360 THE IIOKSE. 



against speed. Considering all things, the weight they carried, 

 and the fact that none of them were above third or fourth-rate 

 horses, the average is creditable, and looks little like degeneracy. 



If third and fourth-rates can average 8m. 30s., with 154 lbs. 

 on their backs, what would lirst-rates, such as Plenipotentiary, 

 HarkaAvay, Euphrates, Yenison, Catherina, Beeswing, Alice 

 Hawthorn, Surplice, Flying Dutchman, and such cracks, have 

 done with 99 lbs., the weight they would have carried, on the 

 ITorthern courses, at their ages ? Something, to reason only by 

 the fairest analogy, not very easy to be beaten, as a child might 

 answer. One, Skirmisher, he rode three heats, making bad time 

 enough, averaging only 9m. 3s., but it should be observed, that 

 he was the last horse ridden when the match was won, and 

 the rider, beside that he had no occasion to hurry, in all proba- 

 bility pretty well tired. 



The hero of the day, however, was Tranby, by Blacklock, 

 who performed four heats, in the following gallant style: — 

 First, 8.10 ; second, 8 ; third, 8.19 ; fourth, 8.50. Total of six- 

 teen miles, under 154 lbs., 33.19 ; which was, and justly was, 

 considered prodigious proof of bottom and courage. 



Tranby was subsequently imported to America, solely on 

 account of his performance in this very match, as being consid- 

 ered precisely the horse to get four-milers. He proved, how- 

 ever, a source of disappointment, for few of his stock did any 

 thing of consequence, and none proved superior. The same 

 thing has occurred with other celebrated horses, as has been 

 instanced befoi-e, in the cases of Catton in England, and Chateau 

 Margaux in this country, neither of which produced descend- 

 ants worthy of their great renown. Chateau, however, had 

 served two hundred mares in a single season, before his impor- 

 tation, and I doubt not that his vigor was affected by this ille- 

 gitimate excess. 



We will now view this subject in another light, which, I 

 think, confutes yet more conclusively the idea alluded to above, 

 and which " Cecil," from whom I quote the following, puts with 

 great plausibility and force. He is writing of the year 1852 : — 



" According to the racing Calendar, and other periodicals, 

 there are one hundred and seven stallions. Some of these 

 ought not to be used in the stud, because they are possessed of 



