The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-02

country for some time past; and it has mani
tested itself more particularly in New York of
late than elsewhere. One day week before
last over ten thousand people assembled on the
Union Course to witness trial of speed and
endurance between the famous trotting horses
Ethan Allen and Lantern. They were harnessed
at each side to running horse attached to
wagon, and made the mile heat in two minutes
twenty-four and half seconds unparalleled
time. On Tuesday the rotting match for two
thousand dollars, between Flora Temple and
Ethan Allen, attracted fifteen thousand specta-
tors to the Fashion course, on which occasion the
three quickest heats ever made to wagon were
accomplished by Flora namely-2:25, 2:27a,
aud 2:27a. Both horses had previously made
the mile in 2:2S minutes, and this race
was trial for supremacy If any one
doubts that we are o fast horse loving
people, he has but to refer to these proceedings
ON the Fashion and Union race courses, or, in
deed, to observe the up town turnouts on any
fine day, or visit the fashionable hotels ut calling
time, where any notabilities may be staying,
when he will zee perhaps fifty teams at time
such as no country can excel in, splen-
didly harnessed, and driven by lveried
coachmen. Occasionally he may see three
superb horses harnessed abreast to carriage
and sometimes an odd tandem, and even
four-in-hand, with some New York "young
blood tastefully handling Z" the ribbons" Nor
is our passion for horsefesh confined to animals
running in harness. The boy, nowadays, when
he gets tired of his goat, mounts Shetland
pony, and the young man rejoices in his excellent
saddle horse. In short, every one who can afford
it, and great many who cannot, keep fast
horse now
The private stables Of New York are models
not excelled anywhere, and the specimens of
horsefesh owned by private individuals in this
metropolis are hardly to be matched in any city
in the world. In year or two, when the Gen.
trail Park is completed, its drives and rides will
present equipages Of every variety from the sui
by to the fourin-hand, tandem and three-a abreast
which, we venture to say, no public park any
where else can equal, either in elegance of style
or in the beauty of the horses.
The Central Park, in this respect, will exhibit
the civilizing portion of the community who are
disposed to enjoy this kind of amusement, apart
from the influences Of the barroom, the wayside
hotel and the rowdyism of the road. 1t will be
to this city what the Casino is to Florence-the
rendezvous where the Elite of the metropolis as
semble to indulge in the luxuries of fresh air
and exercise, and to show of, with friendly RI
valry, their magnificent teams.
1t may be said that keeping fast horses is an
NJ MI 10
that it is when we consider that two thousand
dollars is no uncommon price for handsome
pair, with good points and well matched: while
the winning horse at famous race readily
brings his ten thousand on the spot But the
love of the horse, as it is developing itself
amongst our people, is an evidence of the growth
Of manly and healthful enjoyment in the young
men Of the country which it is pleasant to con-
template. This taste will do much to keep the
rising generation from the enervating debauchery
of the barroom and the gaming table, and to
make them as hardy and vigorous as the scions
of the British aristocracy, who think noting of
abandoning the destinations of the London
saloons for q six months chase of the buffalo on
our Western prairies, and who despise the
smoother waters Of Yarmouth and Cowes, to
brave in their yachts the stormier waves of the
Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic.
1t is undoubtedly true that horse racing, as a
general thing, is demoralizing leading as it does
to gambling, drinking and other vices; but the
late races on the Fashion Course were excep-
tons; the most respectable portion Of the com
munity was present there, and genuine love
Of an celebrating sport, for its own sake alone,
seemed to animate all parties We question.
however, whether upon the whole yacht racing
is not the better and more desirable sport of the
two 1t certainly affords less temptations to dis.
sipation, and is less likely to lead the participant
into bad company; for one can select his asso
cates on board his own yacht, which it is almost
impossible to do on the race course or the road.
THREATENINGs OF A GENERAL WAR-SEcREr
ACTIVITY OF THE REVOLUTIONARY LEADERs.-The