PREFACE. 



The writer of this little volume deems it only fair to 

 forewarn his readers that he is not, and never has been, 

 an inhabitant of that variegated region in creation com- 

 monly called " the sporting world." 



He has never bred, raced, steeple-chased, nor betted 

 sixpence on any colt, filly, horse, or mare. He has never 

 seen, nor been seen by, the Jockey-Club. He has never 

 been on the turf. He does not belong to " the ring." 



Nevertheless, sometimes in the performance of public 

 duties, — sometimes from private inclination, — sometimes 

 for the benefit of his health, — sometimes for recreation, 

 — sometimes for rumination, — sometimes to risk his life, 

 — and more than once to save it, he has, throughout a 

 long and chequered career, had to do an amount of rough- 

 riding, a little larger than has fallen to the lot of many 

 men. 



His observations and reflections on horses and horsemen 

 he now ventures to submit to that portion only of the 

 community who, like himself, preferring a long tether 

 to a short one, take exercise on four legs, instead of 

 on two. 



A 2 



