l88 ON RUNNING HORSES 



a three-part bred hack, and fince Ouibbler wa5 

 but a middling racer. If I may be allowed to 

 judge, a priori, I ihould* fuppofe a good racer 

 would carry eight (lone more than twenty-fix 

 miles in one hour. 



I have heard many people pretend they 

 were unable to comprehend the ufual difcri- 

 mination between fpeed and flout'nefs in horfes ; 

 aflferting, that as every race muft finally be won 

 by fpeed, the winner mud needs be the fpeed- 

 ieft horfe. But I can fee no difficulty in con- 

 ceiving, that from the peculiar flrufture and 

 form of the parts, or quahty of the fibres, the 

 fpeed of one horfe may be momentary and un- 

 certain, but ready ; that of another, durable, but 

 gradual. What more can be defired in the 

 cafe than pofitive proof, that the beaten horfe 

 could run a certain (liort diftance, in lefs time, 

 than the winner could' perform the fame, at any 

 early period of the race. It is thus impartial 

 nature a6is in the diftribution of her gifts and 

 qualifications amongft her children. The horfe, 

 to which has been imparted extraordinary 

 .promptnefs and facility of exertion, is feldom 

 endowed with proportional powers of continu- 

 ance ; and to borrow an analogy from human 

 nature, where we find rapid conception, a pro- 

 fufion of images, and a dazzling eloquence, we 

 are feldom to expeft a profound and folid judg- 

 ment; fuch men are deffined rather to delight 

 ' - than 



