On tlie State of the Laio. 13 



best. It is a racing lottery — a vehicle for gambling 

 on an extensive scale, producing the largest field 

 of horses at the smallest expense. 



K great deal of nonsense is periodically published 

 on this subject: a gentleman, who had good horses 

 two years ago, proposed a class legislation limiting 

 the extent of weight to be carried by horses of the 

 same year, which in practice would have made a 

 large acceptance out of the question ; others are 

 horrified at the idea of an old horse winning with 

 a light weight. 



A popular handicap apparently gives every 

 animal an equal chance to win within the limits 

 of 9 st. 7 lbs. and 5 st. 7 lbs. ; we know that in the 

 spring a bad three-year-old cannot beat a first-class 

 old horse over a distance of ground within that 

 margin ; that is the owner's look-out. Horses must 

 be weighted according to the handicapper's idea 

 of their merits, without any other regard to their 

 ao-e, than what he considers is commensurate with 

 their staying qualities. There are two parties to 

 the bargain : if the non-contents are in the majo- 

 rity, the handicap is a failure. 



As long as gentlemen of known honour and 

 experience will take upon themselves the un- 

 thankful task of handicapping, racing will flou rish 

 when it gets into venal hands— when, after a race. 



