HORSES 17 



I cannot say that any one has need to complain of 

 this enthusiasm on the part of the British public, 

 but rather to feel the greatest satisfaction that so 

 healthful a diversion should exist, to stimulate the 

 better side of people's natures. Wherever men are 

 wont to congregate, there are sure to be some 

 amongst them imbued with a natural insfmct for 

 sport, and it will not be long before the congenial 

 topic of horses and horse lore finds vent to engross 

 attention. 



The subject of horses is very naturally provoca- 

 tive of contention, and equally so when it has ref- 

 erence to the qualities and merits of the thorough- 

 bred. 



On the subject of pedigree it is. marvellous the 

 wealth of information some men possess, and the 

 facility with which they dive into the labyrinths 

 of descent and the many knotty points that are 

 present touching the perpetuation of strain. 



To be well versed in pedigree was regarded a 

 generation or so ago as one of the highest accom- 

 plishments a man recognized as a sportsman could 

 possess. The same sentiment, indeed, prevails even 

 now amongst many who delight to adhere to the 

 precepts of the old school, and therefore it will be 

 a period of humiliation for those who come after 

 should they allow the siMrit that guides it to decay 

 and die out. 



