respecting the speed of their respective horses between Mr. Flint and Mrs. Thornton, when some difference of opinion having occurred upon the subject, the horses were occasionally put at full speed for the purpose of ascertaining the point in question, when Old Vingarillo, aided by the skill of the fair rider, distanced his antagonist every time, which so discomfited Mr. Flint, that he was at length induced to challenge the lady to ride on a future day. His challenge was readily accepted (on the part of the lady) by Colonel Thornton, and it was agreed that the race should take place on the last day of the York August Meeting, 1804. This singular match was thus announced to the public:-“ A match for 500 guineas, and 1000 guineas bye

four miles-between Colonel Thornton's Vingarillo, and Mr. Hunt's br. h. Thornville, by Volunteer. Mrs. Thornton to ride her weight against Mr. Flint."

On Saturday, August 25, the above match was decided in the presence of upwards of 100,000 persons; indeed, expectation was raised to the highest pitch from the novelty of the match: thousands from every part of the surrounding country thronged to the ground. In order to keep the course as clear as possible, several additional persons were employed; and, much to the credit of the 6th Light Dragoons, a party of them also were on the ground on horseback for the like purpose, and which, unquestionably, saved the lives of many persons. About four o'clock, Mrs. Thornton appeared on the ground in high spirits, Old Vingarillo led by Colonel Thornton, followed by Mr. Baker and Mr. H. Baynton, and soon afterwards Mr. Flint. Every thing being in readiness, Mrs. Thornton started amidst the loudest cheers ever heard upon a race course; and the betting all over he ground created a great deal of mirth and witty remarks* from the spectators.

She

• The Cads, and fellows with the Race Lists, were thus hawking their bills and cards over the race ground to obtain purchasers, "Come my worthy sporting gentlemen from all parts of the kingdom-now's your time to open your eyes and look about you, when you will see to-day what you never saw before in your life; and, perhaps, you may never see again, if you live as long as Old Methuselah. Come, I say, who's for a list-the whole list, and nothing else but a true list-besides, you will have a correct and particular account of the terrible, terrible, terrible high-bred female (the lady of Colonel Thornton): there is nothing like her in the world. Old Astley's troop are mere patches upon her as to managing a horse, she will this day ride a match like a lady, over the four mile course for 500 guineas, and 1000 guineas bye; and some hundreds of thousands are likewise depending upon this most extraordinary match between the "Jockey in petticoats" against that well-known sporting character Mr. Flint, in his "doe skins and top boots; and looked upon as one of the best gentleman riders in the nation. You have also the names of the horses, and the colours of the riders, with every other particular that can enlighten your minds, and make you gentlemen sportsmen acquainted with this lively race. You have now the opportunity to lay out your money according to your inclination. The gentleman allows the lady to ride what weight she likes, there being a mutual understanding between them upon the subject: therefore, she will not, like commoners, go to scale,' as she will not be handled by any body before she starts for the prize; indeed, the Female Jockey is not considered

mounted her horse in the true spirit of a cavalier; and there was a great deal of the gallant-bearing attached to the character of it; the most experienced jockey could not have been more at his ease, or have acted his part in better style than Mrs. Thornton.

When first I strove to win the prize,
I felt my youthful spirits rise,-
Hope's crimson flush illum'd my face,
And all my soul was in the race;
When dress'd and mounted 'twas my pride,
Before the starting-post to ride;
My rival dress'd in pearly white,
The crowded Course to me delight.

In stands around fair ladies swarm,
And mark with smiles my slender form;
Their lovely looks new ardour raise,
For beauty's smile is merit's praise.
The flag is dropp'd-the sign to start,
Away more fleet than winds we dart;
And though the odds against me lay,
The PETTICOAT shall win the day.
Though now no more we seek the race,
I trust the Jockey keeps his place:
For still to win the prize I feel
An equal wish, an equal zeal;
And still can friendship's smile impart
Delightful tremors through this heart;
Indeed, I feel it flutter now-
Yes, while I look, and while I bow.
My tender years must vouch my truth,
For Candour ever dwells with youth;
Then sure the Sage,might well believe
A face like mine could ne'er deceive;
If here you e'er a match should make,
My life upon my luck I'll stake:

And, 'gainst all odds, I think you'll say
The PETTICOAT shall win the day.

