— 475 — 



horses that Mr. Hamliii was to get ready fur his sale, which took 

 place Iq May. It was a pretty picture to see this number of blooded 

 horses in the finest possible condition in one grand [)rocession in their 

 march to the Buffalo Driving Park. But the manager terminated his 

 engagement in three months, and then gave a public exhibition, draw- 

 ing the lai-gest concourse of people that ever assembled at East Aurora. 

 Bidding Mr. Hamlin and his new-made friends adieu, he turned his 

 back on the States, taking flight to Toronto, Canada, not in the role 

 of a bank cashier fleeing from justice, but prospecting for new fields 

 in which he could prosecute his business. His first exhibition after 

 reaching Canada was in the old Riding Academy at Toronto, where he 

 gave exhibitions for four weeks, meeting with grand success, handling 

 150 head of horses, at the close of wdiicli he received the following 

 letter and $500 in gold : 



Toronto, Canada, November 12th, 1885. 

 Professor 0. R. Gleason: 



Sir : — On behalf of some of the horse-owners of the City of Toronto, 

 I take the opportunity to present you with this purse as a small token 

 of esteem. We hope your efforts have been successful to enlighten and 

 establish in our minds the many benefits to be derived from a thorough 

 knowledge of the horse, and how to handle and train him, as so ably 

 explained by you in your lectures. Hoping your stay in Toronto has 

 been beneficial, we trust your course may be as prosperous in the 

 future. 



Respectfully, Alex. Munning, 



Mayor of Toronto. 



From Toronto he went to Hamilton, London, St. Catherine's, and 

 all the small towns, filling engagements with agricultural societies. 

 His success in Canada was very satisfactory financially, and he handled 

 1,243 horses. He then left for Boston, stopping at Albany, Holyoke, 

 and Springfield. At Springfield he made a stay of two weeks, forming 

 the largest class (680 meml)ers) that w^as ever held in the city. 



He opened in the city of Boston on January 25th, 1886, at the old 

 " Boston Riding Academy," on AVashington Street. On the opening 

 night the Academy was crowded to its utmost capacity ; "and," says 

 the Professor, " during my intermission of tea minutes' duration, while 

 sitting in my dressing-room, who should present himself at the door 



