WHOLESOME ADVICE. 349 



give any opinion on the subject, his answer, if 

 honestly given, must be what would appear evasive, 

 ambiguous, and Jesuitical ; for if he were to attempt 

 to give a plain, short, and unequivocal answer, all he 

 could say would be (as a general rule) " Give him 

 plenty of the best to eat, plenty to do, and physic 

 when he wants it." This would be really a very 

 good rule to give a master to treat his servants by, 

 and is one by which if all servants were treated, it 

 would be beneficial both to them and their masters ; 

 but I conceive it does not quite amount to all the 

 information necessary to qualify a man to train race- 

 horses. 



A London man of fashion as indolent as some 

 men of fashion are, and a bit of a gourmand into the 

 bargain had got into bad health, and somewhat 

 hypochondriacal as a natural consequence. A tenant 

 of his, a large farmer and fox-hunter to boot, called 

 on this victim of ennui. The healthful look and 

 buoyant spirits of the countryman formed a striking 

 contrast to the ennuye and blase tout ensemble of the 

 votary of fashion. 



"By heavens," said the latter, " I would give five 

 thousand to have your health and spirits." 



"Would ye?'* replied the farmer; "I'll tell you 

 how to do't cheaper nor that earn three shillings a 

 day, and live on't. " 



We will suppose any one unversed in training 

 affairs (for none other would put so vague a question 

 to a trainer) to ask what time he should consider 

 necessary to bring a horse out fit to run. We will 

 further suppose the trainer quite disposed to give a 

 definite reply, if possible. Still the thing is im- 

 possible. But to give the best answer he could, or, 



