SPURS, ANCIENT AND MODERN 171 



punctuation seems to have been less studied 

 than now ! 



Another custom, which amounts to an old form 

 of "copyhold tenure," is still in force. The 

 copyholder in the following case is the Crown. 

 Example : A gentleman at the present moment 

 holds an estate on condition that he presents a 

 pair of spurs to the reigning King whenever 

 the sovereign passes through his land. This is 

 analogous to the Duke of Wellington's annual 

 presentation of a tri-coloured flag to His Majesty, 

 in token of the former's right to hold Strath- 

 fieldsaye. The custom in this particular instance 

 originated when that estate was presented to 

 the " Iron Duke" after the battle of Waterloo, in 

 return for his distinguished services. Blenheim, 

 the magnificent seat of the Duke of Marlborough, 

 is held under similar conditions. 



Many instances can be given of horses that 

 have been severely injured through using un- 

 necessary sharp rowels. In more than one case, 

 when a horse has fallen, he has had his side 

 pierced by the neck of the spur. Obviously 

 then, in order to prevent a recurrence of such 

 an unusual mishap, it is advisable to have a fair- 

 sized "boss," i.e. that part of the "neck" which 

 contains the rowel. Sentimental people will be 

 pained to learn that a great number of Mexican 

 spurs are manufactured in England, and not in a 

 romantic town in the southern part of North 

 America. They are certainly handsome to look 

 at, make a jingling noise, and are suitable for a 

 harum-scarum, braggart's style of riding. 



