The death of Admiral Rous, on Tuesday, has excited in
the sporting world more attention than the death of a great politician would. Admiral Rous was a most gallant and successful sailor, but piqued by some formal censure from the Admiralty, he quitted the Service, and for forty years gave up to the Jockey Club abilities which might have served England. Not comprehending the Worship of the Horse,—more potent in England now than it ever was in India or Scandinavia,—we can- not commend the change ; but the Admiral carried his qualities into his new field, and for that long period did more than any single man to keep the Turf honest. The business of handi- capping, which was the work of the Admiral's life, is not noble business, but it will be difficult for the sporting world to find another man with his judgment, decision—not to say peremp- toriness—and inflexible honour. There must, we suppose, be a Speaker for the Turf ; and that strange world, with its special laws and separate moralities, will never find a better. If Admiral Roos said a practice was, out of order, it was out of order ; and as every second Turfite wants to get out of order, he was useful in his generation. Only one wishes he had been head of a fleet instead.
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