Читать книгу Lord William Beresford, V.C., Some Memories of a Famous Sportsman, Soldier and Wit онлайн

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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.

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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.