THE HORSE. 297 



this gentleman's maxims. But, however plausible 

 his theory may be, there is one irreparable defect 

 in it, that of practical experience. The groundwork 

 of his theory is, the union of a large mare w T ith a 

 small horse. Now our unequalled and unquestion- 

 able improvements have not originated in any such 

 practice. A large, roomy mare, indeed, is usually a 

 prize in the stud, but we generally choose to match 

 her with a still larger horse. On the racing stud, 

 and on training the racer, I would warmly and ear- 

 nestly recommend Mr. DarvilPs book, published by 

 Ridgeway. Never before was such a book written in 

 any language, so replete with those minute but indis- 

 pensable particulars of practice, without a thorough 

 skill in which, no groom, or trainer, can be complete 

 in his business, and by a writer who has person- 

 ally performed his part throughout the whole of the 

 practice. This is the true book of reference for every 

 stud and training groom, and every jockey. The 

 ancient trainers kept their nags going to some tune, 

 if by breathings we are to understand sweats. Mark- 

 ham, in his Cavalarice, says they took their racers 

 out twice a day to exercise, and breathed them twice 

 a week. But, perhaps, by their breathings we are to 

 understand only brushing gallops. 



According to report on the Turf, the prices of our 

 highest reputed racers have varied between two and 

 four thousand guineas, which last sum was the price 

 given for the Colonel and Mameluke. Zinganee was 

 originally sold for three thousand guineas, but on 

 the morning of the race, previously to his beating- 

 Mameluke, the Colonel, and Cadland, for the gold 



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