FACTS ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN. 93 



length, bearing in mind what is fast time for each — 

 four trials. 



We now try him four lengths with 8st., to see 

 what weight i}ioes—four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 9st. — four trials. 



By these twelve trials we have got some insight into 

 his speed at different distances under different weights ; 

 but our work is only half done yet, for these trials 

 have been all run in one way — namely, at best pace 

 from end to end, and this may by no means suit the 

 horse, or rather colt : so, though we may have found 

 out what he does best, running in this ivay, we know 

 but little of him as yet ; for if he has done any or all 

 of these trials badly, we may have upset him by con- 

 tinued pace, and he may be a race-horse still, and a 

 good one, in races run in a different manner : and if 

 he has, on the other hand, done any or all well, he 

 may still in another way do better. 



To ascertain this, we must now select a trial-horse 

 whose qualities we precisely know, and who we also 

 know will run kind ; and we must go all over our 

 ground again, beginning at a mile with 7st., and 

 making the pace such as to try the colt's speed, 

 courage, and temper in finishing — four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 8st. — four trials. 



Ditto, ditto, ditto, with 9st. — four trials. 



We have therefore had twentyfoiLv trials before we 

 can ascertain how to best place and run a horse — a 

 very pretty dose this, and a pretty animal our nag 

 would come out after such an ordeal — a good two 

 years' work, and enough too ! And yet we could not 

 2"et at what is a horse's best with less trial than I have 

 supposed as a case. I trust, therefore, it shows I am 

 not far astray in venturing an opinion, that many 



