82 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



shoe is less probable than breakmg down, or horse or 

 man becoming otherwise disabled, by any of the other 

 casualties within the chapter of accidents. That they 

 may be so shod, I will fearlessly aver, and again cry, 

 " Ejcperto crede" There is no deeper or more holding 

 soil than that of Bedfordshire ; yet such mishaps were al- 

 most unknown in Lord Tavistock's establishment, during 

 four seasons, from 1826 to 1830, when 1 hunted regularly 

 with the Oakley, and they are probably as rare in the 

 present day, if the shoeing is conducted upon the same 

 principle. At that time, these misfortunes to me were 

 rather out of proportion to the number of angels' visits ; 

 and my attention was, consequently, directed to the 

 method by which exemption was attainable. 



The Vulcan presiding then over the forge at Oakley 

 was preeminent in his craft, and one of his horse-shoes, 

 like everything else to be acquired in that school, which, 

 in relation to hunting matters, I regarded as 



" Mearum 

 Grande decus columenque rerum," 



was worthy of being treasured as a pattern. It is not 

 only in the driving of the nails, but in the shape and 

 structure of the shoe itself, that its security depends. 

 Where so much difference exists, as will be found in the 

 feet of different horses, no general rule can be laid down 

 as to the depth, breadth, or weight of metal, which each 

 may require ; but I beheve it is established, upon the best 



