386 HOKSE PORTRAITURE. 



There is nothing like an actual race in training trotters. 

 Exercise, as we give it daily, is a necessary probationary 

 stage ; but the teachings of one race are oftentimes 

 worth more than a month's training, and the condition 

 benefited in the same proportion. It will not be long, 

 now, before we will put them to this practical test ; and as 

 the trotting-meeting advertised will take place in a month, 

 we must have some of them ready to win, if they can. 

 Now for your report of this grey fellow, who is looking 

 rather coarse compared with the rest. 



PUPIL. His work has, so far, been slow only. I have 

 been softening him for a sweat, which I intended to give 

 in a day or two. His legs, you see, are still improving, 

 and none of the colts feel better than he does now. I 

 have jogged him from four to six miles a day, and he has 

 only walked half the time the others did. He appears to 

 wonder that he is never called on to go fast when on the 

 track, and, at first, would become excited whenever he 

 was turned around on it. I think he is beginning to 

 have a more favorable opinion of the graded oval, and the 

 kind treatment proves a specific for him, as well as for 

 Jane. 



PEECEPTOB. With the great amount of speed I have 

 heard he possesses, it well be worth all our care to in- 

 duce him to forget his former ill usage. A gentleman, 

 who knew him when a colt, informs me that he was 

 superior to Jno. Morgan in that point, which is recom- 

 mendation enough to those who knew the chestnut in his 

 palmy days. He is progressing as favorably as we can 

 look for, though I still fear the effects of fast work on his 

 legs, and I am inclined to think the firing iron and a 

 winter's run will be necessary, before we can depend on 

 their standing. The young ones I will see you drive after 

 dinner. I must own that another moiety of your friend's 

 sherry will be very acceptable, and you must be aware 



