PTJBCHASING HORSES. 187 



effect ' that you have been shown steeple-chase horses 

 that struck you as not indicatmg by their appearance 

 the capability of carrying the weight allotted them.' 

 Your remark was perfectly well founded : many do 

 not appear so qualified ; and it is astonishing how 

 some slight horses will and do carry twelve stone (a 

 tolerable steadier, we must admit, for anything like 

 racing) : but remember, when we judge of a horse's 

 powers as to carrying weight, we usually allude to 

 what he is likely to be master of for a day's hunt- 

 ing, not what game, high breeding, and resolution 

 may enable him to live under for a quarter of an 

 hour. Extra exertion will enable many a highly- 

 bred horse to go, and jump, with such a weight on 

 him, for the time a steeple-chase lasts, who would be 

 tired to death after sustaining the same weight for 

 two hours together, though not called on for the 

 same exertion a race involves. While the powers are 

 fresh, elasticity, and the capability of (to use a new- 

 word) superequine exertions, will last ; but so soon 

 as such freshness is passed, horse or man are pros- 

 trate. Men, in exhibiting feats of strength, will 



