THE HORSE. 



A Roman Horse Race. 



In all countries, and in all ages of the world, men have found pleasure in racing horses. During the 

 carnival season at Rome, a singular mode of horse racing is practised. At one end of the great street, 

 called the Corso, a rope is stretched across the way, behind which a number of horses are ranged, riderless, 

 decorated with gay feathers, and having attached to their girths little balls of lead, from which issue sharp 

 steel points. At the sound of a trumpet, the rope drops, and the horses dash forward down the street. 

 The harder they run, the more the steel points in the leaden balls prick them and spur them on. Added 

 to this, the street is closed up behind them by a yelling multitude of people ; so that, notwithstanding the 

 absence of riders, they are urged on to the utmost stretch of their speed. In a balcony at the other end 

 of the Corso, stands the Governor of Rome, to judge of the race. To the owner of the winning horse an 



ornamental flag is given as a prize. 



(166) 



