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 leads the gallop, being the best 
judge of pace, unless it be necessary 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 university 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 reposes in the same chamber as 
himself. This is on a principle of prudence rather than 
of economy : horses in high condition are given to roll 
in the night, and get cast in their stalls, and here 
assistance is at hand ; as, by the means of stirrup- 
leathers buckled together, they are extricated from their 
awkward situation by the joint efforts of the boys. We 
have been told that an interesting scene takes place 
167 
