88 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER, 



fast, until, on coming to a portion of the road bounded 

 by grass, although their poor horses have had an over- 

 dose of both excitement and of heavy ground, they touch 

 them with their spurs, to re-enjoy, for a short distance, 

 a hand-gallop. 



In short, travelling at what may either be described 

 as " every pace," or " no pace at all," they unnecessarily 

 excite and fatigue their horses ; and yet, after all, though 

 undoubtedly "fast men," they are often considerably 

 more than an hour longer in getting home than if they 

 had proceeded at a slow, quiet, steady, but unceasing 

 rate. 



On reaching this goal the poor horse who, from eight 

 o'clock in the morning, has been working on an empty 

 stomach, is led by his bridle to his stable. The rich 

 man prepares himself for his dinner. Since he break- 

 fasted, at a quarter before nine in the morning, he has, at 

 a low average, enjoyed the slight intoxication of very 

 nearly a cigar per hour, besides certain refreshments 

 which he brought out with him, and the few crumbs of 

 comfort at the hotel at which he stopped to give " gruel " 

 to his horse. 



Nevertheless, on the principle that " by-gones are 

 by-gones," after his ablutions, exactly as if he had been 

 fasting, he sits down to a capital meal, joyous conversa- 

 tion, luscious wine. In due time he "joins the ladies," 



