> -<br /> -Hay of Kinfauns, Lord, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Hayes, Mr. Horace, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> -<br /> -Henderson, Mr. G. S., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hensman, Mr. H., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Herat, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> -<br /> -Herbert, Capt. L., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Herbert, Mr., <a href="#Page_31">31</a><br /> -<br /> -Hewett, Mr. J. P., <span class="allsmcap">C.S., C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hext, Capt. J., <span class="allsmcap">R.N., C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hext, Sir John (now Rear-Admiral), <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a><br /> -<br /> -Hills, Mr. A., <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a><br /> -<br /> -Hills, Mr. C. R., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Hodgson, Mr. G. C., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Holmes, Mr. W., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -<em>Hornet, The</em>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> -<br /> -Hope, Mr. G. W., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Horse Sale, The, <a href="#Page_187">187</a><br /> -<br /> -Howrah Bridge, <a href="#Page_217">217</a><br /> -<br /> -Huggins, Mr. (Lord William’s trainer), <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> -<br /> -Hunt, Col. J. L., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Huxley, Mr., <a href="#Page_246">246</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Ilbert Bill, <a href="#Page_123">123</a><br /> -<br /> -Indian descent, <a href="#Page_109">109</a><br /> -<br /> -<em>Indian Planters’ Gazette</em>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a><br /> -<br /> -Indian Viceroy’s duties, An, <a href="#Page_66">66</a><br /> -<br /> -Irving, Mr. W. O. Bell, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Isandhlwana, Battle of, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -James, Mr. S. Harvey, <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jardine, Sir William, Bart., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jarrett, Col. H. S., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jenkins, Capt. A. E., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jersey, Lord, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br /> -<br /> -Jhind, The Rajah of, <a href="#Page_101">101</a><br /> -<br /> -Jockey Club, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /> -<br /> -Jodhpore, Maharajah of, <a href="#Page_162">162</a><br /> -<br /> -Johnstone, Mr. C. Lawrie, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jourdain, Mr. C. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Jowaki Expedition, The, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Kabul, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -Kempton, <a href="#Page_308">308</a><br /> -<br /> -Kennedy, H. E., Rear-Admiral George, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Keyes, General, sent with reinforcements against hill tribes, <a href="#Page_69">69</a><br /> -<br /> -Khyber Pass Retreat, The, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -King, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col. G., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -King, Mr. D. W., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -King-Harman, Col., <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> -<br /> -Kirk, Mr. H. A., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Kitchener, Earl, <a href="#Page_320">320</a><br /> -<br /> -Kooch Behar, H.H. the Maharajah of, <span class="allsmcap">G.C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Ladies’ Steeplechase, <a href="#Page_141">141</a><br /> -<br /> -Lady’s curtsey, A, <a href="#Page_116">116</a><br /> -<br /> -Lambert, the Hon. Sir John, <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lambton, Mr. George, <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -Lance, Brigadier-General F., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Langford, Lord, <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Lansdowne, Marchioness, <a href="#Page_262">262</a><br /> -<br /> -Lansdowne, Marquess of, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> -<br /> -Lascelles, The Hon. Charles, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br /> -<br /> -Latimer, Mr. F. W., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lawley, Hon. Miss, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Lawrence, Lord, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Leeman, <span class="allsmcap">M.P.</span>, Mr. Joseph, the wrestling match, <a href="#Page_40">40</a><br /> -<br /> -Legislative Council pass the Ilbert Bill, <a href="#Page_123">123</a><br /> -<br /> -Leigh, Sir Gerrard, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br /> -<br /> -Lendal Bridge, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a><br /> -<br /> -Leslie, Mr. C. P., <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Lethbridge, Brigade-Surgeon-Lieut.