•so ^THE HORSE. 



The horse is as susceptible of pleasure and pain as ourselves. He was 

 committed to us for our protection and our use ; he is a willing, devoted 

 servant. Whence did we derive the right to abuse him ? Interest speaks 

 the same language. Many a race has been lost by the infliction of wanton 

 cruelty *. 



THE HUNTER. 



There are few agriculturists who have not a little liking for the sports of 

 the field, and who do not fancy rich music in the cry of the hounds. To 

 what extent it may be prudent for them to indulge in these sports circum- 

 stances must decide, and they deserve the most serious consideration. 

 Few can, or, if they could, ought to keep a hunter. There are tempta- 

 tions to expense in the field, and to expense after the chase, which it 

 may be difficult to withstand. The hunter, however, or the hunting horse, 



* One of the severest plate-races on record, was run at Carslile, in 1761, and in wliich 

 there were no fewer than six heats, and two of them were dead heats, each of which was 

 contested by the winner of the plate. 



In 1763 at Salisbury, and over a four-mile course, there were four heats between two 

 horses, the Duke of Grafton's Havannah and Mr. Wildmau's Pam. 



The following table of the abbreviations used in designating the different courses at 

 Newmarket, and the length of these courses, may not be unacceptable. 



A Distance is the length of two hundred and forty yards from the winning post. In the 

 gallery of the winning post, and in a little gallery at the distance post, are placed two men 

 holding crimson flags. As soon as the first horse has passed the winning post, the man 



