(34 THH NOBLE SCIENCE. 



knowledge of their business, are not to be had under 

 three figures. 



A difference of opinion still exists, as to the degree 

 of breeding requisite for a hunter; some still holding to 

 a well-bred, say three-parts blood, in preference to 

 thorough-bred; but I think the taste for the highest 

 bred is daily gaining gi'ound ; and, for my own part, I am 

 thoroughly convinced that a race-horse, with bone and 

 substance sufficient to qualify him for the rough and 

 smooth encounter of crossing a country, is, beyond all 

 comparison, superior to the best cock-tail that can be 

 produced. As for pace, it has been proved, beyond dis- 

 pute, that the winner of the Derby would not be fast 

 enough to live with hounds at their utmost speed. The 

 great match over the Beacon-course at Newmarket, be- 

 tween foxhounds and race-horses i?i traijiing for the 

 purpose, is fresh in the memory of many. The horses 

 had not a chance with the hounds, although one was 

 ridden blind, and the other completely done up in the 

 attempt. 



Speaking only from my own experience, I have 

 always observed, and have also found myself, that a 

 thorough-bred horse could maintain the best pace, which 

 a horse must go to be upon any terms with hounds, or 

 carry his rider anything like what is called "up to 

 them," with far gi-eater ease to himself than those of 

 inferior pedigree. Nimrod most justly remarks, that 



