332 THE HORSE. 



freely taken, however, by the gentlemen from Red Eiver, where 

 Lecomte was raised; and with many of them confidence in 

 their favorite stood so high that they put out all the money they 

 had brought to town on equal terms. They reasoned, that if 

 Lexington could perform a fom--mile heat in 7.19f , there was no 

 reason why Lecomte could not also do it, if required ; for the 

 contest now stood equal between them, and it must not be for- 

 gotten that in Lecomte's victory in 7.26 he had trailed Lexing- 

 ton, and then turned out and passed ahead of him. It was, 

 moreover, said, on their side, that the 7.19f was not as good as 

 the 7.26 of Lecomte, for that by running alone and choosing 

 the close side of the track, Lexington saved nearly two sec- 

 onds of distance in each mile, and likewise had the advantage 

 of a long start, and of receiving the word " go " at full speed, 

 instead of beginning "from the jump," as in match fashion. 

 Hope told a flattering tale. 



On the strength of these calculations there was considerable 

 betting on time, but with none did I hear it set at less than 7.26 ; 

 while many believed — though I heard no bet to that effect — that 

 the heat would be achieved as low down as 7.15 or 16. I do 

 not know that any thing can furnish a better idea of the revolu- 

 tion made in racing time by Lecomte ,and Lexington than this 

 state of expectation shows. What would liave been thought, 

 two years ago, of the declaration, that in a little while we 

 should see a four-mile race, in which the highest mark on time 

 would be 7.26 ? 



Tliere is something iu this matter of increase of speed that 

 is worthy of reflection and philosophy. We find continual ad- 

 vancement, and what is most remarkable, exploit begets exploit, 

 as if knowledge and emulation touched new powers which had 

 never been electrified before. Whence does the spark proceed 

 that awakes these energies, but from the mind of man, impart- 

 ing itself by some strange process to the mind and body of his 

 horse as he does to the corporeal faculties in possession of him- 

 self* Trotting time stood for years at 2.32, then 2.30, and then 

 2.28, At length Beppo and Lady Suffolk made a dead heat 

 under saddle on the Beacon Course in 2.26, straightway 2.26 was 

 repeated by several other horses ; by-and-by it was reduced 

 still lower, and at length 2.28 was banished to mile heats in 



