THE PRIME MINISTER.

THE PROPERTY OF MR. GEORGE MATHER, OF HIGHFIELD,
ST. ALBANS.

ENGRAVED BY E. HACKER, FROM A PAINTING BY E. CORBET,

BY CASTOR.

The Prime Minister, bred by Mr. Wadlow, in 1848, is by Melbourne, out of Pantalonade, by Pantaloon, her dam Festival, by CamelMichaelmas, by Thunderbolt.

Melbourne, bred by Mr. H. Robinson in 1834, was by Humphrey Clinker out of a Cervantes mare. Although never half-trained, Melbourne was a really good race-horse, while he was by far the best sire of his day. His stock came out in 1846, and his death occurred in 1859, during which time somewhere about one hundred and twenty winners by him appeared. These included West Australian, winner of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the Derby, and St. Leger; Blink Bonny, winner of the Derby and Oaks; Sir Tatton Sykes, winner of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes and St. Leger; Cymba, winner of the Oaks; Marchionness, winner of the Oaks; Canezou, winner of the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, and of the Goodwood Cup, twice over; Mentmore Lass, winner of the 1,000 Guineas Stakes; Oulston, Prime Minister, and many other famous race-horses.

Pantalonade, bred by Lord Westminster in 1839, was also the dam of Harriott and Peppermint; throwing, in all, only four foals, three of which were really good runners. The mare died in 1850.

The Prime Minister is a rich dark-brown horse, standing fifteen hands three inches high. He has a neat but peculiar head, with the ears rather wide apart, and the Melbourne dash of white down the face; his neck is rather long, rising high and well from the withers; his shoulders well laid, middle deep, and back hollow, but then he is now in his twentieth year, with fine loins. He has grand quarters, great arms and thighs, and capital joints; he stands a little over, but is short and big below the knees and hocks, with well inclined pasterns and good feet. The Prime Minister is very stylish out, and a good mover, showing lots of blood, with great substance, without a particle of coarseness, being all over what is known as a little big 'un." He has altogether unmistakable characteristics of the Melbournes from the head to the curve in his dock, and from thence downwards, both fore and aft. He is a good-tempered horse, but resolute when roused; and when in work showed a deal of breeding and fashion.

In 1850, The Prime Minister, then two years old, made his first appearance at Warwick September Meeting, where ridden by Marlow at 8st. 71b, in Mr. Halford's colours, he won the Castle Park Stakes for two-year-olds, T.Y.C., beating Mr. Payne's Catalpa, 8st. 9lb. (2); Mr. Fowler's Reaper, 8st. 7lb. (3); Lord Brooke's Avia, 8st. 2lb.; Lord

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Strathmore's Faux-Pas, 8st. 11lb.; Mr. Parker's The Calculator, 8st. 11lb.; and Mr. Hawke's Milkboy, 8st. 71b. : 6 to 5 on The Prime Minister, who won by a length. At Newmarket Second October Meeting, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 10lb., he won the Clearwell-T.Y.C.-beating Mr. Howard's Confidence, 8st. 5lb. (2); Lord Exeter's Turtle, 8st. 11lb. (3); Mr. Delamere's Fortuna, 8st. 5lb.; Lord Exeter's Midas, 8st. 71b.; Mr. Gully's Solomon, 8st. 7lb.; Mr. Gratwicke's The Squaw, 8st. 5lb.; Sir J. Hawley's Breba, 8st. 5lb.; and Lord Orford's Zegri, 8st. 7lb. : 6 to 4 against The Prime Minister, who won by two lengths.

