THE NOBLE SCIENCE. • 65 



*' wind is strength," and that " when the pufF is out of a 

 horse, a mountain or a mole-hill are much the same to 

 him." A race-horse is not only superior in stamina, and 

 the powers of endurance, but is generally clearer winded, 

 and, therefore, not blown by double the exertion which 

 would stop a cock-tail. I am far from wishing to insi- 

 nuate that there has not been, and I hope still will be, 

 a very large proportion, perhaps I should say great 

 majority, of excellent hunters which never might have 

 stood a chance of being entered for a royal plate. There 

 are many which, without being like Dibdin's high-mettled 

 racer, 



" Alike formed for sports of the field and the course," 



may still lay claim to his attributes, and be found 



" Always sure to come through, a stanch and fleet horse : " 



but if we come to the question, whether thorough-bred 

 horses are not able to beat all others in a long day ? and 

 take the evidence of the best performers in all countries, 

 there can be no doubt of a verdict in their favour. We 

 thus hark back upon my maxim concerning hounds, 

 which may, indeed, apply to everything — Blood will 

 tell. 



If it be asserted that race-horses do not take so readily 

 to fencing, and are more awkward at their business than 

 the old stamp of hunter, I say that, when properly edu- 



