ARBITRARY PAYMENT OF TRAINING ACCOUNTS. 217 
for whose accommodation the bill has been taken, and im- 
plore him to take it up; but he either cannot or will not, and 
it is renewed with about as much probability of being met as 
in the first instance. In sum, when ultimately paid at the 
end of some two years, you find you have been training other 
people’s horses for nothing. Ido not say that this unsatis- 
factory practice is general, but I do not hesitate to affirm 
that it is too frequent. 
Nor is it only the impecunious who settle their long- 
standing accounts in this ruinous fashion—with them it 
is in a measure inevitable and therefore excusable. I have 
trained for a gentleman whose reported income is over 
430,000 a year, who has paid me in this way, renewing 
from time to time, without paying or adding the interest. I 
remember training for a nobleman (to whose acts of kindness 
Iam much indebted) for several years, who once sent me a 
cheque for £100, saying, “half a loaf is better than no bread,” 
though a large amount at the time was owing, and before 
another remittance was made the total had increased to 
47,500, which was settled by bills at long and different dates, 
only ultimately paid after the delay and unpleasantness usual 
in these cases. These deferred payments are manifestly one 
cause of the comparative poverty of the trainer. I could 
better afford and would much prefer to train horses for 30s. 
per week ready money (monthly payment), than for 50s. on 
the credit system such as I havedescribed. I have been told, 
and on the very best authority, that the late Mr. John Scott 
had at one time over £20,000 on his books owing to him, over 
and above his yearly bills, which temporarily so inconvenienced 
him, that he had to request time for the settlement of his own 
affairs. He recovered, however, and died comparatively a 
wealthy man, notwithstanding his enormous losses. It must 