Prime Minister on the strength of this running became a strong favourite for the Derby, for which race in 1851, ridden by W. Sharpe, he started third favourite at 7 to 1 against him. He, however, was not placed to Sir J. Hawley's Teddington (1), Mr. Clark's Marlborough Buck (2), Mr. Wilkinson's Neasham (3), Lord Enfield's Hernandez (4) twenty-eight others also started. At Ascot, ridden by W. Sharpe at 7st. 3lb., he ran third for Her Majesty's Vase-two miles-to Mr. Greville's Cariboo, 4 yrs., 9st. 4lb. (1), and Lord Exeter's Little Jack, 4 yrs., 9st. (2); four others also started, but were not placed; 3 to 1 against The Prime Minister; won by a neck, with half a length between the second and third. At Manchester, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 4lb., he won a Three-Year-Old Produce Stake-a mile and threequarters-beating Mr. Evans' Ringleader, 8st. 71b. (2); Mr. Smallpage's Palmera, 7st. 12lb. (3); Mr. Meiklam's Constellation, 8st 71b. (4); and Mr. Scott's Avia, 8st.: 7 to 4 on The Prime Minister, who won by a length. At Wolverhampton at 8st. 3lb., he walked over for a Three-Year-Old Produce Stake. At York, ridden by Whitehouse at 8st. 101b., he ran second to Mr. Wrather's Maid of Masham, 6 yrs., 9st. 3lb., for the County Plate-T.Y.C.-another also started: 6 to 5 on Maid of Masham, who won by a head. At Derby, ridden by Marlow at Est. 4lb., he won a Three-Year-Old Produce Stake-a mile--beating Mr. Scott's Avia, 8st. 1lb.: 6 to 1 on The Prime Minister, who won in a canter. At Newmarket Houghton Meeting, ridden by Whitehouse at 7st. 91b., he was not placed for the Cambridgeshire Stakes; won by Mr. Phillips' Truth, 3 yrs., 5st. 13lb., with Mr. Greville's Ariosto, 3 yrs., 7st. 21b. second; thirty others also started: 15 to 1 against The Prime Minister. At the same Meeting, ridden by Whitehouse at 8st. 71b., he ran third for a T.Y.C. Handicap; won by Mr. Phillips' Truth, 3 yrs., 7st. 121b., with Prince Galitzan's Young Altisidora, aged, 6st. 51b. second; three others also started: 5 to 2 against Prime Minister, who was a bad third.

In 1852, The Prime Minister at Warwick Spring Meeting, ridden by Whitehouse at 8st. 91b., ran second to Mr. Little's His Grace, 3 yrs., 6st. 131b., for the Trial Stakes-a mile; four others also started: 6 to 4 on The Prime Minister, who was beaten a length and a half. At Northampton, ridden by Whitehouse at 8st. 10lb., he ran second to Mr. Fowler's Forester, 6 yrs., 7st. 11lb., for Lord Spencer's Platefive furlongs; fifteen others also started, but were not placed: 10 to 1 against The Prime Minister, who was beaten by a head. At Epsom Spring, ridden by W. Sharpe at 8st. 3lb., he was not placed for the City and Suburban Handicap-a mile and a quarter-won by Mr. Henry's Butterfly, 3 yrs., 4st. 12lb.; Mr. Russell's Ianthe, 4 yrs., 7st.

