[88] 



bred ones to have the advantage, and na- 

 turally to clear their fences with more ease 

 to themselves. Horses that have been in 

 training for years cannot be expected to 

 make hunters ; but, nevertheless, what su- 

 periority a thorough-bred one has in every 

 respect, — above all, in speed, bottom, and 

 wind ? It often happens, when a cock-tail 

 is at the height of his speed, a thorough- 

 bred horse is only at three-quarters, and 

 the latter will always go through dirt (as 

 the term is) best. I have been very much 

 astonished in hearing men whom I have 

 known to be good sportsmen, and who 

 were in the habit of riding well to hounds, 

 argue in favour of the former ; but some per- 

 sons, for the sake of argument, will even at- 

 tempt to lay down positions at variance with 

 their own opinion. Many also differ about 

 turning horses out for what is called a 

 summer's run : I did it, because I could not 

 afford to do otherwise. I always thought 