Ter

any weight at all. Her importance and self-possession are the only objects for consideration. What does spirit, fire, blood, and gaiety weigh, I should like to ask? I answer nothing,-my masters! Such high bred qualities are as light as air-brisk as the wind-and 2 to 1 towards winning. You have also, at the same price, the plain and simple pedigree of the female jockey. sire was a capital'good un;' her dam, a prime fleet 'un,' an Eclipse in character; her brother, all that could be wished upon the turf, for getting over the ground like a sky rocket; her sister, a Nonpareil at all points, and above any price; but her owner, her outand-out owner, the Colonel, from his upper crust' down to his walker,' is a match for all England against any thing for every thing alive-either on the turf or turnpike-from a mouse to an elephant and nothing else but winning belongs to his stable. And lastly, though not the least in the above Catalogue of Excellence, every point of the Female Jockey is tip-top; her agility is captivating; and she mounts her prad like the most accomplished horseman in the world. Her movements defy expression; her nods to the females, as she rides over the Course, delightful! but her smiles to the applauding gentlemen, in answer to the winks, bows, and other marks of politeness towards her, as compliments for her daring exploit, are fascinating, elegant, and nothing else but winning. She is seated upon her highbred animal with all the firmness of a Nimrod; she holds her reins with the most perfect ease and style; and Chifney, in the best of his days, never displayed a better knowledge of horsemanship than the Female Jockey, and she flourishes her whip with all the good taste of the leader of a band at a concert. In fact, she is a None such! a PARAGON!! a PHENOMENON!!! Old Vingarillo too, her prad, is also a picture of goodness, from his peepers down to his fetlocks! Therefore, my worthy sportsmen, do not lose this opportunity-be not too late-but purchase this great curiosity-this list of lists-nothing like it having occurred in Yorkshire, or in any other part of the globe since Noah's flood--either before or since that wet season of the year: and it is York Minster to a brass furden that nothing like it can occur again till we have a new generation of the human race? That's your sort !!!

care.

Old Vingarillo, the horse, also seemed proud of the fair charge' entrusted to his The ladies, in general, were interested in the success of one of their own sex, except a few old maids, who appeared rather squeamish on the subject, and who observed one to another, behind their fans, that it was a very bold undertaking for a female to contest a race upon a public race course; and that the Colonel, out of respect to propriety, ought to have prevented such an exhibition taking place. "Yes ladies," observed an old sporting gentleman, "but you are aware, sometimes, that the grey mare is the better horse." It is impossible to describe the intense interest which this match excited during the race; and the shouts of the "PETTICOAT FOR EVER,” resounded from one end of the course to the other. On starting, it was 5 and 6 to 4 on the PETTICOAT; and, in running the first three miles, 7 to 4 and 2 to 1 on Mrs. Thornton's winning; indeed, success seemed to be so certain on her part, that the oldest sportsman in the stand betted in her favor. In running the last mile she lost ground, in consequence of her saddle-girths having slackened, and the saddle turning round. Her opponent, taking advantage of this circumstance, pushed forward, and passed her; the lady after using every exertion:

Push on, my dear lady-pray don't the whip stint,
To beat such as you, must have the heart of a FLINT!

but, finding it impossible to win, she pulled up at two distances from home, when Mr. Flint won the match.

It was difficult to say, whether her horsemanship, her dress, or her beauty, were most admired, the tout ensemble was unique. Never, surely, did a woman ride in better style. The race was run in nine minutes and fiftynine seconds. The dress of Mrs. Thornton was a leopard-coloured body with blue sleeves, the vest buff, and blue cap. Mr. Flint rode in white. Thus ended the most interesting race ever run upon Knavesmire. The following jeu d'esprit was handed about on the occasion:

"The beau monde will condemn what I write, beyond doubt,

And some simpering young misses will giggle and pout;

