THE HORSE AND THE HOUND SHO\y. 149 



be many more siicli. We would, indeed, go so far as to 

 directly siig-gest to the Master of the Horse that one of 

 the most popular steps the Government could take would 

 be the annual offer of a Royal Plate of 100 guineas for 

 the best thorough-bred stallion calculated to get sound 

 and stout stock. Such countenance would tend to do a 

 vast deal of good, and gradually to put the right stamp 

 of merit on the right sort of horses. It would not be the 

 winner only which would be served by such an exhibition, 

 while the great question would be, into whose hands the 

 conduct of the business should be entrusted? If the 

 Jockey Club be not precisely the authority, the Royal 

 Agricultural Society has, we fear, so far shown itself 

 scarcely worthy of the trust. Still, such a hint from high 

 places might stir up the Council to better things. 



" I scoru a patron, though I condescend 

 Sometimes to call a Minister my friend." 



[This was in 1860, and at the meetitig of the Koyal Agricultural Society, 

 in the following sonimer at Leeds, the example here cited was adopted, 

 and £100 premium given for the best thorough-bred horse. It was won 

 by Mr. Wyatt's Nutbourne; in 18G.2, at Battersea, by Mr. Phillips' 

 Ellington; and in 1863, at Worcester, by Mr. Gulliver's Neville.] 



