446 HOUSE PORTRAITURE. 



turned over, but allowed to extend upwards as far as is 

 required. This does not need to be fastened more than 

 firmly enough, so that it will not slip over the knee, for if 

 it turns on the leg, the protection is still the same. That 

 some of the very fastest trotters are " booted all over," is 

 not a proof that wearing boots is beneficial, as it may be 

 safely laid down that anything unnecessary is an injury. 



This postponement of the race, while it has favored us 

 by giving us plenty of time to attend to Never Mind, I am 

 afraid will result in a longer delay than we will like. See 

 how quickly the sky is becoming overcast, and the distant 

 thunder and the flashes of lightning are premonitory 

 symptoms that the storm is near at hand. 



This long, hot, " dry spell of weather " has culminated, 

 and I will venture the prophecy that we will have a lapse 

 of several days before the " day and track " are both good. 

 We can tell better, however, before bed-time, when the 

 Falcon can either be prepared for to-morrow's race, or 

 the muzzle removed, and he be allowed his usual quantity 

 of fodder. 



