Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-07
Colonel Bruce.

In connection with the thoroughbred
race-horse, the names OF Bruce, boswell
and Hughes are often associated. DOS
well was our great breeder and trainer
and a good, kindly. lovable man he was.
Bruce is the author of the stud-book
which makes a library of n great many
volumes. while Judge Hughes is not only
the owner of fine horses. but Is the
champion who Is ever ready TO raise his
lance or pen against any one who has
word of detraction for the Virginia
and Kentucky strains OF thorough
breds. Some years ago the Judge wrote
an entertaining series OF letters for the
Dispatch on this favorite subject, OF his.
Many OF our readers recollect them
Quite recently, friends of Colonel Bruce
gave the Colonel a reception in New
York, and, among the specially invited
guests was Judge Hughes, who expressed
his regret at not being able TO be pres
ent, and wrote as follows:
United States Courts.
Norfolk, Va, January 2S. 1891.
Ny Dear Slr,-I have had the pleasure
to receive your invitation TO n reception
to be given Colonel S. D. Bruce, in New
York, on Saturday next, the goth IN
slant.
regret that It will be out OF my
names of Colonel Bruce, of Kentucky
and Colonel Boswell OF Virginia. are
inseparably associated with fine horses
and fine running in our day and land.
Colonel Bruce has the additional prestige
of being the author OF the best books
on thoroughbred horses ever published.
Hei an oracle on blood-horse pedigrees,
universally consulted. The six volumes
OF his "Stud-Book," his Turf, Field,
and Farm" (sixty volumes), AID his
Horse Breeders Guide" make an IN
valuable body of literature on the Amerl-
can blood-horse, and render US independ-
ent of English publications on the sub
iect. Colonel Bruce has done herculean
work IN this field, and accomplished a
lavor (of love- for which no other man
was competent. / never think OF him
except with sentiments OF gratitude and
admiration.
In his birth, life, and work. he Is
type Of the equestrian branch OF our
American population.
The people of the middle belt Of our
Continent, from ocean-shore 10 ocean,
shore, are. I'm the main, equestrians.
Those OF New England. al home and IN
their migrations, are. for the most part.
pedestrians These last have been large
ly instrumental in peopling the lands
wrested from the savage by men on
horseback. The equestrian, with winged
spurss rife on pommel, is the apparl-
ton which, over continental spaces
through trackless wilds has carried the
title and jurisdiction OF Uncle sam, 10
the Pacific ocean. The pedestrian mas
been a welcome tramp. and tenacious
souatter, upon domain thus found ana
explored by the mounted pioneer
Very necessary to the work OF the
equestrian was a stalwart horse. The
man in the saddle is a sorry pioneer II
the horse under him be without the feet
limbs. muscle, and wind OF thorough
bred.
The nomads Of Asia and North Africa
roaming for centuries over vast steppes
and deserts. succeeded by unceasing care
and diligence in developing horse or
muscle. bottom. and leetness, surpass-
ing all others in the world. England
and. through England, America, has been
duigent in importing the best types or
This horse of the Feast, and in jealousy
preserving his purity Of blood. No man
has done more valuable work IN this d.
rection than Colonel Bruce; and l nave
no doubt your convOcation on Saturday
will do and say things worthy. or the
man. the horse, and the occasios.
Yours most respectfully, .,
r. W. HUGHES.
.The winged spur is the crest Of the
Johnstones. Of Annandale. and was that
OF our General Joseph +. johnston OF
the Confederate army.