72 THE TURF 



a spectator on the training-ground. So 

 soon as he has the rudiments of hand and 

 seat he is put on the quietest horse in the 

 string generally one that has been some 

 time in training, and has been doing good 

 work who follows those that are before 

 him, without attempting to swerve from 

 the track, or to play any antic tricks. The 

 head lad generally heads the gallop, being 

 the best judge of pace, unless it be neces- 

 sary to put him on some other horse which 

 is difficult to ride, and not well calculated 

 to lead. In that case he generally places 

 himself second, so that he may instruct the 

 boy before him ; but all this takes place 

 under the watchful eye of the trainer. 



Order is the beauty and strength of 

 society; and neither in school nor univer- 

 sity is regularity of conduct more strictly 

 enforced than in a training establishment. 

 In fact, the soldier might as well absent 

 himself from roll-call, or the sailor from 

 his watch, as the stable-boy from the hour 

 of stable. 'Woe to him/ says Holcroft, 

 ' who is absent from stable hours.' In the 

 morning, however, he is sure to be there; 

 for, in most cases, the horse he looks after 