But the odds that I bet shall be TwENTY to one, That such an exploit ne'er by wOMAN was done.” Not at all dispirited by defeat, Mrs. Thornton publicly challenged her antagonist to ride the same match in the following year, his horse Thornville against any one of three she would bring, and he might select, and which should be hunted by her through the season. The challenge, however, was refused by Mr. Flint. No words can express the disappointment felt at the defeat of Mrs. Thornton. The spirit she displayed, and the good humour with which she had borne her loss, greatly dimin. ished the joy of many of the winners. From

the very superior style in which she performed her exercising gallop of four miles on the preceding Wednesday, betting was greatly in her favor; her saddle turning round was not attended with the slightest injury to her person, nor did it in the least damp her courage, while her horsemanship and close-seated riding astonished the beholders, and inspired a general confidence in her success. Not less than 200,000l. were pending on this extraordinary match, perhaps more, if we include the bets in every part of the country: and there is no part, we believe, in which there were not some. It is but common justice to observe, that if the lady had been better mounted she could not, possibly, have failed of success. Indeed, she laboured under every possible disadvantage; notwithstanding which, and the ungallant conduct of Mr. Flint, she flew along the course with an astonishing swiftness, conscious of her own superior skill, and would, ultimately, have out-stripped her adversary, but for the accident which took place.

A SKETCH OF THE LATE COLONEL THORNTON.

The late COLONEL THORNTON was one of the

gayest of the gay members of the turf; and during his life-time he was considered one of the most practical sportsmen of the age. Indeed, his whole life was devoted to the Sports of the Field. His family had been established for some centuries in the county of York, where they have enjoyed the most valuable and extensive possessions. The most ancient bears the family name, being called Thornton cum Bucksby, of which mention is made prior to the period of William the Conquero". Colonel Thomas Thornton was born in St. James's, and received the early part of his education at the Charter House: from thence he went to the University of Glasgow: at this seat of learning he attended to his studies with the most indefatigable assiduity, and acquitted himself to the entire satisfaction of his instruc tors, and much to his own credit. During the vacations he was accustomed to pursue the sports of the field with the most lively ardour, but not to the injury of his studies. At nineteen years of age his father, Colonel William Thornton, died, and left him sole possessor of his great estates; but such was his good sense, that he remained at the University for three years afterwards, deputing his mother to superintend his affairs. "he Colonel had very

We cannot for a moment entertain an opinion, that the ladies meant any thing unfair in the conduct pursued by Mr. Flint during the race towards Mrs. Thornton; neither did they assert that any thing like crossing, or jostling, occurred in the four miles; but that as a man of gallantry, he ought to have permitted his fair opponent to have won the race. But, perhaps, Mr. Flint would have felt rather chagrined to have had the laugh against him; and also averse to the observation that he had been "beaten against his will, on horseback, by a woman;" which, most undoubt edly, would have been the fact, if the saddle of Mrs. Thornton had kept its situation.

early in life imbibed a strong partiality for the pastime of hawking; being determined to bring that sport to the height of perfection; and also to lay the foundation of that celebrity which he afterwards acquired for his breed of horses, and every species of dog calculated for the diversions of the field. On leaving Glasgow, Colonel Thornton repaired with his hawks, dogs, &c., to his estate at Old Thornville, where he remained but a short time; after which he went to the Metropolis, and became a member of the Savoir Virre club, which had been recently instituted: the leading plan of which was intended to patronize men of genius and talent; the late lord Lyttleton, and the right honorable Charles James Fox, were then members of that club, as well as many other celebrated characters of the day: although gambling constituted one of the predominant features of the Savoir Vivre, the Colonel was never led to share that diversion; indeed, he was always averse to cards and dice, and, to show his marked disapprobation of gambling, over the chimney piece of the Library of Thornville Royal was a marble slab, whereon was graven the following words,

"Utinam hanc veris amicis impleam."

the established rule of this house, all bets are considered to be off, if either of the parties, by letter or otherwise, pay into the hands of the landlord one guinea, by five the next day."

After following every diversion which Yorkshire offered to him for several years, he became desirous of witnessing the sports of the Highlands of Scotland, whither he repaired, and passed the best part of seventeen years in succession, wholly occupied in the several pastimes which were gratifying to his mind. In Scotland he kept a regular diary of his sporting pursuits, &c., and employed an artist to execute drawings of the antiquities and picturesque scenery of the country, from which he selected a few, and caused them to be engraved in a very finished style, and published in a work, under the title of “A Sporting Tour through the Highlands of Scotland, by Colonel Thornton."

