114 THE HUNTING-FIELD. 



sport likely to keep up a superior breed of liorses, 

 let us adhere to principles and regulations that 

 will do so, and I am quite sure letting in a lot of 

 weedy thorough-breds^ at very light weights^ will 

 not effect the purpose. Let all great stakes he at 

 fair hunting weight ; but of what earthly use is a 

 spindling animal that can only carry nine stone 

 with great exertion for twelve or fourteen minutes ? 

 Yet such are now let in with racing weight on 

 them, that at eleven stone seven or twelve stone 

 would have no more chance with such horses as 

 Clinker, Vivian, Paulina, the Nun, Old Cigar, 

 Grimaldi, Moonraker, and others, than if they 

 ran the ^ ditch in ' against the Flying Dutcliman. 

 But to return to your stud. 



^' It seems that, with all your purchases in- 

 tended for hunters, making (inluding the Windsor 

 Park horse) six, you really have but one that you 

 can with confidence rely upon as a hunter to carry 

 you : as for the rest, — 



"You little thought, when first you drew 

 A check on Earquharson and Co., 

 That Lancer Captain ere should boast 

 ' A sell ' at your especial cost : 

 ' Woe worth the time, woe worth the day,' 

 You lost upon your gaudy grey. 

 Nor shone your star of luck more bright 

 When erst you gave a draft at sight 

 For yonder hasty long-legged brown, 

 ISTo doubt on whom from ' Eolleston' 



