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decision, unknown and utterly ignored in that leaping 

 and bounding motion, where one end follows the other, 

 as is the case with the running horse of the English turf. 

 He must be solid in his foot, strong in his limb, firm in 

 his back, free and easy in his stride; and, above all things, 

 calm and collected amidst all those trials of the track and 

 the road which tend to throw him off his balance and re- 

 duce him to the level of the deer and the fox, and the 

 greyhound and the English race-horse — moving helter- 

 skelter in a natural manner, without the exercise of any 

 faculties except those with which nature endows the cow- 

 ard, when he flies from danger or conflict. The Ameri- 

 can trotter requires bones and muscles and brains, and 

 when he stands high in the list he has them all. For com- 

 pactness of form and ease of action, for strength, endur- 

 ance, and sagacity, he is unequaled. The beautiful de- 

 scription which Virgil gives of a good steed in his day, is 

 just as true in our own: 



" Choose with like care the courser's generous breed, 

 And from his birth, prepare the parent steed ; 

 His color mark, select the glossy bay, 

 And to the white or dun, prefer the gray. 

 As yet a colt he stalks with lofty pace, 

 And balances his limbs with flexile grace : 

 First leads the way, the threatening torrent braves, 

 And dares the unknown arch that spans the waves, 

 Light on his airy crest his slender head — 

 His body short, his loins luxuriant spread ; 

 Muscle on muscle knots his brawny breast, 

 No fear alarms him, nor vain shouts molest ; 

 O'er his right shoulder floating full and fair, 

 Sweeps his thick mane, and spreads its pomp of hair 

 Swift works his double spine, and earth around 

 Rings to his solid hoof that wears the ground." 



