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.
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;