The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-25
neither he has. He may be blind Of an eye

Horse racing dates as far back as the earliest
periods of the Greek republics; and history tells
Us that the prize of the successful charioteer
was considered hardly inferior to the honors
achieved by the victorious general on the field
Of battle. Even in our day horse racing is pur-
sued by certain classes as the only pleasure
worth living for. Men who are ignorant Of
everything else can give the most accurate in
formation in relation to the breed Of favorite
horse, and really believe that beyond the limits
of the sporting world there is nothing worth
men are in their demonstrating on the speed
OF the animals engaged in the exciting contest
and SO absorbed in it that they appear to be
lost to sense Of everything else. Nor is this
feeling of deep interest to be wondered at, for
we know of nothing which is so calculated to
arouse the dormant energies as a well contest
ed steeple chase OF trotting match Many of
our readers doubtless remember the intense ex-
citement which extended over the whole
country at the time Of the great race between
Fashion and Boston for twenty thousand dollars
a side Sage members of Congress forgot for a
while the perplexing cares of State, and hasten
ed to see the contest between the rival racers,
the issue of which was to terminate forever the
long disputed question between the North and
South as to which produced the best running
horses. The bench and the bar threw aside for
once their wise looks and grave demeanor, and
allowed themselves to be carried away by the
prevailing enthusiasm. Every condition of life
was represented on the course, from the highest
dignitaries Of State to the poorest and
humblest citizen-all as deeply interested in
the race as If each had some important interest
at stake. When the result was made known
nothing could exceed the rejoicing with which
it was received by the North. although the race
was so admirably contested that there was very
little cause for Boosting. Within the last few
years great change has taken place in the public
mind in this particular horse race now
attracts very little attention outside of sporting
circles, and the announcement of trotting
match has little or no interest for any one ex-
cept the patrons of the course. Whether this is
cause for regret we must leave for others to
say but there is no denying it to be fact.
The substitution of trotting for racing has been
productive of such beneficial results that there
are very few, even among sporting characters.
who would desire to re-establish the old order
Of things in this respect. To it we may justly
attribute our excellent breed Of trotting horses
which are said to be superior to any in the
world. Lady Suffolk, Mac and long list of
others we could name, have not their equals in
England where the breeding of horses has been
brought to the highest state Of perfection.
There is another class Of horses which we
must not omit to mention-those used in the
circus. The exquisite grace Of some Of these
animals. and their wonderful sagacity. have
afforded no ordinary pleasure to thousands of
spectators They have been made to dance
cotillons, to waltz, and perform an innumerable
variety Of tricks, which exhibit degree Of in
telligence amounting almost to reason. Napo-
leon Barry O,Meara tells us, in his Voice from
st. Helena" was strongly impressed with the
belief that horses were rational animals; and
they certainly appear to have more common
sense than many human beings. They have
occupied many high positions in the State, if
we may credit what history relates OF them
Caligula, when he assumed the rank of deity
and had his statue placed among those Of the
heather gods, elevated his horse Incitatus to
the priesthood. and one of the ancient kings Of
Persia, we are told, was raised to the throne by
the neighing Of his horse.
Many anecdotes might be related to show the
important parts he has played in the his
tory of man; but his real worth can only be
estimated by the value of his services in the
various occupations in which he is employed.
We have endeavored to do this in our account
of the Horse Trade Of New York, leaving our
readers to Judge how far we have been sue
cessful
INTERESTING CONTRIBUTION TO THE New YORK
ExHIBITIoN-It will be in the recollection, per-
haaa ac mann ofo,,r ron dnrs that some time aon