Harry Bassett and Longfellow 339 



flesh through these long years, and, as he was 

 of a reflective cast of mind, necessarily profited 

 by the advantages of extended observation. 

 Longfellow was a great favorite with Mr. Harper. 

 When a conqueror of Harry Bassett was sought 

 for by those who believed he was overrated as 

 a horse of courage, all eyes naturally turned to 

 Kentucky, to Longfellow, as the only horse 

 within the limits of the Union to successfully 

 perform the task. 



Gentlemen visiting the East during the year 

 1 87 1 had seen Nellie Gray, Nellie Ransom, 

 Stockwood, Monarchist, Alroy, Mary Clark, 

 Helmbold, Wanderer, Elsie, Mary Louise, and 

 other acknowledged good ones go down before 

 the terrible stride of the Eastern crack. At 

 these repeated results they were both disappointed 

 and chagrined. It is known to all habitues of 

 the race-course that 



" Hope springs eternal in tlie human breast " 



to conquer any courser who may become the 

 chief of chieftains in his day. 



When gentlemen from the South gave it as 

 their opinion that Longfellow could beat Bassett, 

 Eastern turfmen laughed at the idea, and offered 



