184 PUBLIC COURSING. 



who was also in the secret as to her capabilities. ' Movement ' 

 likewise was sold in the same way, and some few other winners 

 might be enumerated, but they are only exceptions to the above 

 rule, such as ' Cerito ' for instance, which bitch was bought at an 

 enormous price after her first successful performance, and after- 

 wards won the Waterloo Cup three times. 



Mr. Spinks has also been more successful in purchasing than in 

 breeding, having obtained ' Seacombe,' ( Sea Rock,' ( Sea Pink ' 

 and ( Sea Foam ' by the former plan, which have been far more 

 useful to him than his numberless puppies. On the other hand 

 Mr. Randell has never bought a first-rate dog at full age, with the 

 exception of ' Rival ' purchased of Sir St. George Grore, ' Riot ' and 

 ' Ranter ' having been obtained from Mr. Pridmore when whelps. 



Besides, a young hand would be more likely to select a good- 

 looking dog which has had all his work taken out of him than 

 one which would be really useful to him. It is better, therefore, 

 to devote all your energies and money to the procuring a good brood 

 bitch or two, and while her progeny are growing up, to try the 

 e 'prentice hand ' upon what you can easily buy at four or five 

 pounds a piece, confining your trials to a friendly competition 

 with your neighbour's dogs. In this way you will gain the experience 

 at little cost which would otherwise empty a long purse to obtain. 

 Many a man has spent five or six hundred pounds in the purchase 

 of a lot of useless animals, and has lost as much more in the first 

 season in stakes and expenses. It is not even safe to buy a winner, 

 for a dog may be of such a constitution as to be only in condition 

 once or twice a year, especially with the physicking system which 



