THE WORKING AND BENEFIT OF MY PLAN. 271 



questions as to the age, name, or pedigree of the horses, as 

 this information zuill be found in detail set forth on this 

 card against the number coinrsponding zvith the number of 

 the stall or box in ivhich the animal referred to stands. 



Questions, of course, may be inadvertently asked, but 

 may safely and simply be answered by referring the inquirer 

 to the number on the card, where he will find all he wants to 

 know. Before the company separates, the cards are given up, 

 and kept in a place of safety until again needed. Of course, 

 from time to time the cards require to be replaced by fresh 

 ones, or alterations made in them by omissions or additions. 



By this method your visitors can with as equal facility com- 

 ment upon or ask questions concerning the horses by number, 

 as they could by name. " I like No. i ; " " No, 10 is too 

 big : " or " No. 20 is too light," are remarks as easily made 

 as " I like Tom Thumb ;" " TJie Giant is too big ; " or " The 

 Divarf is too little." And whilst conversation would be just 

 as pleasant as it is under the present system, the boys would 

 learn nothing, or at least nothing worth transmission. They 

 might tell the touts that No. i was in physic. No. 10 was lame, 

 or No. 20 vv^as well ; but as neither they nor their tempters 

 would have the slightest idea as to whether No. i was The 

 Giant, The Dzvarf or Tom Thumb, their lips might as well 

 be sealed ; there would be no cash forthcoming for information 

 so useless, and the tout's occupation would be gone. 



Of course I admit that this plan would not be practicable 

 with old horses (though it would' be an undoubted success with 

 yearlings and two-year-olds, or indeed with horses of any age 

 that had not run) for they of course would be known, and 

 secrecy would not be possible. But look at the immense 

 advantage of having the first run of the market your- 

 self, if only for a single race — the Middle Park Plate, Derby, 



