150 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



represent the breeding of a horse. In Kentucky a 

 gentleman may kill another gentleman if his 

 cause be just, and suffer no reproach save that of 

 himself; but if he palter with the pedigree of a 

 horse he trifles with his caste, and is ranked with 

 the sneak thieves and the pickpockets who take 

 their victims unaware, and achieve at once a 

 petty and cowardly advantage. This love of the 

 horse and knowledge of him has gone on from 

 generation to generation until it has become a 

 part, and no inconsiderable part of the heritage 

 of every Kentuckian who considers himself well 

 born. 



Some twenty years ago a Kentucky horse- 

 breeder was in Boston, visiting a gentleman with 

 whom he had business. The Bostonian, with the 

 characteristic hospitality of those Dr. Holmes 

 catalogued as of the "Brahmin caste," showed 

 the Kentuckian about. He pointed out to him the 

 equestrian statue of Washington at the head of 

 Commonwealth Avenue. "There is the Washing- 

 ton statue, " remarked the Bostonian. " And what 

 was the breeding of the horse ?" the Kentuckian 

 inquired. The horse to him was almost every- 



