AND THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 17 



perforir ince ;* an.d sportsmen thought that the acme of 

 speed and bottom had been reached in our country in 

 the days of Sir Charles and Eclipse, yet have not their 

 best achievements been eclipsed by two illustrious and 

 yet living rivals of each other — Boston and Fashion ? 

 But what have we not to apprehend should what seems 

 to be threatened come soon to pass, and the turf — the 

 only sure test of speed and stoutness, be allowed to go 

 down 7 We remember once at a dinner-party at the 

 British Minister's in Washington, to have inquired of the 

 late John Randolph of Roanoke, whether the Old Domi- 

 nion maintained, unimpaired, her claim to a superior race 

 of horses? "No, Sir; no. Sir/' was his shrill-toned 

 prompt reply ; " Since we gave up horse-racing and fox- 

 hunting, and turned up the whites of our eyes, our hones 

 as well as our men have sadly degenerated." 



Finally — justice, truth, and a sense of obligation for 

 the assistance derived from his labours, in the small con- 

 tribution we are here making to the breeders and amateurs 

 of the Horse, demand of us to say, at the least, that if 

 the American Turf should decline, it will not be for want 



* This was one of the most memorable contests that ever came off 

 on the Washington Course. Horses were horses, and men were men, 

 in those days. Fair-top boots, powdered heads, and golden « guineas '* 

 were all the go — and for fairness and honour, a " stain was felt like « 

 wound." 



The horses were thus placed ; 



Dr. EdeUn's c. m. Floretta, by Spread Eagle, 6 years old, 5 11 

 Gen. Ridgely's b. h. Oacar, by Gabriel, G yrs. old, 2 2 2 



J. B. Bond's b. h. First Consul, by Flag of Truce, aged 4 3 3 

 Col. Tayloe's b. h. Top-gallant, by old Diomed, 6 yrs. old, 14 4 

 M. Brown's b. m. Nancy, by Spread Eagle, 6 years old. 3 dr. 



In this race Floretta was closely run by Oscar and First Consul 



each heat was run under 8 minutes, and iho second in 7.52. Each horse 

 made play from the score, and the time was better than had been made 

 .>n that Course even up to 1829. Has such a field of men and horseg 

 come to that post since 1 



In another pace — the trot — it was deemed marvellous that' old Top " 

 ■hould go his mile with 150 pounds weight in 2.45. But Lady Suf- 

 folk — well dashed with the old Messenger blood — has done hers '*a 

 2.28^, and is yet in full if not improving vigour. 



