THE TEOTTING-HORSE OF AMERICA. 151 



of breeders, breakers, trainers, and drivers have been 

 directed to improve the speed of our trotting-horse to the 

 highest rate attainable, consistent with the faculty of en- 

 durance ; that neither pains nor perseverance have been 

 spared to perfect our modern courses ; and that all the skill 

 and ingenuity of an intelligent class of our mechanics have 

 been successfully applied to the production of the best 

 and lightest vehicles for trotting purposes. The sulky in 

 which Dutchman trotted on that day weighed 821bs. I have 

 now two that weigh less than GOlbs. each. My weight in 

 driving was from 1481bs. to ISOlbs. Dutchman took the lead 

 at starting, and kept it all the way. The time of the first 

 mile was 2m. 34s. ; the second was trotted in 2m. 33s. ; 

 and, in the third, we returned to the rate of the first, 2m. 

 34s. By considering this, we shall perceive the even rate 

 and great durability of this renowned horse. He put the 

 miles closer together than any horse had ever done prior to 

 that race, and finished the three miles in less aggregate 

 time, taking the whip nearly all the way and never making 

 a break. I ventured to keep him going from the score, and 

 to put the whip on from time to time ; and for this I had 

 warrant in three things : I knew he was honest, and would 

 answer every call to the last gasp ; I knew that he was as 

 stout as oak and as tough as whalebone, and needed no 

 saving ; and I knew that he was in good condition. When- 

 ever the reader has got hold of a horse in whom these good 

 qualities are united, and who is to trot a long race against 

 another, supposed to be his superior in point of speed, he 

 need not be afraid to burst him off and keep going. But he 

 had better be quite sure that they are all there ; because, if 

 it should turn out that any of them is lacking, it would 

 probably endanger the race. 



It is a matter of course that 7m. 41s. in harness would 

 not be a great performance at this time ; and it is very 

 likely that a horse or two could be found able to trot three 

 miles in harness in 7m. 31s., when thoroughly fit and 



