xii This Book and Balie Peyton 



those expectations which we feel on being ushered for 

 the first time into the presence of the great of those 

 of whom we have read and heard. But the first impres- 

 sion was a pleasing relief from all such fearful forebod- 

 ings. Priam is a rare instance of a great name bearing 

 acquaintance without losing * the enchantment which dis- 

 tance lends.' How few great men there are of whom this 

 can be said! No judge of form who saw him would wish 

 to go to books and racing calendars to learn his superior- 

 ity as a race horse. There it is before you a plain case 

 written in old English characters too legibly to be mis- 

 understood." After discussing at length the many points 

 of merit in the horse Peyton closed his communication 

 thus: "In fine I can say that taking him all in all I have 

 never looked upon his like before and never may again, 

 unless he is destined to leave a son who will 



' Rise the Hector of the future age, 



So, when triumphant from successful toils, 



Of heroes slain, he bears the reeking spoils, 



Whole hosts may hail him with deserved acclaim, 



And say this chief transcends his father's name.' 



"This fellow I mean to rear myself, and to silence all 

 dispute I claim the name in advance: Hector b.c., got by 



Priam, out of ; raised by yours, 



"P.ofT." 



This resolution Peyton did not forget three years later 

 when he named his entries in the Peyton Stake. 



After leaving Congress in 1837, Peyton was absent 

 from Tennessee, except on occasional visits, until 1859. 

 During all that time he kept up his thoroughbred busi- 

 ness, under the management of his brothers, Holmes and 

 "Ran"; after they died, his son, Balie, assisted by Judge 

 Thomas Barry, looked after the horses. 



