VARIETY OF OPINIONS. 301 
French patent shoe, and not very dissimilar to the English 
plate, but shorter; the number of nails ordinarily used in 
fixing it being six only. It has some advantages, It is 
cheap and is said to be durable, although, on the latter point 
and in regard to its general usefulness, I prefer that others 
should judge of it for themselves ; for though I have seen it, 
I have not seen it long enough in use to speak decisively for 
or against it. With racehorses the shoe and foot are seldom 
exposed to the trying effects of the hard road; with them 
therefore these shoes might be worth a trial, especially as they 
offer one advantage over the common system of shoeing— 
horses can race in them. Lieutenant Perry, we are told, tried 
the experiment of working a mare unshod on the road, with, 
as might have been looked for, a disastrous result; and this 
should suggest caution in the use of Mr. Westley Richard's 
invention, though not necessarily condemning it. 
But I may say in conclusion, that there is scarcely any sub- 
ject on which scientific and theoretic opinions differ so much 
as on that of the shoe and shoeing. All cannot be right ; and 
when we find direct contrariety of principles, we may well 
hesitate to accept this or the other theory. If, for example, 
Mr. Miles, who has written on the subject, be correct in 
affirming that five nails only are required for properly 
fastening the shoe, what becomes of Mr. Spooner’s theory 
that eight are imperatively needed? or of Mr. Turner's as- 
sumption that no nails whatever are requisite on the inside ? 
Mr. Bracey-Clark, again—another theoretical authority— 
stands alone in believing that a hinge at the toe is an improve- 
ment, and though agreeing with the French plan as to the 
requisite number of nails, differs with it as to their disposition ; 
Mr. Clarke placing five on the outside and three on the inside, 
whilst in the French system, the number on either side is 