To the great astonishment of his friends, he purchased of his late royal highness, the duke of York, Allerton Mauleverer, in Yorkshire, for one hundred and ten thousand pounds; but obstacles to other men were soon overcome by the enterprising disposition of the late Colonel Thornton; and, however the country gentlemen in the neighbourhood thought it totally impossible for him to accomplish such a heavy purchase, he paid for it by instalments, according to agreement, in the short space of twelve months. The Colonel immediately gave the above estate a new designation; and it was afterwards known by the title of Thornville Royal. An erroneous opinion having previously gone abroad that Colonel Thornton had won Allerton Mauleverer at a gaming table, from the duke of York. But, in order

to render his sporting pursuits more complete, he purchased the estate of Boythorpe in the Wolds, for the purpose of coursing and hawking, where he erected the present mansion, known by the name of Falconer's Hall.

Thornville Royal was always the scene of festive hospitality; and no gentleman was calculated to do the honors of the table better than the late Colonel Thornton. His diversified talents, his quickness of repartee, his facetious stories on all topics, and his goodnatured acquiescence with the request of his guests, rendered the table of the Colonel the great resort of the neighbouring noblemen and gentlemen: his wines were always of the first quality; and the Colonel was no flincher from his glass; indeed, he had obtained the character of being a 'six-bottle man.' He was a convivial subject, and all his songs were to the following effect:—

LET PHILOSOPHERS PRATE ABOUT REASON ARD
RULES.

Let Philosophers prate about Reason and Rules,
And preach musty maxims design'd but for fools:
From a brisk sparkling bowl brighter sentiments flow,
And I find myself wiser the deeper I go:

We can teach them to live, and by practice explain
What in theory only they never could gain,
Draw the cloud from their eyes that o'ershadows the
soul,

And enlighten their heads with a sip from my bowl.
May the pedant be lost in his phantom pursuit,
While I revel in wine and with bumpers recruit;
Since the wisest can never perfection attain,
Why should life proffer sweets and enjoyments in
vain?

Let not man, then, his time in such foppery waste.
Or refuse mingled sweets with the bitters to taste;
But thus let him waft to Elysium his soul,
In an ocean of liquor,-his vessel my bowl.
Relaxed from the cares of the world let me live,
'Gainst the rude stream of life that I never may strive;
With a friend to partake, and a girl to adore,

O what mortal more happy? what man could wish more?

Dull, mechanical mortals nere look and repine, That their hearts ne'er can glow with such feelings as mine;

But such feelings, such joys, receive birth in the soul, When thus mellow'd, thus rear'd, and refined in my bowl.

The Colonel was very much attached to works of art; and few houses had to boast of a more diversified and choice collection of paintings than Thornville Royal. With respect to Sporting subjects, the most celebrated pictures of Gilpin and Reinagle, painted under the immediate direction of the Colonel, adorned the walls of the above mansion. The celebrated picture of the Death of the Fox, by Gilpin, afterwards engraved by Scott, was much admired in the Sporting World. Amongst the Thornville Collection were to be recognized several of the Italian and Flemish mastersGuido, Caracci, Teniers, Wonwerman, Rubens, Vandyke, &c.

As a breeder of Sporting animals, the following list sufficiently prove the acknowledged excellence of the late Colonel Thornton.

HORSES.-Icelander. A noted racer, bred by Colonel Thornton, which won twenty-six

matches, and was the first foal bred by the Colonel. The sire of this horse was Grey-coat and his grandsire Dismal.—Jupiter. This celebrated blood-horse was of a chesnut colour, he was got by Eclipse, dam by Tartar, grandam by Mogul, Sweepstakes, &c. in 1777 he won one thousand pounds at Lewes, two hundred at Abingdon, and one thousand at Newmarket; and, in 1771, two hundred and forty at Newmarket.-Truth. A remarkably steady hunter. ---Stoic. A famous race-horse, which won a match at Newmarket for one thousand guineas.

-St. Thomas. A race-horse which beat Mr. Hare's Tu Quoque, the bet being five hundred guineas, each gentleman riding his own horse. -Thornville. A celebrated hunter.-Esterhazy. A most remarkable blood-horse, being master of any weight, and active in all his paces; of which animal a very beautiful engraving has been executed by Ward, from a picture of Chalon.

