610 
VEETEBRATA. 
It is obvious, from tliese facts, that animals of a substantial and steady character are those most 
in demand among ns. From the general use of light wagons, however, the TroUing-Horse^ 
adapted to the whirling of these with swiftness over the road, has become a matter of fancy among 
us, and animals of this Idnd take somewhat the same place on the American turf as the race-horse 
does on the turf of Great Britain. The American Trotting-Horse has in fact acquired a European 
reputation, and the Trotting-Match has been transplanted from this country to England, France, 
and some other foreign countries. The names of celebrated American trotters are altogether too 
numerous to mention. In the published list of winners for the year 1856 alone, we find no less 
than four hundred ! That year Lady Flora trotted a mile in two minutes twenty-four and a 
quarter seconds, which is the best time on record. This celebrated animal won thirty-nine races 
in six years, losing eight ; her winnings amounted in all to $46,850. A mile under two minutes 
and forty seconds is considered good trotting. Tacony has done it in two twenty-five and a half; 
Lady Suffolk in two twenty-six and a half ; Aggy Doivn in two twenty-seven, and General Tay- 
lor also in two twenty-seven. In 1841 Fanny Jenks did ten miles in twenty-nine minutes fifty- 
nine seconds; in 1846 Fanny Murray did one hundred miles in nine hours, forty-one minutes, 
twenty-six seconds ; in 1850 li^ate did one hundred miles in nine hours forty-five minutes. 
Nor have we been altogether without noted examples of excellence in the race-horse. In May, 
1823, three heats of four miles each were run over the Union Course, on Long Island, for a stake 
of twenty thousand dollars, by American Fclipse and Sir Henry. The former was regarded as 
representing the North and the latter the South. The fame of the horses, and the local pride 
elicited b}^ the nature of the competition, drew an immense number of spectators — sixty thousand 
at least. Indeed, the match excited a sort of national feeling, and the result was looked for not 
by sportsmen only, but by the great mass of the American public, with an impatient interest. 
We have only space for a single extract from the description of this renowned race by an eye- 
witness. It relates to the second heat : 
" The horses, after a lapse of thirty minutes, were called up for a second heat. I attentively 
viewed Eclipse while saddling, and was surprised to find that, to appearance, he had not only en- 
tirely recovered, but seemed full of mettle, lashing and reaching out with his hind-feet, anxious 
and impatient to renew the contest. Mr. Purd}'-, having mounted his favorite, was perfectly at 
home and self-confident. The signal being again given, he went off" rapidly from the start; Sir 
Henry being now entitled to the inside, took the track and kept the lead, followed closely by 
Eclipse, whom Mr. Purdy at once brought to his work, knowing that game and stoutness was his 
play, and his only chance of success that of driving his speedy adversary up to the top of his rate 
without giving him the least respite. Henry went steadily on, nearly to the top of his speed, 
keeping a gap open between himself and Eclipse of about seven-eighths, or until, toward the con- 
clusion of the third mile, they had arrived nearly opposite the four-mile distance-post. Here Mr. 
Purdy made his run, and when they had advanced forty yards further, which brought them to 
the end of the third mile, was close up, say nose and tail. They now entered upon the fourth 
and last mile, which commences with a turn or sweep the moment you leave the starting-post. 
Here the crowd was immense. I was at this moment on horseback, stationed down the stretch 
or straight run, a short distance below the winning-post, in company with a friend, J. Buckley, 
the jockey, who kept close to me during the whole race. We pushed out into the center, or 
open space of the ground, in order to obtain a more distinct view of the struggle which we saw 
making for the lead ; every thing depended upon this effort of Purdy ; well he knew it ; his case 
was a desperate one and required a desperate attempt ; it was to risk all for all ; he did not hesi- 
tate. When the horses had got about one-third of the way round the sweep, they had so far 
cleared the crowd as to afford us a distinct view of them a little before they reached the center 
of the turn ; Eclipse had lapped Henry about head and girth, and appeared evidently in the act 
of passing. Here Buckley vociferated, 'See Eclipse! look at Purdy! By heavens, on the inside!' 
I was all attention. Purdy was at the left hand or inside of Henry ; I felt alarmed for the con- 
sequence, satisfied that he had then hazarded all, and feared that Walden would take advantage 
of his position, and by running in, force him against or inside one of the poles. When they had 
proceeded a little more than half-way round the sweep, the horses were a dead lap ; when about 
