26 ON THE STABLES, ETC. 



advise the front of stables, generally, to be placed 

 as above mentioned. 



I do not pretend to any knowledge of architecture as 

 a science ; nor am I but little acquainted with its tech- 

 nical terms : I have, nevertheless, ventured to sketch a 

 plan and ele^ation of what appears to me, a proper 

 building for a large training establishment for race- 

 horses. Bred up, as I have already said, from an early 

 period of life, in the stables, and having for many years 

 since that period, enjoyed opportunities of observing 

 and comparing the advantages and defects of several of 

 these establishments, I may venture to consider myself 

 acquainted with their minute details ; while I trust that 

 the advantages that I have since derived from my 

 practice as a veterinary surgeon, and the opportunities 

 afforded me, of studying the treatment of horses, in 

 disease as well as in health, in the various situations and 

 trying circumstances of a military life, will enable me 

 to appreciate better than I could otherwise have done, 

 the value of my early experience ; and to form more 

 correct and decided opinions, as to the propriety and 

 impropriety of many of the practices in the management 

 of race-horses, which custom or experience may have 

 introduced. I must bespeak the patience of my readers, 

 in following me into details on this part of my subject, 

 which may to some appear unnecessarily minute, and 

 to others unimportant or trifling ; but those who are 

 aware how delicate and high-bred a creature we have to 

 deal with, in the training of a race-horse, and how 

 much the circumstances of air and temperature, and 



