182 PRECEPT AND PRACTICE. 



Steeple chases were then intended for fine horses, 

 and the amusement and encouragement of men who 

 owned such. But this did not suit certain cliques, 

 who were determined to have a finger in the pie that 

 was made for other and better uses. The weights 

 were lowered ; this let in a vast number of horses 

 not hunters, but thorough-breds, who would not, 

 perhaps, pay for training as race-horses, but, being 

 practised at jumping, took their places as steeple- 

 racers. This was all very well at first — it produced 

 what was called sport, that is, it let in a number of 

 all-but-worthless animals to contend for the prize 

 originally intended for fine horses ; but it has not 

 stopped here. There might be some justice in letting 

 in a good horse, not, perhaps, up to twelve stone, 

 but who would make a very good fight of it with 

 eleven. But even this would not do. So now some 

 weedy wretch is handicapped with nine stone, and 

 possibly wins a stake ten, fifteen, or sometimes 

 twenty times the value of the animal, against a horse 

 that would not be sold for the amount of the * take 

 up.' It is true the owner risks the amount of the 



