236 The Pytchley Hunt, Past and Present, 



subjects of so mucli laudation by an appreciative owner as 

 these two. 



Fond of seeing a mare and foal roaming within range 

 of his study-window^ Mr. Young ventured upon the ex- 

 periment of breeding a few thoroughbreds, and many is 

 the cigar that has been smoked whilst contemplating the 

 beauties, imaginary or otherwise, of a placid-eyed mother 

 and long-legged child. Commencing with selling a filly 

 by '^^ Fisherman ^' out of " Durbar ''^ to Lord Stamford at 

 a price something more than remunerative, it seemed to 

 the fortunate vendor as if he had hit the secret of 

 successful breeding at the first attempt. But fickle 

 Fortune, content with bestowing a single favour on the 

 hopeful country gentleman, soon shook her wings and 

 fled. Each youngster after this that was born into the 

 world seemed only a vehicle for fresh worries and mishaps, 

 and it became evident to Mr. Young that he was not to 

 escape the common lot of breeders of horses. Disappoint- 

 ment followed disappointment ; but the ^^ most un- 

 kindest cut of all " came one day, when on being asked 

 by Mr. Bevan, what might be the price of a good-looking 

 four-year-old then being ridden by Mr. Young, he replied, 

 ^^ Four hundred guineas." " Ah, I see,^' said the other, 

 " a hundred a leg, and three of them veiy good ones ! " 

 It was only too true. The quick and practised eye had 

 fallen upon a weak-looking spot, and a little work soon 

 proved the truth of Mr. Bevan's discovery that all four 

 legs were not equally good. Suffering a considerable 

 shriukage in value, the promising young one passed into 

 other hands ; and his late owner made no further experi- 

 ments in the diSicult science of breediug for profit. 



In his sixtieth year a singular incident revealed to 



