SELECTION OF BLOOD. 25 



over a new leaf. But the folly of it in breeding race- 

 horses is so transparent that it is nothing short of mad- 

 ness to neglect that all important point, character of 

 the blood. Without diving into the annals of the stud 

 book to reproduce the celebrated stout and equally 

 celebrated speedy sires, I will merely add that the 

 produce of Bay Middleton, Birdcatcher, Harkaway, 

 Sweetmeat, and Orlando, all have a fine turn of speed; 

 while Voltaire, Venison, Emilius, Touchstone, and 

 Melbourne appear to like a distance better. Thus if 

 speed and stoutness be aimed at, a judicious combina- 

 tion of these bloods must be tried : but if speed alone 

 be desired, the former strains of blood should be closely 

 adhered to. I am persuaded, however, that a combi- 

 nation will pay the breeder better ; for it will not do in 

 these days that a racehorse be able merely to stay at 

 his best pace for some three or four miles ; but he must 

 be possessed of a fine turn of speed as well, or he 

 never can be anything but a second-rate horse. A 

 very interesting and brief letter appeared in the Sport- 

 ing Gazette a few days since under the signature of 

 ( Philippos,' which so nearly embodies my opinions on 

 the results of breeding from certain strains that I can- 

 not do better than quote it. It runs thus : — ( As you 

 appear to encourage discussion in your columns on the 

 subject of crosses in breeding, I venture to mention a 

 few instances of successful " hits " which have occurred 

 to my mind at different times. Now, in the first place, 

 that the Sultan and Birdcatcher blood combine suc- 

 cessfully we have two notable instances in the cases of 



