148 TRIALS. 
second trials in all cases of the slightest doubt, and mcst 
strongly commend their adoption to others. A few days should 
intervene if possible ; and all else that is necessary is, that the 
animals should keep well, and the ground admit of the per- 
formance. I know that second trials are considered by many 
to be too severe, and are therefore condemned. But the prac- 
tice is one I have the greatest faith in. I tried it with Dudlccbella 
and Weatherbound, before their respective races at Newmarket ; 
also with St Giles and One Act, as I have already described, 
and in no single instance have I had cause to regret it. 
We all know that horses must gallop. There is no dis- 
guising this fact, say what we may; nor can there be any 
objection to their doing so without their clothing, or with 
boys up whose weight, more or less, you know: the difference 
between a good gallop, such as they must have near the time 
of their running, and a trial being simply this—in the one 
you do not know the weights, in the other you do. But I go 
further, and say it is better that they should gallop now and 
again free from the incumbrance of a heavy suit of clothing, 
and with a boy on their back whose weight you approximately 
know. Indeed, it is folly to assume that any one would 
neglect the practice who had at heart his own interest, and 
that which is not only inseparable from it, but is his first 
duty—the interest of his employers. 
