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not exceed four minutes, and it must be apparent to any candid 

 mind that some change in this department is urgently called for, 

 and we Avould suggest that the horses be arranged in classes — 

 two or more — and that appropriate committees be appointed to 

 take the respective classes in charge. The necessity for this 

 change becomes still more urgent on account of the deep and 

 growing interest the public feel in the subject of the horse. It 

 stimulates owners and breeders to improve their stock, and this is 

 done in many cases at great sacrifice of time and money. And 

 it becomes a Patron Society to look well to its duties, that there 

 may not be found any want of temporary aid to foster and encour- 

 age, or neglect to stifle, so important on object of progressive im- 

 provement. That four minutes is a reasonable time for the exam- 

 ination of any description of horse that is oifered for a premium, 

 is not apparent ; and much less does it suffice for a proper analy- 

 sis of a fine young Arabian, whose capability to learn capacitates 

 him, at four months old, to take a cup of coftee with his master in 

 his parlor, and perform many other feats Avhich speak his early 

 sagacity and intelligence. 



It is further suggested, that the Society offer suitable premi- 

 ums for Female Equestrianism. It is apparent to your Commit- 

 tee, that the public interest felt in horses, is not confined to man, 

 but the women of our community are also deeply interested in the 

 subject ; and they should be allowed to share in the enjoyment 

 derived therefrom. A woman talks with and pets every animal ; 

 she studies the disposition and habits, soothes by kindness, and 

 wins to the right by persevering and aifectionate importunity : 

 and no doubt much of the improvement in the discipline of horses 

 is attributable to female influence, directly or indirectly ; and to 

 deny her the privilege and pleasure of equestrian pastimes, is 

 withholding from her a right which legitimately belongs to her. 



Another suggestion is, that the pubhc require additional sources 

 of amusement. It is a nice point to gauge the public taste and 

 wants, and to so graduate the scale that neither excess or defi- 

 ciency shall preponderate to waste the vital force, to restore which 

 a proportionate reaction comes sooner or later. But it does to- 

 day seem that New England needs to be amused, — requires some 

 healthy excitement to divert that over assiduous toil practised by 

 the working classes ; and it appears to us that in adopting such of 

 the suggestions above as may appear reasonable, that objects of 

 vast importance may be secured to our Society and the people at 

 large, and afford us all a large amount of innocent enjoyment at a 

 small sacrifice of time and money. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



For the Committee, S. ATWOOD. 



