FACTS ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN. 93 



length, bearing in mind what is fast time for each 

 four trials. A 



We now try him four lengths with 8 St., to see 

 what weight does four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 9st. four trials. 



By these twelve trials we have got some insight into 

 his speed at different distances under different weights ; 

 but our work is only half done yet, for these trials 

 have been all run in one way namely, at best pace 

 from end to end, and this may by no means suit the 

 horse, or rather colt : so, though we may have found 

 out what he does best, running in this way, we know 

 but little of him as yet ; for if he has done any or all 

 of these trials badly, we may have upset him by con- 

 tinued pace, and he may be a race-horse still, and a 

 good one, in races run in a different manner : and if 

 he has, on the other hand, done any or all well, he 

 may still in another way do better. 



To ascertain this, we must now select a trial-horse 

 whose qualities we precisely know, and who we also 

 know will run kind ; and we must go all over our 

 ground again, beginning at a mile with 7st., and 

 making the pace such as to try the colt's speed, 

 courage, and temper in finishing four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 8st. four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 9st. four trials. 



We have therefore had twenty-four trials before we 

 can ascertain how to best place and run a horse a 

 very pretty dose this, and a pretty animal our nag 

 would come out after such an ordeal a good two 

 years' work, and enough too ! And yet we could not 

 get at what is a horse's best with less trial than I have 

 supposed as a case. I trust, therefore, it shows I am 

 not far astray in venturing an opinion, that many 