-Col., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Life in India, <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> -<br /> -Lister, Capt. G. C., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lockhart, Sir Simon, <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Lorillard, Mr. Pierre, becomes Lord William’s racing partner, <a href="#Page_294">294</a><br /> -<br /> -Louisa, daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothsey, <a href="#Page_15">15</a><br /> -<br /> -Lowther, Mr. James, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> -<br /> -Lucknow, <a href="#Page_255">255</a><br /> -<br /> -Ludlow, Col., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lumsden, Mr. D. M., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Luson, Mr. H., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lyall, Mr. A. A., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lyall, the Hon. Mr. D. R., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.I., C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Lyall, Mr. R. A., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_334"></a>[334]</span><br /> -<br /> -Lytton, Lady, <a href="#Page_52">52</a><br /> -<br /> -Lytton, Earl, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">appointed Viceroy, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">appoints a Famine Commission, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">dissatisfies Government with his Afghan policy, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">his departure, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">investigates the Indian Famine, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">reviews the troops, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">sends troops against Hill tribes, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -McCalmont, General Sir Hugh (“The Smiler”), <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br /> -<br /> -McDonnell, the Hon. W. F., <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> -<br /> -Macdougall, Captain, <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br /> -<br /> -Machell, Captain, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /> -<br /> -McInnes, Mr. H. H., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Mackellor, Mr. G. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Mackensie, Mr. D. F., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Mackenzie, Colonel Stewart, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">takes command, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></span><br /> -<br /> -McLeod, Mr. C. C., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Macleod, Mr. J. J., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Macnair, Mr. G. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Macpherson, the Hon. Justice W., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Maitland, Col., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Maitland, Mr. Kelly, <a href="#Page_92">92</a><br /> -<br /> -Maitland <em>v.</em> Beresford case, <a href="#Page_93">93</a><br /> -<br /> -Man who thought he was King, The, <a href="#Page_197">197</a><br /> -<br /> -Marlborough, 8th Duke of, <a href="#Page_284">284</a><br /> -<br /> -Marlborough, Lily, Duchess of, meets Lord W. B., <a href="#Page_283">283</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">is married to Lord Bill, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Marsh, Mr., <a href="#Page_320">320</a><br /> -<br /> -May-Boy’s serious accident, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> -<br /> -Mayo, Lord, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Meerut Race Meeting, <a href="#Page_214">214</a><br /> -<br /> -Mehta, Mr. R. D., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Methuen, Lord, <a href="#Page_4">4</a><br /> -<br /> -Meux, Admiral Sir Hedworth, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><br /> -<br /> -Meux, Lady, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /> -<br /> -Meyrick, Mr., <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br /> -<br /> -Middleton, Capt. Bay, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br /> -<br /> -Miley, Col. J. A., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Military Secretary’s duties, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">pay, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Military Secretaries and their excuses for resignation, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br /> -<br /> -Miller, Mr., <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -Mills, Mr. G., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Milton, Lord, <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Minto, The present Lord, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br /> -<br /> -Mistaken identity, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> -<br /> -Moore, Mr. C. H., <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Moore, Mr. Garret, <a href="#Page_12">12</a><br /> -<br /> -Muir, Capt. Charles, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a><br /> -<br /> -Muir, Mr. A. K., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Muir, Sir John, Bart., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Myall King, Death of, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">Record of, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Myers, Mr. Dudley B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Nabha, Rajah of, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br /> -<br /> -National Hunt Committee, <a href="#Page_293">293</a><br /> -<br /> -New Year’s Day Festivals, <a href="#Page_222">222</a><br /> -<br /> -Newcastle, Duke of, <a href="#Page_286">286</a><br /> -<br /> -Nicknames, <a href="#Page_11">11</a><br /> -<br /> -Ninth Lancers on active service, <a href="#Page_71">71</a><br /> -<br /> -Northbrook, Lord, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> -<br /> -Norman, Mr. A. F., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Norris, the Hon. Justice, <span class="allsmcap">Q.