140 HO BSE POKTBAITUKE. 



which for a long while looked so hopeless, he told me 

 that several times he was on the point of "hollering 

 enough," and if the crowd had been equally divided in 

 their expression of sympathy, he would have done so, but 

 he was not going to gratify them, and every time they 

 shouted to Barney, a new courage would revive, his failing 

 strength would return, and he would determine to die 

 rather than yield. This is the spirit to ensure success in 

 the handling of colts. I have already signified my ardor 

 of temperament for them, provided they have some good 

 blood in their veins ; the only thing to rely on when it 

 conies to the struggle, like that of the fight at the 

 quarter race. The often quoted stanzas from Shakespeare, 

 " Touchstone " says, delighted Jno. Scott, the great Eng- 

 lish trainer, so much, that he had a copy framed, glazed, 

 and hung up in the room for the boys to commit to 

 memory, and declared, that with such a horse as there 

 described, he could win every Derby and St. Leger. The 

 picture shows that at that early day the thoroughbreds 

 had their prototype in old England before Arabs or Royal 

 mares were introduced. 



"Round-hoofed, short-jointed, fetlocks shag and long; 



Broad breast, full eyes, small head, and nostril wide ; 

 High crest, short ears, straight legs and passing strong : 



Thin mane, thick tail, broad buttocks, tender hide, 

 Look, what a horse should have, he did not lack, 

 Save a proud rider on so proud a back." 



Nearly three centuries ago this was written, and it would 

 be remarkable indeed if the immortal poet had drawn on 

 his fancy for this perfect description of a blood horse, or 

 could so faithfully have described one without an intimate 

 acquaintance with his points and capabilities. It is claimed 

 that on the poet's advent in London, the only means he 

 had of gaining a livelihood was holding horses at the door 

 of the theatre. This would give him ample opportunity 



