The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-30

from the Spirit OF the Times Dec. 3O.l
A short time since we published notice to all
whom 1t might concern, announcing that the colt
Harry Bassett, by Lexington out OF Canary Bird,
by imported Albion, grandam Penola, by imported
cSaa be backed 70 run against aeSns
any eagernsss to accept TINS challenge Some have
"a Ss
t 10 us 70 % ara we are
draw up articles in order to satisfy tie curiosity Of
people who do not want 10 make The match.
II any gentleman comes to this ONCE pre-
IN a match Tor SIS, 600 a side we viii very
soon produce the arrlcles; and in order that there
may be no uncertainty about the conditions lie
would have to agree TO, we again state the pro-
positon:-Uolonel McDanIes will back his colt Tor
$25,000 side, TO run four miles, and undertake to
beat Lexington's time, the colt to carry 1O4 lbs.
and the race to come o d at Saratoga next summer,
81 acS %s as %ay ne TSe Of 9n IL
side TO be put up as forfeit and the balance to be
made good on or before the day OF the race. This
ageous one for Colonel Mechanics to offer. aud we
call the attention OF gentlemen IN England, France
and Germany as well as those in this country and
the Dominion OF Canada, to 1t. Every turfman and
breeder OF the thoroughbred horse, and eyery adj
mirer OF that most noble OF quadrupeds, must take
a profound interest In the capacity or the best
specimens OF The racer OF our day; and so must
all those who comprehend the great truth so
often incucated In this paper-tnat the excel
lence OF other breeds OF horses chiefly depends
upon the formation. the courage, the speed
crosses with the thoroughbred. Now. we nave no
doubt whatever upon one point and that Is. that
Colonel McDanlels reJ0ices Ia q horse of the very
highest type He is fully satisfied OF that fact HIM
SELF and hence his offer Harry Bassett against
the time OF his sire, Lexington which the best
OF all those concerning which we have true record
and are not vexed by the fables OF uncertain tradi
ton. Still. we consider it very great and in some
respects per0us enterprise on his part. lie has 70
take the risk OF the colt remaining IN good health
and of going through the grand preparation neces-
sary to tt him Tor such an arduous task without
jury. And even If the horse should come to the
post IN such condition as to satisfy Colonel
McDaniels and please Captain Moore, upon whose
report, description ana recommendation tile Colonel
bought nim 1t would remain In doubt whether
he could beat Lexington's time before he mad
actually done II. In the estimation or some
men OF large experience and good judgment,
to accomplish that grand exploit as any that mas
appeared upon the turf since Lexington himself ran
on the Metalrie III 7:lgs4 yet he made lamentable
failure when put to the test IL Is that he was
not In first rate four-mile condition. and that the
race was the worst managed affair ever seen upon
any course. The chance OF the horse destroyed
by set OF stupid and obstinate d0nkeys; but while
had the capaclty to beat the time. It is much more
prudent and reasonable to hold tnat in spite or his
many victories, achieved over good horses at
various distance with what seemed to be ridiculous
ease, lie probably had not. In OF all THIS and
bearing In mind the SURPRISING interest such race
would excite all over the world among the multi
tudes OF able and intelligent men who delight in
horses. we should thinE that some gentleman OF
means, or some confederacy OF gentlemen, would
accept the proposition OF Colonel Mechanics and
make the match. When any one Is prepared 10 do
so let them call al this office,