THE SIRE. 131 



blood has not occurred, and only vulgar mares can be 

 obtained, I do not hesitate to advise the importation of 

 mares from running-families for dams. This plan will 

 improve the stock immeasurably ; and, after two or three 

 generations of judicious crossing, the trotting-gait will 

 appear in the colts, and the breeder will thus ultimately 

 reap his reward. But, where well-bred trotting-marcs 

 can be found, give these the preference over mares of 

 runmng-Siction alone, if your object is to breed trotters. 

 Some breeders, I know, are possessed with the idea that 

 one must resort to the thorough-bred running-family in 

 order to find that symmetrical structure and beautiful 

 appearance which all lovers of the horse delight to see. 

 With this ambition to breed beautiful horses I most 

 heartily sympathize. No degree of speed can atone in 

 my eye for the lack of beauty. Beauty and speed must 

 co-exist, if possible, in every colt bred in my stables. 

 Many, I know, are indifferent to this, and care little how 

 a horse looks, if he can only go. This I hold to be 

 against the course of nature, which ever seeks to pro- 

 duce the perfect ; and no horse that is ugly to the eye 

 can be called perfect. Away, then, I say, with your 

 heavy-limbed, ragged-hipped, long-haired, big-eared, 

 bucket-headed horses! I wouldn't drive one a rod if 

 he would trot a mile in a minute. I like the exhilara- 

 tion of rapid movement, the excitement of the rush, 

 and the royal joy of passing ; but the animal that gives 

 all this to me must please the eye. But those who 

 suppose that the thorough-bred running-horse is neces- 



