OWNERS AND THEIR FRIENDS. 187 



The same thing often occurs through the thoughtless 

 exposure of letters. They are left lying about, and the best 

 arranged schemes are defeated through the advantage the 

 unscrupulous will take of the habit. To prevent such a thing 

 letters should be carefully locked in some place of safety, 

 if not destroyed as soon as read ; or better still, whenever 

 possible, really important business between owner and trainer 

 should be transacted verbally — a plan I certainly recommend 

 to all who would not have their schemes nipped in the bud, as 

 unfortunately too many are nowadays. Sufficient attention is 

 not, as a rule, paid to little matters, the neglect of which not 

 only causes disaster, but brings censure on innocent persons. 



But if this source of disappointment be mostly attributable 

 to the action of the novice on the turf, to the older and ex- 

 perienced sportsman some share of blame attaches in other 

 things. Polonius tells us : 



" It seems it is as proper to our age 

 To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions, 

 As it is common for the younger sort 

 To lack discretion." 



If it be true that his wisdom is the wisdom of old age, what 

 he would teach us here finds confirmation in racing matters. 

 For we see, from some cause or other, that the most eminent 

 men on the turf, full of experience and practical knowledge 

 in all matters relating to turf lore, are patently not the most 

 successful. 



In exceUing wisdom, among turfites, I should think stood 

 foremost the late Admiral Rous and Mr. C. C. Greville, a 

 gentleman of unbounded experience, honour, and ability. 

 Yet w^e find these astute judges not reaping the advantages 

 of their talent and position so fully as one would expect. 



Though the Admiral never kept a large string of his own. 



