REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 315 



that several of the horses would make their mile in three minutes 

 on the Boston course. 



A machine for digging rocks was then put in operation, 

 which, it is said, worked with wonderful power. I did not 

 witness the performances. 



The morning of the second day was cool, but soon grew 

 warmer, and the day was very beautiful, and by 10 o'clock the 

 grounds seemed almost covered with moving human beings, 

 and still they were coming. The road seemed filled with foot- 

 men, horsemen and carriages. It was said to be the greatest 

 gathering that had ever taken place at their autumnal festivals. 



Every thing was in accordance with the wishes of the people ; 

 the weather was fine, the sky clear, and the air balmy ; there 

 was neither iuud nor dust to annoy the traveller. Many, xm- 

 doubtedly, came to see their new hall and be at its warming. 

 The most attractive scene of the whole show was to take place 

 at 10 o'clock, the exhibition of female equestrianism, which did 

 not take place till 11 o'clock. Twenty-six ladies entered their 

 names for premiums ; but thirteen appeared on the ground. 

 The cavalcade left the village about 11 o'clock and went around 

 the track once, each lady accompanied by a gentleman, and pre- 

 sented themselves before the judges' stand. By order of the 

 judges they performed a variety of evolutions, riding in pairs, in 

 quartets, all together, and each lady alone, riding slow or fast, 

 as best suited her taste and convenience. After performing an 

 hour or more they left the ground. These equestrians per- 

 formed their parts, — so far as we are capable of judging, — 

 well. Many of them labored under disadvantages. Their 

 horses were not thoroughly trained to the saddle. There were 

 a few good horses, but generally they were not fit for the occa- 

 sion. The question comes up. Whether this is the proper place 

 for ladies to be exhibited for premium ? Whether the finest of 

 nature's workmanship, should be shown for money, in connec- 

 tion with the grossest animals and the products of the land ? 

 I think not. 



I have too much respect for ladies to mix them up with such 

 trash. It is not calculated to raise the standard of public 

 morals, but the contrary. There is another objection, though 

 of a minor kind. All ladies cannot enter the field of compe- 

 tition, though they could ride like Cossacks, they have not the 