DOGS. Fox hounds.-Merlin. A well-known fox-hound, bred by Colonel Thornton.-Lucifer. A most remarkable fox-hound, the sire of Lounger and Mad Cap, of equal celebrity.Old Conqueror. A matchless fox-hound, sire of many well-known dogs in the annals of fox-hunting.-POINTERS. Dash. An acknowledged fine pointer, which sold for two hundred and fifty guineas.-Pluto. A celebrated pointer.-Juno. A remarkable bitch, which was matched with a pointer of lord Grantley's for ten thousand guineas, who paid forfeit.Modish. A bitch of acknowledged excellence. -Lilly. A most remarkable steady bitch. Nan. It is only necessary to state that seventyfive guineas were refused for this bitch.

GREYHOUNDS. Major. A dog of very great celebrity, and the father of Colonel Thornton's breed of greyhounds. Of this animal a very beautiful engraving, from the masterly hand of Scott, has been published.-Czarina. a bitch of equal celebrity.-Skyagruphina. A matchless hound. N. B. For each of these hounds the most extravagant sums were offered, but rejected.

SPANIELS. Dash. This animal is esteemed the ne plus ultra of this species of sporting dog; the Colonel having used his utmost endeavours to bring the spaniel to perfection.

BEAGLES. Merryman. This celebrated dog is sire of a pack, which exceeds all others for symmetry, bottom, and pace. The beagles of Colonel Thornton would tire the strongest hunters, and return to kennel comparatively fresh.

TERRIERS.-It would be necessary to notice Colonel Thornton's terriers, if it were only on account of his justly celebrated Pitch, from whom are descended most of the white terriers in the kingdom.

HAWKS.-Sans Quartier, Death, and the Devil, were three of the most celebrated birds ever reared by Colonel Thornton during his pursuit of hawking, and were allowed to distance any birds of the kind which had ever been flown at the game.

In speaking of the bodily activity of Colonel Thornton, few men, perhaps, have ever given proofs of such extraordinary powers. Among various other matches of a similar nature, the following, it is conceived, will be amply sufficient to substantiate this fact:-In a walking match which the Colonel engaged to perform, he went four miles in thirty-two minutes and half a second. In leaping, Colonel Thornton cleared his own height, being five feet nine inches, the bet being considerable. In another match it is stated that he leaped over six fivebarred gates in six minutes, and then repeated the same on horseback. At Newmarket the Colonel, on horseback, ran down a hare, which he picked up in the presence of an immense concourse of people assembled to witness this extraordinary match.

With respect to shooting, either with the fowling-piece, rifle, or air-gun, Colonel Thornton has given the most incontestible proofs of the steadiness of his hand, and the wonderful correctness of his sight, not only in bringing down the game, when pursuing the pastimes of the field, but also at a mark, in which his precision has never been surpassed.

Notwithstanding the numerous pursuits of a sporting nature which occupied the Colonel's mind, he seldom lost sight of those refinements which characterize the man of literature and taste. His valuable collection of pictures, at Thornville Royal, sufficiently indicate his taste for the fine arts; and the correct journals which he invariably kept during all his excursions to Scotland, &c., are sufficient testimonies of his diversified talents and classic pursuits.

During the short interval of peace with France, in 1802, the Colonel repaired to Paris, for the purpose of viewing that capital; after which he travelled through the southern provinces, and part of the conquered territory, where he pursued with avidity the sports which characterize that kingdom. On this occasion the Colonel had an artist to accompany him, and he kept a journal of the events that transpired. From this diary, a very entertaining tour was produced, intituled, "Colonel Thornton's Sporting Tour through France," &c. In the course of this tour appears a very entertaining and comparative view of the sports of the two countries, which the Colonel's acknowledged excellence as an English sportsman has rendered not only entertaining, but scientific and useful.

This gentleman was not only devoted to the pursuits of Actæon and the pleasures of Bacchus, but Venus and Cupid were likewise his idols, having, in the autumn of 1806, led to the hymeneal altar Miss Corston, of Essex, an accomplished young lady of some fortune.

Upon the Colonel's giving up his commission as Lieutenant-colonel of the West York Militia, he was drawn into York by the soldiery, who, as a testimony of their gratitude and love, presented him with a beautiful medallion and splendid sword.