THE USE OE KORSE-KACING. 107 



I have yet another answer, and in turn I must 

 be querist. " What is the use of horse-racing ? 

 To fill some people's pockets, and empty others 1" 

 No, that is the abuse, not the legitimate use of the 

 thing. The primary object of horse- racing is a 

 national and rational one, to keep up a breed of 

 animals superior in speed, stoutness, and sym- 

 metry to those of every other countr}^ ; and one 

 use of fox-hunting, although not the only one, is 

 to keep up the stock of hardy, fearless riders, who^ 

 when leading a charge of cavalry against their ene- 

 mies, have ever proved themselves superior to 

 every other race of people in the world. These, 

 then, are the uses of fox-hunting, to prevent our no- 

 bility, gentry, and yeomanry from degenerating into 

 milksops ; to keep alive the spirit of chivalry, the 

 knowledge of horsemanship, and the contempt of 

 danger. Another use of fox-hunting is that the 

 place of fixture in the hunting field becomes a 

 focus of attraction from all sides of the country — 

 a grand reunion of the neighbouring gentry — 

 where, if not all, the great majority do congregate 

 to discuss other topics as well as that of the chase. 

 The bold yeomanry are there also, and men of every 

 class, who can participate in this national sport 

 without being considered intruders. The hunting 

 field, like the race-course^ is open equally to all Her 