61b. second; and Mr. Dawson's The Italian, 5 yrs., 7st. 11lb. third: fourteen others also started. At Newmarket Craven Meeting, ridden by W. Sharpe, he won the Port Stakes for four-year-old colts, 8st. 7lb., fillies 8st. 4lb.-T.M.M.-beating Mr. Powney's Lamartine (2), and Lord Exeter's Midas: 5 to 4 against The Prime Minister, who won by a head. At Newton, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 71b., he won the Trial Stakes-a mile and a quarter-beating Mr. Phillips' Truth, 4 yrs., 8st. 2lb. (2); Mr. Osborne's Lady Agnes, 3 yrs., 7st. (3); Mr. Lord's Achyranthes, 5 yrs., 8st. 10lb. (4); Mr. Ball's Warrener (late Glenalvon), 6 yrs., 9st. (5); and Mr. F. Robins' jun. Paper Kite, 3 yrs., 6st. 11lb.: 5 to 4 against The Prime Minister, who won in a canter. At Ludlow, ridden by W. Sharpe at 8st. 1lb., he won the Cup, beating Mr. Parr's Clothworker, 6 yrs., 9st. by a length. At Worcester, ridden by W. Sharp at 7st. 131b., he ran second to Mr. Jones' Melford, aged, 6st. 4lb., for the Worcestershire Stakes--a mile and a half-Mr. Henry's Butterfly, 3 yrs., 5st. 9lb. (3); Mr. Moseley's Alonzo, 5 yrs., 8st. llb. (4); and nine others also started: 5 to 4 against The Prime Minister, who was beaten by half a length. At York, ridden by Marlow at 9st. 21b., he ran seventh and last to Mr. Meiklam's Paddy Bird, 3 yrs., 6st., for the Chesterfield Handicap—a mile-5 to 1 against The Prime Minister. At the same Meeting, ridden by Marlow at 9st. 4lb., he ran second to Mr. Merry's Lambton, 2 yrs., 6st. 121b., for the County Plate-T.Y.C.; three others also started: 5 to 1 against The Prime Minister, who was beaten by a length. At Stourbridge, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 71b., he ran second to Lord Chesterfield's Gladiole, 5 yrs., 6st. 121b., for the Stourbridge Stakesa mile and a quarter; five others also started: 5 to 2 against The Prime Minister. At Doncaster, ridden by W. Sharp at 8st. 81b., he was not placed for the Doncaster Plate-Red House In-won by Mr. Phillips' Truth, 4 yrs., 8st. 8lb. ; nine others also started: 100 to 15 against The Prime Minister.

By 1853, The Prime Minister made his solitary appearance during the season as "Mr. George's," when at Epsom Spring, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 21b., he was not placed in the dead heat for the City and Suburban—a mile and a quarter-between Mr. Oliver's Ethelbert, 3 yrs., 5st. 131b., and Mr. Rogers' Pancake, 4 yrs., 5st. 2lb.: twenty

two others also ran.

In 1854, as more properly Mr. George Mather's, The Prime Minister, at Northampton, ridden by W. Sharpe at 8st. 10lb., was not placed ham, 3 yrs., 6st. 61b.: twenty-six others also started. At Epsom for Lord Spencer's Plate-five furlongs won by Lord Lonsdale's WelSpring, ridden by W. Sharpe at 8st. 31b., he was not placed for the Howard's Virago, 3 yrs., 6st. 4lb.: twenty-one others also started. City and Suburban Handicap-a mile and a quarter-won by Mr. At Ascot, ridden by Marlow at 8st. 121b., he was not placed for the 8st. 4lb.: twenty others also started. At the same Meeting, ridden Royal Hunt Cup-New Mile-won by Mr. B. Way's Brocket, 4 yrs., by Marlow at 8st. 12lb., he was not placed for the Extra Class of the Wokingham-three-quarters of a mile-won by Mr. B. Way's Brocket, 4 yrs., 8st. 121b.: eight others also started. ridden by W. White at 8st., he was not placed for the Trial Stakesa mile-won by Mr. Thompson's Guicowar, 4 yrs., 6st. 12lb.: five

At Wolverhampton,

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others also started. At Newmarket Houghton Meeting, ridden by Aldcroft at 7st. 2lb., he was not placed for the Cambridgeshire Stakes —a mile and a distance-won by Baron Mollerdorf's Scherz, 3 yrs., 7st. 7lb. seventeen others also started; 33 to 1 against the Prime Minister. At the same Meeting, ridden by Cliff at 6st. 13lb., he was not placed for a T.Y.C Handicap; won by Mr. Stanley's Orinoco, 4 yrs., 7st. 8lb.: nine others also started.