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Observation Hill, <a href="#Page_97">97</a><br /> -<br /> -<em>Oriental Sporting Magazine</em>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> -<br /> -O’Toole, Sergeant, rescues in time, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">is awarded V.C., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Overend, Mr. T. B. G., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Owen, Capt. “Roddy,” <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Paget, Lord Alfred, and the Bonnets, <a href="#Page_28">28</a><br /> -<br /> -Paget, Mr. H. E. C., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Palmer, Mr., <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a><br /> -<br /> -Paperchases, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br /> -<br /> -Papillon, Capt. David, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br /> -<br /> -Paris, Mr. G. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Parliament dissolved, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> -<br /> -Parlour fireworks, <a href="#Page_191">191</a><br /> -<br /> -Patiala, Maharajah of, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">forms racing partnership with Lord William, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Pattison, Mr. F. E., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Patrie, Mr. J. M., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Paul, Col. St., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Paying calls in India, <a href="#Page_50">50</a><br /> -<br /> -Peacock, Mr. F. B., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Perinan, Mr. F. W., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Perry, Dr., gives supper night before holidays, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his letters to Lord W. B.’s mother, Lady Waterford, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Peterhoff, the Viceregal house at Simla, <a href="#Page_54">54</a><br /> -<br /> -Peterson, Mr. C. D., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Pincus, Mr. Jakes (trainer), <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -Playfair, the Hon. Mr. P., <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Poer, Charles William de la, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Poer, Delaval James de la, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Poer, John Henry de la, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_335"></a>[335]</span><br /> -<br /> -Poer, Marcus Talbot de la, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Poer, William Leslie de la, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Poer, William Warren de la, son of Lord W. B., <a href="#Page_298">298</a><br /> -<br /> -Pollen, Capt. S. H., <span class="allsmcap">A.D.C.</span>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> -<br /> -Polo, The Christmas Day Match and its tragic sequel, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">at Hurlingham, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ponies, The sale of the, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> -<br /> -Portal, Mr. Gerry, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> -<br /> -Portland, Duke of, <a href="#Page_321">321</a><br /> -<br /> -Potato Incident, The, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> -<br /> -Prickett, Mr. L. G., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Primrose, Mr. (now Right Hon. Sir Henry Primrose), <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Prinsep, the Hon. Mr. Justice H. T., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Pritchard, the Hon. Sir C., <span class="allsmcap">K.C.I.E., C.S.I.</span>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Probyn, Colonel Oliver, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Race after the Amateur Dramatic Club Play, The, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> -<br /> -Rajah’s bow to Lord Ripon, The, <a href="#Page_102">102</a><br /> -<br /> -Raleigh Club, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">the new Raleigh, 1916, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Ralli, Mr. John A., <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Ralli, Mr. T. D., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Rawal Pindi, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">the Durbar at, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Rawlinson, Mr. A. T., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Raye, Brigade-Surgeon D., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Religions of India, <a href="#Page_56">56</a><br /> -<br /> -Ripon, The Marquess of (then Lord de Grey), <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">arrives at Peterhoff, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">converses with Lord Lytton, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">has a trying time, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">leaves India, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">receives friends, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</span><br /> -<span class="pad1">a Roman Catholic, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></span><br /> -<br /> -“Ripon’s Good Night,” Lord, <a href="#Page_172">172</a><br /> -<br /> -Roberts, Major Ben, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a><br /> -<br /> -Roberts, Earl, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Rochfort, Capt. (now Sir Alex. Rochfort), <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Rodocanachi, Mr. J., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Rosebery, Earl of, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Rossmore, Lord, <a href="#Page_7">7</a><br /> -<br /> -Ross, Mr., and why he called last, <a href="#Page_51">51</a><br /> -<br /> -Ross, Mr. R. M., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Rothschild, Mr. Leopold de, <a href="#Page_163">163</a><br /> -<br /> -Rustornjee, Mr. H. M., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Ryder, trainer and jockey, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">his accident, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Sanders, Surgeon-Major R. C., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Saunders, Mr. J. O’B., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Schiller, Mr. F. C., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Shakespeare, Mr. F., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -St. Quinten, Major, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Shaw, Colonel, of the London Fire Brigade, <a href="#Page_29">29</a><br /> -<br /> -Shepstone, Sir Theophilus, <a href="#Page_78">78</a><br /> -<br /> -Silk stockings, The, <a href="#Page_117">117</a><br /> -<br /> -Simson, Mr. A., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Simson, Mr. A. F., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Singh, Sirdar Preetum, <a href="#Page_250">250</a><br /> -<br /> -Sipi, The Fair, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><br /> -<br /> -Sloan, Tod (James Forman), is engaged by Lord W. B., <a href="#Page_299">299</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">in trouble, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Smith-Dorrien, Mr., <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -<em>Sporting Times, The</em>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a><br /> -<br /> -Stampede at the Viceregal Procession, <a href="#Page_103">103</a><br /> -<br /> -Stedman, General E., <span class="allsmcap">C.B.</span>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Steel, Mr. Robert, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, General Sir Donald, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Mr. F. G., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Mr. C. D., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Mr. J. L., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Mr. J. R., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Stewart, Mr. Monty, forms racing partnership with Lord W. B., <a href="#Page_132">132</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">death of, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stuart-Menzies, Mrs., a riding adventure, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">a souvenir, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Stuart, Mr. Harry, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Suffield, Lord. See <a href="#I-CH">Capt. Harbord</a><br /> -<br /> -Superstition, <a href="#Page_237">237</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Table of W. B.’s horses sold, <a href="#Page_322">322</a><br /> -<br /> -Targett, Mr. W. H., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Tattersall’s sale, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a><br /> -<br /> -Taylor, Capt. Clough, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Taylor, Lady Elizabeth Clough, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Temple, Mr. G., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thebaw, King, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br /> -<br /> -Thomas, Mr. J. P., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thomas, Mr. L. R., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thomas, Mr. R. E. S., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thomas, Mr. W. L., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thompson, Colonel Meysey, <a href="#Page_13">13</a><br /> -<br /> -Thuillier, Colonel H. R., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Thunderstorm at Pindi, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br /> -<br /> -Tingey, T., <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br /> -<br /> -Tollygunge meeting, <a href="#Page_244">244</a><br /> -<br /> -Toomay, Mr. J. A., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -“Tower of Silence,” Bombay, <a href="#Page_107">107</a><br /> -<br /> -Trail, Mr. T., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Tremearne, Mr. Shirley, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_336"></a>[336]</span><br /> -<br /> -Turf Club, Calcutta, The, <a href="#Page_242">242</a><br /> -<br /> -Turf Club of Ireland, <a href="#Page_293">293</a><br /> -<br /> -Turnbull, Mr. R., <span class="allsmcap">C.I.E.</span>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Turner, Capt. J. G., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Ulundi, King’s kraal, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">Battle of, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Umballa racing accident, <a href="#Page_137">137</a><br /> -<br /> -Umbrella race, <a href="#Page_148">148</a><br /> -<br /> -<a id="I-UM"></a> -Umvaloosi, Valley of, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br /> -<br /> -Upton, Mr. R. L., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Valentia, Lord, <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -Viceregal House, The new, <a href="#Page_209">209</a><br /> -<br /> -Viceregal tour programme, <a href="#Page_184">184</a><br /> -<br /> -Viceroy’s Cup, The, <a href="#Page_59">59</a><br /> -<br /> -Viceroy’s duties, A, <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br /> -<br /> -Victoria, Queen, confers