138 THE HOUSE. 



" The weight to be carried is 150 lbs. for the saddle, and a 

 feather for harness. 



" Horses to be entered the day previous at John E. Snede- 

 cor's, at 4 o'clock, p. m." 



To which the editor adds the following exhortation ; — "Why 

 are not clubs like the above formed in this vicinity ? It would' 

 afford an excellent test for the speed and value of harness 

 horses, as the turf does for the race-horse. Who will set it 

 a-going? " 



It*is curious to read such words, dated only thirty years ago, 

 and to look at the changes which have ensued within so short a 

 space. Then trotting-horses were scarce in existence, and but 

 one course in the Union, while race-horses and racing were as 

 common as flowers in May. ISTow, a fast trotter is in every third 

 wagon you meet on the road, trotting courses meeting you at 

 every corner, while racing, and all that j)ertains to it, except 

 in a few Southern States, of which long may it continue the 

 boast and glory, has every where fallen into abeyance among 

 us, and seems to hang 



" Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail 

 In monumental mockery." 



The next we learn from the Neio YorJc Gazette^ May 16, 

 1826, that, "The trotting purse of $200 was contested for yes- 

 terday by Screws, Screwdriver and Betsey Baker. It was won 

 in handsome style by Screwdriver in two heats. The first two 

 miles in 5m. 36s. 



" The second two miles in 5m. 38s. 



" $100 in money and $100 in silver plate were delivered by 

 the Vice-president with an appropriate speech. The owners 

 and friends of the winning horse gave a splendid dinner and 

 champagne at Snedecor's tavern, where the foUoAving horses 

 were entered for this day's purse. 



" Two-ttiile heats in harness. Entries — ^Tom Thumb, by 

 Garvey Q. Brown ; Screws, by Blank ; Jersey Kate, by 

 McGuire. Great sport is expected." 



I find no record of the farther notice of this meeting, nor of 

 the year, until the Autumn meeting on the Union Course, L. I., 

 October 3, 1826. 