In 1855, at Warwick Spring Meeting, The Prime Minister, ridden by Charlton at 8st. 5lb., was not placed for a Free Handicap-one mile -won by Mr. Warrington's Kiteflyer, 6 yrs., 8st. 71b.: six others also started.

Over his own distance, rather under than over a mile, The Prime Minister was a very dangerous horse; but the handicappers never forgot his two-year-old running, and, as will be seen, he always had the worst of the weights-that is, up to the last season or two of his running, when he had clearly lost his form. The Prime Minister covered some mares in 1855, and his stock first came out in 1858, with Lustre as a winner; as some forty others have since been credited to his account. Amongst these are Creeper, Zenobia, Athos, Maid of Honour, Pastime, Sporting Life, Charles Fox, Farfalla, Lord Burghley, Agnes Shirley, Duke of Cambridge, Lord Stanley, Statesman, Light, Lady Maud, Maria, Telscombe, Tesane, Zisca, Dot, Conservative, Katherine, Kintbury, Mr. Pitt, Pan, Sabrina, Spokesman, William Pitt, Aspirant, Dybbol, Homely, Knight of the Garter, Lady Pam, Miss Frances, Opposition, Premier, and Substance.

The Prime Minister, as our list of stallions will show, is still at Highfield, within two miles of St. Albans, where Mr. Mather has a very complete stud-farm, with a capital range of boxes, and Caractacus and Touchwood to keep his old horse company. The Prime Minister himself is under the charge of Fielding, who was for some seasons at Rawcliffe, and previously, if we remember aright, in the service of the Messrs. Tattersall.

There is one bubble that has long been endeavouring to burst at Berlin, hitherto, notwithstanding speeches and feastings, without success. By our friends in France it is generally termed "la Gloire;" in the fair capital of Prussia, "la Victoire," by the grace of God and the needle-gun.

It would be quite in vain were a writer on sport and its pleasures, here, there, and everywhere, to endeavour to tell the readers of dear old Maga, now a year older, how many barons of indifferent beef have been cut down, sir-no, I fear converted into soup this, that, and the other-how many hogsheads of beer consumed, how many pounds of sausages and how much saur krout swallowed, or how many healths drunk, to convince the public that the Prussian army is the finest in the world, the Prussian people the most polite, and the Prussian Capital the first of capitals. Mind, I write it with a capital C, though, I repeat, it is the dullest. Nevertheless, I managed to get through Christmas-day, barring the table d'hôte dinner and the plum-pudding, which a well-known writer once described as a preparation of treacle, macaroons, and farinaceous food, mixed in a bowl of Marcolini china.

It is written, "Il faut souffrir pour être belle." In like manner, I take it, "il faut souffrir," if you desire to see the world at Berlin, within-doors or without; and he whose fate has led him there since Kings and Princes have retired into private life, by the will of might -to say very little as to the virtue of that might-if in a position to take part in the endless festivities which form the sum-total constituted "la Gloire," and have, nolens volens, been compelled to listen to the grandiose orators and fulsome compliments which have passed from lip to lip--those, I say, who have witnessed the tinkling of champagne-glasses, and endured the greasy embraces of manhood's exultation, after midnight, must have suffered, if not from the nightmare, at all events from the want of humility-the courteous attribute of brave men-which was wanting at the board. Yet, after all, it only comes to the opinion asserted by some noble wit, who declared that our gallant allies the French were "preparing for war, under cover of an advance of peace. Now I do not cap the assertionno, not I—I am only a humble chasseur; but the world will talk, and they do say it was precisely the case as regards Prussia; whereas Austria, on the other hand, under the hope of peace, and in the great desire that Europe should not believe them pugnacious, did not prepare for war. Voilà tout: put that in your pipe, and smoke it.

The bubble is burst-for the present. Who dare say but that some gallant lad now at school may blow it out again-but not with soft-soap. Meanwhile, balls and dinners, dinners and speeches, were and are in vogue, ending with cards, the principal game being that we learned in our youth, called " Beggar-my-neighbour."