V.C. on Lord William, <a href="#Page_90">90</a><br /> -<br /> -Victoria Club Banquet, <a href="#Page_58">58</a><br /> -<br /> -Victoria Cross Race, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> -<br /> -Vinall (jockey), <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a><br /> -<br /> -Vincent, Mr. Claude, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Voeux, Captain Des, <a href="#Page_121">121</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Wales, Prince of, The (afterwards King Edward VII), <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a><br /> -<br /> -Walker, Major-General A., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Wallace, Sir Donald Mackenzie, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> -<br /> -Waller, Mr. R. R., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Ward, Mr. G., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Warre, Dr., <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Warre-Cornish, Dr., Vice-Provost of Eton, <a href="#Page_5">5</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterford, Lady Blanche, <a href="#Page_297">297</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterford, John Henry, Fourth Marquis, <a href="#Page_1">1</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterford’s, Lady Louisa, accident, <a href="#Page_16">16</a><br /> -<br /> -Waterford, The third Marquis and the flogging block, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;<br /> -<span class="pad1">“The Mad Marquis,” <a href="#Page_15">15</a></span><br /> -<br /> -Waterfords, The, <a href="#Page_303">303</a><br /> -<br /> -Watts, Mr., <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Webb, Captain, <a href="#Page_162">162</a><br /> -<br /> -Weekes (a jockey), <a href="#Page_248">248</a><br /> -<br /> -Weeks, Teddy, <a href="#Page_133">133</a><br /> -<br /> -Well at Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_76">76</a><br /> -<br /> -Wenlock, Lady, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> -<br /> -Wenlock, Lord, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br /> -<br /> -West, Mr. J. D., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Western Indian Turf Club, The, <a href="#Page_261">261</a><br /> -<br /> -Westmorland, Lord, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Westmorland, Lady, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Wheal, Mr. John, <a href="#Page_186">186</a><br /> -<br /> -Wheler Club, The, <a href="#Page_93">93</a><br /> -<br /> -White, Major (afterwards Sir George White, <span class="allsmcap">V.C.</span>), <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a><br /> -<br /> -Whitney, Mr. W. C., becomes Lord William’s racing partner, <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> -<br /> -Wilkins, Mr. C. A., <span class="allsmcap">C.S.</span>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Williams, Colonel and Mrs. Owen, <a href="#Page_35">35</a><br /> -<br /> -Williams, Capt. G. A., <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> -<br /> -Willson, Mr. (trainer), <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a><br /> -<br /> -Wilson, Lady Sarah, <a href="#Page_283">283</a><br /> -<br /> -Wombwell, Sir George, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> -<br /> -Women of India, The, <a href="#Page_150">150</a><br /> -<br /> -Wood, Captain, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a><br /> -<br /> -Wood, Sir Evelyn, his fighting force, <a href="#Page_82">82</a><br /> -<br /> -Woods, Mr., <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> -<br /> -Woolmer, Captain, <a href="#Page_258">258</a><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -Yorke, The Hon. Alec, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br /> -<br /> -Yorke, Hon. Elliot, <a href="#Page_8">8</a><br /> -</p> - </div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="transnote pg-brk"> -<a name="TN" id="TN"></a> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources.</p> - -<p>Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained; for example, -collar-bone, collarbone; body-guard, bodyguard; race-horse, -racehorse; affirmatory; undauntable; hebetude; horsy; tiffin.</p> - -<p> -<a href="#tn-ix">Pg ix</a>: ‘Sporting Contempories’ replaced by ‘Sporting Contemporaries’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-10">Pg 10</a>: ‘near Beresford’ replaced by ‘nearby, Beresford’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-60">Pg 60</a>: ‘up unconcious’ replaced by ‘up unconscious’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-99">Pg 99</a>: ‘aide-de-camps’ replaced by ‘aides-de-camp’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-103">Pg 103</a>: ‘been ricochetting’ replaced by ‘been ricocheting’.<br /> -<a href="#i154b">Pg 154</a>: The handwritten column headings in this chart are names of -game animals. Two names are unclear, and are shown as ‘S???’ -and ‘K???’. Some numbers were also unclear; reasonable guesses have -been made.<br /> -<a href="#tn-200">Pg 200</a>: ‘philanthrophy, while’ replaced by ‘philanthropy, while’.<br /> -<a href="#tn-218">Pg 218</a>: “aide-de-camps’” replaced by “aides-de-camp’s”.<br /> -<a href="#tn-321">Pg 321</a>: ‘to Indi as’ replaced by ‘to India as’.<br /> -<br /> -Index: ‘<a href="#I-FR">Fripp</a>’ replaced by ‘Fripps’.<br /> -Index: ‘<a href="#I-GO">Goodijack</a>’ replaced by ‘Godjack’.<br /> -Index: ‘<a href="#I-UM">Umvalovsi</a>’ replaced by ‘Umvaloosi’.<br /> -</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Lord William Beresford, V. 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