THE HORSE. 267 



not so in the stud, where the natural Arabs prove 

 superior ; probably from the debilitating effect of a 

 tropical climate upon the constitutions of northern 

 horses. 



SECTION XL. 



The terms applicable to blood horses, have been al- 

 ready explained. The racer's maximum of speed has 

 been determined conventionally, to be equal to gallop- 

 ins; over a mile of ground in one minute of time. This 

 indeed has never been actually proved, yet is not 

 only probable, but on calculation, comparatively cer- 

 tain. No horse, great however his powers, can run 

 the whole distance of a mile, at the very summit of 

 his speed, he must have some bursts superior to the 

 average. These bursts determine at least, that his 

 abstract speed is equal to the stated rate, since the 

 mile has been run at Newmarket, according to an 

 accurate timing with the stop watch, in one minute 

 four and a half seconds. This was performed, many 

 years since, by Firetail, beating Pumpkin. As the 

 superior speed of Flying Childers and Eclipse remain 

 unquestionable, no doubt it should then seem, need be 

 entertained of the ability of those paragons to run the 

 mile in a minute of time, had the task been imposed 

 upon them. In 1755, Matchem, beating Trajan at 

 Newmarket, ran the B. C. with eight stone seven 

 pounds, in seven minutes, twenty seconds. Flying 

 Childers, with nine stone two pounds, ran over the 

 R. C. at Newmarket, in six minutes forty seconds. 

 The Beacon Course, in length, is four miles, one 



