‘These different incidents had raised a strong desire in my mind to be
better acquainted with a subject that had given to me, and as I thought
to every body, so much emotion, and I began to consider what might be
done. At that time I was rather a burthen to my father than a help. I
believe I assisted him a little in the mending of shoes, but my asthma
till very lately, as well as my youth, had prevented my making much
progress. At one time indeed I had been persuaded, though much against
my will, to become apprentice to a stocking-weaver; but this, I forget
how, broke off, at which I was very glad: I did not like
stocking-weaving. The question now occurred to me, whether it would not
be possible to procure the place of a stable-boy, at Newmarket. I was at
this time in point of clothing in a very mean, not to say ragged
condition, and in other respects, was not much better off. The
stable-boys I saw at Nottingham, were healthy, clean, well fed, well
clothed, and remarkable rather for their impudence, than seeming to live
under any kind of fear or hardship. Except their impudence, I liked
every thing else I saw about them; and concluded that if I could obtain
so high a situation as this, I should be very fortunate.
‘These reflections preyed so much upon my mind, that I was at last
induced to mention them to my father; and he having a predilection for
every thing belonging to a horse, and therefore a high respect for this,
the noblest state of that animal’s existence, readily fell into my
views, and only feared they could not be accomplished. He resolved
however that trial should be made; and after inquiring among the
Jockeys, thought it advisable to apply to a Mr Woodcock, who kept
stables four or five miles from Newmarket, where he trained horses
entrusted to his care. Mr Woodcock examined me, asked my age, found I
was light of weight, and, as I suppose, liking the answers I gave to his
questions, to our very great joy, agreed to take me upon trial. In the
course of my life, there have been several changes, that each in their
turn, greatly affected my spirits, and gave me advantages far beyond
what I had ever before enjoyed: of these gradual elevations, this was
the first. I should now be somebody. I should be entrusted with the
management of one of that race of creatures that were the most admired
and beloved by me: I should be well clothed, wear a livery, which would
shew I belonged to one of the great: I should not only have food enough,
but of that kind which was highly relishing to the appetite of youth;
and, in addition to all this, should receive an annual stipend. I jumped
as it were, from a precarious and mean existence, where I could not tell
what worse might happen, into a permanent and agreeable employment. I
had only to learn to ride, and perform the duties of a stable-boy, of
which I had no fear, for I supposed them far less difficult than I
afterwards found they were.
‘The grooms that reside at, and in the vicinity of this famed town, are
all more or less, acquainted with each other; and on Mr Woodcock’s
recommendation, I was put under the care of Jack Clarke, who lived with
Captain Vernon, he having luckily a led horse, which I was to mount. The
day of parting with my father, and of beginning our journey, was an
anxious one. He could not too emphatically repeat the few well meant
precepts he had so often given me, nor I too earnestly assure him, I
would love and obey him all my life. Notwithstanding his severity, he
was passionately fond of me, my heart entered into the same feelings,
and there was great and unfeigned affection between us.